Biology - Key Concepts and Definitions

Introduction to Biology

1.1 Introduction
  • Define biology: The study of life.
  • Divisions of Biology: Botany (study of plants), Zoology (study of animals), Microbiology (study of microorganisms).
1.2 Branches of Biology
  • Morphology: Study of the form and structure of organisms.
  • Anatomy: Study of the internal structure of organisms.
  • Physiology: Study of the functions and processes of living organisms.
  • Embryology: Study of the development of an embryo.
  • Taxonomy: Science of classifying organisms.
  • Cell Biology (Cytology): Study of cells.
  • Histology: Study of tissues.
  • Palaeontology: Study of prehistoric life.
  • Pathology: Study of diseases.
  • Environmental Biology (Ecology): Study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.
  • Sociobiology: Study of the biological basis of social behavior.
  • Molecular Biology: Study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules.
  • Immunology: Study of the immune system.
  • Genetics: Study of heredity and variation.
  • Pharmacology: Study of drugs and their effects.
  • Marine Biology: Study of marine organisms and ecosystems.
  • Freshwater Biology: Study of freshwater organisms and ecosystems.
1.3 Relationship of Biology with Other Sciences
  • Biophysics: Application of physics to biological problems.
  • Biochemistry: Study of the chemical processes in living organisms.
  • Biostatistics: Application of statistical methods to biological data.
  • Biomathematics (Biometry): Application of mathematical methods to biological problems.
  • Biogeography: Study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.
  • Bio-economics: Study of the economic aspects of biological processes.
  • Computational Biology: Using computational techniques to analyze biological data
  • Biotechnology: Use of biological systems to develop new technologies.
1.4 Careers in Biology
  • Roles in medicine and surgery, fisheries, agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture, farming, and forestry.
1.5 Study of Life from the Perspective of the Holy Quran
  • References to the origin and characteristics of life in specific verses (Sura-e-Ambia, verse: 30, Sura-e-Rehman, verse 14, Sura-e-Al-Mominoon, verse 14, Sura-e-Al-Nur, verse 45).
1.6 The Levels of Organisation
  • Bioelements: Basic level of biological organization.
  • Biomolecules: Micro and macro molecules (based on molecular masses).
  • Levels of organization: sub-atomic particles, atom, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere.
  • Examples of tissue types forming organs: stomach/lungs in humans, leaf/root/stem in plants.
  • Organ systems work together to form a functioning human body.
1.7 Division of Labour in Unicellular and Multicellular Organisms
  • Division of labor: Distribution of specific tasks among different parts of an organism.
  • Comparison of division of labor in unicellular and multicellular organisms.
  • Colony-level vs. tissue-level organization in volvox and frog, respectively.
  • Volvox colony does not meet criteria for true tissue-level organization.
  • Role of different cell types within a tissue/organ for its overall functioning.