Biology Lessons & Help
Does the thought of learning more about yourself, the world, and all living things excite you? Do you want
to know what you’re made
of and how it functions? Then biology is the subject for you! Biology literally means “the study of life,” so
you’ll gain a much better understanding of how people, other animals, and plants live and support themselves. You can
also gain a better sense of why you have brown
hair or green eyes, or why some peas are green and others are yellow. Check out
our selection below to learn the basics of how nature exists! If you’re looking for personal assistance, check out our community of biology tutors.
Active Transport
Active transport occurs when a solute has to pass through the cell membrane against the concentration gradient.
This process requires energy to move the substance across the membrane. To find out more about how this process
works, read our lesson on active transport!
Animal and Plant Cells
This lesson describes the differences between animal and plant cells. For example, which type of cells has a cell
wall and plastids? If you don’t know, read the lesson to find out the answer and more information about animal and
plant cells!
Cell Cycle
Does anaphase come before or after telophase? Don’t know the answer? Read this lesson on the cell cycle to find
out more about what happens in each step of the cell cycle.
Cell Membrane
The cell membrane gives the cell structure and holds all organelles within the cell. It is made up of a
phospholipid bilayer, which is a scientific way of saying the membrane is made of phospholipids. Phosopholipids have
phosphate heads and lipid tails. To learn more about the nuances of the cell membrane, read this lesson!
Cell Structure and Function
The cell is the basic unit of life. All organisms are made up of cells, and cells come from other cells through
reproduction. Cells must also get nutrients and excrete waste. Read this lesson for more information on cells!
Cellular Respiration
There are two types of cell respiration: aerobic and anaerobic. Each begins with glycolysis but goes through a
different process after glycolysis is complete. For more information about how each type of respiration works, read
this lesson on cellular respiration!
Endocytosis and Exocytosis
The two types of bulk transport (that is, transport that allows proteins and polysaccharides in or out of the
cell) are endocytosis and exocytosis. In exocytosis, materials are pushed out of the cell via secretion. In
endocytosis, materials move into the cell. Read on for more specifics about endocytosis and exocytosis!
Evolution
Evolution is the change in hereditary trains in a population over time. This lesson covers the mechanisms of
evolution as well as the results of evolution. After reading this lesson, test your understanding with a short quiz
on evolution!
Facilitated Diffusion
Facilitated diffusion is a method of passive transport that specifically serves large molecules, like glucose.
It’s performed by various proteins embedded in the cell membrane. For more specifics on facilitated diffusion, read
this lesson!
Genetics Overview
Genetics is the study of genes, which are units that encode genetic characteristics. The genetic code is encoded
on chromosomes, which are passed from generation to generation. Read more about genetics to find out how we inherit
our traits!
Glycolysis
Glycolysis is the first step in the process of ATP synthesis. It is the anaerobic breakdown of glucose into
pyruvate. There are ten steps to glycolysis – read this lesson to learn what each of the steps does!
Homeostasis
One of the best examples of an organism maintaining homeostasis is the human body – internal systems, like body
temperature, are maintained regardless of outside conditions. This lesson goes over terms like the receptor, control
center, and effector, all of which contribute to maintaining a homeostatic state. Read this lesson for more
information on homeostasis!
Krebs Cycle
The Krebs Cycle is also known as the Citric Acid cycle or the TCA (tricarboxylic acid) cycle. This cycle regulates
the oxidation of glucose, thereby demonstrating the role biochemistry plays in the study of biology. Read this lesson
for more information on the Krebs Cycle!
Meiosis and Mitosis
Meiosis and mitosis are both forms of cellular division; however, mitosis results in diploid, eukaryotic cells
whereas meiosis results in haploid cells, or gametes. Gametes are needed for sexual reproduction, whereas diploid
cells are necessary for the growth of the organism. Read this lesson for more on the similarities and differences of
meiosis and mitosis.
Mendel’s Laws
While it was generally understood in the 1800s that children inherited traits from their parents, Mendel’s
experiments shed light on how the inheritance occurs in different species. Read this lesson for more about how
Mendel’s experiments contribute to our present-day understanding of genetics.
Metabolism
The main idea behind metabolism is the process of ingesting food (nutrients) which are broken down and digested by
the body to produce energy. Metabolism is seen in two phases: catabolism and anabolism. Catabolism breaks down fats,
proteins, and carbs; then anabolism uses the energy to build components of a cell. Read this lesson to find out more
about the intricacies of metabolism!
Natural Selection
Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution. The concept was brought into the public sphere by Charles Darwin in
1859. Read this lesson for more on the history of natural selection.
Passive Transport
Related to active transport, passive transport is a type of transport processes that do not require energy from a cell. Processes such as diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion are all examples of passive transport. Read this lesson for a detailed explanation and a helpful practice quiz.
Photosynthesis
The process of plants creating and storing sugar molecules to produce energy is called photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis takes light and converts it to chemical energy, which plants can store. Photosynthesis consists of
light-dependent and light-independent reactions. Read on to find out more information about photosynthesis!
Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
This lesson details the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It also has a fantastic image that
displays similar organelles and cell-specific organelles! Read this lesson for more information on prokaryotes and
eukaryotes.
Properties of Water
Found throughout nature, water is a necessary component of most organic reactions. It’s the most common compound
on the surface of our planet! Read this lesson to find out specific details of the properties of H2O.