Introduction to Biology PDF

## 1.2 Knowledge ### Introduction to Biology Biology comes from two Greek words: "bios" meaning life and "logos" meaning study. It is about studying all living things, from tiny bacteria to big whales. This subject helps us understand how living things like plants and animals interact with the worl...

## 1.2 Knowledge ### Introduction to Biology Biology comes from two Greek words: "bios" meaning life and "logos" meaning study. It is about studying all living things, from tiny bacteria to big whales. This subject helps us understand how living things like plants and animals interact with the world around them. It shows us our place in nature. When we study biology, we learn about how living things are made, how they grow, where they come from, where they live and how they adopt to environmental changes. | | | | ------------- | ------------- | | Bacteria | Fungi | | Dragon's Blood Tree | Atlas Moth | | Australian Cuscus | Blue Whale | Biology is always exciting because there is always something new to discover. We will explore its different branches next, and each one helps us understand a different part of life and the world around us. ## 1.3 Knowledge ### Major Fields of Biology Biology is a vast and diverse discipline that seeks to understand the many aspects of life. At a broad level, the major fields include Botany, Zoology, and Microbiology: ### Botany Botany is the study of plants. It looks at how plants grow, make new plants, and how they live. ### Zoology Zoology is the study of animals. It explores how animals live, grow, and behave. **Figure 1.6**: Illustration of different types of plants. **Figure 1.7**: A display of biodiversity in the animal kingdom. ### Microbiology Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are living things that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. It helps us learn about these small creatures and how they impact our health and the world around us. ## Biostatistics Biostatistics is the application of math and statistics to study living things. It helps scientists understand data from biology, like how often a disease occurs or how a new medicine works. ## Biotechnology Biotechnology is the application of science and technology to work with living things to make valuable products. It includes making medicine and growing better crops. Figure 1.12 illustrates the production of human insulin through biotechnology. ## Bioeconomics Bioeconomics is about studying how biology and economics work together. It explores how we use living things and the environment to make products and services, and how this affects the economy and ecosystem (nature). This includes things like farming, fishing, and managing natural resources. ## Computational Biology Computational biology is the use of computers and mathematics to learn about living things. Scientists in this field use computer programs and databases to answer difficult biological questions. For instance, they can help read genes and guess how proteins look. ## Biogeography Biogeography is the study of the geographic distribution of living organisms on Earth. It also examines the abiotic factors, such as temperature and rainfall, that affect their distribution. ## Biophysics Biophysics is the application of physical principles to biological problems. It looks at how physical forces like intermolecular forces or electricity work in the world of living organisms. For example, biophysicists might study how nerves in our body send electrical signals. ## Biochemistry Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes and interactions that occur in living systems. Biochemists study the structure and function of biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. For example, biochemistry can help understand how enzymes catalyze reactions. ## Physiology The study of the functions of various parts of living things is called physiology. For example, studying how the heart pumps blood is an example of physiology. ## Taxonomy Taxonomy is the study of the classification of organisms. Taxonomists classify organisms based on their shared characteristics. For example, a taxonomist classifies new species of plants or animals, such as how they are related to other species. ## Palaeontology The study of fossils is called palaeontology. Palaeontologists study the fossils of extinct organisms. They use fossils to learn about the evolution of life on Earth. For example, palaeontologists study the fossils of dinosaurs to know how they lived and died. ## Pharmacology Pharmacology is the study of drugs. Pharmacologists study the effects of drugs on living things and the development of new drugs. For example, a pharmacologist examines the effects of new drugs on cancer cells, such as how the drugs kill cancer cells without harming healthy cells. ## Pathology Pathology is the study of disease. Pathologists study the causes, symptoms, and treatment of diseases. A pathologist, for instance, investigates the causes of cancer. ## Ecology Ecology is the study of how living things interact with each other and their environment. Living things are called biotic factors, and non-living things are called abiotic factors. For example, the red panda in the eastern Himalayas depends on bamboo plants for food (biotic factor) and is affected by temperature and rainfall (abiotic factors). These factors affect their population in their habitat. ## Marine Biology The study of life in the oceans is called marine biology. Marine biologists research the variety of marine life and how it interacts with the water. A marine biologist, for instance, studies the behaviour of whales, such as how they communicate with each other. ## Immunology Immunology is the study of the immune system. Immunologists study how the immune system protects the body from disease. For example, an immunologist examines how antibodies are produced to fight off viruses. ## Morphology Morphology is the study of the form and structure of organisms. Morphologists study the external and internal features of organisms. For example, a morphologist investigates the evolution of the shape of a bird's beak. Different birds have different beak shapes that are adapted to their diet. ## Anatomy Anatomy is the study of the internal structure of organisms. Anatomists study the organs, tissues, and cells of organisms. For example, an anatomist examines the structure of the human heart, such as how the chambers of the heart are arranged. ## Histology Histology is the study of tissues. Histologists study the structure and function of tissues. For example, studying the different types of connective tissue is an example of histology. ## Cytology Cytology is the study of cells. Cytologists examine the structure, function, and development of cells. For instance, a cytologist studies the structure of the cell membrane, such as how it allows certain molecules to pass through while keeping others out. ## Embryology Embryology is the study of the development of an organism from an embryo to a complete individual. Embryologists focus on the various stages of this development. For example, an embryologist looks into how the human heart develops. ## Genetics The study of genes and heredity is known as genetics. The study of genetics focuses on the inheritance of qualities from parents to offspring. For example, a geneticist researches how parents pass on the genes that determine a child's eye colour. ## Molecular Biology The study of the molecules that comprise living organisms is known as molecular biology. Molecular biologists investigate the structure and function of biomolecules. For example, a biologist studies the structure of DNA, such as how the bases are arranged and how the DNA molecule is coiled.