Ferhat Abbas Setif-01 University.

Academic Year: 2021/2022

Ms Keffi
Introduction to Biology

Biology Definition

T he study of living organisms, divided into many specialized fields that cover their morphology,
physiology, anatomy, behaviour, origin, and distribution.

Biology is subdivided into separate branches for convenience of study, though all the
subdivisions are interrelated by basic principles. Thus, while it is custom to separate the study
of plants (botany) from that of animals (zoology), and the study of the structure of organisms
(morphology) from that of function (physiology), all living things share in common certain
biological phenomena—for example, various means of reproduction, cell division, and the
transmission of genetic material.

Biological principles : Basic concepts of biology

 Homeostasis :all the vital mechanisms, varied as they are, have only one object: that of
preserving constant the conditions of life. homeostasis applied to the struggle of a single
organism to survive.
 Unity : All living organisms, regardless of their uniqueness, have certain biological,
chemical, and physical characteristics in common. All, for example, are composed of basic
units known as cells and of the same chemical substances, which, when analyzed, exhibit
noteworthy similarities, even in such disparate organisms as bacteria and humans.
 Evolution : Darwin suggested that “survival of the fittest” was the basis for
organic evolution which itself is a biological phenomenon common to all living things, even
though it has led to their differences. Examples of evolution : fossil record,
embryological development, DNA and RNA (ribonucleic acid).

 Continuity : Whether an organism is a human or a bacterium, its ability to reproduce is

one of the most important characteristics of life. Because life comes only from preexisting
life, it is only through reproduction that successive generations can carry on the properties of
a species.
Types of Biology

1. Zoology:

Zoology scientifically studies various aspects such as structure, behavior, classification,

distribution, and physiology of animals (Animal science is another name of zoology).

Zoology is descriptive as well as analytical. It is a basic science and at the same time, is an
applied science. A basic zoologist is only concerned with the knowledge of animals .An applied
zoologist is concerned with the information which will directly help animals and humans (e.g.
medicine).

2. Botany:

Botany deals with the scientific study of various aspects of plants such as their structure,
physiology, ecology, and genetics (Plant science is another name of botany).

Botany researches can be divided into different categories depending on which subcategory of
biology the research is based on. For instance, botanists can study plant genetics, plant anatomy,
ecology, cytology, biophysics, biochemistry, paleobotany…etc. Botanists can also study on a
particular type of plants such as bryology, lichenology, mycology, pteridology …etc. Applied
botany includes agronomy, forestry, food science, horticulture and plant pathology.

3. Microbiology:

Microbiology studies various aspects of microscopic organisms. These microscopic organisms

can be acellular, multicellular, or unicellular.