Sproingworts are a rare species of plant that have evolved to live exclusively in the harsh, high-altitude environments of the Himalayan Mountains. These peculiar plants are characterized by their vibrant purple color and their unique method of reproduction, which involves the release of tiny, spiky seeds that are propelled through the air by a powerful burst of gas.
In the animal kingdom, there are few creatures more fascinating than the sea otter. These playful mammals are known for their incredibly dense fur, which keeps them warm in the chilly waters of the Pacific Ocean. They also have a unique diet that includes a wide variety of sea creatures, from crabs and clams to sea urchins and abalone.
Moving to the microscopic world, we find a diverse array of single-celled organisms that are essential to the functioning of our planet's ecosystems. From bacteria that break down dead organic matter to algae that produce oxygen through photosynthesis, these tiny organisms play a critical role in maintaining the delicate balance of life on Earth.
Of course, biology isn't just about individual organisms - it's also about the complex interactions between different species and their environments. For example, the relationship between plants and pollinators is a vital aspect of many ecosystems. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are just a few of the many animals that play a crucial role in pollinating plants and ensuring their survival.
At the molecular level, biologists are constantly uncovering new insights into the inner workings of living cells. From the complex processes of protein synthesis and DNA replication to the intricate signaling pathways that control cell growth and development, there is still so much to learn about the fundamental building blocks of life.
Welcome to Biology 101, the course that will take you on a journey through the wonders of life and the living world. In this class, we'll explore the basic principles of biology, from the structure and function of cells to the complex interactions between organisms and their environments.
Let's start with the basics: what is biology, exactly? At its core, biology is the study of life - everything from the smallest single-celled organisms to the largest, most complex ecosystems. It encompasses a wide range of fields, from genetics and biochemistry to ecology and evolution.
One of the fundamental concepts in biology is the cell theory. This theory states that all living organisms are composed of cells, which are the basic building blocks of life. Cells come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all share certain key features, including a cell membrane that separates the cell from its environment, genetic material (either DNA or RNA) that contains the instructions for the cell's function, and various organelles that carry out specific functions within the cell.
The study of cells is known as cytology, and it has led to many important discoveries about the nature of life.
4. Lipids
• Made of fatty acids and glycerol
• Function- energy storage and insulation
• Tests: brown paper test
• Examples: fats and steroids
Lipid vs. water
14. Plasma Membrane
aka: Cell Membrane
• Surrounds the cell
• Regulates what
enters/leaves the
cell
• Helps maintain
homeostasis
• Made of
phospholipids with
embedded proteins
15. Cell Wall
• Plant cells ONLY
• Surrounds cell and provides support and
protection.
• Made of cellulose
19. Cell to Cell Communication
• Chemical Signals
(hormones) can be
sent from one cell to
another
• Receptor proteins on
the plasma membrane
receive the signal
20. Diffusion
• Form of passive transport (NO ENERGY
NEEDED) across a membrane
• Solutes move from high concentration
to low concentration
24. Photosynthesis
• Water and Carbon
Dioxide used to produce
Glucose and Oxygen
• H2O+CO2C6H12O6+O2
• Occurs in the
chloroplast
25. Aerobic Respiration
• Used to release
energy (ATP) for
cellular use
• C6H12O6+O2H2O+CO2
• Occurs in the
mitochondria
26. Anaerobic Respiration
aka Fermentation
• Does not require Oxygen
• also used to release energy, but not as
efficient as aerobic respiration (less ATP)
• Products include CO2 and lactic acid or
alcohol
• Two Types: Alcoholic Fermentation and
Lactic Acid Fermentation
27. Autotroph vs. Heterotroph
• Obtain energy from
the environment
• Photosynthesis or
chemosynthesis
• “Producers”
• Obtain energy from
other living things
• “Consumers”
28. DNA / RNA
• Carry genetic information
• Made of a chain of nucleotides
• Nucleotides contain a sugar, phosphate,
and a nitrogen base
29. DNA / RNA
DNA
• Double stranded
• “Double Helix”
• Four base pairs: ATGC
• Sugar is Deoxyribose
• Found in nucleus
RNA
• Single stranded
• Four base pairs:
AUCG
• Sugar is Ribose
30. Base Pair Rule
• In DNA,
Adenine always pairs with Thymine, and
Guanine always pairs with Cytosine
34. Translation
• Connects amino acids in the correct
order to make a protein
• Occurs in the cytoplasm within the
ribosomes
A- amino acid
B- tRNA
C- anticodon
D- codon
E- mRNA
F- Ribosome
G-polypeptide
42. Asexual vs. Sexual
Reproduction
Asexual
• One parent
• Identical offspring
• Variation only thru
mutations
• Examples: budding,
fragmentation,
fission
Sexual
• Two parents
• Offspring different
from parents
• More variation
• Fertilization (fusion
of gametes)
43. Inheritance
• Traits are specific
characteristics
inherited from parents
• Genes are the factors
that determine traits
• The different forms
of a gene are called
alleles
45. Genotype
