Introduction to Biology

The study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues in plants and animals.

The study of the immune system and its response to pathogens and foreign substances.

The study of prenatal development, from gametes to embryos and fetuses.

The fundamental unit of life, forming the building block of all living organisms.

Organisms consisting of only one cell.

Organisms made up of many cells, often billions.

The process of increasing in size and number of cells.

The continuous changes an organism undergoes throughout its life.

The ability of an organism to produce offspring.

The sum of all chemical reactions happening within an organism.

The ability of an organism to detect and respond to changes in its environment or internal conditions.

The ability of organisms to survive and thrive in a particular environment.

The smallest building block of matter, consisting of a nucleus with protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.

A neutral chemical structure formed by two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

A specialized subunit within a cell with a specific function, like mitochondria or Golgi bodies.

A group of similar or dissimilar cells working together to perform a specific function.

All individuals of the same species living within a defined area.

Populations of different species interacting with each other in a particular area.

A community interacting with its surrounding non-living environment.

The scientific study of life and living organisms, exploring their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and classification.

Botany is the branch of biology that focuses on the study of plants, including their structure, physiology, ecology, and evolution.

Zoology is the branch of biology that focuses on the study of animals, including their behavior, physiology, anatomy, classification, and evolution.

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, and their impact on health, agriculture, industry, and the environment.

Genetics is the branch of biology that investigates the principles of heredity and variation, including the study of genes, chromosomes, genetic traits, inheritance patterns, and genetic disorders.

Ecology is the branch of biology that explores the relationships between organisms and their environment, including the interactions between living organisms and their habitats, ecosystems, and the biosphere.

Physiology is the study of the functions and processes of living organisms and their parts, including cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.

Anatomy is the branch of biology that examines the structure of organisms, including the arrangement of tissues, organs, and organ systems, through dissection, imaging techniques, and comparative anatomy.

Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms, including the structure and function of biomolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Biotechnology applies biological principles and techniques to develop products and technologies for various purposes, including medicine, agriculture, industry, and environmental conservation.

A hypothesis is a testable prediction that can be supported or refuted through experimentation. It's a proposed explanation for an observation, a starting point for scientific inquiry.

The three domains of life are Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. This classification system reflects fundamental differences in cellular structure and evolutionary history.

Archaea are single-celled prokaryotes that often thrive in extreme environments like hot springs or salty lakes. They have unique cell membranes with branched hydrocarbon chains.

Bacteria are single-celled prokaryotes that are abundant and diverse. They have unbranched hydrocarbon chains in their cell membranes.

Eukarya includes all organisms with cells that have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. This domain encompasses a wide range of life, from single-celled protists to multicellular plants, animals, and fungi.

Protists are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms that are mostly single-celled and have cell walls. They can be either autotrophic (making their own food) or heterotrophic (consuming other organisms).

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that can be multicellular (like mushrooms) or single-celled (like yeast). They have cell walls containing chitin and are heterotrophic, obtaining nutrients by decomposing matter or being parasitic.

Plantae includes terrestrial multicellular eukaryotic plants. These organisms have cell walls made of cellulose, are autotrophic, and use photosynthesis to make energy from sunlight.

Animalia includes multicellular eukaryotic organisms that lack cell walls. Their cells are organized into tissues and organs, and they have complex nervous and hormonal systems. Animals are heterotrophic and obtain nutrients by consuming other organisms.

The scientific method is a systematic approach to research involving observation, hypothesis formation, prediction, experimentation, data analysis, and conclusion drawing.