Introduction to Biology

Study Notes

What is Biology?

Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy.

Branches of Biology

• Botany: study of plants and their interactions with the environment • Zoology: study of animals and their interactions with the environment • Microbiology: study of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi • Ecology: study of the interactions between organisms and their environment • Genetics: study of heredity, genes, and genetic variation • Biochemistry: study of the chemical processes that occur within living organisms • Molecular Biology: study of the structure and function of biological molecules such as DNA and proteins • Cell Biology: study of the structure and function of cells, the basic units of life

Biological Molecules

• Carbohydrates: provide energy for the body (e.g. sugars, starches, fibers) • Proteins: perform a wide range of functions in the body (e.g. enzymes, hormones, structural proteins) • Lipids: provide energy and structure for the body (e.g. fats, oils, cholesterol) • Nucleic Acids: contain the genetic information necessary for life (e.g. DNA, RNA)

Cell Structure

• Plasma Membrane: separates the cell from its environment and regulates what enters and leaves the cell • Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic processes take place • Nucleus: contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) • Mitochondria: generate energy for the cell through cellular respiration • Endoplasmic Reticulum: involved in protein synthesis and transport • Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis

Biological Processes

• Photosynthesis: process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy • Cellular Respiration: process by which cells generate energy from glucose • Mitosis: process of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell • Meiosis: process of cell division that results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell (occurs in gamete formation)

What is Biology?

Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy.

Branches of Biology

Botany studies plants and their interactions with the environment.
Zoology studies animals and their interactions with the environment.
Microbiology studies microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Ecology studies the interactions between organisms and their environment.
Genetics studies heredity, genes, and genetic variation.
Biochemistry studies the chemical processes that occur within living organisms.
Molecular Biology studies the structure and function of biological molecules such as DNA and proteins.
Cell Biology studies the structure and function of cells, the basic units of life.

Biological Molecules

Carbohydrates provide energy for the body, including sugars, starches, and fibers.
Proteins perform a wide range of functions in the body, including enzymes, hormones, and structural proteins.
Lipids provide energy and structure for the body, including fats, oils, and cholesterol.
Nucleic Acids contain the genetic information necessary for life, including DNA and RNA.

Cell Structure

The Plasma Membrane separates the cell from its environment and regulates what enters and leaves the cell.
Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic processes take place.
The Nucleus contains the cell's genetic material (DNA).
Mitochondria generate energy for the cell through cellular respiration.
The Endoplasmic Reticulum is involved in protein synthesis and transport.
Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis.

Biological Processes

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy.
Cellular Respiration is the process by which cells generate energy from glucose.
Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
Meiosis is the process of cell division that results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell, occurring in gamete formation.

Description

Learn about the scientific study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Covers branches of biology such as botany, zoology, microbiology, and ecology.