First Year Biology Fundamentals

This cheat sheet covers foundational concepts in cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology, essential for first-year university students. It details cell structures, membrane functions, genetic material, and key molecular processes like DNA replication, transcription, and translation, along with modern sequencing techniques.

Core Principles

Cells are the basic unit of life, with prokaryotic (bacteria) and eukaryotic structures.
Cell membranes regulate passage of substances, influencing cellular function.
DNA carries genetic information, dictating protein synthesis through transcription and translation.
DNA replication ensures accurate inheritance of genetic material.
Modern techniques like PCR and sequencing have revolutionized genetic analysis.

Key Terms

Prokaryote: A single-celled organism lacking a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles (e.g., bacteria).
Eukaryote: An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles (e.g., plant and animal cells).
Phospholipid Bilayer: The fundamental structure of cell membranes, composed of two layers of phospholipids.
Semi-permeable: A membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through by diffusion, osmosis, or active transport.
Central Dogma: The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.
Codon: A sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or stop signal.
Replication Fork: A Y-shaped structure formed during DNA replication where the double helix separates.
Primer: A short nucleic acid sequence that provides a starting point for DNA synthesis.
Reverse Transcriptase: An enzyme that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template.

Timeline

1953: Discovery of the DNA double helix structure by Watson and Crick.
1977: Development of Sanger sequencing (first-generation) by Frederick Sanger.
1983: Invention of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) by Kary Mullis.
2005-2007: Emergence of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies.