Human biology

Human biology is the interdisciplinary study focusing on humans, covering aspects of biology, genetics, anatomy, and physiology. It explores the physical and biochemical processes that constitute the human metabolism, the complex interactions within the body, and how these processes contribute to the function and maintenance of the human organism.

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Overview

Human biology encompasses the study of the cellular and molecular basis of life, the mechanisms of gene expression, the dynamic structure and function of cells, and the complex anatomy of the human body. It also covers the intricate systems that regulate bodily functions, including the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, among others.

Biochemical Processes

At the core of human biology are the biochemical processes that fuel body functions, including metabolism, which encompasses all chemical reactions within the body. These processes provide energy for growth, repair, and maintenance of the body and include anabolism (building up) and catabolism (breaking down).

Genetics and Evolution

Human biology also delves into genetics, studying how genes encode the information necessary for the synthesis of proteins that, in turn, play crucial roles in cellular function and organismal development. The field explores genetic variation and the principles of evolution that have shaped the human species over millennia.

Anatomy and Physiology

The study of human anatomy and physiology provides insights into the structural organization of the human body and how its various parts function both independently and in concert. It examines how systems like the circulatory, digestive, and respiratory systems support life.

Application

Knowledge of human biology has critical applications in health and medicine, enabling the development of treatments for diseases, understanding of nutritional needs, and advancements in medical technology. It also informs public health policies, sports science, and approaches to issues like aging and environmental impacts on human health.

Glossary of Human Biology-related Terms

• Anabolism - The synthesis of complex molecules in living organisms from simpler ones together with the storage of energy.
• Catabolism - The breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form simpler ones, together with the release of energy.
• Cell - The basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms.
• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) - A molecule composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix, carrying genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms.
• Gene - A unit of heredity that is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.
• Metabolism - The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.
• Mitosis - A part of the cell cycle in which replicated chromosomes are separated into two new nuclei.
• Phenotype - The set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
• Protein - Large biomolecules, or macromolecules, consisting of one or more long chains of amino acid residues.
• Recessive Gene - A gene that can be masked by a dominant gene.
• Dominant Gene - A gene that masks the effect of a recessive gene.
• Synapse - A structure that permits a neuron to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron.
• Homeostasis - The property of a system in which variables are regulated so that internal conditions remain stable and relatively constant.

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