Biology

2012-11-26T20:13:44Z

Meh:

'''Biology''' encompasses several fields of study, including [[genetics]], [[biochemistry]], [[cell biology]], [[structural biology]], [[mammalian physiology]], [[biophysics]], [[medicine]], [[botany]], and [[zoology]]; in addition, studies such as [[ecology]] and [[evolution]] also fall under the purview of biology.

An Oxford University book states:
<blockquote>
It is 'the study of living organisms, which includes their structure (gross and microscopical), functioning, origin and evolution, classification, interrelationships, and distribution.' <ref>Martin, E. and Hine, R. (2008) 'A Dictionary of Biology' Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K.</ref>
</blockquote>

==Principles==

The study of biology works from several basic foundations:

1. The [[cell]]ular theory of life. All life is composed of at least once cell, which undergoes the classical processes of cellular life, such as [[reproduction]]; the cell is the basic unit of all macrobiotic life. The chemical composition of all cells in nature is similar, and all existing cells have emerged from prior cells through the processes of cellular division, generally through [[mitosis]] but with meiosis playing a significant role.

2. Genetic theory. All cells encode their genetic information in the form of DNA, the fundamental component of genes. These genes transfer the physical, and often psychological, traits of one generation of organism to the next.

3. Homeostasis. All living organisms will attempt to reach some form of dynamic equilibrium with their environment - both through the metabolism of individual creatures, and the population dynamics of whole populations.

==History==

More than ten thousand years ago, Mesopotamia showed evidence of the domestication of goats, sheep, and grains; while this was most likely unintentional, at least at first, it can be placed as the first point at which human study of the nature of life itself began. From these humble beginnings, all of modern biology eventually flourished.

The discoveries of the nineteenth century spurred the development of modern biology. Mendel's breeding experiments initiated [[genetics]]; the microscope initiated [[microbiology]]; and the synthesis of urea initiated [[biochemistry]]. In the early twentienth century the field of [[population genetics]] spurred the development of [[statistics]]. Advances in [[analytical chemistry]] permitted scientists to determine the structure of important biological molecules, such as DNA. These discoveries lead to the rapid development of [[molecular genetics]]. Coming full circle, these developments, combined with population genetic theory, is permitting scientists to examine the process of crop and animal domestication.

==Modern Research==
Modern biological research is heavily focused on identifying [[gene]]s and characterizing their [[gene expression|expression]] and function. Progress in this field has enabled scientists to analyze organisms as [[complex]] molecular systems. The study of complex systems has also been applied to ecology. There is also rapid characterization of the [[biodiversity]] of the [[Earth]]. This is especially pronounced in [[microbiology]], where surveys of diversity have only become possible with the development of modern molecular techniques.

GO TO WIKIPEDIA IF YOU WANT READABLE GOOD INFORMATION

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Biology]]

Chemistry

2012-11-26T20:02:19Z

Meh:

'''Chemistry''' (The origin of the word is from the greek word chemeia) is the study of structure, composition, and properties of matter, as well as the interactions of chemical elements and compounds. Along with [[physics]], chemistry is one of the physical sciences. Chemistry is the modern counterpart to [[alchemy]]. Chemistry be divided into several sub-branches.

== Basic Concepts ==

Each Discipline of Chemistry has specific concepts that relate to it, however there are some concepts that are universal to the study of Chemistry, some of which are below:

=== Element ===

{{main|Element}}
An Element is a single type of [[atom]], and is defined by its [[Atomic Number]], or the number of protons present in the [[nucleus]] of the atom. All known elements are grouped together in the [[Periodic table of the elements]].

=== Atom ===

{{main|Atom}}
An atom is a particle of matter indivisible by chemical means [1] which form the building blocks of molecules.
In the atomic [[nucleus]] there are positively charged [[protons]] and electrically neutral [[neutrons]]. Spinning around the nucleus are negatively charged [[electrons]].

=== Molecule ===

{{main|Molecule}}
A molecule is an electronically neutral grouping of two or more atoms by [[covalent bond]]s. A molecule may contain more than one element, although this case is generally referred to as a [[compound]].

== Disciplines of Chemistry ==

* [[Organic chemistry]]- The study of chemical compounds containing [[carbon]]
* [[Inorganic chemistry]]- The study of [[inorganic compounds]]
* [[Physical chemistry]]- The application of [[Physics]] to chemical compounds and systems
* [[Analytic chemistry]]- The study of chemical composition
* [[Biochemistry]]- The study of the chemical processes of life.
* [[Supramolecular chemistry]]- The study of non covalent bonding interactions between molecules

== Notable Chemists ==

* [[Antoine Lavoisier]]
* [[Dmitri Mendelelev]]
* [[Michael Faraday]]
* [[Linus Pauling]]
* [[Alfred Nobel]]
* [[Izaak Kolthoff]]
* [[Marie Curie]]
* [[Max Gergel]]

== See Also ==
*[[Chemistry terms]]
[[Category:Chemistry]]

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Biology

Chemistry