Fundamentals of Biology Overview

Definition: The study of life and living organisms.
Branches of Biology:
- Cell Biology: Study of cell structure and function.
- Genetics: Study of heredity and genetic variation.
- Evolutionary Biology: Study of the origins and changes in species over time.
- Ecology: Study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
- Microbiology: Study of microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses.

Organization: Living things are made of cells (unicellular or multicellular).
Metabolism: Life forms carry out chemical reactions to maintain life.
Homeostasis: Regulation of internal environment (temperature, pH).
Growth and Development: Organisms grow and undergo specific changes.
Reproduction: Ability to produce new organisms (asexual or sexual).
Response to Stimuli: Reacting to environmental changes.
Adaptation through Evolution: Changes in traits over generations for survival.

Cell Theory:
- All living organisms are composed of cells.
- The cell is the basic unit of life.
- All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Types of Cells:
- Prokaryotic: Lacks a nucleus (e.g., bacteria).
- Eukaryotic: Contains a nucleus and organelles (e.g., plants, animals).

DNA Structure: Double helix composed of nucleotides (A, T, C, G).
Gene: Segment of DNA that encodes for a protein.
Heredity: Transmission of traits from parents to offspring.
Mendelian Genetics: Principles of inheritance (dominant and recessive traits).

Natural Selection: Mechanism by which populations adapt to their environment.
Speciation: Formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
Fossil Record: Provides evidence of past life forms and evolutionary changes.

Ecosystem: A community of living organisms and their physical environment.
Biomes: Large ecological areas with similar climate and organisms (e.g., desert, rainforest).
Food Chain/Web: Demonstrates energy flow from producers to consumers and decomposers.

Anatomy: Study of body structure.
Physiology: Study of body function.
Major Systems:
- Circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, and endocrine systems, among others.

Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert sunlight into energy.
Cellular Respiration: Process of converting glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP).
Evolutionary Mechanisms: Mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, and natural selection.

Genomics: Study of genomes and their functions.
Biotechnology: Manipulation of living organisms for practical applications.
Conservation Biology: Study of biodiversity and efforts to protect species and habitats.

Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms.
Its branches include: cell biology, genetics, evolutionary biology, ecology, and microbiology.

The Cell Theory states that:
- All living organisms are composed of cells.
- The cell is the fundamental unit of life.
- All cells originate from existing cells.
Types of Cells:
- Prokaryotic: Lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles, like bacteria.
- Eukaryotic: Possess a nucleus and other organelles, like animals and plants.

DNA Structure: A double helix composed of nucleotides: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
Gene: A segment of DNA that encodes instructions for a protein.
Heredity: The passing of traits from parents to offspring.
Mendelian Genetics: Explains inheritance patterns of traits, including dominant and recessive traits.

Natural Selection: The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully.
Speciation: The formation of new and distinct species through evolution.
Fossil Record: Evidence of past life forms and the process of evolutionary change.

Ecosystem: A community of interacting living organisms and their physical environment.
Biomes: Large geographical areas with similar climate and organisms, such as deserts and rainforests.
Food Chain/Web: Illustrates the flow of energy through an ecosystem, from producers to consumers to decomposers.

Anatomy: Focuses on the structure of the human body.
Physiology: Explores the functions of the human body.
Major Systems: The human body is composed of various systems, including: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, and endocrine systems, among others.

Photosynthesis: The process by which plants convert sunlight into energy.
Cellular Respiration: The process of breaking down glucose and oxygen to produce energy (ATP).
Evolutionary Mechanisms: Mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, and natural selection contribute to evolutionary changes.