Biology Basics
By Regina Bailey, About.com Guides to Biology
What is biology? Simply put, it is the study of life. The key to understanding biology is understanding basic biology concepts. Once you have the basics down, you can begin to build on the more complex topics in biology. These resources will help you get started on understanding some basic biology principles.
Biology 101
Learning how to "speak the language" is one helpful hint for understanding basic biology concepts. The following resources provide information on understanding biology terminology, identifying the characteristics of living organisms, and the classification of living organisms.
Human Anatomy
One of the most popular topics in biology is the anatomy of the human body. Learning how the body works can be fascinating and fun. These resources provide basic information on several organs and body systems.
Cell Anatomy
The cell is the basic unit of life. What goes on inside our cells? What are our cells made of? The following resources help you to learn about the ins and outs of a eukaryotic cell.
Cellular Processes
Cellular processes are the activities that go on inside a cell that help an organism to survive. Some of these processes include food metabolism(cellular respiration), protein production, and even cellular destruction.
- Cellular Respiration
- Diffusion, Passive Transport, and Osmosis
- DNA Transcription
- Translation
- Programmed Cell Death
Genetics
Genetics is the study of heredity or inheritance. Genetics helps to explain how traits are passed from parents to their young. Understanding certain genetic concepts can be difficult for beginners. Here are some good resources for understanding basic genetics principles.
- Asexual Reproduction
- Sexual Reproduction
- Sexual Reproduction: Fertilization
- Sex Chromosome Abnormalities
Microbes
Microbes are extremely small organisms that cannot be see without a microscope. Microbes are all around us. They can survive under some of the most extreme conditions, they are sometimes harmful to us, and they are essential to our survival. The following resources will help you to learn more about these unseen organisms.
Plant Basics
Plants are important to all life on earth. They are capable of producing their own food and they provide food for other living organisms. The following resources include information on plant cells, photosynthesis, and even some animal eating plants.
