Genetics and Evolution Basics

Genetics

• DNA Structure: Double helix model, composed of nucleotides (A, C, G, T)
• Genotype: Genetic makeup of an individual
• Phenotype: Physical expression of genotype
• Mendel's Laws: Inheritance patterns of traits ( segregation, independent assortment, dominance)
• Genetic Variation: Sources: mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, meiosis
• Genetic Engineering: Recombinant DNA technology, gene editing (CRISPR)

Evolution

• Theory of Evolution: Species change over time through natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow
• Natural Selection: Survival and reproduction of fittest individuals
• Speciation: Formation of new species
• Fossil Record: Chronological record of evolutionary history
• Homologous Structures: Similarities between species (e.g., forelimbs)

Microbiology

• Microorganisms: Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists
• Cell Structure: Prokaryotic (no nucleus) vs. eukaryotic (nucleus) cells
• Metabolism: Energy production, nutrient uptake, waste removal
• Disease Causation: Infection, pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions
• Immune Response: Recognition, activation, and elimination of pathogens

Ecosystems

• Energy Flow: Producers (plants), consumers (herbivores, carnivores), decomposers
• Food Webs: Networks of predator-prey relationships
• Nutrient Cycles: Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, water cycles
• Ecological Niche: Unique role of a species in an ecosystem
• Biodiversity: Variety of species, ecosystems, and genes

Cells

• Cell Membrane: Semipermeable, regulates transport, maintains homeostasis
• Cell Organelles: Nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, lysosomes, etc.
• Cellular Transport: Passive (osmosis, diffusion) and active transport
• Cell Division: Mitosis, meiosis, cytokinesis
• Cell Signaling: Communication between cells, signal transduction pathways

Ecology

• Population Ecology: Demography, population growth, regulation
• Community Ecology: Species interactions, predator-prey dynamics
• Ecosystem Ecology: Energy flow, nutrient cycling, ecosystem services
• Landscape Ecology: Spatial patterns, habitat fragmentation, connectivity
• Conservation Biology: Preserving biodiversity, managing ecosystems

Water

• Water Cycle: Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff
• Water Quality: Physical, chemical, biological parameters (pH, turbidity, etc.)
• Water Pollution: Sources, effects, and mitigation strategies
• Water Conservation: Efficient use, conservation methods, and policies
• Aquatic Ecosystems: Freshwater, marine, estuarine ecosystems, and their importance

Genetics

• DNA structure consists of a double helix model composed of nucleotides (A, C, G, T)
• Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an individual
• Phenotype is the physical expression of an individual's genotype
• Mendel's Laws describe the inheritance patterns of traits, including segregation, independent assortment, and dominance
• Genetic variation arises from sources such as mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, and meiosis
• Genetic engineering involves recombinant DNA technology and gene editing (CRISPR)

Evolution

• The Theory of Evolution states that species change over time through natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow
• Natural selection is the process by which the fittest individuals survive and reproduce
• Speciation is the formation of new species
• The Fossil Record provides a chronological record of evolutionary history
• Homologous structures are similarities between species, such as forelimbs

Microbiology

• Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists
• Cell structure can be either prokaryotic (no nucleus) or eukaryotic (nucleus)
• Metabolism involves energy production, nutrient uptake, and waste removal
• Disease causation involves infection, pathogenesis, and host-pathogen interactions
• The immune response involves recognition, activation, and elimination of pathogens

Ecosystems

• Energy flow occurs through producers (plants), consumers (herbivores, carnivores), and decomposers
• Food webs are networks of predator-prey relationships
• Nutrient cycles involve the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and water
• An ecological niche is the unique role of a species in an ecosystem
• Biodiversity refers to the variety of species, ecosystems, and genes

Cells

• The cell membrane is semipermeable, regulates transport, and maintains homeostasis
• Cell organelles include the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, lysosomes, etc.
• Cellular transport involves passive (osmosis, diffusion) and active transport
• Cell division involves mitosis, meiosis, and cytokinesis
• Cell signaling involves communication between cells and signal transduction pathways

Ecology

• Population ecology involves demography, population growth, and regulation
• Community ecology involves species interactions and predator-prey dynamics
• Ecosystem ecology involves energy flow, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem services
• Landscape ecology involves spatial patterns, habitat fragmentation, and connectivity
• Conservation biology involves preserving biodiversity and managing ecosystems

Water

• The water cycle involves evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff
• Water quality is measured by physical, chemical, and biological parameters (pH, turbidity, etc.)
• Water pollution arises from sources, effects, and mitigation strategies
• Water conservation involves efficient use, conservation methods, and policies
• Aquatic ecosystems include freshwater, marine, estuarine ecosystems, and their importance