Biology 101: Introduction to Reproduction and Genetics

Trace the evolution of genetics from ancient beliefs and blending inheritance to Mendel's plant experiments and the discovery of DNA, highlighting environment's role in traits.

Explore heredity and genetic inheritance, from Mendel to Punnett diagrams, showing how DNA, genes, and chromosomes pass traits across generations; distinguish genotype versus phenotype and dominance concepts.

Explore heredity through Mendel's experiments, learning how alleles determine phenotype and genotype, and how crossing and Punnett squares reveal F1 and F2 outcomes.

Explore inherited genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia and hemophilia, illustrating autosomal recessive and sex-linked inheritance with Punnett squares and allele notation.

Explore how ABO blood groups arise from A, B, and O alleles, with A and B dominant and O recessive, including AB codominance, through Punnett square practice and genotype–phenotype ratios.

Mitosis divides a diploid cell into two identical diploid daughter cells, preserving chromosome number, and proceeds through interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase with sister chromatids and spindles.

Meiosis produces haploid gametes through two divisions, with crossing over in meiosis I and sister chromatid separation in meiosis II, yielding four genetically diverse haploid cells from a diploid parent.

Protein synthesis converts DNA templates into messenger RNA through transcription in the nucleus, then translates that RNA with ribosomes in the cytoplasm, assembling amino acids into polypeptides that become proteins.

Explore variation as genetic and environmental differences, and distinguish continuous from discontinuous variation with examples like height, eye color, and blood type; explain crossing over and mutations as sources.

Explore natural selection, where advantageous traits pass to offspring, shaping adaptation to changing environments through examples like peppered moths, antibiotic resistance, and Galapagos finches.

Biotechnology uses biology and engineering to improve health, including insulin production through genetic engineering. It covers plasmids, vectors, transgenic organisms, and gene therapy for inherited diseases.

Explore hemophilia as a sex-linked trait, parental genotypes, and offspring outcomes; review insulin production by genetic engineering, antibiotic resistance via natural selection, and key genetics terms with continuous variation examples.

Explore core genetics concepts through sample questions on blood type inheritance, meiosis and dominant-recessive traits, Punnett squares, natural versus artificial selection, and genetic engineering.

Growth shows the irreversible increase in size, driven by cell division or enlargement. Development advances organismal complexity through staged changes such as metamorphosis.

Explore the menstrual cycle, its three phases—follicular, ovulation, and luteal—along with key hormones like FSH and estrogen that drive uterine lining changes.

Explore human reproduction, puberty, and the menstrual cycle. Identify male and female reproductive structures and their roles in fertilization and pregnancy, including birth control methods.

Examine fertilization, zygote formation, embryo to fetus development, placental exchange, amniotic sac and fluid, and the birth process, including prenatal and postnatal care.

Fertilization fuses a sperm and egg to form a diploid zygote, combining 23 chromosomes from each parent. Implantation in the uterus occurs about nine days after ovulation, signaling pregnancy.

Discover birth control methods from natural cycle awareness to barrier methods like condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps, along with hormonal pills, patches, IUDs, and vasectomy or tubal ligation.

Explore sexually transmitted infections in biology 101: introduction to reproduction and genetics, and understand how these infections intersect with core concepts in reproduction and genetics.

Explore sexual and asexual plant reproduction, from flower structures and pollination to fertilization and seed formation. Examine vegetative propagation, grafting, and tissue culture as alternative methods for producing new plants.

Explore how seeds disperse via mechanical, wind, animal, and water agents, and learn the germination process, including moisture, oxygen, and temperature requirements.

Learn how the endocrine system uses hormones from glands such as the pancreas, pituitary, thyroid, ovaries, and testes to regulate body functions, with negative feedback and contrasts with exocrine glands.