Ecosystems in Biology

Definition: A community of living and non-living components interacting with each other in a specific environment
Components:
- Biotic factors: living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms)
- Abiotic factors: non-living components (light, temperature, water, soil)
Types of ecosystems:
- Terrestrial ecosystems (forests, grasslands, deserts)
- Aquatic ecosystems (freshwater, marine, wetlands)
- Artificial ecosystems (agroecosystems, urban ecosystems)

Definition: The study of the structure, function, and behavior of cells
Cell structure:
- Plasma membrane: outermost layer of the cell
- Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell
- Nucleus: control center of the cell
- Organelles: specialized structures within the cell (mitochondria, ribosomes, etc.)
Cell functions:
- Metabolism: chemical reactions within the cell
- Photosynthesis: process of converting light energy into chemical energy
- Cell division: process of cell growth and reproduction

Definition: The change in the characteristics of a species over time
Mechanisms of evolution:
- Natural selection: process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce
- Genetic drift: random change in the frequency of a gene or genetic trait in a population
- Mutation: change in the DNA sequence of an organism
Evidence for evolution:
- Fossil record: layering of fossils in rock formations
- Comparative anatomy: similarities and differences in body structure among species
- Molecular biology: similarities and differences in DNA and protein sequences among species

Definition: The study of plants, including their structure, growth, evolution, and taxonomy
Plant structure:
- Roots: underground organs that absorb water and nutrients
- Stems: above-ground organs that support the plant
- Leaves: organs that carry out photosynthesis
- Flowers: reproductive organs of the plant
Plant functions:
- Photosynthesis: process of converting light energy into chemical energy
- Transpiration: process of water transport through the plant
- Respiration: process of breaking down glucose to produce energy

Definition: The study of heredity and variation in organisms
Key concepts:
- Genes: units of heredity that carry information from one generation to the next
- Traits: characteristics of an organism that are determined by genes
- Inheritance: passing of genes from one generation to the next
Genetic principles:
- Mendel's laws: laws of inheritance that describe how genes are passed from one generation to the next
- DNA structure: double helix model of DNA
- Gene expression: process of converting genetic information into a functional product

An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living components interacting with each other in a specific environment.
Biotic factors in an ecosystem include living organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Abiotic factors in an ecosystem include non-living components such as light, temperature, water, and soil.
There are three main types of ecosystems: terrestrial, aquatic, and artificial.
Terrestrial ecosystems include forests, grasslands, and deserts.
Aquatic ecosystems include freshwater, marine, and wetlands.
Artificial ecosystems include agroecosystems and urban ecosystems.

Cell biology is the study of the structure, function, and behavior of cells.
The plasma membrane is the outermost layer of the cell.
Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the cell.
The nucleus is the control center of the cell.
Organelles are specialized structures within the cell, including mitochondria and ribosomes.
Cells perform various functions, including metabolism, photosynthesis, and cell division.
Metabolism involves chemical reactions within the cell.
Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy.
Cell division is the process of cell growth and reproduction.

Evolution is the change in the characteristics of a species over time.
Natural selection is the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Genetic drift is a random change in the frequency of a gene or genetic trait in a population.
Mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism.
The fossil record, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology provide evidence for evolution.
The fossil record shows the layering of fossils in rock formations.
Comparative anatomy reveals similarities and differences in body structure among species.
Molecular biology reveals similarities and differences in DNA and protein sequences among species.

Botany is the study of plants, including their structure, growth, evolution, and taxonomy.
Plant structure includes roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.
Roots are underground organs that absorb water and nutrients.
Stems are above-ground organs that support the plant.
Leaves are organs that carry out photosynthesis.
Flowers are the reproductive organs of the plant.
Plant functions include photosynthesis, transpiration, and respiration.
Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy.
Transpiration is the process of water transport through the plant.
Respiration is the process of breaking down glucose to produce energy.

Genetics is the study of heredity and variation in organisms.
Genes are units of heredity that carry information from one generation to the next.
Traits are characteristics of an organism that are determined by genes.
Inheritance is the passing of genes from one generation to the next.
Mendel's laws describe how genes are passed from one generation to the next.
The DNA structure is a double helix model.
Gene expression is the process of converting genetic information into a functional product.