Introduction to Biology

Biology

Definition: The study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
Branches of Biology:
- Botany: Study of plants.
- Zoology: Study of animals.
- Microbiology: Study of microorganisms.
- Ecology: Study of ecosystems and interactions between organisms.
- Genetics: Study of heredity and variation in organisms.
- Cell Biology: Study of cells and their physiological properties.
Cell Theory:
- All living organisms are composed of cells.
- The cell is the basic unit of life.
- All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Evolution:
- Change in genetic composition of populations over time.
- Natural selection as a key mechanism.
- Common descent: all living organisms share a common ancestor.
Human Body Systems:
- Circulatory System: Transports blood, nutrients, and oxygen.
- Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
- Digestive System: Breaks down food for nutrient absorption.
- Nervous System: Controls body functions and responds to stimuli.
Ecological Levels:
- Individual: A single organism.
- Population: A group of individuals of the same species.
- Community: Different populations interacting in a specific area.
- Ecosystem: A community plus its physical environment.
- Biosphere: Global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships.
Photosynthesis and Respiration:
- Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
- Cellular Respiration: Process of breaking down glucose for energy in the presence of oxygen.

Science

Definition: Systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.
Scientific Method:
- Observation: Gathering information about phenomena.
- Hypothesis: Formulating a testable statement or prediction.
- Experimentation: Conducting experiments to test hypotheses.
- Analysis: Interpreting data to draw conclusions.
- Communication: Sharing results with the scientific community.
Types of Sciences:
- Natural Sciences: Study of the natural world (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics).
- Formal Sciences: Study of abstract concepts (e.g., mathematics, logic).
- Social Sciences: Study of human behavior and societies (e.g., psychology, sociology).
Key Concepts:
- Theory: A well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world.
- Law: A statement based on repeated experimental observations that describe some aspect of the world.
- Variable: Any factor that can be changed in an experiment (independent, dependent, controlled).
Branches of Natural Science:
- Physics: Study of matter and energy and their interactions.
- Chemistry: Study of substances, their properties, and reactions.
- Earth Science: Study of the Earth and its processes (geology, meteorology, astronomy).
Importance of Science:
- Promotes critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Drives technological advancement and innovation.
- Informs public policy and decision-making.
Interdisciplinary Nature: Science often overlaps with other fields (e.g., biochemistry, bioinformatics) to address complex problems.

Biology

Study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
Branches of Biology:
- Botany: Focuses on plant life.
- Zoology: Centers on animal life.
- Microbiology: Investigates microscopic organisms including bacteria and viruses.
- Ecology: Examines ecosystems and organism interactions.
- Genetics: Explores heredity and genetic variation.
- Cell Biology: Studies cell structure and functions.
Cell Theory:
- All living organisms consist of cells; the cell is the fundamental unit of life.
- Cells originate from pre-existing cells.
Evolution:
- Describes changes in genetic composition over time, driven by natural selection.
- Common descent suggests all organisms are related through a shared ancestor.
Human Body Systems:
- Circulatory System: Responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, and oxygen.
- Respiratory System: Manages gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
- Digestive System: Breaks down food to absorb nutrients.
- Nervous System: Regulates body functions and responds to stimuli.
Ecological Levels:
- Individual: A single organism.
- Population: A group of the same species in a specific area.
- Community: Different populations in an area interacting with one another.
- Ecosystem: A community along with its physical environment.
- Biosphere: The global ecological system comprising all living beings and their interrelationships.
Photosynthesis and Respiration:
- Photosynthesis: Process where plants transform light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
- Cellular Respiration: The breakdown of glucose to release energy in the presence of oxygen.

Science

Systematic enterprise for organizing knowledge into testable explanations and predictions about the universe.
Scientific Method:
- Observation: Collecting information on phenomena.
- Hypothesis: Creating a testable statement or prediction.
- Experimentation: Testing hypotheses through experimental procedures.
- Analysis: Interpreting the gathered data to reach conclusions.
- Communication: Sharing findings with the scientific community.
Types of Sciences:
- Natural Sciences: Concerned with understanding the natural world (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics).
- Formal Sciences: Encompass the study of abstract concepts (e.g., mathematics, logic).
- Social Sciences: Focus on human behavior and societal structures (e.g., psychology, sociology).
Key Concepts:
- Theory: A robust explanation based on substantial evidence regarding a natural phenomenon.
- Law: A concise statement derived from repeated observations that describe aspects of the natural world.
- Variable: A factor that can change in an experiment, including independent, dependent, and controlled variables.
Branches of Natural Science:
- Physics: Examines matter, energy, and their interactions.
- Chemistry: Studies the properties and reactions of substances.
- Earth Science: Investigates Earth processes (including geology, meteorology, and astronomy).
Importance of Science:
- Enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Fuels technological advances and innovations.
- Informs policymaking and public decisions.
Interdisciplinary Nature: Science intersects with various disciplines, such as biochemistry and bioinformatics, to tackle complex issues.