Cell Biology Fundamentals

Cells

• Basic units of life
• Contain genetic material (DNA or RNA)
• Have cell membrane that separates internal environment from external environment
• Can be prokaryotic (no nucleus) or eukaryotic (has nucleus)

Cellular Organelles

• Nucleus: contains genetic material
• Mitochondria: generates energy for cell through cellular respiration
• Endoplasmic reticulum: involved in protein synthesis and transport
• Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis
• Lysosomes: contain digestive enzymes for breaking down cellular waste

Biological Molecules

• Carbohydrates: provide energy, structure, and storage
  • Examples: glucose, cellulose, starch
• Proteins: perform various functions, such as enzymes, hormones, and structural components
  • Examples: hemoglobin, insulin, collagen
• Nucleic acids: contain genetic information
  • Examples: DNA, RNA
• Lipids: provide energy, structure, and insulation
  • Examples: triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol

Genetics

• Heredity: passing of traits from parents to offspring
• Genes: units of heredity that carry information
• Alleles: different forms of a gene
• Dominant and recessive genes: impact of alleles on phenotype
• Punnett squares: tool for predicting genotype and phenotype

Evolution

• Change in species over time through natural selection and genetic drift
• Mechanisms of evolution:
  • Mutation
  • Gene flow
  • Genetic drift
  • Natural selection
• Evidence for evolution:
  • Fossil record
  • Comparative anatomy
  • Molecular biology

Ecosystems

• Communities of living and nonliving components
• Energy flow: producers, consumers, decomposers
• Nutrient cycling: carbon, nitrogen, water
• Interactions: symbiosis, competition, predation

Biological Processes

• Photosynthesis: conversion of light energy into chemical energy
• Cellular respiration: conversion of chemical energy into ATP
• Fermentation: anaerobic breakdown of glucose
• Transpiration: water transport in plants

Biological Systems

• Nervous system: control and coordination
• Circulatory system: transport of oxygen and nutrients
• Immune system: defense against pathogens
• Digestive system: breakdown and absorption of nutrients

Cellular Structure

• Cells are the basic units of life, containing genetic material (DNA or RNA)
• Cells have a cell membrane that separates the internal environment from the external environment
• Cells can be prokaryotic (no nucleus) or eukaryotic (has a nucleus)

Cellular Organelles

• Nucleus: contains genetic material
• Mitochondria: generates energy for the cell through cellular respiration
• Endoplasmic reticulum: involved in protein synthesis and transport
• Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis
• Lysosomes: contain digestive enzymes for breaking down cellular waste

Biological Molecules

• Carbohydrates:
  • Provide energy, structure, and storage
  • Examples: glucose, cellulose, starch
• Proteins:
  • Perform various functions, such as enzymes, hormones, and structural components
  • Examples: hemoglobin, insulin, collagen
• Nucleic acids:
  • Contain genetic information
  • Examples: DNA, RNA
• Lipids:
  • Provide energy, structure, and insulation
  • Examples: triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol

Genetics

• Heredity: passing of traits from parents to offspring
• Genes: units of heredity that carry information
• Alleles: different forms of a gene
• Dominant and recessive genes: impact of alleles on phenotype
• Punnett squares: tool for predicting genotype and phenotype

Evolution

• Change in species over time through natural selection and genetic drift
• Mechanisms of evolution:
  • Mutation
  • Gene flow
  • Genetic drift
  • Natural selection
• Evidence for evolution:
  • Fossil record
  • Comparative anatomy
  • Molecular biology

Ecosystems

• Communities of living and nonliving components
• Energy flow:
  • Producers
  • Consumers
  • Decomposers
• Nutrient cycling:
  • Carbon
  • Nitrogen
  • Water
• Interactions:
  • Symbiosis
  • Competition
  • Predation

Biological Processes

• Photosynthesis: conversion of light energy into chemical energy
• Cellular respiration: conversion of chemical energy into ATP
• Fermentation: anaerobic breakdown of glucose
• Transpiration: water transport in plants

Biological Systems

• Nervous system: control and coordination
• Circulatory system: transport of oxygen and nutrients
• Immune system: defense against pathogens
• Digestive system: breakdown and absorption of nutrients

Get familiar with the basic units of life, including cell structure, organelles, and their functions. Test your understanding of cells, cellular respiration, and protein synthesis.