INTODUCTION

Biology began as science when man started to look at himself and noticed the things around him.
All the living things around him – in the air, soil, water and even the bodies of other living things –
became objects of interest to man.

THE HISTORY OF BIOLOGY

The history of Biology can be traced to the time even before the dawn of civilization. During those
times, man’s interest in living things was basically for survival. Men had to be familiar with plants and
animals that could supply their basic needs in terms of food, clothing, shelter and medicine. This early
civilization must have had a working knowledge of human anatomy as exemplified in their very
efficient mummifying process.

At about 600 B.C, a host of philosopher led by Thales ex-pounded on the theory that every event
had a cause and thus produced a subsequent effect. They shunned the supernatural and the magical
and relied on reason rather than revelation.

During the medieval times, the effects of Christianity were felt even in the development of
biological interest. The Bible was made the sure guide of reason – not the senses. Then came the
Renaissance. This period marked the rebirth of learning. There was renewed interest in the study of
forms and structure of plants and animals.

The birth of modern Biology was sparked by the scientific revolution in 1543. Specialized studies
on the branches of Biology such as Physiology, Genetics, Revolution and Anatomy were the fields of
focus and interest. In 1859, Darwin published his ‘Origin of the Species’ marking the rebirth of modern
Biology.

MAJOR FIELDS OF BIOLOGY

Biology, the science of life, embraces a wide and diverse field of study which include the following:

Taxonomy – a science that deals with the grouping and naming of living things

Morphology – a science that deals with the forms and structures of organisms

Embryology – a science that deals with the development of organisms

Physiology – a science that deals with the function and activities of organisms

Genetics – a science that deals with the transmission of traits and characters

Ecology – a science that deals with the interrelationships between living things and their environment

Biogeography – a science that deals with the distribution of the organisms on the earth’s surface

Evolution – a science that deals with origin of life and living forms
 A complete understanding and appreciation of the science of biology involve some knowledge of
the interrelationship between biology and the following sciences:

Chemistry – a science about the composition of matter which is essential in understanding the living
structure.

Physics – a study of matter and energy which is essential in the understanding of cellular and
organismic activities.

Geology – a study of the origin and structure of the earth which is essential in the study of growth
habits and distribution of living things.

Astronomy – a science of heavenly bodies which are known to produce effects on moods andmating
or reproductive habits of organism.

INTRODUCTION

Mathematics – a science of measurement and numbers which is the language of biology.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOLOGY

Knowledge of Biology enables us to cope with life’s challenges. We learn to improve our crops and
domesticate breeds of animals, thus increasing food production. We learn to control the pests that
plague the plants and animals that we use for food and industrial purposes, thus increasing
production and income capacities. We develop an appreciation of the interdependence of living
things, thus creating in us a respect for life in whatever form.

What is life?
Life is something that is very difficult to describe and categorize. To understand what is life, it is
necessary to look into the attributes that characterize living things:

Movement. Living things are capable of moving from places to place or moving some of their parts.
Even the simplest unicellular organisms display movement within their cells.

Responsiveness. Irritability or the reaction of organisms to stimuli is as varied as the unobservable

growth of roots towards the source of soil water and automatic withdrawal of our foot upon stepping
on a lighted cigarette butt.

Growth. Organisms grow from within by the process called intussusception. This is made possible
by the assimilation of new materials in the body. Growth is manifested by an increase in the size of an
organisms.