Comprehensive Biology: Characteristics, Cell Theory, and Organisms

Botany

study of plants (photosynthesis)

Zoology

study of animals & humans (eat/move/survive)

Mycology

study of fungi/fungus (absorbs nutrients from dead organic matter)

Protozoology

study of protist

Amoeba

1st example of protozoa - move and eat

Slime mold

2nd example of protozoa - absorbs nutrients from dead organic matter

Algae

3rd example of protozoa (multicellular) - produce nutrients through photosynthesis (not considered as plants because they lack leaves, stem, root, etc.)

Plasmodium

4th example of protozoa - carried by anopheles mosquitoes, carries diseases like Malaria, destroys red blood cells

Bacteriology

study of bacteria/bacterium

Lactobacillus

1st example of bacteria that has beneficial effects

Clostridium tetani

2nd example of bacteria that has detrimental effect (deadly)

Archaeal microbiology

study of archaea (unicellular, no nucleus, lives in extreme/harsh environment - high acidity, high salinity, high temperature)

Characteristic No.1: Organisms require ENERGY

An organism requires energy

ENERGY

In biological context, refers to the capacity to do work or produce change.

Ability to cause changes among living things

The capacity of organisms to undergo various biological processes.

Reproduction

A biological process in which new offspring are formed from existing organisms (parents).

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants, algae, and cyanobacteria convert light energy into chemical energy.

Growth and Development

Growth refers to the increase in size, while development refers to changes that occur within the body of an organism.

Food molecules (Energy) → CO₂ + H₂O + Light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ → carbohydrates

The chemical equation representing the process of photosynthesis.

Hexose

A sugar that consists of 6 carbon atoms.

Cyanobacteria

Blue-green algae that undergo photosynthesis but lack a nucleus.

3 Groups that have the ability to create food

Algae, Cyanobacteria, and Plants.

Sources of energy for chemosynthesis

CO₂ + H₂O + Hydrogen Sulfide.

Inorganic Substances

Substances that lack hydrocarbons.

Organic Substances

Substances that contain hydrocarbons.

Chemosynthesis

The process by which certain organisms create food using chemicals instead of light.

Autotrophs

Organisms that have the ability to create food (producers).

Heterotrophs

Organisms that eat other plants or animals for energy and nutrients.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

A molecule composed of Adenine, Ribose (pentose), and Triphosphate, used for energy transfer.

Catabolism

The breaking down of complex molecules into simpler ones, such as glucose during cellular respiration.

Anabolism

The combination of simpler molecules to form complex ones, such as during photosynthesis.

Sexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction that involves two parents and the combination of their genetic material.

Asexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes and can occur via body cells.

Binary Fission

A type of asexual reproduction where an organism splits into two cells.

Budding

A type of asexual reproduction involving an outgrowth from the body of a single parent.

Fragmentation

A type of asexual reproduction where a single parent breaks apart to form new organisms.

Parthenogenesis

A form of asexual reproduction where a parent produces eggs that develop without fertilization.

Metamorphosis

Abrupt changes that occur within the body of an organism over a shorter period.

Complete Metamorphosis

A type of metamorphosis that includes stages of eggs, larva, pupa, and adult.

Incomplete Metamorphosis

A type of metamorphosis that includes stages of eggs and larva, such as in mosquitoes.

Response

The reaction of an organism towards a stimulus.

Stimulus

Any factor or variable that can cause a reaction in an organism.

Tropism

The response of plants towards a stimulus.

Phototropism

bending of the plants toward sunlight

Hydrotropism

tendency of plants to move towards water

Thigmotropism

tendency of plants to move towards touch

Gravitotropism

response to move downwards due to the gravity

Positive Gravitotropism

move along the gravity (root system)

Negative Gravitotropism

move against the gravity (shoot system)

Homeostasis

self regulating process of an organism to achieve stability

Equilibrium

equus: equal, librium: libra (balance)

↑ Effort ↑ Temperature

perspiration (sweat) for cooling effect

↑ C₆H₁₂O₆ (glucose)

production of insulin from beta cells of pancreas

↓ C₆H₁₂O₆ (glucose)

production of glucagon from alpha cells of pancreas

CO₂ - O₂ cycle

plants → O₂ → animals/humans → CO₂ → plants

Movement

locomotion → escape from predators, for adaptation

Macro level

birds → wings → fly, cheetah → legs/arms (appendages) → move/run, fish → fins/tails → swim

Micro level

protist → cilia (hair-like structures) → move, bacteria/sperm → flagella/flagellum (longer hair-like structures) → move

Adaptation

process of change for an organism to become better suited to its environment

Dormancy

state of being INACTIVE

Hibernation

animals that can maintain constant temperature within the body despite the changes in the temperature of the environment.

Endotherm

Warm blooded animals whose body temperature does not depend on the temperature of the environment.

Ectotherm

Cold blooded animals whose body temperature varies depending on the temperature of the environment.

Brumation

A state of dormancy in cold blooded animals during winter to conserve energy.

Estivation

A type of dormancy during the summer season.

Acellular

Not made up of cells because it lacks organelles.

Cell Theory Postulate No.1

All living things are made up of cells.

Cell Theory Postulate No.2

Cell is the basic unit of life.

Functional Unit of Life

Cell is the basic functional unit of life, undergoing reproduction, growth, and development.

Structural Unit of Life

Cell is the basic structural unit of life.

Palisade Cells

Elongated shaped cells that contain chloroplasts and can perform photosynthesis.

Spongy Cells

Spherical shaped cells that contain chloroplasts and can perform photosynthesis.

Biosphere

Where life exists.

Ecosystem

A group of living and non-living things.

Community

A group of populations that is combined together.

Population

A group of organisms that is combined together.

Organism

A group of organ systems that is combined together.

Organ System

A group of organs that is combined together.

Organ

A group of tissues that is combined together.

Tissue

A group of cells that is combined together.

Organelle

A group of molecules that is combined together.

Molecule

A group of atoms that is combined together.

Atom

Building blocks of matter.

Carbohydrates

Biomolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (C + H + O).

Lipids

Biomolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (C + H + O).

Protein

Biomolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur (C + H + O + N + S).

Nucleic Acid

Biomolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus (C + H + O + N + P).

Components of Blood

Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, and Platelets, which make blood a type of tissue.

Components of a Leaf

Includes ground tissue, vascular tissue (phloem and xylem), and dermal tissue.

Components of a Kidney

Includes nerve tissue, muscle tissue, connective tissue, and epidermal tissue.

Muscular System

Responsible for body heat, movement, and shape.

Integumentary System

Protects the overall external part of the body, including skin, hair, and nails.

Nervous System

Responsible for the transmission of electrical impulses for communication to control different parts of the body.

Digestive System

Responsible for breaking down nutrients for absorption.

Skeletal System

Framework of the body, responsible for movement, storage of minerals, and production of blood.

Respiratory System

Responsible for gas exchange/breathing (CO₂, O₂).

Circulatory System

Responsible for the transportation of blood, nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.

Reproductive System

Responsible for the production of offspring and sex hormones.

Urinary/Excretory System

Responsible for the removal of waste products/toxins outside the body.