DEFINITIONThe word 'Biology' originates from the Greek words 'bios' and 'logos'.'Bios' means 'life' and 'logos' means 'study' , hence Biology is the study of life.THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOLOGY - Enable us to have a better understanding about life and earth.
- A better understanding of how the human body functions.
- Finding cures for diseases.
- Saving animal and plant species which are facing extinction.
- A better management of problems related to the environment.
- The application of biological knowledge and principles has brought major developments in the fields of biotechnology,genetic engineering and food technology.
- These have contributed to advances in the fields of medicine,agriculture and industry.
FIELDS OF BIOLOGY
The study of living things such as:
- zoology - study of animals
- botany - study of plants
- microbiology - study of microorganisms
- taxonomy - study of the classification of living and extinct organisms.
The study of applied biology, such as :
- biotechnology - the application of biological processes to produce materials of use in medicine and industry.
- medicine and veterinary - concern the restoration and maintenance of health in both humans and animals.
The study in the change and development in living things over time, such as:
- genetics - the study of genes and how characteristics are passed on from parents to their offspring
- palaeontology - the study of fossils
The study of the structures and functions of living organisms,such as:
- cytology - the study of the structure and function of cells.
- anatomy - the study of the internal structure and organisation of living organisms.
- biochemistry - the study of the chemistry of living organisms,especially the structure and function of their chemical components.
The study of living things and the environment, such as:
- ecology - the study of organisms in their natural surroundings, how they are addapted to their environment and how they interact with both living and non-living things in the environment.
- biogeography - refers to the geographical distribution of living organisms.