SO1BI Chapter 1 - Introduction to Biology PDF

# Chapter One ## Introduction to Biology ### Introduction There are various forms of life on earth ranging from microscopic to macroscopic living things. Such forms of life or living things are studied in Biology. In this chapter, you will learn about the basic concepts and terminologies of Biolog...

# Chapter One ## Introduction to Biology ### Introduction There are various forms of life on earth ranging from microscopic to macroscopic living things. Such forms of life or living things are studied in Biology. In this chapter, you will learn about the basic concepts and terminologies of Biology, branches of Biology, importance of studying Biology, and the relationship between Biology and other scientific fields. The competencies developed will enable you to use biological principles and processes in everyday life. ### Think Life without Biology ### Basic concepts and terminologies in Biology **Task 1.1** Search from library and reliable internet sources information on the basic concepts and terminologies of Biology. The term 'Biology' originates from two Greek words, bios that means 'life' and logos that means 'study'. Therefore, Biology is a branch of science that deals with the study of life. A person who studies Biology is called a Biologist. Living things are also called organisms. They include, plants, animals, fungi, and micro-organisms. Micro-organisms are very small living things, such as bacteria and some protozoans, which cannot be seen with the naked eyes. The size of organisms varies and ranges from very small such as bacteria to very large such as trees, birds, hippopotamus, and whales, as shown in Figure 1.1. ### Table: Other branches of Biology | Branch | Area of study | |:---|:---| | Anatomy | Body structures of organisms | | Cytology | Structure and functions of cells | | Ecology | Relationship between organisms and their environment | | Entomology | Insects | | Genetics | Heredity and variation | | Immunology | Immune system | | Mycology | Fungi | | Parasitology | Parasites | | Taxonomy | Classification of organisms | | Physiology | Physical and chemical processes taking place within living organisms | ### Exercise 1. Explain the term Biology. 2. Differentiate Botany from Zoology. 3. Biology is more than a study of animals and plants. Explain. ### Importance of studying Biology **Task 1.2** Search from the library and reliable internet sources information on the importance of studying Biology, then write short notes. The knowledge obtained from studying Biology is important because it: * Helps to understand and care for the environment properly. It helps to learn about the plants, animals, and micro-organisms that surround us and how they affect us. * Helps to identify and group living things which makes it easier to learn more about them. * Helps to appreciate nature and many fascinating things about different organisms and how their functions are learnt in Biology. * Helps to understand our bodies. * Helps to acquire research skills that are useful when carrying out scientific investigations. Such skills include measuring, observing, analysing, and drawing conclusion. * Helps to improve food production. Scientists can use biological skills to develop higher-yielding and disease-resistant varieties of plants and animals. These improved breeds of plants and animals are called hybrids. Figure 1.2 shows the indigenous and improved breeds of chicken. * Helps to improve the standard of living in human, and care for animals and plants. Skills from Biology can help to determine the causes, symptoms, and methods of transmission of infections and diseases. * Helps to answer important questions, such as when and where life originate, how plants move, and how animals survive without plants. * Enables scientists to come up with ways to prevent, treat, and cure diseases. This has greatly improved the quality of people's lives. For instance, the first cure discovered for malaria was quinine. It was extracted from the bark of the Cinchona tree (or quinine tree). Quinine has helped to reduce the number of deaths from malaria, especially in Africa. * Lays foundation for specialising in careers, such as teaching, nursing, medicine, horticulture, and environmental science. * Encourages international cooperation through biological research. For instance, biologists from all over the world cooperate to find cure for diseases, such as COVID-19, AIDS, and Ebola. ### Relationship between Biology and other scientific fields **Task 1.2** Search for information from the library and reliable internet sources the relationship between Biology and other scientific fields, then write short notes. Biology is not an isolated field of study. Biology is related to many other fields of study, such as Agriculture, Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, and Nutrition. Biological researches have a direct impact on the development of these fields. **Activity: Investigating the relationship between Biology and other fields of science** **Materials:** Newspapers and magazines with articles on Biology, Agriculture, Medicine, Forestry, and other scientific fields, ICT tools, notebook, and pen **Procedure:** 1. Collect newspapers and magazines with articles on Biology, Agriculture, Medicine, Forestry, Nutrition, and other fields of science. 