Introduction to biology

Biology:

There are plenty of plants and animals found on the earth. The
Study of life and the living things, both plants and animals
Called BIOLOGY (Gr. bios=life, logos=discourse of knowledge).
Biology is the science devoted to the study of living organisms.
Science has progressed by breaking down complex subject of study
In their component parts. Today there are numerous branches of biology,
This principle is often is called
The ‘reductionist’ principle and, carried to logical conclusions, it has
Focused to attention on the most elementary forms of matter in living and
Non living systems. This approach to study seeks fundamental understanding
By looking at parts rather than the whole. An opposing approach, based on the
'Vitalist' principle, considers that 'life' is something special and unique,
And maintains the life cannot be explained solely in terms of laws of physics.
And chemistry, having properties which are special to the system as a whole
The aim of biology must ultimately to be explain the living world in terms of
Scientific principles, although appreciating that organisms behave in ways which
Often seems beyond the capabilities of the component parts.
The major contribution in the development of biology were made by
Hippocrates (460-320 BC), Aristotle (384-322BC), Theophrastus (370-285 BC), Robert Hooke
(1635-1703AD), Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778 AD), Charles Darwin (1809-1882 AD), Mendel (1822-1884AD)
And many other biologists
The two main branches of biology which deal with different aspects of plant and animal
Science are-
1. Botany (Gr.botane=herbs) - it is the study of plants
2. Zoology (Gr.Zoon=animal) - it is the study of animal life.Branches of Biology:

The study of biology can be divided into several special branches or disciplines
Which are as follows:-
1. Morphology = Study of external features of organisms
2. Anatomy =    Study of internal structures of organisms as seen by naked eyes.
3. Histology = Study of structure and functions of tissues.
4. Cytology =   Study of structure and functions of cells and cells organelles.
5. Genetics =   Study of hereditary characters and their inheritance.
6. Ecology =    Study of relationship between living organisms and environment.
7. Embryology = Study of formation and development of embryo up to hatching or birth.
8. Evolution = Study of origin of life and evolution to modern plants and animals.
9. Physiology = Study of life processes in animals and plants.
10. Taxonomy = Study of classification of organisms and its principles
11. Pathology = Study of diseases caused by organisms.
12. Paleontology = Study of plant or animal fossils.
13. Microbiology = Study of micro-organisms or microbes.
14. Biochemistry= Study of chemistry of living organisms.
15. Biotechnology= Technique of using organisms to modify the organisms and their products for human benefit.
16. Genetic engineering= Study of producing desirable genotypes by synthesis and combination of different genes.