Key Concepts in Biology: Geothermal Energy, Nutrition, Reproduction, and Ecology
Key Biological Concepts
Geothermal Energy
The origin of geothermal energy is the Earth’s internal heat. The movement of lithospheric plates causes materials deeper in the mantle to ascend from the interior of our planet until they cool enough to descend again. This process occurs as volcanoes and earthquakes. When two plates collide, one slides beneath the other, causing strong earthquakes and forming volcanoes.
Autotrophic Nutrition
Autotrophic nutrition is represented by plants, algae, and some bacteria.
Read MoreTaxonomy, Reproduction, and Cell Division: An Overview
Taxonomic Groups
- Archaea: Includes archaebacteria.
- Bacteria: Includes eubacteria.
- Eukarya: Includes all eukaryotes, organisms with cells whose nuclei are surrounded by a nuclear membrane.
Sexual and Asexual Reproduction
Asexual Reproduction
Understanding the Human Circulatory System: Blood, Heart, and Lymph
The Human Circulatory System
The circulatory system is vital for transporting nutrients, oxygen, and waste throughout the body. It comprises the internal environment, the blood circulatory system, and the lymphatic circulatory system.
1. The Internal Environment
The internal environment consists of fluids surrounding the body’s cells. Cells extract nutrients and oxygen from this environment and release waste and carbon dioxide into it. In humans, the internal environment mainly includes interstitial
Read MoreOperon Model: Regulation of Gene Expression in E. coli
Operon Model: Regulation of Gene Expression
Operon Model: Studies on the control of mRNA synthesis from initiation and the glucose effect observed in Monod’s work (1947) revealed that when glucose was added to a bacterial culture of E. coli containing lactose, the level of galactosidase significantly decreased.
This enzyme, galactosidase, separates lactose into its components: galactose and glucose. If bacteria are growing and glucose is added to the medium, the need to break down lactose decreases,
Read MoreHuman Reproduction: Stages, Development, and Challenges
Human Reproduction: An Overview
1) The Reproduction of the Human Being
Humans reproduce sexually. Women produce ova (eggs), and men produce spermatozoa (sperm). These two cells bind to form a zygote. Fertilization is internal; the egg and sperm bind within the female reproductive tract. The process of reproduction includes the following stages:
- Gamete production
- Fecundation (fertilization)
- Development of the zygote
- Delivery of the baby
- Child development
Changes Toward Sexual Maturity
2) Changes Toward Sexual
Read MoreCytokinins: Definition, Biosynthesis, Effects, and Agricultural Uses
Unit 19: Cytokinins
Definitions
Cytokinin: A group of plant hormones that promote cell division and cell differentiation. They are derived from the purine base, adenine, and have an aromatic substituent on nitrogen in position 6 of the purine ring.
Anticytokinin: Compounds that reversibly inhibit the activity of cytokinins.
Kinetin: The first cytokinin discovered, derived from autoclavable herring sperm DNA.
Cytokinin Oxidase: An enzyme that regulates the endogenous levels of cytokinins in plants.