Biological Science

Biology is the study of living organisms, their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin and distribution.
The cellular theory of life states that all living organisms are made of cells. All cells arise from preexisting cells.
A group of similar cells having similar functions form tissues.
A group of tissue forms an organ.
Several organs working together form a system
Cells are divided into two varieties: prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Prokaryotes have no nucleus or other internal membranes. Bacteria are prokaryotes.
Eukaryotes have a nucleus and are more complex cells. They make up every other form of life such as human cells.
General functions of cells include (a) the manufacture of proteins and other materials that build the cell; (b) the
manufacture of food for energy and (c) reproduction
Parts of a cell
Nucleus found in the center of the cell;
contains chromosomes, which carry
genetic materials; controls and regulates
the
functions of the organelles
Ribosomes the site of protein synthesis
Endoplasmic reticulum
Rough E.R. the site of protein
synthesis resulting from the
attached ribosomes
Smooth E.R. assists in the
synthesis of steroid hormones
and
other lipids and carries out
various detoxification processes
Golgi apparatus they package
substances produced in the rough
endoplasmic reticulum and secrete then
to
other parts or to the cell surface for
export
Lysosomes the principal site of
intracellular digestion.
Mitochondria site of cellular respiration
Vacuoles single, membrane bound structures for storage
Plastids found only in plants and algae. They are small organelles that contain pigment or food. They are three types
Chloroplasts the site of photosynthesis; contains chlorophyll, a green pigment present in all green plant and
cyanobacteria that is responsible for the absorption of light to provide energy for photosynthesis
Leucoplasts store starch and are found in roots or in tubers
Chromoplasts store carotenoid pigments and are responsible for the red-orange-yellow color of carrots and tomatoes.
Cell wall present only in plant cells; a rigid layer of polysaccharide that lies outside of the plasma membrane.
Cell membrane a selectively permeable membrane that regulates the steady traffic that enters and leaves the cell.
Cell division functions in growth, repair and reproduction. The two types of cell division are
Mitosis cell division that occurs in somatic cells; a parent cell that produces two new cells whose chromosomes are the
same in number as the parent cell; daughter cells are diploid
Meiosis occurs in sexually reproducing organisms and results in cells with half the chromosome number of the parent
cell; daughter cell is haploid
Most cells have a predetermined life span. They normally divide for a set number of cell divisions and then die. When cells
grow and divide until they become too crowded, they stop diving. This normal reaction to overcrowding is called contact
inhibition. If cells lose their contact inhibition and begin to divide uncontrollably, they are said to be cancerous.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule of heredity. Mutations are changes in the genetic material. Mutations can be
caused by mutagenic agents including toxic chemicals and radiation
A virus is a parasite that can live only inside another cell. It is neither classified as a living or a non-living thing. Each type
of virus can infect only one specific cell type because it gains entrance into a cell by binding to specific receptors on the
cell surface. A sudden emergence of new strains of virus that affects animals may result from a mutation in the virus that
expands it host range. Some common viral disease are
Colds - virus infects only the membranes of the respiratory system
AIDS - The virus infects only one type of white blood.
Hepatitis - virus infects the liver
Dengue viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes causing sudden fever, rashes, severe headache, pain behind the eyes
and muscles and joints. Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day. There is nospecific treatment for dengue but the usual
treatment is to the replacement of lost fluids in the patient.
Foot and Mouth disease (FMD)a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, deer and other cloven
hoofed animals that causes blisters on mouth, teats and soft tissues of the feet. FMD is not a significant health risk to
people.

Bacteria are unicellular organisms that have cell walls but lack organelles and organized nucleus. Bacteria are widely
distributed in water, soil, air and on or in the in the tissues of plants and animals. Bacteria can be both harmful and
beneficial.
Bacteria play a role in chemical changes such as organic decay, nitrogen fixation and fermentation.
Bacteria can cause diseases. Some of these are
Tuberculosis
Prions are infectious proteins that cause several brain damage such as mad cow disease in cattle. Prions are not cells and
are not viruses however because they are seriously infectious entities they are included with viruses.
Plants are multicellular, eukaryotic and autotrophic (can manufacture their own food)
Plants produce their own food through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll and
sunlight. The product of photosynthesis is glucose and oxygen
During the night, where sunlight is absent, plants will not be able to manufacture food through photosynthesis. At night,
plants respire, taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide into the air.
Classification of plants
Bryophytes or non vascular plants that has no transport vessels
Tracheophytes or vascular plants with transport vessel like xylem and phloem
Seedless plants
Seed plants
Gymnosperms cone bearing
Angiosperms flowering plants
o Monocot
o Dicot
Some important parts of plants
Roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil
Stems transport the nutrients to the leaves through cells that are specialized for transport
Leaves food manufacturing site; stomata in the leaves open to exchange photosynthetic gases and close to minimize
excessive water loss
Plant reproduction
Plants can clone themselves or reproduce asexually by vegetative propagation. A piece of the vegetative part like the
roots, the stem or the leaf can produce an entirely new plant genetically identical to the parent plant. Examples of
vegetative propagation are grafting, cuttings, bulbs and runners.
Sexual reproduction happens in flowering plants. The flower is the sexual organ of a plant. Fertilization in a flower begins
with pollination. After fertilization, the ovule becomes the seed and the ripened ovary becomes the fruit.
Animals are multicellular with well-developed tissues and are heterotrophic by ingestion. Animals cannot manufacture their
own food.
Two main division of animals
Vertebrates animals with backbone
Invertebrates animals without backbone
Systems of the body
Digestive system breaks down food into simpler forms so that food substances are small enough to be carried by the
blood and able to pass on to cells
Respiratory system helps the body take in oxygen from the air.
Excretory system filters out wastes and purify the blood; its main organ is the kidney
Circulatory system pumps blood to the different parts of the body
Muscular system muscles have the ability to contract producing movements in or maintaining the position of parts of the
body.
Skeletal system system that gives support and shape to the body
Nervous system master controller of the body; monitors conditions within and outside the body
Reproductive system the system that allows the continuation of the human species.
Integumentary system commonly called the skin; offers protection from the suns rays and serves in body temperature
regulation.
Immune bodys main defense against all foreign substances
Ecosystem is the formed by the interaction of a community or organisms with their physical environment. Activities in the
ecosystem includes nutrient cycling and energy transfer
Biotic (living) factors in an ecosystem
Autotrophs or producers
Heterotophs or consumers includes decomposers, scavengers, carnivores, herbivores, omnivores
Abiotic (non living) factors include the biosphere and physical and chemical factors.
Symbiotic relationships
Mutualism relationship that is beneficial to both organisms involved
Commensalism an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor
harm
Parasitism association of a parasite and a host; the parasite lives in or in the host and benefits by deriving nutrients at
the hosts expense
Predation association of a predator and a prey; the prey is hunted and killed by the predator for food
Food chain is the hierarchical series of organisms wherein each is dependent on the next as a source of food. A system of
interlocking and interdependent food chains gives rise to food webs.