Welcome to Biology

Biology is the study of life and living processes (what living things do). You will learn everything from DNA - the building blocks of life, to how entire populations of living things interact. Not to mention the secrets of your bodies!

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Biochemistry

Photosynthesis - the chloroplast, light dependent reaction.
Enzymes - induced fit, factors, digestive.
Proteins - amino acids, polypeptides, structures.

Cell Biology

Cell Cycle - interphase, mitosis, cell division, cytokinesis.
Analysing Cells - Electron microscope, centrifugation.
Osmosis - permeable membrane, water, turgidity.

Ecology

Human Influence - farming, pollution, eutrophication.
Predation - Competition, predator-prey cycle.
Studying Ecosystems - sampling, statistics, experiments.

Genetics

Genetic Engineering - sticky ends, plasmid, vector.
DNA - nucleotides, bases, replication, polymerase chain.
Protein Synthesis - transcription, translation, ribosome.

Human Physiology

The Kidneys - urea, ultrafiltration, loop of Henle, ADH.
The Lungs - breathing, pleural cavity, alveolus, bronchus.
Hormones - glands, oestrogen, tesosterone, adrenaline.

Microbiology

Antibiotics - penicillin, tetracycline, bactericidal, resistance.
Sewage Treatment - activated sludge, digesters.
Viral Infection - structure, HIV, transmission, avoiding.

Plant Biology

Plant Growth - auxins, tropism, applications.
Transpiration - The leaf, cuticle, stomata, factors.
Translocation - root structure, mass-flow, evidence.

Classification

Taxonomy is putting organisms into catagories; by kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species. There are five kingdoms. Speciation the creation of new species, this results from isolation.


Variation and Meiosis

There are two types of variation between people: continuous and discontinuous, this variation can be caused by meiosis, the process of cell division in gametes. Steps include crossing over and bivalent formation.


Biotechnology

Microorganisms are used for industrial processes as diverse as manufacturing yogurt and penicillin. For many processes, it is necessary to isolate enzymes and immobilze them, by entrapment, binding or bonding.


Biochemical Tests

It is important to be able to identify various molecules from reducing sugars to proteins using various techniques. You can also use chromatography and use Rf values to identify any compounds.