Life sciences study living organisms and their interactions with the environment.Biology examines the structure, function, growth, and evolution of all living organisms.At the cellular level, all living organisms are composed of specialized structures. The cell membrane contains organelles like the nucleus, which stores DNA, and mitochondria, which generate energy.DNA contains genetic instructions for development and functioning of all known organisms. During replication, the double helix unwinds and each strand serves as a template to create a new complementary strand.Protein synthesis begins with transcription, where DNA information is copied to messenger RNA. During translation, this information is used to assemble amino acids into proteins that perform essential cellular functions.Ecology extends beyond individual organisms to study relationships between species and their environment.In ecosystems, energy flows through food webs, starting with producers that capture energy from sunlight. As energy moves up the food chain to consumers, approximately 90 percent is lost at each trophic level.The carbon cycle is one of Earth's most vital biogeochemical cycles. Carbon moves between the atmosphere, plants, animals, soil, and oceans, with processes like photosynthesis, respiration, decay, and combustion driving the cycle.Species adapt to environmental changes through natural selection. As conditions change, organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing these adaptations to future generations.
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