Basic Concept of Biology

Here, I discuss some elementary knowledge about Biology.

Basic Concept of Biology Definition :

The Greek word ‘bio’ means ‘life’ and ‘logos’ means “to study”. In a single sentence, Biology is a Subject to study of studying life. J.B Lamarck proposed the term ‘BIOLOGY ‘ in 1802.

Biology as a subject basically describes the life processes and life cycle of living organisms on the Earth, like a story. As it is a part of Natural Science, it analyses everything scientifically. So there are two “points of view” to define BIOLOGY. Firstly, “Descriptive view” and secondly, ” analytical view”.

According to the NCERT Biology textbook (class 11, Unit 1st, Chapter 1st, page 5, last para), “Biology is the story of life on earth and Biology is the story of evolution of living organisms on earth”, which focuses on the descriptive view. Again NCERT Biology textbook (class 11, Unit 1st, 1st page, 1st line) mentions that Biology is the science of life forms and living processes.

Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, is known as the Father of Biology.

Difference between Life Science and Biology:-

Natural Science has two main fields of study: Physical Science, where we study inanimate objects and Life Science, where we study living systems. There are so many subjects included in both fields of view. Physical Science includes Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Astronomy, etc. Likewise, Life Science has a broad area where Biology, Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Food & Nutrition, Biomedical Science, etc. are some examples.

Basic Concept of Biology Branches :

BOTANY

Scientific Study about Plants.
Father of Botany- Theophrastus.

ZOOLOGY

Scientific study about Animals.
Father of Zoology- Aristotle.

MICROBIOLOGY

Scientific study about Microbes.
Father of Microbiology: Leeuwenhoek

GENETICS

Study of genes, Genetic variations & heredity in organisms.
Father of Genetics: Gregor Mendel

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Study about applications of Biology for Human Welfare.
Father of Biotechnology: Karl Ereky

ECOLOGY

Study the interactions among organisms and between the organism and its physical (abiotic) environment.
Father of Ecology: Eugene Odum

Basic Concept of Biology Department :

MORPHOLOGY

Morphology is the study of the external forms and structure of organisms and their specific structural features.
The term ‘morph’ means ‘shape’ or form’.

ANATOMY

Anatomy is the study of the identification and description of internal body structure by dissecting the organisms.
The term ‘ana’ means “in depth” and ‘tomy’ means “to cut”.

PHYSIOLOGY

Physiology is the scientific study of function and mechanisms in a living system.