Biology and Its Importance – Definition, Branches & Significance

Biology and its Importance: Have you ever wondered how we can walk? Why does the flower bloom in the plants? Why do animals need food? How does reproduction take place? For all the questions running in mind, the subject biology will give the best answer. Biology is the study of all living organisms inhabiting the earth and their life processes. Aristotle is called the ‘father of biology.’

However, many scientists came later with all their new inventions and theories. There are various branches of biology such as botany, zoology, microbiology, morphology, anatomy, physiology, etc. The knowledge of biology is needed for maintaining good health, knowing the generations, increasing the crop yield, etc. In this article, we will learn about Biology and its importance.

What is Biology?

Biology is the study of life. The term biology is derived from two Greek words, ‘bios‘ life and ‘logos‘ knowledge. Biology, thus, is a science devoted to the study of living organisms, both plants and animals.

History of Biology

Biology had flourished a great deal in ancient India (2500 B.C. to 650 B.C.). Various systems of classifying animals and plants were developed. For example, Jeevaj (viviparous) animals who give birth to young ones, Andaj (oviparous) animals who lay eggs, etc. Cultivation of rice was first introduced in India.

The most eminent early biologist was probably Aristotle (384 B.C.-322 B.C.), who lived in the fourth century B.C. Aristotle is known as the ‘Father of biology.’ Theophrastus (370 B.C.-285 B.C.) is known as the ‘Father of botany.’ Modern biology began to develop, with other sciences, in the seventeenth century. Many of the fundamental theories about life were formulated in the nineteenth century. For example, Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution in 1859, Gregor Mendel put forward the laws of inheritance in 1866, and Louis Pasteur in 1865 established that microorganisms were the cause of diseases.

No one can say when the study of biology exactly began. Primitive man lived in jungles and caves. They collected food from natural vegetation and hunted wild animals. Through these activities, they learned about the life and habits of different animals and recognized various plants and their parts.

What are the Branches of Biology?

With an increase in depth and scope of biological knowledge, biological science has separated into a number of clearly defined but related branches. In terms of main branches depending on major kinds of organisms, the branches are divided into three main types, and these are:

1. Botany: It is the branch of biology that deals with the study of plants.
2. Zoology: It is the branch of biology that deals with the study of animals.
3. Microbiology: The study of microorganisms or microscopic organisms.

Many other branches of biology are:

1. Morphology: It is the study of the form and structure of living organisms.
2. Anatomy: It is the study of the internal structure of animals and plants.
3. Physiology: It is the study of the functions of living organisms.
4. Cytology: It is the study of cells.
5. Genetics: It is the study of inheritance from the parents to the offspring.
6. Embryology: It is the study of development.
7. Ecology: It is the study of the interaction of living organisms with their environments.
8. Pathology: It is the study of diseases.
9. Taxonomy: It is the study of the classification, identification, and naming of organisms.
10. Palaeontology: It is the study of fossils.

Branches of biology are divided in terms of special groups of organisms, such as:

1. Bacteriology: It is the study of bacteria.
2. Virology: It is the study of viruses.
3. Mycology: It is the study of fungi.
4. Entomology: It is the study of insects.
5. Ichthyology: It is the study of fishes.
6. Herpetology: It is the study of amphibians and reptiles.
7. Ornithology: It is the study of birds.

Some Eminent Scientists and their Contribution in the Field of Biology

Importance of Biology

More and more knowledge is being gained in the field of biology every day. We can understand the various developments if we have knowledge about biology. In fact, biology is one of the most relevant subjects to be studied. Here are a few of the reasons why we should study biology.

1. To Understand Ourselves Better: A limitless number of queries come to our minds every day. A background in biological sciences helps us to answer some of the questions and leads to many more which may be beyond our present understanding.
2. Appreciation of Life: Biology brings a new appreciation of life. It enlightens us to an amazing variety and complexity of living things.
3. Development of Scientific Aptitude and Attitude: A biology is a form of scientific exploration, which develops skills of observation, recording, experimentation, and calculation.
4. Maintaining Health: The study of Biology helps us to understand the importance of hygiene and the cause of many diseases. It has been explained that the diseases may be due to germs or due to lack of certain nutrients in our diet or may be due to some defect in metabolism or functioning of certain organs in the body. One also studies the mode of transmission of germs, i.e., whether by physical contact, insects, etc. This knowledge helps in keeping ourselves healthy by taking certain precautions and by avoiding bad sanitary conditions.
5. Conservation of Natural Resources: As there is an interdependence of animals and plants with their environment, so for the survival of life on this planet, proper management and conservation of natural resources are necessary. The knowledge of biology has made us aware that deforestation, disposal of industrial waste, and sewage into the rivers and sea have hazardous effects on the organisms that inhabit the earth.
6. Developing Certain Hobbies: Biology helps to develop aesthetic sense and inculcate hobbies such as maintaining gardens, growing vegetables, keeping an aquarium, collection of shells, insects, leaves, flowers, and photographing living things.
7. Providing Career Opportunities: Knowledge of biology has opened a number of avenues for us to become a doctor, veterinary surgeon, horticulturist, pharmacist, bacteriologist, pathologist, laboratory technician, entomologist, forester, environmentalist, geneticist and so on.
8. Growing Improved and More Productive Varieties of Food: Man is basically dependent on plants for food. His survival depends on the success of his crops. In the present day, we are facing the problem of population explosion. Biologists are trying to meet the increased food requirements for the increasing population of the world. The improved and productive varieties of plants are raised by adopting new techniques such as selective breeding, hybridization, and many more. By selective breeding, improved varieties of cattle, poultry, sheep, etc., are reared, which provide us milk, eggs, meat, leather, wool, etc., in abundance, fulfilling the needs of the growing population.
9. Treatment of Diseases: Vaccines are prepared by biological researchers that can cure diseases and enriches the immune system of humans. To perform different surgeries or to treat different diseases, the application of biology is needed.

Summary

Biology is the study of living organisms inhabiting this earth. No one can predict when biology exactly came into existence. Early man lived in forests and caves. He consumed raw meat and vegetables, and fruits are grown in the natural vegetations; hence, he learned about adaptations and habitats of different animals and plants.

All living things have biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of their specific functions. Nowadays, scientists often prefer the term life science instead of biology in an effort to emphasize the focus on the study of life processes. There are various branches of biology such as botany, zoology, molecular biology, microbiology, etc. The study of biology is very important to know the family tree, genetic disorders, to maintain a proper health condition, to grow more food crops, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Biology and Its Importance

Q.1. Who is the father of biology?
Ans: Aristotle is the father of biology.

Q.2. What are the 3 main branches of biology?
Ans: The 3 main branches of biology are botany, zoology, and microbiology.

Q.3. What is the most difficult branch of biology?
Ans: Genetics is the most difficult branch of biology.

Q.4. What is the importance of biology?
Ans: The importance of biology is to build our knowledge in a deeper understanding of living or non-living things, to maintain good health, we get to know the useful and harmful microorganisms, etc. Biology is also needed for treating diseases, producing an improved quality of crops, etc.

Q.5. What careers are there in biology?
Ans: Research scientists, ecologists, pharmacologists, etc., are the few careers in biology.

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