Biology is the science of living systems. It is inherently interdisciplinary, requiring knowledge of the physical sciences and mathematics, although specialities may be oriented toward a group of
organisms or a level of organization. BOTANY is
concerned with plant life, ZOOLOGY with animal
life, algology with ALGAE, MYCOLOGY with
fungi, MICROBIOLOGY with microorganisms
such as protozoa and bacteria, CYTOLOGY with
CELLS, and so on. All biological specialties,
however, are concerned with life and its
characteristics. These characteristics include
cellular organization, METABOLISM, response
to stimuli, development and growth, and
reproduction. Furthermore, the information
needed to control the expression of such
characteristics is contained within each organism.
FUNDAMENTAL DISCIPLINES Life is divided
into many levels of organization--atoms,
molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems,
organisms, and populations. The basic disciplines
of biology may study life at one or more of these
levels. Taxonomy attempts to arrange organisms in
natural groups based on common features. It is
concerned with the identification, naming, and
classification of organisms. The seven major
taxonomic categories, or taxa, used in
classification are kingdom, phylum, class, order,
family, genus, and species. Early systems used
only two kingdoms, plant and animal, whereas
most modern systems use five: MONERA
(BACTERIA and BLUE-GREEN ALGAE),
PROTISTA (PROTOZOA and the other
ALGAE), FUNGI, PLANT, and ANIMAL. The
discipline of ECOLOGY is concerned with the
interrelationships of organisms, both among
themselves and between them and their
environment. Studies of the energy flow through
communities of organisms and of the environment
(the ecosystem approach) are especially valuable
in assessing the effects of human activities. An
ecologist must be knowledgeable in other
disciplines of biology. Organisms respond to
stimuli from other organisms and from the
environment; behaviorists are concerned with
these responses. Most of them study animals--as
individuals, groups, or entire species--in describing
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR patterns. These patterns
include ANIMAL MIGRATION, courtship and
mating, social organization, TERRITORIALITY,
INSTINCT, and learning. When humans are
included, biology overlaps with psychology and
sociology. Growth and orientation responses of
plants can also be studied in the discipline of
behavior, although they are traditionally
considered as belonging under development and
PHYSIOLOGY, respectively. Descriptive and
comparative EMBRYOLOGY are the classic
areas of DEVELOPMENT studies, although
postembryological development, particularly the
aging process, is also examined. The biochemical
and biophysical mechanisms that control normal
development are of particular interest when they
are related to birth defects, cancer, and other
abnormalities. Inheritance of physical and
biochemical characteristics, and the variations that
appear from generation to generation, are the
general subjects of GENETICS. The emphasis
may be on improving domestic plants and animals
through controlled breeding, or it may be on the
more fundamental questions of molecular and
cellular mechanisms of HEREDITY. A branch of
biology growing in importance since the 1940s,
molecular biology essentially developed out of
genetics and biochemistry. It seeks to explain
biological events by studying the molecules within
16. Describe two evolutionary consequences if the process of crossing over in meiosis ceased to occur. If crossing over in meiosis ceased to occur there would be less genetic variations and no diversity among a species. This would essentially mean that a species would not be able to adapt to an issue that could arise in the future, meaning that its species could potentially become extinct due to climate change or other arising events.
Examine 3 different natural selections using brine shrimp and salt solutions. It will test the hatching viability of roughly 20 brine shrimp eggs in three different NaCl solutions over the course of 48 hours.
As one develops knowledge of this career it is essential to have an understanding for what it is regarding. Zoology is a branch of biology that concerns the study of animal life (Zoology). Animals, in this frame of reference, are any living organisms that are not fungi, plants, viruses or bacteria. Animals include creatures like marine sponges, jellyfish, frogs, worms, rock lobsters, snails, insects, birds, fishes and mammals (Types of Zoologists Z). Zoology has evolved into a different study as it now consists of psychology and ecology; where as it use to only concentrate on the structures and function of the cell (Zoology). Zoology applying ideas and techniques to life processes has not only grouped together different fields, but also created connections to other science fields; it allows animal’s relationships with each other and its environment to be explained more easily (Hanson). Zoology embodies organizations that carry groups of individuals that are educated in an equivalent field. The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) is the most substantial membership group for zoology majors. The AZA has over 6,000 members worldwide at professional levels. Also, The Zoological Association of America welcomes all levels of zoology m...
