Introduction to Biology NotesMr. Ramirez

BiologyThe 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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4zHVRLXkgw

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