Biology
Biology is a vast field of science dedicated to the study of life and living organisms. This includes their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution across the planet. Life is abundant and diverse, ranging from the tiniest microorganisms to complex human beings.
Biology explores the intricate mechanisms and the interactions of living organisms. It also looks at the roles these organisms play in the natural environments they inhabit. This branch of science has many sub-disciplines, each focusing on different aspects of life.
History of Biology
The term “biology” was coined in the late 18th century; before that, studies of the natural world were described under various other terms like natural history or natural philosophy. As the study of natural sciences grew, biology emerged as a distinct field to systematically study life and living organisms.
Branches of Biology
Deeksha Learning Resources
Deeksha Learning offers a vast repository of comprehensive articles on various biology topics. These resources are meticulously organized and accessible, ideal for students and researchers wanting to delve deeper into specific biology areas. The articles are categorized under relevant topics and are continually updated to reflect the latest scientific advancements and educational methodologies.
Features of Deeksha Learning’s Biology Resources:
Key Concepts in Biology
- Cell Theory: All living things are composed of cells.
- Genetic Code: Information encoded in DNA and RNA sequences.
- Evolution by Natural Selection: Explains the diversity of life.
- Homeostasis: The ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions.
- Energy: All living things require energy to grow and reproduce.
Learning Biology Effectively
To master biology, consistent practice and a clear understanding of concepts are crucial. Here’s how to enhance your biology skills:
The Importance of Biology
Studying biology is crucial for:
- Medical advancements: Understanding diseases and developing treatments.
- Environmental conservation: Helping protect ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Agricultural development: Enhancing crop production and sustainability.
- Biotechnology: Innovating in genetic engineering, pharmaceuticals, and more.
Biology continues to be a dynamic field of study, with new discoveries and technologies constantly expanding our understanding of life’s complexities. Whether you are a student, a researcher, or simply curious about the natural world, biology offers endless opportunities to explore and learn.
Chapters Covered:
- How Do Our Activities Affect The Environment?
- Sexual Reproduction
- Heredity
- What Are Life Processes?
- Nutrition
- Life Processes
- Heredity Traits
- Accumulation Of Variation During Reproduction
- Modes Of Reproduction Used By Single Organisms
- Do Organisms Create Exact Copies of Themselves?
- How do Organisms Reproduce?
- Hormones In Animals
- Coordination In Plants
- Animals – Nervous System
- Control and Coordination
- Excretion
- Transportation
- Respiration
- Types of Pollution
- Neurons
- Mitosis
- Mitochondria
- Human Respiratory System
- Human Digestive System
- Greenhouse Effect
- Mitosis And Meiosis
- Enzymes
- Rainwater Harvesting
- Overview of Food Chain
- Nitrogen Cycle
- Cell Organelles
- Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance
- Kingdom Fungi
- Human Heart
- Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
- Ozone Layer and its Depletion
- Biodiversity
- Water Pollution And Its Control
- Biology FAQs
- Cells
- Plant Cell
- Global Warming
- Ecosystem
- Air Pollution Control
Latest FAQs
Climate change alters habitats and ecosystems, forcing species to migrate or adapt. Many species may not survive these changes, leading to a loss of biodiversity and the extinction of certain species.
Biological magnification is the process by which harmful chemicals accumulate in organisms at higher trophic levels in a food chain. It is harmful because top predators, including humans, consume high concentrations of toxins, which can cause serious health problems.
Air pollution releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause global warming. This leads to rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and sea level rise.
Deforestation is the large-scale cutting down of forests. It leads to the loss of biodiversity, contributes to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide, and causes soil erosion.
Decomposers break down dead organisms into simpler substances, recycling nutrients like carbon and nitrogen back into the soil, which can then be absorbed by plants.
Producers, such as green plants and algae, are autotrophs that capture solar energy and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis. They form the base of the food chain and provide energy for all other organisms.
The two main components of an ecosystem are biotic components (living organisms) and abiotic components (non-living elements such as air, water, and soil).
An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature where living organisms interact with each other and with their non-living environment. These interactions involve the transfer of energy and cycling of nutrients, maintaining ecological balance.
Biological magnification causes harmful chemicals to accumulate at each trophic level. These chemicals become more concentrated in organisms at higher trophic levels, posing health risks to top predators, including humans.
Trophic levels represent the position of organisms in a food chain. Producers occupy the first level, herbivores the second, and carnivores the higher levels.
Biodegradable substances can be broken down by natural processes, while non-biodegradable substances cannot decompose easily and remain in the environment for a long time, causing pollution.
Genetic variation allows populations to adapt to changing environments. Natural selection acts on individuals with beneficial variations, allowing them to survive and reproduce. Over time, these beneficial traits become more common, driving evolution.
Mendel’s experiments with pea plants revealed that traits are inherited in predictable patterns. His laws of inheritance (dominance, segregation, and independent assortment) explain how traits are passed from one generation to the next.
Hereditary traits are characteristics passed from parents to offspring through genes. These traits include physical features, behaviors, and even susceptibility to certain diseases.
The environment determines which variations are beneficial. Individuals with traits that are well-suited to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, while those with less favorable traits may not survive as well.
Variation provides the raw material for natural selection. Individuals with favorable variations are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to their offspring. Over time, this leads to the accumulation of beneficial traits in a population, driving evolution.
Sexual reproduction involves the mixing of genetic material from two parents, leading to a greater variety of genetic combinations. Asexual reproduction, on the other hand, involves only one parent, so variation is limited to mutations in the DNA.
Variations occur due to mutations, recombination during meiosis, independent assortment of chromosomes, and the random fusion of gametes during fertilization. These processes introduce differences in the genetic material passed from parents to offspring.
Mendel discovered the basic principles of heredity, including the Law of Dominance, the Law of Segregation, and the Law of Independent Assortment, by experimenting with pea plants.
The sex of a child is determined by the sex chromosomes. The mother always provides an X chromosome, while the father provides either an X (resulting in a female) or a Y (resulting in a male).
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