Biology Archives | Albert Resources

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.

What is the Purpose of Meiosis?

The word meiosis originates from the Greek language. It means to lessen; this refers to the lessening of the number of chromosomes within the cell. Meiosis is the process of chromosomal reduction in eukaryotic cells (plants, animals, and fungi), which leads to the production of germ cells (gametes/sex cells) needed for sexual reproduction.

What is the Difference Between Purines and Pyrimidines?

Purines and pyrimidines are the two families of nitrogenous bases that make up nucleic acids – in other words, they are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. While they are similar in many respects, there are a number of key differences between them that you will be expected to know for the AP® exam. Before we get into those, however, let’s make sure you understand what purines and pyrimidines are so you can recognize questions about them even if the wording is tricky.

Autopolyploidy and Allopolyploidy - Biology

Polyploidy: Differences between Autopolyploidy and Allopolyploidy

Heredity is the passing on of characters from parents onto their progeny. In some organisms, like humans, a parent passes on one copy per gene to their offspring and as a result, the progeny gets two copies in total from its parents. These organisms are called diploids (2n).

What is the Difference Between Meiosis I and Meiosis II?

Meiosis is how eukaryotic cells (plants, animals, and fungi) reproduce sexually. It is a process of chromosomal reduction, which means that a diploid cell (this means a cell with two complete and identical chromosome sets) is reduced to form haploid cells (these are cells with only one chromosome set). The haploid cells produced by meiosis are germ cells, also known as gametes, sex cells or spores in plants and fungi.

When Does Cytokinesis Occur in Mitosis?

Mitosis is the process whereby a cell reproduces asexually to produce two identical daughter cells. This occurs via nuclear division. Before mitosis, the number of chromosomes in the cell is doubled via chromosome replication, transforming the cell from a diploid (2n) cell to a tetraploid (4n) cell.

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.

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).