Introduction to Biology Notes Mr. Ramirez

Biology The study of living organisms Topics include: ◦ Morphology ◦ Physiology ◦ Anatomy ◦ Distribution and Organization of Organisms

Why Biology? Almost anything in everyday life can be explained with the concepts we will learn in biology For example: ◦ Why do some animals only live in specific places? ◦ Why do we get sick? ◦ How can we cure the diseases that we have? ◦ Nutrition and Health

DNA DNA is molecule that falls into the category of nucleic acids DNA = Deoxyribonucleic Acid DNA is responsible for absolutely everything in all organisms – it is like a blueprint for a building

DNA—the mastermind DNA controls ◦ Our appearance ◦ Our predispositions ◦ What we will pass on to offspring Many of the diseases that humans have are a result of DNA that is damaged or mutated

DNA video Xkgw

Structure of DNA DNA is found in the nucleus of a cell

Structure of DNA DNA is composed of three things ◦ Sugar (Deoxyribose) ◦ Phosphate ◦ Base ◦ ALL three of these things together make a nucleotide

Nucleotide

Structure of DNA There are 4 types of bases ◦ Adenine ◦ Thymine ◦ Cytosine ◦ Guanine Adenine always bonds to Thymine Cytosine always bonds to Guanine