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.

Explore the fascinating world of biology through this Week 1 quiz. Test your knowledge on the branches of biology and the key historical discoveries that have shaped the field. Gain a deeper appreciation for the role of biology in our daily lives.