Ecosystems Basics

An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living things interacting with each other in a specific environment.

Biotic factors: living things, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms
Abiotic factors: non-living things, such as light, temperature, water, and soil

Terrestrial ecosystems: land-based ecosystems, such as forests, grasslands, and deserts
Freshwater ecosystems: ecosystems found in rivers, lakes, and wetlands
Marine ecosystems: ecosystems found in oceans and seas

Producers: organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis, such as plants and algae
Consumers: organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms, such as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores
Decomposers: organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as fungi and bacteria

Genetics is the study of heredity and variation in organisms.

Genes: units of heredity that carry information from one generation to the next
Genotype: an organism's genetic makeup
Phenotype: an organism's physical and behavioral traits
Alleles: different forms of a gene that occupy the same position on a chromosome

Mendelian inheritance: the study of how traits are passed down from one generation to the next according to the laws of Mendelian genetics
Dominant and recessive alleles: how one allele can mask the effect of another allele
Incomplete dominance: when the effect of one allele is not completely masked by another allele
Codominance: when both alleles have an equal effect on the phenotype

Double helix: the twisted ladder-like structure of DNA
Nucleotides: the building blocks of DNA, consisting of a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base
Replication: the process by which DNA is copied
Transcription: the process by which DNA is used to synthesize RNA
Translation: the process by which RNA is used to synthesize proteins

An ecosystem includes interactions between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components in a specific environment.

Biotic Factors: Include organisms like plants, animals, and microorganisms that contribute to the ecosystem.
Abiotic Factors: Consist of non-living elements such as sunlight, temperature, water, and soil that shape the environment.

Terrestrial Ecosystems: Land-based environments, encompassing forests, grasslands, and deserts, each characterized by specific climates and organisms.
Freshwater Ecosystems: Aquatic systems including rivers, lakes, and wetlands, which are vital for biodiversity and resource availability.
Marine Ecosystems: Comprise oceans and seas, covering the largest portion of the Earth's surface and supporting diverse marine life.

Producers: Organisms like plants and algae that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.
Consumers: Organisms that derive energy from consuming other living beings, categorized into herbivores (plant eaters), carnivores (meat eaters), and omnivores (both plant and meat eaters).
Decomposers: Organisms such as fungi and bacteria that recycle nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter.

Genetics focuses on heredity and variation among organisms, explaining how traits are transferred through generations.

Genes: Units of heredity that transmit genetic information from parents to offspring.
Genotype: The complete genetic profile of an organism, which may not always be visible.
Phenotype: Observable traits and behaviors of an organism influenced by its genotype and environmental factors.
Alleles: Variants of a gene that exist at a specific locus on a chromosome, influencing the expression of traits.

Mendelian Inheritance: Principles governing trait inheritance as discovered by Gregor Mendel, focusing on dominance and segregation.
Dominant Alleles: Alleles that can mask the presence of recessive alleles in influencing phenotype.
Recessive Alleles: Alleles that are only expressed phenotypically when paired with another recessive allele.
Incomplete Dominance: Phenomenon where neither allele is completely dominant, resulting in a blended phenotype.
Codominance: Situation where both alleles contribute equally to the phenotype, exhibiting both traits.

Double Helix: The structural form of DNA, resembling a twisted ladder, crucial for genetic stability and information storage.
Nucleotides: The fundamental building blocks of DNA comprising a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base, joining to form the DNA strand.
Replication: The process where DNA duplicates itself prior to cell division, ensuring genetic continuity.
Transcription: Conversion of DNA into RNA, allowing for protein synthesis and gene expression.
Translation: The process wherein ribosomes synthesize proteins based on the sequence of RNA, playing a key role in cellular function and development.