Key Concepts in Biology

Key Concepts in Biology

Cell Theory

• All living organisms are composed of cells.
• The cell is the basic unit of life.
• All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Classification of Living Organisms

• Domains: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya.
• Kingdoms (in Eukarya): Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists.

Biological Macromolecules

1. Carbohydrates

   • Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
   • Functions: energy storage and structural support.
   • Examples: glucose, starch, cellulose.

2. Proteins

   • Made up of amino acids.
   • Functions: catalysis (enzymes), structure, transport, signaling.
   • Levels of structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary.

3. Lipids

   • Hydrophobic molecules.
   • Functions: energy storage, cellular membranes, signaling.
   • Types: fats, phospholipids, steroids.

4. Nucleic Acids

   • DNA and RNA.
   • Functions: storage and transmission of genetic information.
   • Composed of nucleotides.

Genetics

• Mendelian Genetics: Study of inheritance patterns.

  • Dominant and recessive alleles.
  • Punnett squares to predict offspring genotypes.

• Molecular Genetics: Focuses on gene structure and function.

  • DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes.

Evolution

• Theory of Natural Selection: organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
• Evidence for evolution: fossil record, comparative anatomy, molecular biology.

Ecology

• Study of interactions among organisms and their environment.
• Levels of organization: individual, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere.
• Key concepts: food chains/webs, energy flow, nutrient cycling.

Human Biology

• Major systems: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, musculoskeletal, immune, reproductive.
• Homeostasis: the process of maintaining a stable internal environment.

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis: process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
• Plant structures: roots, stems, leaves, flowers.
• Types of plants: mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms.

Microbiology

• Study of microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists.
• Importance: roles in ecosystems, human health, disease, and biotechnology.

Biotechnology

• Use of living systems and organisms to develop products.
• Techniques: genetic engineering, cloning, CRISPR, fermentation.

Conservation Biology

• Study of biodiversity and the preservation of species and their habitats.
• Importance: ecological balance, genetic diversity, human well-being.

Cell Theory

• All living organisms are made up of cells.
• Cells are the smallest unit of life.
• New cells can only arise from pre-existing cells.

Classification of Living Organisms

• Three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
• Within Eukarya, there are four kingdoms: Animals, Plants, Fungi, and Protists.
• These classifications are based on shared characteristics, like the presence or absence of a nucleus and cell walls.

Biological Macromolecules

• Four main types: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic Acids.

Carbohydrates

• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
• Serve as energy storage and structural support.
• Familiar examples include glucose (simple sugar), starch (complex carbohydrate), and cellulose (found in plant cell walls).

Proteins

• Polymers made up of amino acids.
• Have diverse functions:
  • Catalyzing reactions as enzymes
  • Providing structural support
  • Facilitating transport
  • Sending signals between cells.
• Complexity arises from four levels of structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.

Lipids

• Hydrophobic (water-repelling) molecules.
• Serve as energy storage, form cellular membranes, and participate in signaling.
• Fats, phospholipids, and steroids are important types of lipids.

Nucleic Acids

• Include Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic acid (RNA).
• Function in storing and transmitting genetic information.
• Composed of nucleotides (sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base).

Genetics

• Mendelian Genetics: Studies patterns of inheritance across generations.
• Dominant and recessive alleles influence traits.
• Punnett squares are used to predict offspring genotypes.
• Molecular Genetics: Focuses on the structure and function of genes.
• Explores the processes of DNA replication, transcription, and translation.

Evolution

• The theory of Natural Selection: Organisms best adapted to their environment are likely to survive and reproduce more offspring.
• Evidence for evolution: Fossil records, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology.

Ecology

• Study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
• Levels of organization: individual, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere.
• Key concepts: food chains and webs, energy flow, and nutrient cycling.

Human Biology

• Major systems: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, musculoskeletal, immune, and reproductive.
• All systems work together to maintain homeostasis: a stable internal environment.

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
• Plant structures: roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.
• Types of plants: mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms.

Microbiology

• Study of microscopic organisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists.
• Play crucial roles in ecosystems, human health, disease, and biotechnology.

Biotechnology

• Using living systems and organisms to develop products.
• Techniques: genetic engineering, cloning, CRISPR, and fermentation.

Conservation Biology

• Focuses on biodiversity and the preservation of species and their habitats.
• Important for ecological balance, genetic diversity, and human well-being.

This quiz covers fundamental concepts in biology, including cell theory, classification of living organisms, and biological macromolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Test your understanding of how these essential components contribute to life and the organization of living things.