Biology and biological sciences

Biology literally means "the study of life". As such, biology is a broad study field that examine the structure and the function of living cells and their possible evolutional changes. It also examines the interaction between cells, their counterparts and the external environments.

Biologists study the minute details of the genes, and recently biologist could identify the human genome, the sequence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) bases that is a breakthrough in science and medicine.

Biological sciences are classified into specialized fields according to which organisms are studied and the mechanism to study them like:

·     Human biology.

·     Zoology.

·     Microbiology.

·     Botany.

·     Biochemistry.

·     Molecular biology.

·     Cellular biology.

·     Ecology

·     Physiology and other applied fields for biology and biological sciences.

Genetics is the study of hereditary and genetic factors and their implication in the development of different disease like cancer.

Mutation (alteration) of genes involved in the control of cell cycle and growth is a cornerstone in the development of cancer. The majority of mutations causing cancer are acquired following the exposure to certain mutagene (like smoking). A small proportion of these gene mutations are inherited and are known to pass from generation to the next one. Accumulation of DNA changes over time disrupt the normal cell regulation and cells divide out of control and eventually turn into a malignant one.

Basic genetic information needed to understand cancer biology and its treatment include:

The nucleus and nucleic acids.

Chromosomes.

DNA and RNA structures.

Genes:structure and expression.

The flow of genetic information.

The cell cycle.

Apoptosis

Tumor supressor genes