Careers in Biology and Muslim Scientists

Careers in Biology

• Students who choose biology can pursue careers in medicine and surgery, dealing with disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as surgical repair and removal of affected organs.
• Agriculture is a viable option, focusing on crop, fruit, vegetable, and dairy production, playing a crucial role in Pakistan's agricultural sector.
• Horticulture involves cultivating new plant varieties and their products.
• Forestry is vital for biodiversity conservation and forest development.
• Farming encompasses various farm types, utilizing modern technologies for animal and livestock production.
• Animal husbandry focuses on animal care and breeding, a component of agricultural science.
• Fisheries aim to increase fish production quantity and quality.
• Biotechnology is a sensitive field involving genetic manipulation to create valuable chemical products like insulin and growth hormones.

Role of Muslim Scientists in Biology

• Muslim scientists, starting in the first century of Hijra, made significant contributions to biological research.
• Jabir Bin Hayan (722-817 AD), though primarily a chemist, wrote books on plants and animals ("Al-Nabatiat" and "Al-Haywan").
• Abdul Malik Asmai (741-828 AD) was a renowned zoologist, authoring books on various animals ("Al-Kheil," "Al-Ibil," "Al-Shat," "Al-Wahoosh," and "Khalqul Insan").
• Bu Ali Sina (980-1037 AD), known as Avicenna in the West, was a leading medical figure, identifying diseases like tuberculosis and meningitis and contributing to mathematics, astronomy, physics, paleontology and music. His works ("Al-Qanoon," and "Fil Tib Al-Shafa") contributed significantly to the field.

Islamic View on the Origin of Life

• The Quran provides knowledge on the origin and characteristics of animals and plants.
• Allah states "We made every living thing from water" (Surah: Ambia, Verse: 30).
• Allah also states that He created all life forms from water (Surah: Al-Nur, Verse: 45).
• Water is considered crucial for life, symbolized by protoplasm, the foundational component of living cells.

Plant Growth and Development

• The Quran mentions plant growth and development in detail.
• Allah discusses the interconnectedness of neighboring plant tracks, vineyards, and date palms (Surah: Al-Ra'd, Verse: 4).
• The verse highlights the diversity of plant life and the similar yet distinct nature of these plants.

Relationship of Biology to Other Sciences

• Biology is an interdisciplinary science linked to other fields.
• Biophysics uses the laws and techniques of physics to study life processes, for example radioactive isotopes for translocation of materials within organisms.
• Biomathematics and biometry collect and analyze data about living things.
• Biochemistry studies biological molecules.
• Biogeography studies living things' distribution across regions.
• Bioeconomics studies the economic aspects of living things.

Branches of Biology

• Morphology: The study of the external form and structure of organisms.
• Anatomy: The study of the internal structure of the body.
• Cell Biology: The study of cells and their structure.
• Histology: The study of tissues in plants and animals.
• Physiology: The study of the functioning of organisms.
• Taxonomy: The classification and naming of organisms.
• Genetics: The study of heredity.
• Developmental Biology: The study of embryonic development.
• Environmental Biology: The study of relationships between living organisms and their environment.
• Paleontology: The study of past life forms based on fossils.
• Biotechnology: Techniques for manipulating genes.
• Sociobiology: The study of social behavior in organisms.
• Parasitology: The study of parasites.
• Pharmacology: The study of drugs.
• Molecular Biology: The study of biological molecules.

Causes of Deforestation

• Deforestation occurs deliberately for mining, urbanization, timber, road construction and livestock breeding.

Kingdom Fungi

• Fungi are eukaryotic heterotrophs that obtain nutrients from dead or decaying matter or as parasites in the ecosystem.
• Fungi are essential decomposers.
• Fungi cell walls are composed of chitin.
• Fungi may be septate or aseptate.
• Fungi cells may be uninucleate or multinucleate.
• Fungi bodies are filamentous (hyphae) forming a mycelium, lacking complex organs or differentiation.
• In plants, stored food is starch.
• Plants reproduce by seeds.

