Biology Lecture Summary 🧬

Introduction

Discussion about creating a summary video of main biology topics covered by Amoeba Sisters.
Purpose: To serve as a study tool, pausing to emphasize key points and vocabulary.
Biology has numerous exceptions and details which require exploration beyond main points.

Characteristics that differentiate living organisms from non-living entities.
Biological levels of organization from smallest (cell) to biosphere.
Cell Theory: Smallest living unit is the cell, all living things are made of cells, and all cells come from preexisting cells.
Levels of biological organization: Cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes, and biosphere.

Four major macromolecules: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
Building blocks:
- Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides
- Lipids: Fatty acids & glycerol
- Proteins: Amino acids
- Nucleic acids: Nucleotides
Enzymes: Proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions by binding substrates at the active site.
Denaturation: Loss of enzyme function due to unsuitable temperature or pH.

Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells:
- Prokaryotes: No nucleus, no membrane-bound organelles (e.g., bacteria, archaea).
- Eukaryotes: Nucleus and organelles (e.g., plants, animals, protists, fungi).
Common traits: DNA, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and cell membrane.
Eukaryotic organelles: Nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, mitochondria.
Cell membrane: Controls substance movement; consists of phospholipids.
Types of transport: Passive (diffusion, facilitated diffusion) and active transport using ATP.
Osmosis: Water movement through semi-permeable membrane.

Cellular respiration: Mitochondria break down glucose to yield ATP.
Photosynthesis: Chloroplasts convert sunlight into glucose.
Reactants and products between cellular respiration and photosynthesis are complementary.

DNA structure and function within eukaryotic cells, double helix form, bases pairing (A-T, C-G).
DNA replication: Helicase, DNA polymerase, primase, ligase, and Okazaki fragments.
Cell division: Cell cycle including G1, S, G2, and M phases.
Mitosis vs. Meiosis: Difference in purposes and outcomes (body cells vs. gametes).

Mendelian inheritance: Dominant and recessive alleles.
Non-Mendelian inheritance: Sex-linked traits, multiple alleles, incomplete dominance, codominance.
Pedigrees: Tracking traits through generations.
Protein synthesis: Transcription (nucleus) and translation (ribosome).

Bacteria: Prokaryotic cell structure, beneficial (gut flora) vs. harmful (pathogens).
Viruses: Non-living, require host for reproduction, structures include DNA/RNA and protein coat.
Differences between bacteria and viruses.

Domains: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya.
Taxonomy levels after domain: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
Importance of scientific names.

Vascular vs. nonvascular plants.
Photosynthesis: Importance of structure (chloroplasts, xylem, phloem, stomata).
Sexual reproduction in angiosperms: Pollination, fertilization, double fertilization.

Food chains and food webs: Energy flow through ecosystems.
Ecological succession: Primary (new areas) vs. secondary (disturbed areas).
Biogeochemical cycles: Carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle.
Ecological relationships: Predation, competition, symbiosis (mutualism, parasitism, commensalism).

Overview of eleven body systems and their interactions (circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory, immune, integumentary, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal).
Interaction examples: Adrenaline affecting heart rate, breathing rate.