High School Biology

High School Biology explores the fundamental concepts of life sciences, including cellular biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology.

Cellular BiologyGenetics and HeredityEvolution and Natural Selection
Cellular Processes: Photosynthesis and RespirationEcology and EcosystemsMolecular Genetics: DNA Technology
Using Biology in MedicineBiology in Agriculture and FoodConservation and Environmental Protection
Effective Study TechniquesAnswering Biology Exam QuestionsMaking Connections Across Topics
Cellular BiologyGenetics and Heredit...Evolution and Natura...Cellular Processes: ...Ecology and Ecosyste...Molecular Genetics: ...Using Biology in Med...Biology in Agricultu...Conservation and Env...Effective Study Tech...Answering Biology Ex...Making Connections A...
Advanced Topics

Ecology and Ecosystems

Life in Communities

Ecology is the study of how living things interact with each other and their environment. An ecosystem includes all the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts of an area.

Levels of Organization

  • Organism: An individual living thing.
  • Population: A group of the same species.
  • Community: Different species living together.
  • Ecosystem: All living and non-living things in an area.

Food Chains and Webs

Energy moves through ecosystems in food chains and food webs, starting with producers (plants) and moving up to consumers (animals) and decomposers (fungi and bacteria).

Ecology helps us protect endangered species, manage natural resources, and understand climate change.

Examples

  • Bees pollinate flowers, helping plants reproduce in an ecosystem.

  • A pond contains fish, algae, and insects that form a food web.

In a Nutshell

Ecology studies how living things interact with each other and their environment.

Key Terms

Producer
An organism that makes its own food, usually using sunlight.
Consumer
An organism that eats other living things for energy.
Decomposer
An organism that breaks down dead material for energy.
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Molecular Genetics: DNA Technology