Intro to Biological Science

Introduction to Biological Science

• Biological Science is the branch of science that studies life, including living organisms, their structure, function, growth, evolution, and interactions with the environment.
• It is divided into two main branches: Biological Sciences (study of living things) and Physical Sciences (study of non-living things).

Branches of Biological Science

• Microbiology: study of microorganisms and their effects on other living organisms.
• Zoology: study of animals, their life, structure, physiology, development, and classification.
• Botany: study of plants.
• Genetics: study of heredity and variation of inherited characteristics.
• Ecology: study of the relationship between plants, animals, and their environment.

Characteristics of Living Things

• Complex Organization: living things are made up of one or more cells, which are organized into tissues, organs, and organ systems.
• Metabolism: living things exhibit a rapid turnover of chemical materials, involving exchanges of chemical matter with the external environment and transformations within the cells.
• Responsiveness: living things are able to respond to stimuli in the external environment.
• Growth: living things have the ability to take in material from the environment and organize it into their own structures.
• Reproduction: living things have the ability to produce copies of themselves.
• Evolution: living things have the ability to adapt to their environment through the process of evolution.

Branches of Biology

• Anatomy: study of the structure of organisms and their parts.
• Biochemistry: study of the chemical and physiochemical processes that occur within living organisms.
• Biophysics: study of the application of the laws of physics to biological phenomena.
• Biotechnology: exploitation of biological processes for the production of antibiotics, hormones, etc.
• Cell biology: study of cell structure and function.
• Ecology: study of the relationships between organisms and their environment.
• Evolution: study of the process by which different kinds of living organisms developed and diversified from earlier forms.
• Immunology: study of immunity.
• Marine biology: study of organisms in the ocean or other marine bodies of water.
• Molecular biology: study of the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids.
• Mycology: study of fungi.
• Parasitology: study of parasitic organisms.
• Virology: study of viruses.
• Cytology: study of cells.
• Paleontology: study of fossils of animals and plants.
• Ichthyology: study of fishes.
• Ornithology: study of birds.
• Entomology: study of insects.
• Herpetology: study of reptiles and amphibians.

Biological Levels of Organization

• Atom: smallest unit of matter.
• Molecule: chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by a chemical bond.
• Cell: smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living organisms.
• Tissue: group of similar cells carrying out the same function.
• Organ: collection of tissues grouped together based on a common function.
• Organ system: higher level of organization that consists of functionally related organs.
• Organism: individual living entity.
• Population: all individuals of a species living within a specific area.
• Community: set of populations inhabiting a particular area.
• Ecosystem: living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, or non-living parts of that environment.
• Biosphere: collection of all ecosystems, representing the zones of life on Earth.

Microscope

• Device that uses lenses to magnify objects.
• Compound microscope: most common type of microscope used in laboratory classes.
• Electron microscope: uses beams of electrons to bring the finest details of the cell into focus.
• Three basic structural components: head/body, base, and arm.
• Optical components: eyepiece lenses, objective lenses, and condenser.
• Stage: where the specimen to be viewed is placed.
• Aperture: hole in the stage through which the base transmits light reaches the stage.

Equipment Used in Biological Experiments

• Microscopes: for visualizing cells and organelles.

• Test tubes: for centrifuging, adding solutions, and mixing chemicals.

• Petri dishes: for growing cultures.

• Dyes: for staining structures of the cell.

• Indicators: for determining chemical characteristics.

• Dissection equipment: scalpel, forceps, and probe.

• Beakers and flasks: for mixing solutions and chemicals.### Cell Types

• Classified into two main categories: prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

• Prokaryotic cells: lack true nucleus, have single large molecule of DNA, no membrane-bound organelles

• Eukaryotic cells: have true nucleus, multiple linear chromosomes, and membrane-bound organelles

Features of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

• Prokaryotic cells: typically small, simple, and ancient, with a single circular chromosome
• Eukaryotic cells: larger, more complex, and evolved from prokaryotes, with multiple linear chromosomes
• Key differences: size, complexity, number of chromosomes, and presence of membrane-bound organelles

Plant Cell and Animal Cell

• Plant cell: has cell wall, chloroplasts, and large vacuole, responsible for photosynthesis
• Animal cell: lacks cell wall, has centrioles, and smaller vacuole, responsible for various functions

Subcellular Components

• Nucleus: contains genetic material, controls cell growth and reproduction
• Mitochondria: generates energy for the cell through cellular respiration
• Chloroplasts: responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells
• Vacuole: stores water, salts, and other substances

Importance of Biology

• Helps us understand living organisms, their functions, and interactions
• Applications in medicine, agriculture, and conservation

Divisions of Biology

• Botany: study of plants
• Zoology: study of animals
• Microbiology: study of microorganisms
• Ecology: study of interactions between organisms and their environment