Biology

Came from the Greek words: bios, meaning life and logos meaning study of.
Natural science that studies living things: their structure, functions, reproduction, life
processes, and interactions with environment.
Related to other sciences
Science that uses inductive and deductive reasoning in investigating problems

Why Study Biology???

Provides basic information about the living forms and the processes life undergoes.
Enhance understanding about his environment and the interrelationships among living
organisms with their environment.
To improve the quality of human life in terms of food and medicines.

Scientific Method
Is a logical sequence of thought processes and activities designed to gather information and test
ideas
1. Define/State a Problem/Question
2. Hypothesis
3. Collect Data
4. Experiment/Testing of Hypothesis
5. Analysis and Interpretation, Formulation of Conclusion and Generalization
Three main fields of Biology:
1. Botany 2. Zoology 3. Microbiology
Branches of Biology
1. Anatomy focuses on structure of plants and animals
2. Biochemistry studies chemistry of life
3. Biotechnology deals with application of Biology in order to solve everyday problems
4. Cytology focuses on cell structure and functions
5. Ecology deals with the relationships between organisms and their environment
6. Embryology studies development of organism from fertilization to fetus stage
7. Genetics deals with heredity and variations

8. Histology deals with tissues

9. Physiology deals with the functions of an organisms structure
10. Morphology deals with the study of the gross structure of an organism and its
component parts
11. Nutrition deals with the procurement of raw materials by the organism for energy
12. Paleontology study of fossils
13. Pathology studies the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development and
consequences
14. Taxonomy studies the systematic naming and classification of plants and animals.
15. Bacteriology - bacteria
16. Entomology - insects
17. Ethology animal behavior
18. Helminthology - worms
19. Herpetology amphibian and reptiles
20. Ichthyology - fishes
21. Malacology - mollusks
22. Mammalogy mammals
23. Mycology fungi
24. Ornithology birds
25. Phycology algae
26. Parasitology parasites, their hosts and the relationship between them
27. Primatology primates
28. Virology - viruses
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
ARISTOTLE

He made tremendous contributions in the field of zoology that served as basis for the
foundations of other fields of biology

ANDREAS VERSALIUS

Among the first to dissect cadavers and accurately depict human anatomy on his book
The Structure of the Human Body

WILLIAM HARVEY

First to describe accurately the systemic circulation and properties of blood being
pumped around the body by the heart

ROBERT HOOKE

The first one who coined the term cells:

His works and contributions in biology were written in his book Micrographia in 1665.

ANTON VAN LEEUWENHOEK

Built several microscopes that magnified over 200 times, with clearer and brighter
images and describe different kinds of microorganisms like the detailed description of
bacteria

CAROLUS LINNAEUS

The Father of Taxonomy

Classification of organisms using the Binomial System of Nomenclature

COMTE DE BUFFON

Published 35 volumes of his Histoire naturelle during his lifetime

ERASMUS DARWIN

Formulated one of the first formal theories on evolution in Zoonomia, or The laws of
Organic Life.

JEAN BAPTISTE DE LAMARCK

Contributed much in Botany with his book, Flore Francaise and published series of
books on invertebrate zoology and paleontology

GEORGES CUVIER

Established the fact of the extinction of past life forms and contributed in zoology and
paleontology research

CHARLES ROBERT DARWIN

Proposed the scientific theory of Evolution based on natural selection in his book, On
the Origin of Species

GREGOR JOHANN MENDEL

The Father of Genetics

Showed that inheritance of traits follows particular laws

LOUIS PASTEUR

He determined that the germs or microorganisms could be killed by heating liquid to 55

degrees Celsius or higher for short periods of time (pasteurization).
Created the science of immunology, showing that certain diseases could be prevented by
vaccination

ERNST HAECKEL

Coined the term phylogeny, phylum and ecology

THOMAS HUNT MORGAN

Demonstrated that genes are carried on chromosomes and are the mechanical basis of
heredity which formed the basis of modern science of genetics.

JAMES DEWEY WATSON, ROSALIND FRANKLIN, FRANCIS HARRY COMPTON

CRICK

Discovered the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information
transfer in living material

HEINRICH HERMANN ROBERT KOCH

Founder of Bacteriology

He used the pure-culture technique in identifying several microorganisms causing

diseases.

Characteristics of Life
1. Movement/Locomotion
The organism is able to move from one place to another or even move in its place.
2. Reproduction
The organism is able to perpetuate life and produce offspring of their own kind
either sexually or asexually
3. Growth
The organism is able to increase in size, diameter and length
4. Nutrition and Metabolism

 The organism is able to utilize the raw materials converting it to energy needed
for growth
Catabolism complex to simple
Anabolism simple to complex
5. Homeostatic Responses/Irritability
The organism is able to react to certain stimuli and adjust to changes or situation
in the environment in order to maintain its steady state condition.
6. Mutation
All living organisms have the capacity to change its genetic composition as a
result of change in the environment or evolution.
7. Life span
Life span of organism is controlled by genetic composition and external
environment
8. Biological Organization
Atoms, Molecules, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System
9. Form and Shape
Form and shape of organism also depend on the genetic composition and some
factors in the environment.