Free Biology Tips, Study Guides, Review Resources, and Test Taking Tips

An Overview of the Appendicular Skeleton

The human body is a marvel of biological engineering. At its core is the skeletal system, a complex framework that provides both structure and protection. In this system, the appendicular skeleton plays an important role. It contains all the bones that branch off the central axis of the body—essentially, the limbs and their attachments. Understanding the bones of the appendicular skeleton is not just a journey through human anatomy; it’s a window into how we move, interact with our environment, and protect our vital organs. This post investigates the appendicular skeleton, examining its functions, significance, and the vital role it plays in our overall health. So, let’s embark on this fascinating exploration of the bones that help us grasp, walk, run, and embrace the world around us.

Directional Anatomy Terms: An Overview

Human anatomy is a complex and fascinating subject. Understanding directional anatomy terms is crucial for high school students studying Anatomy and Physiology or anyone curious about the human body’s structure. For example, these terms are like the compass of anatomy, guiding us through the landscape of the human body. They help us describe the locations of organs, bones, and muscles in a uniform way. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the basic directional terms, such as axis and planes of the body, and concepts like proximal, distal, anterior, and posterior. Grasping these terms is not just about memorizing definitions. It’s important to develop a deeper appreciation for our wonderfully organized and interconnected bodies. So, let’s embark on this journey of anatomical discovery together!

Cell Membrane Review: Structure and Function

The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is the cellular structure that governs what enters and exits both plant and animal cells. But what roles does this biological barrier actually play? In this post, we’ll unravel the mysteries surrounding the location, structure, and jobs of the cell membrane and offer some examples. So, let’s delve into this microscopic frontier to better understand its significant impact on cellular life.

Positive and Negative Feedback Loops in Biology

Feedback is defined as the information gained about a reaction to a product, which will allow the modification of the product. Feedback loops are therefore the process whereby a change to the system results in an alarm which will trigger a certain result. This result will either increase the change to the system or reduce it to bring the system back to normal. A few questions remain: How do these systems work? What is a positive feedback? What is negative feedback? Where do we find these systems in nature?

What Occurs in the S-Phase?

The cell cycle encompasses the whole life of a cell from birth through to its death. It is the time from the formation of a cell from its parent cell until its division into its daughter cells. An important part of the cell cycle is cell division, the process whereby a cell is replicated to form either two daughter cells, through the process of mitosis, or asexual reproduction; or four daughter cells, through the process of meiosis, or sexual reproduction. However, this division forms only a small part of the cell cycle.

What Happens in the G1 and G2 Phases of The Cell Cycle?

In this post, we will discuss what happens in the G1 and G2 Phases of the Cell Cycle. Cell division entails making more cells through duplication of the one cell’s contents and then splitting this cell into two equal and identical cells. These cells are identical to the parent cell. This is how we grow and replace injured cells.

What are the Three Parts of a Nucleotide?

Deoxyribonucleic acid, fondly known as DNA, is a molecule in the shape of a double helix, which is responsible for storing genetic information in the cells of all living organisms. Most people know or should know this. But what is DNA made of exactly?

Translation vs Transcription: Similarities and Differences

Transcription generally refers to the written form of something. In biology, transcription is the process whereby DNA is usedas a template to form a complementary RNA strand – RNA is the “written” form of DNA. This is the first stage of protein production or the flow of information within a cell. DNA stores genetic information, which is then transferred to RNA in transcription, before directing the synthesis of proteins in translation. Three types of RNA can be formed: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).

What is the Purpose of Mitosis? Explanation and Review

In 1887, the German anatomy biologist, Water Fleming, coined the term mitosis which comes from the Greek language which translates to “warp thread” from mitos and “act or process” from the osis part of mitosis. This term was based on the warped thread appearance of the chromatin of the cell nucleus in the first stages of mitosis.