What is Biology? Biology derived from Greek words – BIOS meaning LIFE and LOGY meaning STUDY or KNOWLEDGE. Biology means “life knowledge”. It is the study of living things/organisms
BRANCHES OF BIOLOGY
- Botany – study of plants
- Zoology – study of animals
- Microbiology – study’ of microscopic organisms
- Morphology – study of external structure of organisms
- Anatomy – study of internal structure of organisms
- Physiology – study of the functioning or working of the cells or body
- Biochemistry – study of the chemistry of materials in living organisms
- Cytology – study of cells
- Genetics – study of inheritance
- Ecology- study of the relationship between organisms and their environment
- Taxonomy – sorting out of organisms into groups
- Histology – study of fine structure of tissues
- Virology – study of viruses
- Bacteriology – study of bacteria
- Entomology – study of insects
- Ichthyology – study of fish
IMPORTANCE OF BIOLOGY
- One learns about the functioning of the human body
- One understands the developmental changes that take place in the body
- It contributes immensely to improved life
- It enables one to enter careers such as:
- Medicine,
- Nutrition,
- Public Health,
- Dentistry,
- Agriculture
- Environmental Studies
- Teaching