The Study of Life

Earth
Science 11!
 Introduction
Nowadays, problems on global warming, food shortage,
escalating energy costs, overpopulation disease outbreaks,
endangered species, environmental pollution, stem cells, and
human genome have become common news. Sometimes, these issues
might give you a feeling that the world is spinning out of
control. Before you get the impression that biology is all
about the problems of man and his natural world, think again.
Never before in the history has studying biology been more
exciting and fascinating. In the early part of the twenty-
first century when the Human Genome Project was completed, it
was hailed as one of the most significant scientific endeavors
ever accomplished. With this scientific milestone, the current
century has been dubbed as the "Century of Biology," ushering
revolutionary ways in solving challenges in health care,
agriculture, energy production, environmental remediation,
global warming, and other problems that threaten mankind
What is
Biology?
 Biology unravels a story that started at
least 3.8 billion years, back in an aquatic
environment devoid of life. The first living
cells came about as a result of an organized
into an entity capable came about as a
result of ancient events wherein lifeless
matter of capturing and using energy and
raw materials, sensing and responding to the
environment, and reproducing its own kind.
Provided with genetic materials that can
change, the first living things evolved from
one generation to the next, resulting in the
present diversity of living microorganisms,
plants, and animals.
 Biology literally means "study of life."
It comes from two Greek words, bios meaning
"life" and logos meaning "reason or study."
Biology is the science that deals with
structures, functions, and relationships of
living things and their environment. It is a
broad field and may be studied at various
levels molecular, cellular, organismal,
population, community, or
ecosystems.Traditionally, there are three
major divisions of the biological sciences:
1. Microbiology-Study of microorganism
2. Botany-Study of plants
3. Zoology-Study of animals
These major divisions may be further subdivided into
specialized branches that often correlate or overlap
with one another. Some of these branches of biology
include the following:
1.Taxonomy-Naming and classifying organisms.
2.Cytology-Structures and functions of cells.
3.Embryology-Formation and development of organisms.
4. Anatomy-Structures and parts of organisms.
5. Physiology-Functions of living organisms and
their parts.
6. Biochemistry-Biochemical
compositions of living things
7. Genetics-Heredity and variation
8. Evolution-Origin and differentiation
of various organisms
9. Ecology-Relationships of organisms
with their environment
 New subdisciplines in biology have emerged
because of the rapidly-changing technology. So of
these modern branches of biology include the
following:
1. Molecular biology - Molecules that make up the
cells of living organisms
2. Genomics-Genetic material (genome) of an organism
3. Proteomics- Proteins in a living organism
4. Immunology - Immune system and immunity
5. Bioinformatics - Biological data using computer
programs
 Many biologists use the
comparative approach in studying
molecules, structures,
organisms, and ecosystems. This
is necessary to understand the
biodiversity and evolutionary
changes that characterize the
intricate but fascinating world
of living organisms.
 Self-Check
How do the branches
of biology contribute
to the understanding
of life?