General Biology Reviewer
General Biology Reviewer
General Biology Reviewer
3 Biology as a Science
Science – is a body of systemized information about living things derived from observations and
Lesson 1.1 (The Study of Life) experiments.
Biology - the science of life; the study of life Two main approaches in scientific investigations:
- it deals with structures, functions, and relationships of organisms with their environment.
- Greek words: (1) bios, “life”; (2) logos, “study” 1. Discovery-based science
- 3 major divisions of the biological sciences: -relies mainly on verifiable observations and measurements
Microbiology - study of organisms 2. Hypothesis-based science
Botany - study of plants -involves the use of scientific method:
Zoology - study of animals i. Observation – identifying and clearly defining the problem
ii. Hypothesis – formulating a possible logical answer to the identified problem
Traditional Branches of Biological Sciences 3. Experiment
-conducting controlled attempts to test one or more hypotheses and includes
Taxonomy – study of naming and classifying organisms recording and analyzing results
Cytology – study of structures and functions of cells 4. Conclusion
Embryology – study of formation and development of organisms -formulating generalization about the results that may accept, reject or modify the
Anatomy – study of structures and parts of organisms hypothesis
Physiology – study of functions of living organisms and their parts
Biochemistry – study of biochemical compositions and processes of living things Two kinds of reasoning
Genetics – study of heredity and variation
Evolution – study of origin and differentiation of various organisms Inductive reasoning – scientific reasoning from specific to general
Ecology – study of relationships of organisms with each other and their environment Deductive reasoning – scientific reasoning from general to specific
Immunology – study of immune system
Theories – existing body of knowledge; which explains the natural world and are well-accepted by the
Morphology – study of forms and structures of organisms
scientific community
Modern Branches of Biological Science -- Common Biological Theories:
Cell Theory – Cell is the basic unit of life. All organisms are composed of cells. All
Bioinformatics – study of biological data using computer programs cells come from preexisting cells.
Genomics – study of the entire genetic material of an organism Gene Theory – Inherited information dictates the structure, function, and behavior of
Molecular biology – study of molecules that make up the cells of living organisms organisms.
Pharmacogenomics- study of how genes affect a person’s response to drugs Theory of evolution by natural selection – Organisms possess inherited traits that may
Proteomics – study of the different proteins in an organism make them adaptable to changing conditions in their environment
Synthetic Biology – study of combined biology and engineering
Systems Biology – study of systems of biological molecules such as cell, organism or species Lesson 1.4 (Life and its Beginnings)