Genetics Key Concepts

Genetics

Key Concepts:

• DNA Structure: Double helix model, composed of nucleotides (A, C, G, and T)
• Genotype: Genetic makeup of an individual (e.g., BB or Bb)
• Phenotype: Physical characteristics resulting from genotype (e.g., blue eyes or brown eyes)
• Mendelian Inheritance: Laws of inheritance, including segregation, independent assortment, and dominance
• Genetic Variation: Sources of variation, including mutation, recombination, and gene flow

Molecular Genetics:

• Replication: Semi-conservative process, where DNA is replicated in a 5' to 3' direction
• Transcription: Process of creating RNA from DNA template, using RNA polymerase
• Translation: Process of creating protein from mRNA, using ribosomes

Cell Biology

Cell Structure:

• Plasma Membrane: Semi-permeable membrane, regulating what enters/leaves cell
• Cytoplasm: Jelly-like substance, site of cellular activity
• Nucleus: Control center, containing genetic material (DNA)
• Mitochondria: Powerhouses, generating energy for cell (ATP production)

Cellular Processes:

• Cell Division: Binary fission, mitosis, and meiosis
• Cell Signaling: Communication between cells, using hormones, neurotransmitters, and receptor proteins
• Cellular Transport: Passive (diffusion, osmosis) and active transport (pumps)

Ecology

Key Concepts:

• Ecosystems: Interacting populations, communities, and environments
• Energy Flow: Transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next (producer, consumer, decomposer)
• ** Nutrient Cycles**: Biogeochemical cycles, including carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus

Population Ecology:

• Population Growth: Exponential growth, logistic growth, and limiting factors
• Population Dynamics: Interaction between populations, including competition, predation, and symbiosis

Community Ecology:

• Species Interactions: Types of interactions, including mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism
• Community Structure: Composition, diversity, and complexity of species interactions

Genetics

DNA Structure

• Double helix model composed of nucleotides (A, C, G, and T)

Inheritance

• Genotype: Genetic makeup of an individual (e.g., BB or Bb)
• Phenotype: Physical characteristics resulting from genotype (e.g., blue eyes or brown eyes)

Mendelian Inheritance

• Laws of Inheritance: Segregation, independent assortment, and dominance

Variation

• Sources of Variation: Mutation, recombination, and gene flow

Molecular Genetics

Replication

• Semi-Conservative Process: DNA replication in a 5' to 3' direction

Transcription

• Creating RNA from DNA: Process using RNA polymerase

Translation

• Creating Protein from mRNA: Process using ribosomes

Cell Biology

Cell Structure

• Plasma Membrane: Semi-permeable membrane regulating what enters/leaves cell
• Cytoplasm: Jelly-like substance, site of cellular activity
• Nucleus: Control center containing genetic material (DNA)
• Mitochondria: Powerhouses generating energy for cell (ATP production)

Cellular Processes

Cell Division

• Binary Fission: Asexual reproduction
• Mitosis: Cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells
• Meiosis: Cell division resulting in four non-identical daughter cells

Cell Signaling

• Communication between Cells: Using hormones, neurotransmitters, and receptor proteins

Cellular Transport

• Passive Transport: Diffusion, osmosis
• Active Transport: Pumps

Ecology

Key Concepts

Ecosystems

• Interacting Populations: Communities and environments

Energy Flow

• Transfer of Energy: From one trophic level to the next (producer, consumer, decomposer)

Nutrient Cycles

• Biogeochemical Cycles: Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles

Population Ecology

Population Growth

• Exponential Growth: Rapid growth with no limits
• Logistic Growth: Growth with limits due to environmental factors
• Limiting Factors: Factors affecting population growth (e.g., resources, predators)

Population Dynamics

• Interaction between Populations: Competition, predation, and symbiosis

Community Ecology

Species Interactions

• Types of Interactions: Mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism

Community Structure

• Composition, Diversity, and Complexity: Of species interactions

Menstruation

• The menstrual cycle is a biological process that prepares the uterus for a potential pregnancy every month.
• The cycle consists of four phases: menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase.
• Menstruation occurs between days 1-5, involving the shedding of the uterine lining.
• The follicular phase (days 1-14) sees ovarian follicles producing estrogen, thickening the uterine lining.
• Ovulation occurs on day 14, with the release of an egg from the ovary.
• The luteal phase (days 15-28) involves the empty follicle producing progesterone, preparing the uterus for implantation.
• Estrogen stimulates uterine lining growth, while progesterone prepares the uterus for implantation.
• Prostaglandins cause uterine contractions, aiding in the shedding of the uterine lining.

Genetics

• DNA is a molecule containing genetic information, structured as a double helix with a sugar-phosphate backbone and nitrogenous bases (A, C, G, T).
• Genes are segments of DNA that code for a specific trait or function.
• Gene expression is the process of converting genetic information into a functional product (e.g., protein).
• Autosomal dominant traits require a single copy of the dominant allele to express, while autosomal recessive traits require two copies of the recessive allele.

Heart

• The heart has four chambers: left and right atria, and left and right ventricles.
• The septum is a wall of tissue separating the atria and ventricles.
• Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium, flows to the right ventricle, and then to the lungs.
• Oxygenated blood enters the left atrium, flows to the left ventricle, and then to the rest of the body.
• Diastole is the heart muscle relaxing, allowing the heart to fill with blood, while systole is the heart muscle contracting, pumping blood out of the heart.

Circulatory System

• The circulatory system delivers oxygen to the body's tissues, removes carbon dioxide, and transports nutrients.
• Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
• Capillaries allow for the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste between the blood and tissues.
• Blood pressure corresponds to the highest pressure during systole (systolic pressure) and the lowest pressure during diastole (diastolic pressure).