Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Biology

Species Concepts

• Biological Species Concept (BSC)

  Species are groups of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other groups. This means no viable, fertile offspring with members of other species.

• Phylogenetic Species Concept

  A species is the smallest group that shares a common ancestor and can be distinguished by unique traits.

• Ecological Species Concept

  Defines a species by the ecological niche it occupies, including interactions with the environment and other species.

• General Lineage Concept

  Considers species as independently evolving metapopulations.

Isolating Barriers

• Geographic (Extrinsic) Barriers

  Landscape features physically prevent gene flow (e.g., mountain ranges, oceans).

• Reproductive (Intrinsic) Barriers

  Biological

Benign Epithelial Lesions

Squamous Cell Papilloma

Age: Mid-age
Site: Palate, uvula, cheek, lip, tongue, gingiva
Characteristics:

• Color: White to pinkish (depending on keratinization)
• Shape: Cauliflower-like
• Surface: Rough, irregular (finger-like projections)
• Texture: Firm or soft (depending on keratinization)
• Sessile or pedunculated

Histological Features:

1. Hyperplastic stratified squamous epithelium
2. Acanthosis and hyperkeratosis
3. Intact basal layer
4. Thin central branching core of connective tissue carrying nutrition

Verruca Vulgaris (Wart)

Reactive lesion, autoinoculation
Etiology: HPV 2, 4, 6
Histological Features:

1. Intranuclear inclusion bodies
2. Koilocytes
3. Cupping effect of rete ridges
4. Granular cell layer

Keratoacanthoma

True, self-limiting lesion
Age: Older males
... Continue reading "Benign Epithelial and Mesodermal Lesions of the Oral Cavity" »

Excretory System Notes

Excretion

Excretion: Process of eliminating waste substances from metabolic reactions.

Although the kidneys are the main organs of excretion, several other organs also excrete wastes. They include the liver, skin, and lungs. All of these organs of excretion, along with the kidneys, make up the excretory system. This lesson focuses on the role of the kidneys in excretion. The roles of the other excretory organs are summarized below:

• Kidneys: Responsible for filtering the blood and forming urine.
• Lungs: Expel carbon dioxide produced during cell respiration.
• Sweat glands: Excrete sweat, a liquid with a composition similar to urine.
• Liver: Expels waste that comes from toxins, medicines, and digestion of food.

Urinary System

The kidneys... Continue reading "Excretory System and Kidney Function: Urine, Nephrons, Diseases" »

Core Ecology Concepts

Biodiversity

• Definition: Variety of all living things in one area.
• Importance: Increases stability and health of ecosystems.
• Threats: Pollution, deforestation, climate change, invasive species.

Ecosystems

• Definition: A system of living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things interacting.
• Biotic Components: Plants, animals, fungi.
• Abiotic Components: Water, sunlight, soil, air, temperature.
• Producers' Role: Make food from sunlight (photosynthesis).
• Balance: All parts depend on each other.

Energy Pyramid

• Purpose: Shows how energy moves through trophic levels.
• Trophic Levels: Producer → Primary → Secondary → Tertiary.
• Energy Transfer: Only 10% passed to the next level; 90% is lost as heat.
• Fewer Top Predators: Less energy is available

Part A: Multiple Choice

• What is the monomer of a protein?
  Answer: c) Amino acid
• A scientist adds Lugol's iodine solution to an unknown clear liquid, and it instantly turns deep blue-black. What biomolecule is present?
  Answer: b) Starch
• Why does an enzyme cease to function after being exposed to an extremely high temperature?
  Answer: c) The enzyme denatures, altering the shape of its active site.
• Which of the following functions as a micronutrient in the human body?
  Answer: b) Iron (Mineral)

Part B: Structure Identification & Fill-in-the-Blanks

1. Peptide bond
2. Protein
3. Starch
4. Glycogen

Part C: Metabolic Roles and Protein Folding

While carbohydrates provide the raw chemical energy (calories) for the body, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) act as essential... Continue reading "Biochemistry and Enzyme Function Assessment" »

Metric Conversions and Temperature

Metric Units

• 1 m = 100 cm = 1000 mm
• 1 kg = 1000 g
• 1 L = 1000 mL

Conversion Direction:

• Right: Moving the decimal to convert from bigger to smaller units.
• Left: Moving the decimal to convert from smaller to bigger units.

