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INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGYbysanju, first lesson of class 11
- 1. • INTRODUCTION TOBIOLOGY • By sanju sah, St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar • INTRODUCTION • The study of life of living things, both plants and animals, is called Biology (Gr. bios = life, logos = discourse or knowledge). • Biology is a science devoted to the study of living organisms. • Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms. • Modern biology is a vast and eclectic field composed of many specialized disciplines that study the structure, function, growth, distribution, evolution, or other features Of living
- 2. • The majorcontributions in the development of Biology were made by • Hippocrates (460-320 BC) • Aristotle (384-322 BC) • Theophrastus (370 - 285 BC) • Robert Hooke ( 1635 - 1703 AD) • Carolus Linnaeus (1707 — 1778 AD) • Charles Darwin (1809 — 1882 AD) • Mendel ( 1822 — 1884 AD)
- 3. • The term“Biology” was coined by Lamarck and Treviranus (1802). • The father of Biology and zoology is Aristotle as he described many plants and animals. • The father of Botany is Theophrastus. • The father of medicine is Hippocrates. • The father of the concept of organic evolution is Ampedocles. • The father of evolution is Charles Darwin. He is also known as the Newton of Zoology. • The father of evolutionary theories is Lamarck. • The two main branches of biology which deal with the different aspects of plant and animal science are: I. Botany (Gr. botane = herbs) - It is the study of plants.
- 4. II. Zoolog y(G r. : Zoon = animal) - It is the science of animal life. 1. In the field of Agriculture ➢ Biology provides knowledge to aware farmers to get pest free plants and breed improved animals. ➢ The concept of biology is required for animal husbandry such as pisciculture, apiculture, sericulture, dairy science etc. ➢ Genetic engineeringis widely applied in agricultural science to improve the quality of plants and breeds. ➢ Genetically modified (GM) plants accelerate the production of crops. 2. In the field of Health and Medicine ▪ All the health workers such as doctors, nurses, dentists and health assistants come from biological background .
- 5. ▪ Its studyhelps to prevent human from diseases. ▪ Different medicines and vaccines are prepared after successful testing on animals. ▪ Protozoans and helminths are responsible for many diseases. Study on control and cure of these parasitic diseases are done by zoologists. In Biodiversity conservation •The knowledge of biology helps researchers to conserve endangered flora and fauna. 4. In Environment ▪The study of biology provides idea about maintaining nature, ecosystem and natural resources. ▪It gives knowledge of impacts of pesticides or pollution on the environment. 5. In Industries ➢Biotechnology helps to increase the production of alcohol, antibiotics, antibodies, vitamins and hormones.
- 6. ➢Different industries suchas dairy industry, agroindustries need biologically knowledgeable personnel to run. ➢Herbal industries , pharmaceutical , timber , pulp, 6. Diseases ▪Several pathogens cause diseases in plants and animals. The habitat, structure and life cycle of such pathogens can be studied in biology. ▪Its knowledge can help the people to eradicate or minimize such pathogens. 7. Economic value • The products obtained from the cultivation of plants and the rearing of animals contribute to enhancing people's financial well-being. • In Nepal, many tourists visit to experience the natural resources, wildlife, medicinal plants, and more. . 8. Aesthetic value: • Biological knowledge is valuable for rearing or preserving plants and animals for their aesthetic appeal and entertainment purposes.
