SOHAIL KHAN

BIOLOGY
CYBER STAR NOTES

CHPTOR

1 INTRODUCTION TO
BIOLOGY

Question 1:
What is biology? List down its major branches.

Answer :
BIOLOGY:
The word “biology” is derived from two word i.e. bio-life and logy-study.

Definition:
“The branch of science which deals with the study of life called biology.”
In biology we deal with the study of life cycle, habitat, nutrition and
behavior of an organism. The word “biology” was discovered by Carl
Linnaeus for the first time.

Main Branches of Biology:

There are three main branches of biology:
1) BOTANY:
“The branch of biology which deals with the study of plants is called botany.”
2) ZOOLOGY:
(Zoo mean animal, Logus mean study)“The branch of biology which deals with
the study of animals is called Zoology.”
3) MICROBIOLOGY:
“The study of micro organisms is called Microbiology.”
Micro Organism:
“Those organisms which are only seen
Under microscope are called micro organisms. E.g. bacteria, virus, amoeba
etc.”
Sub Branches of Biology:

Class 8th KPK BOARD 1

 SOHAIL KHAN
BIOLOGY
CYBER STAR NOTES

1) Morphology:
(Morph mean shape, Logus mean study) “The study of physical appearance
of an organism is called morphology.”
In this we study shape and structure of an organism.
2) Anatomy:
“The study of internal structure of an organ is called anatomy.”
3) Histology:
(Histos mean tissue, logy mean study) “The study of tissue of plants and
animals is called histology.” In this we study about function, structure and
composition of a tissue.
4) Physiology:
“The study of function of a organ is called physiology.” E.g.
the physiology of kidney is filtration of blood.
5) Embryology:
(Embryon mean feotus “baby in uterus”, logy mean study)
“The study of formation of embryo is called embryology.” In
this we study how a complete multi-cellular organism is develop
from a single zygote.
6) Taxonomy:
(Taxis mean arrangement, nomy mean law) “The study of classification of
organism and giving name to them is called taxonomy.” In this we classify
organism into groups and sub-groups on the basis of their similarities and
differences.
7) Cell Biology or Cytology:
(Cytos mean cell, Logus mean study)
“The study of cell and its organelle is called
cytology.” In this we study structure, composition and function
of a cell.
8) Entomology:
(Entomon mean insect, logus mean study)
“The study of insect is called entomology.”

9) Paleontology:
(Pelo mean old, onta mean existing, logus mean study)
“The study of fossil record of ancient organisms.”

OR

Class 8th KPK BOARD 2

 SOHAIL KHAN
BIOLOGY
CYBER STAR NOTES

“The study of life which once was is called paleontology.”

Fossils:
“Any remnent or impression of the organism of past life
that is preserved in earth.”
Paleobotany:
“The study of fossil of plants is called paleobotany.”
Paleozoology:
“The study of fossils of animals is called paleozoology.”
10) Immunology:
“The study of immune system of the body is called immunology.”
Immune System:
“The defense system of a body against harmful
substances is called immune system.”
11) Genetics:
(Gene mean a heredity unit, itcs mean transformation)
“The study of mechanism of transformation of character from
parants to offspring is called genetics.”
12) Biotechnology:
(Bio mean life, technology mean techniques)
“The techniques in which we use living organisms for the welfare of
human being are called biotechnology.”
13) Environmental Biology:
“The study of inter-relation of organism among
Each other and with their non-living environment
Is called environment biology.”
14) Socio-Biology:
“The study of social behavior of an organism is called
Socio-biology.” E.g. honey bees, ants and termites.
15) Parasitology:
(Parasitos mean eating at the table of other)
“The study of parasites is called parasitology”
Parasites:
“Those organisms that obtain their food from
living bodies and harm them are called
Parasites.”

Class 8th KPK BOARD 3

 SOHAIL KHAN
BIOLOGY
CYBER STAR NOTES

16) Pharmacology:
(pharmakon mean drug, logus mean study)
“The study of drugs and their effect on human
Body is called pharmacology.”
Drug:
“Any substance that can change the physiological
or psychological activities of an organism is
called drug.”

Class 8th KPK BOARD 4