Hobbies And Interests
Cells
Everything living is made up of cells, and the cells vary depending upon the species. Usually classes will cover the basics, including the basis of plant and animal cells. Eukaryotic animal cells consist of several different parts, including cell membranes (which allow different materials to permeate), as well as a nucleus, ribosomes and mitochondria. Within cells, lysosomes get rid of waste, mitochondria create energy and golgi transporters move proteins around. In plants, cells contain chlorophyll within chloroplasts, which absorb sunlight --- one of the critical components in making energy.
Mitosis
One of the first areas of biology to be covered is mitosis. The reason is simple: It is one of the most critical acts that takes place within cells. Also known as "cell division," mitosis is simply the act of cells dividing and replicating, each subsequent cell produced being an exact copy of the previous one. Bacteria and some plants reproduce asexually based on mitosis.
Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
Another aspect that is always covered --- generally after mitosis --- is meiosis. Meiosis is linked to sexual reproduction, and specifically to genetic recombination. Meiosis acts much like mitosis, reproducing cells; however, rather than reproducing identical copies, pieces of genetic code are switched between the combining gametes prior to reproduction.
Genetics and Evolution
Other subjects that are often briefly touched upon include evolution and genetics. Genetics consists of the study of DNA, often getting into introns and exons. Exons are the useful part of the genetic code that are altered into RNA and ultimately functional proteins within the body.
Evolution consists of several fields, such as natural selection and sexual selection. It is based on mutations that provide changes that will provide alterations in survival tendencies. Changes that prove beneficial are spread genetically from generation to generation, because of the enhanced survival probability.