actual alleles an individual has for a trait
Homozygous
• Both alleles are the
same
• Ex. BB or bb
Heterozygous
• Both alleles are
different
• Ex. Bb
46. Phenotype
• The actual characteristic displayed by
the individual (ex. brown eyes,
Hemophiliac)
50. Multiple Alleles
• More than two alleles for a trait (an
individual still only inherits two)
• Ex. Blood Type (IA,IB, i)
type A = IAIA or IAi
type B = IBIB or IBi
type AB= IAIB
type O = ii
51. Sex Linked Traits
• Sex Chromosomes
– Female = XX
– Male = XY
• Sex linked traits
are carried on the
X chromosome
• Ex. Hemophilia,
red-green
colorblindness
52. Test Cross
• used to determine the phenotype of an
unknown dominant individual
• uses a homozygous recessive individual
as the “test”
53. Pedigree
• similar to a family tree
• Shows pattern of inheritance of a
specific trait through a family
54. Karyotype
• Picture of someone's
chromosomes
• Can detect
chromosomal disorders
Ex. Down Syndrome,
Klinefelter’s Syndrome, and
Turners Syndrome
56. Gel Electrophoresis
• Technique used to
separate molecules
(DNA or proteins)
based on their size
• Sometimes called a
DNA fingerprint
• Used to analyze and
compare DNA
57. Recombinant DNA
• Cell with DNA from
another source
• Bacteria used to
produce human
insulin
• Human gene inserted
into bacterial
plasmid
58. Transgenic Organism
• An organism with a
gene from another
source
• used to improve food
supply, research, and
healthcare
59. Clone
• An organism made from one cell of
another organism
• A genetically identical copy
60. Origin of Life
• Abiotic earth LACKED Oxygen
• Early organims anaerobic prokaryotes
Miller and Urey
Experiment recreating
The abiotic atomospere
61. Endosymbiotic Theory
• Eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotes
• Early prokaryotes engulfed other
prokaryotes and developed symbiotic
relationships
• Evidence includes mitochondria and
chloroplast have prokaryotic type DNA
62. Abiogenesis
• Living from non-living or
spontaneous generation
• Disproved by Redi and
Pasteur’s experiments
Biogenesis
• Living from Living
63. Natural Selection
• Theory of Evolution
• Fit organisms
survive, reproduce,
and pass on traits
Requirements:
• Variation
• Competition
64. Adaptations
• Trait that increases
survival
• For Example,
– Beaks that make it
easier to eat insects
– Bright flowers to
attract pollinators
– Vascular tissue in
plants to adapt to life
on land
65. Evidence for Evolution
• Fossil Record
• Biochemical Similarities
• Shared anatomical
structures
77. Non Vascular Plants
• Also called
Bryophytes
• No true roots or
vascular tissue
causing them to be
small in size
• Must live in moist
environments
• Reproduce with
spores
Ex. Mosses, liverworts
80. Insects
• Transport through open
circulatory system
• Exchange gases through
spiracles and tracheal
tubes
• Most reproduce sexually
with internal
fertilization
• Develop through
metamorphosis
81. Annelids
(segmented worms)
• Transport through closed circulatory
system
• Exchange gases through moist skin
• Reproduce asexually and sexually with
internal fertilization
82. Amphibians
• Transport through a closed
circulatory system involving a
three chambered heart
• Gas exchange in young with
gills, adults lungs and moist
skin
• Reproduce sexually with
external fertilization
• Develop through
metamorphosis
83. Mammals
• Transport though closed circulatory
system involving a four chambered
heart
• Gas exchange through lungs
• Reproduce sexually with internal
fertilization
• Young develop in a uterus and exchange
nutrients and oxygen through the
placenta (placental mammals)
84. Viruses
• Not considered living things
• Pathogens that can mutate to resist
vaccines
• Ex. HIV, Influenza,
Smallpox
85. Genetic Disorders and the
Environment
• Many diseases have
both genetic and
environmental
factors
• Ex. Cancer, diabetes,
PKU
86. Immune Response
B-cells
• Fight antigens
in body fluids
• B-cells make
antibodies
• Make memory
cells after
exposure to
antigen
T-cells
• Fight pathogens
inside living
cells
• May help B-
cells to make
antibodies
• Make memory
cells after
exposure to
pathogen
87. Immunity
Passive Immunity
• Antibodies are
introduced into the
body
• Short term
• Such as mother
transfers antibodies to
infant through breast
feeding
Active Immunity
• Antibodies are acquired
when an immune
response is activated in
the body
• Long term
• Ex. Vaccines are
weak/dead antigens that
are introduced to the
body
88. Parasites
• Lives on or within a
host
• Benefits while
causing harm to the
host
• Ex. Plasmodium
causes malaria
(genetic influence-
carriers of sickle
cell are resistant to
malaria)
89. Toxins
• Chemical that causes
harm to the body
• Can be man-made or
produced by
microorganisms
• Ex. Mercury and
Lead
90. Ecosystems
• Collection of
abiotic (nonlivng)
and biotic (living)
factors in an area
• Together they
influence growth,
survival, and
productivity of an
organism
93. Carrying Capacity
• Maximum number of
individuals that an
ecosystem can
support
• Limiting factors:
– Food availability
– Competition
– Disease
– Predation
– Natural Disasters
97. Human Impacts
Positive
• Reforestation
• Cover Cropping
• Recycling
• Sustainable practice
Negative
• Acid Rain
• Deforestation
• Habitat Destruction
• Invasive Species
• Ozone depletion from
the release of CFCs
98. Global Warming
• Increase in the
average temperature
of the earth
• Caused by the release
of too much CO2 into
the atmosphere which
amplifies the
greenhouse effect
• Burning of fossil fuels,
volcanic eruptions