Overview of Biology

Definition: The study of living organisms, their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy.

Botany: Study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, and classification.
Zoology: Study of animals, covering their anatomy, behavior, evolution, and classification.
Microbiology: Study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Ecology: Study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
Genetics: Study of heredity and variation in organisms, focusing on genes and genetic variation.

Cell Theory: All living organisms are composed of cells, which are the basic unit of life.
Homeostasis: The ability of organisms to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.
Evolution: The process by which species adapt over time through natural selection and genetic variation.
Energy Transfer: Flow of energy through food chains; includes photosynthesis in plants and cellular respiration in animals.

Hierarchy of Life:
1. Domain
2. Kingdom
3. Phylum
4. Class
5. Order
6. Family
7. Genus
8. Species
Three Domains:
- Bacteria
- Archaea
- Eukarya (includes plants, animals, fungi, and protists)

DNA Structure: Double helix made up of nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a protein.
Chromosomes: Structures made of DNA that contain genes; humans have 46 chromosomes.
Mendelian Genetics: Principles of inheritance discovered by Gregor Mendel, including dominant and recessive traits.

Cell Types:
- Prokaryotic: Simple, no membrane-bound organelles (e.g., bacteria).
- Eukaryotic: Complex, with membrane-bound organelles (e.g., plant and animal cells).
Key Organelles:
- Nucleus: Contains genetic material.
- Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, site of ATP production.
- Ribosomes: Site of protein synthesis.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum: Synthesizes proteins (rough ER) and lipids (smooth ER).

Homeostasis Mechanisms: Include feedback systems (negative and positive feedback).
Organ Systems: Major systems include circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, and immune systems.

Ecosystems: Communities of living organisms and their physical environment.
Biomes: Large ecological areas with distinct climates and organisms (e.g., tundra, rainforest, desert).
Biodiversity: Variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, crucial for ecological stability.

Natural Selection: Process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.
Speciation: Formation of new and distinct species through evolutionary processes.

Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
Cellular Respiration: Process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.

Genomics: Study of genomes and their functions.
Biotechnology: Use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products.
Conservation Biology: Study of biodiversity and the preservation of species and ecosystems.

Study of living organisms, their structures, functions, growth, evolution, distribution, and classification.

Botany: Involves plant physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, and classification.
Zoology: Focuses on animal anatomy, behavior, evolution, and classification.
Microbiology: Examines microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Ecology: Investigates interactions between organisms and their environments.
Genetics: Analyzes heredity, genetic variation, and the role of genes.

Cell Theory: Establishes that all life is made up of cells, the fundamental units of life.
Homeostasis: Describes organisms' ability to maintain stable internal conditions.
Evolution: Explains species adaptation over time through natural selection and genetic variation.
Energy Transfer: Covers energy flow in ecosystems, including photosynthesis in plants and cellular respiration in animals.

Hierarchy of Life:
- Domains, Kingdoms, Phyla, Classes, Orders, Families, Genera, and Species form a systematic classification.
Three Domains of Life:
- Bacteria: Unicellular prokaryotes.
- Archaea: Unicellular prokaryotes, often found in extreme environments.
- Eukarya: Includes all organisms with eukaryotic cells, such as plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

DNA Structure: Comprised of nucleotides forming a double helix with adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.
Gene: DNA segment encoding a specific protein.
Chromosomes: DNA structures carrying genes; humans possess 46 chromosomes.
Mendelian Genetics: Principles of inheritance, including dominant and recessive traits, identified by Gregor Mendel.

Cell Types:
- Prokaryotic Cells: Simple, lacking membrane-bound organelles (e.g., bacteria).
- Eukaryotic Cells: Complex, contain membrane-bound organelles (e.g., plant and animal cells).
Key Organelles:
- Nucleus: Houses genetic material.
- Mitochondria: Known as the powerhouse of the cell, produces ATP.
- Ribosomes: Sites for protein synthesis.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum: Responsible for synthesizing proteins (rough ER) and lipids (smooth ER).

Homeostasis Mechanisms: Regulation systems utilizing negative and positive feedback loops.
Organ Systems: Major systems include circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, and immune.

Ecosystems: Consist of communities of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.
Biomes: Large ecological regions characterized by specific climate conditions and types of organisms (e.g., tundra, rainforest, desert).
Biodiversity: Represents the variety of life in a specific habitat, crucial for maintaining ecological balance.

Natural Selection: Describes how organisms better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Speciation: The process leading to the emergence of new and distinct species.

Photosynthesis: Mechanism by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
Cellular Respiration: Process where cells transform glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), producing carbon dioxide and water.

Genomics: Focused study of genomes and their functionalities.
Biotechnology: Application of living systems to create or improve products.
Conservation Biology: Dedicated to studying and preserving biodiversity and ecosystems.