Human Biology Lecture 1

Introduction to Biology

• Biology examines life from all perspectives, encompassing both living and non-living components.
• Studies of living organisms are divided into specialized fields focusing on morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin, and distribution.

Branches of Biology

• Anatomy:

  • Studies the basic structure of organisms and their parts.
  • Includes microscopic anatomy, which utilizes optical instruments to analyze tissue structures (histology) and cells.

• Histology:

  • Focuses specifically on the microscopic structure of tissues.

• Cytology:

  • Investigates the structure and function of cells, crucial for understanding cellular processes.

• Physiology:

  • Explores normal functions of organisms and their parts.
  • Examines how each structure functions and the associated biochemical reactions.

• Embryology:

  • Concerned with the generation, growth, and development of embryos, important for understanding developmental biology.

• Genetics:

  • Studies inherited characteristics and variations among organisms, foundational for understanding heredity.

• Molecular Biology:

  • Investigates biology at the molecular level, focusing on biological molecules such as DNA and RNA, essential for molecular genetics.

• Biochemistry:

  • Analyzes the chemical nature and sequences of biochemical reactions within organisms, linking biology and chemistry.

• Zoology:

  • Scientific study of animals' behavior, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution, providing insights into animal biology.

• Botany:

  • Focuses on the study of plants, crucial for understanding ecosystems and plant biology.