Botany

1. Introduction to Biogeochemical Cycles

1. Biogeochemical cycles are natural processes that recycle essential elements between the environment and organisms.
2. These cycles maintain ecological balance and ensure the continuous supply of nutrients.
3. The major cycles include the Carbon Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Phosphorus Cycle, and Water Cycle.

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1. Introduction to Conservation

1. Conservation of biodiversity is essential to protect species, ecosystems, and genetic resources.
2. It helps maintain ecological balance and ensures sustainability of natural resources.
3. Conservation methods are broadly classified into In-Situ Conservation and Ex-Situ Conservation.

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1. Introduction to Biodiversity

1. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on Earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
2. It is essential for maintaining ecosystem balance and providing ecological services.
3. Biodiversity exists at different levels, ranging from genetic variation to entire ecosystems.

2. Levels of Biodiversity

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1. Introduction to Environmental Conservation

1. Environmental conservation refers to protecting and preserving natural resources to maintain ecological balance.
2. It involves sustainable practices, pollution control, and restoring degraded ecosystems.
3. Plants play a crucial role in reducing pollution by purifying air, water, and soil.

2. Conservation Methods

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1. Introduction to Environmental Pollution

1. Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into the environment, affecting air, water, and soil.
2. Caused by natural (volcanic eruptions, wildfires) and anthropogenic (human activities) sources.
3. Leads to environmental degradation and affects plants, animals, and humans.

2. Types of Pollution

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1. Introduction to Ecosystems

1. An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.
2. It consists of biotic components (living organisms) and abiotic components (non-living factors like air, water, and soil).
3. Ecosystems are classified into natural and artificial ecosystems.

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1. Introduction to Ecosystems

1. An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature that includes both biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living components) factors.
2. It involves interactions between organisms and their environment.
3. Ecosystems can be classified as natural (forests, lakes) or artificial (aquariums, croplands).

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1. Introduction to Evolution

1. Evolution is the gradual change in the characteristics of organisms over generations.
2. It explains the diversity of life and how new species arise.
3. Key factors driving evolution include genetic variations, mutations, natural selection, genetic drift, and environmental influences.
4. Two major theories of evolution are Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection and the Modern Synthetic Theory.

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1. Introduction to Evolution

1. Evolution refers to the gradual change in the characteristics of organisms over generations.
2. It explains the diversity of life on Earth.
3. Evolution occurs due to genetic variations, mutations, natural selection, and environmental factors.
4. The study of evolution is based on fossil records, comparative anatomy, molecular biology, and embryology.

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1. Introduction

1. The Genetic Code is a set of rules that defines how sequences of nucleotides in DNA and RNA are translated into proteins.
2. Mutations are sudden changes in the genetic material (DNA or RNA) that can be inherited.
3. Mutations can be caused by errors in replication, environmental factors, or radiation.

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