Biology Week 1: Discoveries and Branches

Objectives of Biology Lesson

Understand the branches of biology.
Trace the significant historical discoveries in biology.
Appreciate the relevance of biology in everyday life.

Definition of Biology

Derived from Greek: "bios" (life) and "logos" (study).
A scientific discipline focused on living organisms.

Key Historical Figures in Biology

Aristotle
- Greek philosopher known as the Father of Biology and Zoology.
- Pioneered studies on the classification of life forms.
Hippocrates
- Greek physician recognized as the Father of Medicine.
- Advocated for natural causes of diseases, countering superstitions.
Claudius Galen
- Greek physician who dissected animals to study human anatomy.
- Discovered that arteries contain blood, correcting earlier misconceptions.
Andreas Vesalius
- Known as the Father of Anatomy.
- Conducted meticulous human dissections; authored "De Humani Corporis Fabrica."
William Harvey
- English physician who first described blood circulation.
- Identified the heart's role in blood movement.
Marcelo Malpighi
- Italian physician who identified capillaries in 1661.
- Advanced understanding of blood circulation.
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
- First to observe microscopic life forms, including bacteria and sperm cells.
- Regarded as the Father of Microbiology.
Carolus Linnaeus
- Introduced the binomial nomenclature system for classifying organisms.
- Identified characteristics for systematic naming in taxonomy.
Charles Darwin
- Considered the Father of Evolution.
- His book "Origin of Species" (1859) presented natural selection theory, unifying biological sciences.
Gregor Mendel
- Known as the Father of Genetics.
- Conducted pea plant experiments, establishing foundational principles of heredity.
Joseph Lister
- Father of Aseptic Surgery; promoted sterilization techniques.
- Devised methods to reduce infections in surgical procedures.
Alexander Fleming
- Discovered penicillin in 1928, marking the first antibiotics’ introduction.
Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin
- Salk developed the first polio vaccine injection (1955); Sabin created the oral version (1959).
James Watson and Francis Crick
- Discovered the double helix structure of DNA in 1953, revolutionizing genetics.

Branches of Biology

Anatomy
- Study of internal structures and parts of living organisms.
Botany
- Scientific examination of plant life, including growth and reproduction.
Cytology
- Study of cell structure and function.
Ecology
- Exploration of organisms' interactions with their environment.
Evolution
- Study of the long-term changes in organisms over time.
Genetics
- Examination of genes, genetic variation, and heredity.
Histology
- Study of tissues and their organization within organs.
Microbiology
- Study of microscopic living organisms.
Taxonomy
- Classification and naming of living organisms.
Zoology
- Scientific study of animal life and behavior.