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Biology is a word that originated from Greek words "bio" and "logos." Bio means life while logos mean study. Therefore, Biology is a branch of natural science that deals with the scientific research of life and living organism. An organism is termed as a living entity that either contains a single cell or multiple cells. An example of a single cell organism is bacteria while an example of a multiple cell organism is plants, animals and fungi.
Common terminologies used in Biology
Cell
A cell is the primary and smallest component of life in any living organism. Cells are commonly referred to as the building blocks of life. The scientific study of cells is known as cell biology. A cell contains a fluid called cytoplasm which is enclosed within a membrane. The cytoplasm houses many biomolecules such as nucleic acids and protein. There are two types of cells, eukaryotic and prokaryotic. Eukaryotic cells contain nucleus while the prokaryotic cells have no nucleus. Eukaryotes are living organisms that either one or many cells while prokaryotes are organisms that have only one cell. The cell was discovered in 1665 by Robert Hooke. He named them after the cells which were found in the monastery of Christian monks. Cell theory was developed by Theodor Schwann and Mathias Jakob Schleiden in 1839. The cell theory states that all living organisms composed of a single or more cell and that these cells are the basic unit of structure and the functioning of these living organisms. All these cells develop from pre-existing cells.
Tissue
A tissue is a group of cells that have a similar structure, and together they act to perform a specified function. The name tissue originates from an old French word which means "to weave." In human, there are four types of tissues while in plants, there are three types of tissues. The tissues in animals are muscle tissue, connective tissues, epithelial and nervous tissues. In a plant, the tissues are ground tissues, epidermal and vascular tissues.
Organ
An organ is a collective of tissues that are designed to perform a specific function. In more advanced animals, organs are grouped to form an organ system. Example, in the digestive system, the stomach, liver, and esophagus among others form this system. Majorly, there is ten organ systems namely nervous, skeletal, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, reproductive, digestive, muscular, skeletal and integumentary system. In plants, some of the organs are the leaves, roots, and stems which help in the nourishment of the plant while the reproductive organs are the spores, seed, and flowers.
Organism
An organism is any living thing that can grow, react to stimuli, maintain homeostasis and reproduce. A body can be an animal, plant, fungus, protest, bacterium or a virus. Organisms are classified taxonomically depending on the eight taxonomical levels, kingdom, phyla, class, family, genus and species.
The basic concept of biology
Certain principles govern biology. They include
Unity
This concept states that living organisms have specific chemical, physical and biological characteristics that are the same. For example, all living organisms have basic units called cells which contain similar chemical substances. Furthermore, the basic functioning of the cells of all the living organisms is identical.
Evolution
This biological principle suggests that survival for the fittest us is the basis for organic evolution has discussed in details by Charles Darwin. Although it has led to differences, the evolution is a common biological phenomenon to all living organisms. From the comparative studies of function and structure to the studies of RNA and DNA, the theory of evolution has been supported by concrete evidence.
Homeostasis
The concept of homeostasis states that all living organism should maintain a constant internal environment. This concept was first suggested by Claude Bernand, a French physiologist in the 19th century who said that "Varied as they are, all necessary mechanisms must preserve constant the conditions of life.
Continuity
The ability to produce is one of the main characteristics of life in all living organisms. Whether a bacterium or a human. Since life only comes from preexisting life, by reproduction, the successive generations will carry on the characteristics of a species.
Behaviors and interrelationships
All living organisms should relate to each other and their environment. This scientific study of the interrelationships is called ecology. Ecology is a significant branch of biology given the fact that the activities of the human easily disrupt the interdependence between living things and their environment.
Diversity
Despite the common chemical, physical and biological similarities found in all living organisms, a variety of life exist within every natural population. Diversity is a biological phenomenon that has existed in history because of the existence of many variations in nature that are visible with our eyes.
The study of the structure
Living organisms can be defined by the structures, systems and their ability to change with an environment as well as reproduce. Living organisms also maintain their individualism by continually keeping their continuous metabolism.
Branches of Biology
The branches of biology are unified within a framework that consists of five fundamental understanding of living organisms. This framework of knowledge includes:
Energy
All living organisms need energy. It flows between organisms with their environment as well as within themselves.
Cell theory
There are three essential parts of cell theory. All living organisms have cells which are basic units of life, as well as these cells, arise from pre-existing cells. There are nine branches of biology namely:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is a branch of biology that deals with the study of the material substance that builds up living organisms
Genetics
Genetics is the branch of biology that deals with the study of heredity and variation
Botany
This is the study of plants inclusive of agriculture
Ecology
Ecology is the study of how living organisms, animals, and plants interact with their environment.
Evolutionary biology
This is the study of the origin and changes of the living organism's diversity over a long period.
Cellular biology
Cellular biology is the study of the cellular units of biotic factors.
Zoology
Zoology is the branch of biology that deals with the study of animals.
Physiology
Physiology is the branch of biology that studies the functioning of parts of the living organism.
Molecular biology
This is the study of the biological molecules of the living organisms.
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