The model we use to explain how the cell membrane works is called a fluid mosaic model. The Fluid mosaic model was created by S.J Singer and Garth Nicolson in 1972. Between the living machinery of the inner cell and the harsh conditions of the outside world, stands the cells plasma membrane. As crucial as this barrier is, its surprisingly flexible, push it and it will move, poke hard enough and it will break and begin to regroup. We first look at the molecule called phospholipids when thinking about the plasma membrane. Lipids usually have three fatty acid chains, however this molecule has two fatty acid chains. Instead of the third fatty acid chain, a phosphate group is added on. This phosphate group is what makes the phospholipids so special. It is polar and hydrophilic, whereas the rest of the molecule is non-polar and hydrophobic. The hydrophilic heads point outwards as it attracts water molecules, whereas as the hydrophobic tails point inwards due to its mutual attraction and water repulsion. Therefore creating the phospholipid bilayer, which is the basis of all cellular membranes. Throw in some cholesterol and some carbohydrates and you have the basic structure of a plasma membrane. From chemical analysis, we conclude that there are protein in the cell membrane. Using freeze-fracture imaging and scanning electron microscope, we are able to differentiate between the extracellular surface of the membrane and the inside lipid bilayer. Within these lipid molecules, we also find different proteins, which do various things for the cell. For instance, they receive signal from the world outside, and also transport nutrients and waste. So nature composes the membrane with a composition or mosaic of different lipids, carbo...
Biology literally means "the study of life". Biology is such a broad field, covering the minute workings of chemical machines inside our cells, to broad scale concepts of ecosystems and global climate change. Biologists study intimate details of the human brain, the composition of our genes, and even the functioning of our reproductive system. Biologists recently all but completed the deciphering of the human genome, the sequence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) bases that may determine much of our innate capabilities and predispositions to certain forms of behavior and illnesses. DNA sequences have played major roles in criminal cases (O.J. Simpson, as well as the reversal of death penalties for many wrongfully convicted individuals), as well as the impeachment of President Clinton (the stain at least did not lie). We are bombarded with headlines about possible health risks from favorite foods (Chinese, Mexican, hamburgers, etc.) as well as the potential benefits of eating other foods such as cooked tomatoes. Informercials tout the benefits of metabolism-adjusting drugs for weight loss. Many Americans are turning to herbal remedies to ease arthritis pain, improve memory, as well as improve our moods. Can a biology book give you the answers to these questions? No, but it will enable you learn how to sift through the biases of investigators, the press, and others in a quest to critically evaluate the question. To be honest, five years after you are through with this class it is doubtful you would remember all the details of meatbolism. However, you will know where to look and maybe a little about the process of science that will allow you to make an informed decision. Will you be a scientist? Yes, in a way. You may not be formally trained as a science major, but you can think critically, solve problems, and have some idea about what science can and cannoit do. I hope you will be able to tell the shoe from the shinola.
Admittedly, I am not well versed in biology, as the science of life, biology is inclusive of many different aspects and disciplines of study. When thinking of biology as a whole, I find the subject overwhelming, intimidating, and some aspects a bit confusing. Because of this, I have evaded all biology courses for fear of failure; however, I am on the closing end of my degree program, which means the time is now to tackle this course. The cause of intimidation simply results from the inclusiveness of the many fields falling under the umbrella of biology, as well their overlapping elements (biochemistry, botany, cellular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, molecular biology, physiology, zoology, etc.) (Bagley, 2014). Although, I
The biological approach is a method that looks at our genetics to figure out a reason as to why one behaves in a particular way and why individuals develop abnormal behaviors. The biological theorists who study behavioral genetics study in what manner genetic influences effect behavior. Biological factors such as chromosomes have a substantial effect on humans and their behaviors. Most of what psychologists know about biological influences on personality is derived from twin studies. Twin studies examine and compare monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins. This is done because identical twins share the same DNA and are therefore predicted to share the same levels of specific traits. They are studied in cases where the twins are both reared together and separately to understand individual differences and similarities in personalities in these twins; in most cases even when the identical twins are reared apart they often are similar in regards to their career choices and personality characteristics. While fraternal twins share about fifty percent of the same DNA which is about the same amount as non-twin siblings. The outcome of fraternal twins is similar to the outcome of individuals not born as twins, meaning the pair of DZ twins will have different personality traits (Holzinger, 1929). This demonstrates that although MZ twins are reared apart they still share the same personality traits because they are heritable. The biological aspect of traits is explained through genetics. Biology is the influence for most of the complex and intricate phenomena that occur within a human being, the same can be applied to the personality of an individual. The Big Five is a list of the five core personality traits that all indivi...
