Cell Biology Basics

Cell Biology

• Cell Structure:
  • Plasma membrane: semi-permeable membrane separating cell from environment
  • Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside cell membrane
  • Nucleus: control center of cell, contains DNA
  • Mitochondria: energy-producing organelles
  • Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis
• Cellular Processes:
  • Photosynthesis: conversion of light energy into chemical energy
  • Cellular Respiration: breakdown of glucose to produce energy (ATP)
  • Mitosis: process of cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells
  • Meiosis: process of cell division resulting in four non-identical daughter cells (gametes)

Genetics

• Inheritance Patterns:
  • Mendel's Laws: laws of inheritance ( segregation, independent assortment, dominance)
  • Autosomal dominant/recessive traits: one allele dominates or is masked by another
  • Sex-linked traits: genes located on sex chromosomes (X/Y)
• DNA Structure and Function:
  • Double helix model: two complementary strands of nucleotides
  • Genetic code: sequence of nucleotides determines amino acid sequence
  • Replication: process of creating an exact copy of DNA
  • Transcription: process of creating RNA from DNA template
  • Translation: process of creating protein from RNA sequence

Evolution

• Evidence for Evolution:
  • Fossil Record: chronological record of ancient organisms
  • Comparative Anatomy: similarities and homologies between species
  • Molecular Biology: similarities in DNA and protein sequences
• Mechanisms of Evolution:
  • Natural Selection: process of adaptation to environment
  • Genetic Drift: random change in allele frequency
  • Gene Flow: exchange of genes between populations
  • Mutation: change in DNA sequence

Ecology

• Ecosystems:
  • Biotic factors: living components (organisms)
  • Abiotic factors: non-living components (environment)
  • Energy Flow: energy transfer between trophic levels
  • Nutrient Cycles: recycling of nutrients
• Population Dynamics:
  • Population growth/decline: changes in population size
  • Limiting factors: environmental factors affecting population growth
  • Carrying capacity: maximum population size an environment can support

Cell Biology

• Plasma membrane: semi-permeable membrane separating cell from environment
• Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside cell membrane
• Nucleus: control center of cell, contains DNA
• Mitochondria: energy-producing organelles
• Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis

Cellular Processes

• Photosynthesis: conversion of light energy into chemical energy
• Cellular Respiration: breakdown of glucose to produce energy (ATP)
• Mitosis: process of cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells
• Meiosis: process of cell division resulting in four non-identical daughter cells (gametes)

Genetics

Inheritance Patterns

• Mendel's Laws: laws of inheritance (segregation, independent assortment, dominance)
• Autosomal dominant/recessive traits: one allele dominates or is masked by another
• Sex-linked traits: genes located on sex chromosomes (X/Y)

DNA Structure and Function

• Double helix model: two complementary strands of nucleotides
• Genetic code: sequence of nucleotides determines amino acid sequence
• Replication: process of creating an exact copy of DNA
• Transcription: process of creating RNA from DNA template
• Translation: process of creating protein from RNA sequence

Evolution

Evidence for Evolution

• Fossil Record: chronological record of ancient organisms
• Comparative Anatomy: similarities and homologies between species
• Molecular Biology: similarities in DNA and protein sequences

Mechanisms of Evolution

• Natural Selection: process of adaptation to environment
• Genetic Drift: random change in allele frequency
• Gene Flow: exchange of genes between populations
• Mutation: change in DNA sequence

Ecology

Ecosystems

• Biotic factors: living components (organisms)
• Abiotic factors: non-living components (environment)
• Energy Flow: energy transfer between trophic levels
• Nutrient Cycles: recycling of nutrients

Population Dynamics

• Population growth/decline: changes in population size
• Limiting factors: environmental factors affecting population growth
• Carrying capacity: maximum population size an environment can support