Ch 1: Biology Basics for Microbiology: Help and Review
About This Chapter
Who's it for?
Anyone who needs help learning or mastering microbiology material will benefit from taking this course. You will be able to grasp the subject matter faster, retain critical knowledge longer and earn better grades. You're in the right place if you:
- Have fallen behind in understanding DNA, RNA, enzymes and isotopes.
- Need an efficient way to learn about basic biology.
- Learn best with engaging auditory and visual tools.
- Struggle with learning disabilities or learning differences, including autism and ADHD.
- Experience difficulty understanding your teachers.
- Missed class time and need to catch up.
- Can't access extra science learning resources at school.
How it works:
- Start at the beginning, or identify the topics that you need help with.
- Watch and learn from fun videos, reviewing as needed.
- Refer to the video transcripts to reinforce your learning.
- Test your understanding of each lesson with short quizzes.
- Submit questions to one of our instructors for personalized support if you need extra help.
- Verify you're ready by completing the Biology Basics chapter exam.
Why it works:
- Study Efficiently: Skip what you know, review what you don't.
- Retain What You Learn: Engaging animations and real-life examples make topics easy to grasp.
- Be Ready on Test Day: Use the Biology Basics chapter exam to be prepared.
- Get Extra Support: Ask our subject-matter experts any relevant question. They're here to help!
- Study With Flexibility: Watch videos on any web-ready device.
Students will review:
In this chapter, you'll learn the answers to questions including:
- How is DNA structured?
- What is the difference between DNA and RNA?
- How do enzymes work, and why are they important?
- What elements are found in carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins?
- What are isotopes and radioactive isotopes?
- How does cellular active and passive transport occur?

1. DNA: Chemical Structure of Nucleic Acids & Phosphodiester Bonds
Nucleic acids are large biomolecules used to store, transfer and convey genetic information in cells. Explore the structure of nucleotides and what polynucleotide and phosphodiester bonds do.

2. DNA: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine & Complementary Base Pairing
The four nitrogenous bases found is DNA are adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine. Discover the base pairs of these nitrogenous bases and why DNA strands are antiparallel.

3. DNA: Discovery, Facts, Structure & Function in Heredity
The discovery of DNA is the foundation of all research in molecular biology. Learn the facts about the discovery of DNA, its structure, and the function of DNA in heredity.

4. Differences Between RNA and DNA & Types of RNA (mRNA, tRNA & rRNA)
DNA and RNA, the nucleic acids essential in molecular biology, differ in their sugar components. Learn about the differences between DNA and RNA, which includes mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA, and discover the differences in their structure and their functions.

5. Function of Enzymes: Substrate, Active Site & Activation Energy
Enzymes are proteins that lower the activation energy of a reaction and act as a catalyst in living organisms. Learn more about the concepts of activation energy, substrate, enzyme-substrate complex, and active site, and discover their connection to the structure and function of enzymes.

6. Major Elements in Biological Molecules: Proteins, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates & Lipids
Cellular components are formed from biological molecules that are comprised of major elements and linked together to form macromolecules. Learn about major macromolecules and the importance of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids to the formation of biological molecules.

7. Isotopes and Average Atomic Mass
Isotopes are variations of the same element with differing numbers of neutrons and, subsequently, different atomic masses. Learn how scientists consider isotopes when they calculate average atomic mass.

8. How Radioactive Isotopes Track Biological Molecules
Radioactive isotopes are unstable isotopes that convert to a stable form in a process that can take anywhere from seconds to centuries. Discover how radioactive isotopes are used to track atoms in major macromolecules (a type of biological molecules) and their role in microbiology.

9. Passive Transport in Cells: Simple and Facilitated Diffusion & Osmosis
Passive transport is a type of transport across the cell membrane that does not require energy, while active transport is the opposite. Explore how passive transport in cells is possible through simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and osmosis.

10. Active Transport in Cells: Definition & Examples
Active transport is the method by which chemical energy moves substances against a concentration gradient. Learn about the different types of integral membrane proteins that are part of active transport in cells, as well as how active transport takes place.

11. Linus Pauling: Biography & Discovery
Linus Pauling was one of the most influential scientists who ever lived. In this lesson, learn about his life and all his remarkable discoveries in the fields of chemistry and biology.

12. Proline: Structure & Overview
Proline is one of 20 amino acids that play a vital part in biological life. In this lesson, you'll learn how proline is structured, why it's important and where you can find it. Then, test your knowledge with a quiz.

13. Steps of Intramembranous Ossification
Bone forms in a process called ossification. There are two main types of ossification, including intramembranous. Read this lesson to learn about intramembranous ossification and the steps involved in this process.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Microbiology: Help and Review course
- Microbiology Basics: Help and Review
- Bacterial Biology: Help and Review
- Microbiology Laboratory Techniques: Help and Review
- Microorganisms and the Environment: Help and Review
- The Disease Process: Help and Review
- Introduction to Viruses: Help and Review
- DNA Viruses: Help and Review
- RNA Viruses: Help and Review
- Protozoan Diseases: Help and Review
- Fungal Infections: Help and Review
- Gastrointestinal Tract Illnesses & Infections: Help & Review
- Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Diseases: Help and Review
- Bloodborne Bacterial Diseases: Help and Review
- Bacterial Diseases of the Respiratory Tract: Help and Review
- Bacterial Skin and Wound Infections: Help and Review
- Immunology And the Body's Defenses Against Pathogens: Help and Review
- Antimicrobial Drugs: Help and Review
- Food and Industrial Microbiology: Help and Review
- Sterilization and Antiseptic Techniques: Help and Review
- Professional Issues in Nutrition