BIOLOGY@SPM

prepared by: sarah & pqah

Monday, January 12, 2009

CHAPTER 5 : Cell Division

APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE ON MITOSIS

1) Cloning – process of producing clones r genetically identical copies of a cell, tissue or organisms through reproduction

2)Tissue culture technique – involve the growth of cells or tissue outside the cells in a suitable culture medium, which contain nutrients and growth hormones or through in vitro meth

CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Biology

DEFINITION

The 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

  1. Enable us to have a better understanding about life and earth.
  2. A better understanding of how the human body functions.
  3. Finding cures for diseases.
  4. Saving animal and plant species which are facing extinction.
  5. A better management of problems related to the environment.
  6. The application of biological knowledge and principles has brought major developments in the fields of biotechnology,genetic engineering and food technology.
  7. 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.