2. Search from the library or internet sources the articles on Biology, Agriculture, Medicine, Forestry, Nutrition, and other scientific fields. 3. Go through the articles and state which other fields of study, apart from Biology, are mentioned. 4. Relate Biology to other fields of science, such as Agriculture, Medicine, Forestry, and Nutrition. **Question** Explain the fields that you think are related to Biology. Give examples to explain these relationships. ### **Agriculture** Agriculture is the field of study which deals with growing crops and rearing animals for food, money, or both. Biological research findings on crops and livestock have led to improved agricultural production. Scientists have developed breeds of crops and animals that mature quickly and produce high yields. For instance, indigenous breeds of chicken start laying eggs when they are about eight months old while the improved breeds known as layers can start laying eggs as early as five months. An example of an improved layer breed is shown in Figure 1.3. ### **Medicine and Pharmacy** Medicine is the study of the prevention, treatment, and cure of diseases. Pharmacy_ is the science of preparation and administration of drugs. Anatomy and Immunology form an important part of the study of medicine. The study of Anatomy helps medical doctors to learn the structure of the body and how it functions. This makes it possible for them to know what is wrong in the body and how it can be treated. In Immunology, scientists study the body's response to disease-causing agents. This knowledge is important in the formulation of vaccines and drugs that are able to prevent and treat diseases, respectively. Some of these drugs and vaccines are made from animals, plants, fungi, or micro-organisms. ### **Nutrition** The study of Biology is important in understanding the composition and value of different groups of foods. This knowledge is used by dieticians to determine the kind of diets that are suitable for people with different health needs. Biologists have also developed breeds of livestock and crops that yield products of higher nutritional value. Examples include varieties of sweet potatoes that are rich in vitamin A and a breed of Jersey cattle, as shown in Figure 1.4, which produce milk with low butterfat content. Such breeds are known as improved breeds. ### **Forestry** Forestry deals with creating, managing, and conserving forests. Forests are sources of fuel (firewood and charcoal), building materials, and medicinal plants. They also serve as water catchments. Biologists have developed varieties of trees that grow well in dry areas. Such trees are used to reclaim dry land for human settlement. Through Biological research, varieties of fast-growing trees have been developed. The fast-growing trees are planted in deforested areas. This is called reforestation. Reforestation helps to preserve water catchments so as to ensure a continuous supply of water. Forests also prevent desertification. See Figure 1.5 (a) and (b). ### Chapter Summary 1. Biology is the study of living things. People who study Biology are called Biologists. 2. The main branches of Biology include Botany, Zoology, and Microbiology. 3. The cell is the basic functional unit of life. ### Revision exercise 1 Choose the most correct answer. 1. Which of the following fields of study is NOT related to Biology? * Agriculture * Astrology * Medicine * Nutrition 2. Which of the following is a reason for studying Biology? * Biology helps us to appreciate and improve nature. * Biology deals with non-living objects in our environment. * Biology enables us to pollute the environment. * Biological research contributes to the development of low-yielding breeds of crops. 3. The branch of Biology that deals with microbes is called: * Zoology * Microbiology * Botany * Cytology 4. Which of the following is one of the main branches of Biology? * Sociology * Agriculture * Anthropology * Botany 5. Outline four reasons as to why it is important to study Biology. 6. Identify the field and branch of Biology that you will use to solve the following problems: * Helping a person with a broken leg. * Protecting cattle from tsetse flies. * Conserving village river from drying. 7. Differentiate: * Unicellular from multicellular organisms * Cytology from taxonomy