Overview of Biology

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

Botany: Study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, and classification.
Zoology: Study of animals, focusing on behavior, physiology, classification, and distribution.
Microbiology: Study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Genetics: Study of heredity and variation in organisms; includes molecular genetics, population genetics, and quantitative genetics.
Ecology: Study of interactions between organisms and their environment, including ecosystems and biomes.
Evolutionary Biology: Study of the origins and changes in the diversity of life over time.

Cell Theory:
- All living organisms are composed of cells.
- The cell is the basic unit of life.
- All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Types of Cells:
- Prokaryotic: Simple, no nucleus (e.g., bacteria).
- Eukaryotic: Complex, with a nucleus (e.g., plants, animals, fungi).

DNA Structure: Double helix made of nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
Gene Expression: Process where information from a gene is used to synthesize functional gene products (proteins).
Mendelian Genetics: Principles of inheritance established by Gregor Mendel, including laws of segregation and independent assortment.

Natural Selection: Mechanism by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Speciation: Process by which new species arise, often due to barriers that prevent gene flow.
Phylogenetics: Study of evolutionary relationships among biological entities.

Ecosystem Components:
- Biotic factors: Living components (plants, animals, microorganisms).
- Abiotic factors: Non-living components (water, soil, climate).
Biomes: Major ecological communities defined by climate and vegetation types (e.g., forest, desert, tundra).

Homeostasis: The ability of an organism to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.
Metabolism: The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in the body, including catabolism (breaking down molecules) and anabolism (building up molecules).

Scientific Method: Systematic process involving observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, and conclusion.
Biotechnology: Use of biological processes for industrial and other practical applications, including genetic engineering.

Biology encompasses the study of living organisms, focusing on their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and classification.

Botany: Involves plant physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, and classification.
Zoology: Examines animal behavior, physiology, classification, and distribution.
Microbiology: Explores microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Genetics: Studies heredity and variation, encompassing molecular, population, and quantitative genetics.
Ecology: Investigates interactions between organisms and their environment, covering ecosystems and biomes.
Evolutionary Biology: Analyzes the origins and changes in the diversity of life across time.

Cell Theory:
- All organisms consist of cells.
- The cell is the fundamental unit of life.
- Cells arise from existing cells.
Types of Cells:
- Prokaryotic: Simple structure without a nucleus (e.g., bacteria).
- Eukaryotic: Complex structure with a nucleus (e.g., plants, animals, fungi).

DNA Structure: Composed of a double helix formed by nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
Gene Expression: Converts genetic information from a gene into functional products, primarily proteins.
Mendelian Genetics: Principles of inheritance discovered by Gregor Mendel, including laws of segregation and independent assortment.

Natural Selection: Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Speciation: Formation of new species often occurs due to barriers preventing gene flow.
Phylogenetics: Examines evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Ecosystem Components:
- Biotic Factors: Living entities like plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- Abiotic Factors: Non-living elements such as water, soil, and climate.
Biomes: Major ecological communities characterized by specific climate conditions and types of vegetation (e.g., forest, desert, tundra).

Focuses on chemical processes in living organisms, emphasizing biomolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Homeostasis: Ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.
Metabolism: Total of all chemical reactions in the body, including catabolism (breaking down) and anabolism (building up).

Scientific Method: A systematic approach involving observation, hypothesis development, experimentation, and drawing conclusions.
Biotechnology: Application of biological processes for industrial purposes, including genetic engineering.