Temperature Standards

• Water freezes at 0°C.
• Water boils at 100°C.

Biomolecule Identification Tests

Protein Test (Biuret)

• Positive: Pink or purple
• Negative: Blue

Starch Test (Iodine)

• Positive: Black or purple
• Negative: Yellow or brown

Sugar Test (Benedict’s)

• Green: Low concentration
• Yellow: Medium concentration
• Red/Orange: High concentration
• Blue: None

Lipid Test (Brown Paper)

• Positive: Greasy or translucent
• Negative: Opaque

Cellular Processes and Enzymes

Diffusion and Osmosis

• Hypertonic: Water moves out; the cell shrinks.

Q — Classify antihistaminic drugs and their therapeutic uses.

Classification of Antihistamines and Therapeutic Uses

1. Introduction to Antihistamines

Antihistamines are drugs that block or reduce the effects of histamine, a chemical involved in allergic reactions, gastric acid secretion, and neurotransmission. They are primarily classified based on the histamine receptor subtype they act on:

• H₁ receptor antagonists (H₁ antihistamines)

• H₂ receptor antagonists (H₂ blockers)

• H₃ and H₄ antagonists (experimental/limited clinical use)

2. Classification of Antihistamines

A. H₁ Receptor Antagonists (H₁ Blockers)

1. First-Generation H₁ Antihistamines

• Cross the blood–brain barrier → cause sedation

• Have anticholinergic and antiemetic effects

Examples:

• Diphenhydramine

• Chlorpheniramine

• Hydroxyzine

• Promethazine

• Dimenhydrinate

• Meclizine

2.

Mendel's Laws of Inheritance and Genetic Crosses

Mendel's Laws of Inheritance

1. Law of Segregation: Each parent contributes only one of their two alleles for a specific trait to their offspring.
2. Law of Independent Assortment: Alleles for different traits are passed down independently of one another during gamete formation.
3. Law of Dominance: When an organism inherits two different alleles for a trait, the dominant allele will be expressed in the phenotype, masking the effect of the recessive allele.

Analyzing Monohybrid Inheritance

Case Study: Earlobes (Monohybrid Cross)

The results of the cross show:

• Mr. Jones: aa (Attached earlobes, recessive)
• Mrs. Jones: Aa (Free earlobes, heterozygous dominant)

Their children exhibit the following genotypes and phenotypes:... Continue reading "Genetic Inheritance: Mendel's Laws, Crosses, Ratios, and Probability" »

Differential Diagnosis of Oral Ulcers and Vesiculobullous Lesions

Classification by Number and Etiology

• Single Ulcers: Traumatic, Tuberculosis (TB), Primary Syphilis.
• Multiple Ulcers: Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis, Herpetic Stomatitis, Erythema Multiforme, Pemphigus Vulgaris.

Classification by Location

• Keratinized Mucosa: Recurrent Intraoral Herpes, Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid, Major Aphthous Ulcers.
• Non-Keratinized Mucosa: Minor Aphthous Ulcers, Herpetiform Ulcers.

Classification by Clinical Features

• Ulcers Causing Scarring: Major Aphthous Ulcers, Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid Ulcers, Tertiary Syphilis.
• Painless Ulcers: Tuberculosis (TB), Primary Syphilis, Tertiary Syphilis.
• Painful Ulcers: Primary Herpetic Gingivostomatitis, Recurrent Intraoral Herpes,

Introduction to Histology

Tissues are groups of similar cells specialized to carry out a specific function.

• Histology: The study of tissues.
• Cytology: The study of cells.

There are 4 primary types of tissues in the human body: Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Nervous.

Epithelial Tissue Overview

Epithelial tissue covers organs and lines cavities to form barriers; these tissues absorb, secrete, and excrete substances.

• Glandular Tissue: Secretes substances needed by the body.
• Characteristics: Avascular, high mitotic rate, tightly packed, possesses a basement membrane and one free surface.

Extracellular Matrix: All material outside of and between non-living cells.

Classification of Epithelial Tissue

Epithelial tissues are classified by shape: Squamous,