- 7. • Eg. Somebirds or mammals, such as exotic birds or deer are displayed for their aesthetic value, allowing people to appreciate their beauty even after their natural life. 9. Applied biology • Applied biology is the branch of biological science that focuses on addressing real-life needs by developing biological products. • It includes fields such as pharmaceutical research, bioengineering, rural development, and environmental toxicology. Branches of Biology ➢Anatomy: Study of internal structure of organisms as seen by naked eye. ➢Anthropology: Study of the origin and development of human societies and cultures. ➢Araeneology : Study of spiders ➢Aphidology : Study of aphids
- 8. ➢Anthology : Studyof flowers ➢Apiculture : Study of bee-keeping ➢Bacteriology: Study of Bacteria ➢ Biochemistry: Study of Chemistry of living organisms ➢Bioinformatics: Study of applying information technology to life sciences. ➢Bryology : Study of Bryophytes ➢Biotechnology : Technique of using organisms to modify the organisms and their products for human benefit. ➢Batrachology : Study of frogs • C a rdiolog y: Study of Heart • Cell Biology: Study of Cells and cell organelles . • C raniology: Study of Skull • C rybiology: Study of Life at low temperature • Cnidology : Study of coelenterates • Conchology : Study of shells of molluscs • Chondrology : Study of cartilage • Dermatology: Study of Skin
- 9. • Developmental biology:Study of how an organism develops from a single celled zygote. • Embryology: Study of Embryonic development of organisms • Entomology: Study of Insects • Epidemiology: Study of Epidemic diseases • Etiology: Study of disease causing agents • Eugenics: Study of Improvement of human race by altering its genetic composition • Evolution: Study of Origin and evolution of life • Entomology : Study of insects • Ecology : Study of relationship between organisms and its environment • Ethology : Study of animal nature or behaviour of animals • Exobiology : space biology • Genetics : Study of Heredity and variations • Gynaecology: Study of Treatment of women’s diseases • Genetic engineering : Direct manipulation of DNA to alter an organism's characteristics in a particular way. • H
- 10. • Haematology: Studyof Blood • Helminthology: Study of Helminthes or worms • Hepatology: Study of Liver • Herpetology: Study of reptiles • Ichthyolog y: Study of Fishes • Immunology: Study of structure and function of immune system Karyology: Study of Nucleus Limnology: Study of Fresh water and its inhabitants • Malacology: Study of molluscs • Morphology: Study of external features of organisms • Mycology: Study of Fungi • Microbiology : Study of micro-organisms • Mammology : Study of mammals Nematology: Study of Nematodes • Nephrolog y: Study of Kidneys • Neuorology : Study of brain and nerve functions Oology: Study of Eggs of birds • Ophiology: Study of Snakes
- 11. • Ophthalmology: Studyof Eyes • Ornithology: Study of Birds • O steology: Study of Bones • Oncology : Study of cancer Paleontolog y: Study of Fossils • Parasitology: Study of Parasites • Pathology: Study and diagnosis of diseases • Physiology: Study of Life processes in plants and animals • Protozoology: Study of protozoa • Parazoology : Study of porifera or sponges • Pteridology : Study of pteridophytes • Pomology : Study of fruits and fruit yielding plants • Phycology : Study of algae • Pisciculture : Study of rearing of fishes Saurology: Study of Lizards • Serolog y: Study of serum and other body fluids • Sericulture: is the process of cultivating silkworms and extracting silk from
- 12. them. Taxanomy: Study ofIdentification, nomenclature and classification of organisms Virology: Study of viruses Zoology: Study of animal science 2 Relation of Biology with other sciences • Biology relates to other branches of science as follows : Relation of Biology with Chemistry • All organisms are made up of inorganic and organic compounds. • pH of body fluid is maintained by acid-base equilibrium. • Inorganic compounds in their ionic forms play vital roles in life processes. • Biological processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and metabolism involve chemical reactions. • Enzymes and hormones secreted by animals are also chemicals. 2 Relation of Biology with Physics : • Principle of physics are applicable to biological phenomena. Eg: • In our bodies, bones act as lever arms, joints act as pivots, and muscles provide the force (effort) to move loads. • Light influences many biological processes, including photosynthesis and phototropic movements.
- 13. • Life processessuch as ascent of sap, diffusion, movement of minerals are dependant on physical phenomenon. • Working of eye is based on the principle of refraction of light. • Biological instruments such as microscope, X-ray , radiotherapy, MRI follow physical phenomenon. 2 Relation with sociology • Socio-biology is the study of biological basis of social behaviour among animals and humans. • Biology is related with sociology as many animals live in social groups. • Social nature of many animals makes them to follow social customs, which are behaviors or practices that are learned, shared, and transmitted within their social groups. • Genetic factors and social environments interact to shape individual development, personality, and behavior. Relation with geography • Distribution of living organisms depend on different geographical factors such as climate , temperature, altitude. • Evolution of life require the knowledge of geographical time scale.
- 14. • Rocks arecreated predominantly by biological processes. 2 Relation with Mathematics (Biometry) : • Biologists use statistical methods to analyze data from their experiments, surveys, and observational studies. • Probability is used to predict the inheritance of traits based on Mendelian genetics. • Distribution of population and wildlife census is related to mathematics. Relation with economics: • Economics is needed to explore the yield of many biological products.