Importance of Biodiversity

• Biodiversity provides various resources like fiber, oil, dyes, rubber, timber, paper, food, and medicinal products.
• Biodiversity stabilizes ecosystems, reduces pollution, and is essential in drug discovery.
• Biodiversity enhances tourism through the rich variety of trees and animals in specific regions.

Units of Classification

• Species: A group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
• Genus: Group of closely related species.
• Family: Group of closely related genera.
• Order: Group of closely related families.
• Class: Group of closely related orders.
• Phylum: Group of closely related classes.
• Kingdom: Group of closely related phyla.

Aims of Classification

• Determining and organizing similarities and differences between organisms for easier study.
• Identifying evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Five Kingdom Classification

• This system organizes organisms into five kingdoms based on cellular structure and mode of nutrition.
• Kingdom Monera comprises prokaryotes like bacteria and cyanobacteria.
• Kingdom Protista comprises eukaryotic unicellular organisms.
• Kingdom Fungi comprises eukaryotic heterotrophs.
• Kingdom Plantae comprises eukaryotic autotrophs (plants).
• Kingdom Animalia comprises eukaryotic heterotrophs (animals).

Factors Affecting Transpiration Rate

• Temperature: Higher temperatures increase evaporation from cell surfaces.
• Humidity: Lower humidity increases transpiration rates.
• Wind: Increased wind reduces humidity, thus increasing transpiration.
• Atmospheric Pressure: Lower atmospheric pressure increases transpiration rates.

Blood Composition and Function

• Blood is a connective tissue composed of plasma and corpuscles.
• Plasma accounts for 55% of whole blood, primarily water and dissolved substances (electrolytes, proteins, digested food, and waste products).
• Blood corpuscles include red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes).
• Erythrocytes contain hemoglobin crucial for oxygen transport.
• Leukocytes are important in defending against pathogens.
• Platelets aid in blood clotting and preventing excessive bleeding.

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

• Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
• Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
• Bacteria and cyanobacteria are prokaryotic cells.
• Fungi, algae, animals, and plants are eukaryotic cells.

Animal Tissues

• Epithelial tissue covers body surfaces.
• Connective tissue binds and supports tissues.
• Muscular tissues allow movement.
• Nervous tissues control and coordinate body functions.

Plant Tissues (chart)

• Meristematic tissues are responsible for plant growth.
• Permanent tissues are mature cells that are no longer dividing.
• Simple tissues are composed of similar cells.
• Complex tissues are composed of different cell types. (Examples: Xylem and Phloem)
• Epidermis: Protective outer layer, including stomata for gas exchange.
• Parenchyma: Photosynthesis and storage,
• Collenchyma: Flexible support
• Sclerenchyma: Rigid support
• Xylem: water and mineral transportation
• Tracheids/Xylem vessels: conducting cells within xylem
• Phloem: food transportation
• Sieve tubes/Companion cells; conducting cells within phloem

Plastids

• Plastids are membrane-bound organelles found in plants and algae.
• Chloroplasts are the primary site of photosynthesis, with chlorophyll for light absorption.
• Chromoplasts contain colored pigments other than green for flower and fruit color.
• Leucoplasts are colorless and store starch.

Mitochondria

• Mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cells.
• Inner membrane folds called cristae increase surface area for ATP synthesis.
• Mitochondria are essential for cellular respiration and energy production.

Cell Theory

• Cell theory posits that cells are the basic units of structure and function in living organisms.
• Cells arise from pre-existing cells.
• All living organisms are composed of at least one cell.
• Cells contain hereditary material passed down through generations.

Explore various career pathways in biology including medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Additionally, learn about the significant contributions of Muslim scientists in the field of biology. This quiz highlights essential disciplines and the impact of environment and technology on biological sciences.