The biological approach emphasizes physical and biological bases of behaviour. It looks at how brain functions influence different behaviours and personality. The study of nervous system has played a major role in the development of biological approach to psychology. On the other hand, the psychoanalytic approach explains personality, motivation and psychological disorders by focusing on the influence of early childhood experiences, unconscious motives and conflicts. This essay attempts to explain biological and psychoanalytic approaches to psychology with focus on their core assumptions, key features, similarities and differences.
The branch of biology that the book is about is biomedical research. Biomedical research is the study of health and diseases. I know the book is about biomedical research because it describes, in detail, different diseases that can affect a person's health and body.
I have a special interest in biology; Berkeley has more than 25 areas of specialization in the biological sciences, such as chemical Biology, genetics and plants biology, nutrition and science, molecular and cell biology, and many other options.
Synoptic Biology Synoptic biology is the ability to select and apply general principles. unfamiliar situations/data to be used. Modules 5 and 8 will have questions that test your understanding of modules 1,2,3 and 4. This is called the synoptic assessment. The synoptic element of modules 5 and 8 is worth more marks than the actual module content.
Gregor Mendel was an Austrian monk who revolutionized our understanding and perception of genetics. Mendel’s experiments in his monastery garden provided future geneticists with the basic principles of hereditary through the experimentation in both hybrid and pure bred pea plants, which he found to follow specific patterns in their offspring. The choice to use peas was because of their distinct varieties and their ability to produce offspring quickly and the ability to easily regulate fertilization simply with the use of a paintbrush. When conducting these experiments Before Mendel Pea Plant Experimentation it was commonly accepted that a child’s genetic traits were simply half from the mother and half from the father. This evidence was supported by experiments were generally conducted over a short period of time resulting in skewed and unreliable data, whereas Mendel’s experiments were conducted over an eight year period involving tens of thousands of plants. Two of Mendel’s traits that he focused on were the texture of the seed pod. E.g. smooth and round or wrinkled. In the first generation of these plants 100% of the pea plants possessed the Smooth and round texture. On the second generation of the pea plants of every 4 pea plants 3 posessed the smooth trait and a singular pea plant produced wrinkled seeds. Upon the review of his results Mendel concluded that characteristics could be expressed through dominant and recessive traits. The Dominant trait masks or completely covers the recessive, whereas a recessive gene is an allele that is only present in a homozygous genotype. Through Mendel’s experiments he proposed three principles of inheritance, whether you are looking at humans or pea plants, the apparent genetic traits t...
When the average person thinks about zoology, they usually think about a zoo and or animals. As said in General Zoology, many questions come with this topic. “What is life? In what ways are the various kinds of animals alike or unlike in structure, internal processes, and modes of life? How do animals carry on their activities? How are the many kinds related to one another? In what ways does man resemble and differ from other living things? The answers to many of these questions are provided by the science of zoology.” (General Zoology, page 3). While zoology does involve animals, the general study of zoology is far more complicated then one would imagine. Zoology is a branch of biology that studies the classification, origins, habitats and behaviors of organisms. Someone who studies zoology is a zoologist, and has the tasks of learning about new species and their habitats. It is a job that if mastered, can be one of the most fulfilling and knowledgeable careers someone can obtain.
I have always been interested in science, especially of the human body and how it works. Then we had a lab where we went over a little about genetics. I couldn’t help but to be curious about it. I had never given too much thought about it before, besides it having to do with the human body, and I think that is because I never really knew what it was or the different areas involved in genetics.
Ever wonder about the different animals around the world? Ever wonder about their behaviors and features? This all has to do with zoology. Zoology is defined as the branch of biology devoted to the animals. Zoology can be viewed as a series of efforts to analyze and classify animals. Zoology basically explains everything having to do with the entire animal population. Zoology in an important field in the science world because it helps to explain all the different studies of animals.