Branches of Biology

Study Notes

Botany: study of plants, including their structure, growth, evolution, and classification
Zoology: study of animals, including their structure, growth, evolution, and classification
Microbiology: study of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi
Ecology: study of the interactions between organisms and their environment
Genetics: study of heredity, genes, and genetic variation
Biochemistry: study of the chemical processes that occur within living organisms
Biophysics: study of the physical principles underlying biological processes
Biotechnology: application of biological principles to develop new products and technologies

Cell structure:
- Plasma membrane: outer layer of the cell
- Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell
- Nucleus: contains genetic material (DNA)
- Mitochondria: generate energy for the cell
Cellular processes:
- Metabolism: chemical reactions that occur within the cell
- Photosynthesis: process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy
- Cell division: process by which cells reproduce themselves

Theory of evolution: all species of life have evolved over time through the process of natural selection
Mechanisms of evolution:
- Mutation: change in the DNA sequence of an organism
- Gene flow: movement of genes from one population to another
- Genetic drift: random change in the frequency of a gene in a population
- Natural selection: process by which organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce

Ecosystem components:
- Biotic factors: living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms)
- Abiotic factors: non-living components (water, temperature, light)
Ecosystem processes:
- Energy flow: energy is transferred from one organism to another through food chains and webs
- Nutrient cycling: nutrients are recycled through the ecosystem
- Decomposition: process by which organic matter is broken down into simpler substances

Botany is the study of plants, covering their structure, growth, evolution, and classification
Zoology is the study of animals, including their structure, growth, evolution, and classification
Microbiology involves the study of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi
Ecology explores the interactions between organisms and their environment
Genetics is the study of heredity, genes, and genetic variation
Biochemistry focuses on the chemical processes that occur within living organisms
Biophysics examines the physical principles underlying biological processes
Biotechnology applies biological principles to develop new products and technologies

Metabolism involves chemical reactions within the cell
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy
Cell division is the process by which cells reproduce themselves

The theory of evolution states that all species of life have evolved over time through natural selection

Mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism
Gene flow is the movement of genes from one population to another
Genetic drift is a random change in the frequency of a gene in a population
Natural selection is the process by which organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce

Energy flows through ecosystems via food chains and webs
Nutrient cycling involves the recycling of nutrients through the ecosystem
Decomposition is the process by which organic matter is broken down into simpler substances