UNIVERSITY OF STEM ENGINE
BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
LESSON 1 - BIOLOGY: SCIENCE OF LIFE
Lesson 1.1: Introduction of Biology
Biology came from the Greek words “bios” meaning life and “logos” means study. In short, biology
means the study of life. The word life is abstract, we can define biology more accurately as the study of
living things.
Biology can be broad or focus on some very specific topics such as those microscopic organisms or
structures. Additionally, in this subject, we will learn about living things, their structures, function, origin,
connection with other organisms, and some distinction from non-living things.
Fundamental concepts of biochemistry, cell biology, genetics are present in this subject. Specifically
important organic molecules, cell structure, and function, metabolism and enzyme activity, cellular
respiration and photosynthesis etc.
Lesson 1.2: Branches of Biology
Biology is the study of life. It is the most diverse branch of science due to the broad scope of this field
and new discoveries about life. Biology is divided into two major branches, namely: botany and zoology.
Botany refers to the study of plants meanwhile zoology is the study of animals. There are different
branches based on the following:
BASED ON TYPE OF ORGANISM
1. Zoology - the study of animals.
a. Mammalogy - the study of mammals.
b. Ornithology - the study of birds.
c. Herpetology - the study of reptiles and amphibians.
d. Ichthyology - the study of fishes.
2. Botany - the study of plants.
3. Microbiology - the study of microorganisms.
a. Protozoology - the study of protozoa/protists.
b. Bacteriology - the study of bacterias.
c. Mycology - the study of fungi.
d. Phycology - the study of algae.
e. Virology - the study of viruses.
BASED ON STRUCTURE
1. Morphology - the study of the external structure and form of an organism.
2. Physiology - the study of the internal processes and functions.
3. Anatomy - the study of the internal structure and specific of organisms.
4. Cytology - the study of cells and its parts.
5. Histology - the study of the structure and functions of tissues of plants and animals.
BASED ON DEVELOPMENT
1. Embryology - the study of fertilized egg till birth.
2. Ontogeny - the study of birth till death.
3. Evolution - the study of origin and differentiation of organisms.
4. Paleontology - the study of fossils or preserved remains of living things.
5. Genetics - heredity, and variations.
BASED ON INTERACTION
1. Ecology - the study of the relationship of organisms with their environment.
2. Ethology - the study of the behavior of organisms.
MODERN BRANCHES
1. Biotechnology - deals with the application of biological processes for the benefit of humans.
Lesson 1.3: Characteristics or Properties of Biology
An individual living creature is called an organism. There are many characteristics that living organisms
share. The living organisms found in this planet may have similarities in their characteristics and also
with their functions, this includes:
1. Order - Organisms are more likely to have an organized structures that contain cells. In every cell,
molecules will be made by the atoms which will soon be cell organelles to tissues and organs.
2. Sensitivity or Response to Stimuli - Organisms are sensitive to their environment, they have the ability
to respond to any stimuli or environmental factors. It can also be described as the reaction to change
inside or outside the body.
3. Reproduction - Reproduction is the production of new organisms and new cells. Their genes and traits
in their DNA are passed onto their offspring and will have similar characteristics such as size and shape.
4. Growth and Development - Organisms can grow and develop their own body by the aid of the
instructions by their genes. Growth will be monitored as the time goes by with the increase in body size
without change in shape
5. Regulation - The organisms have organs to perform different kinds of activities within their bodies
such as:
• Respiration - deals with obtaining oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide (CO2).
• Digestion - breaking down of food to be absorbed and used.
• Absorption - passage of substances through membranes and into body fluids.
• Circulation - movement of substances in the body.
• Assimilation - changing of absorbed substances into different forms.
• Excretion - removal of bodily waste.
6. Homeostasis or Steady State - Organisms can maintain their bodily conditions despite the changes in
environment.
7. Energy Processing - All organisms use a source of energy for their metabolic activities.
Knowing these characteristics and being able to identify them in an organism can determine whether
or not something is living.
REFERENCES
- Avissar , Y., Belardo, G. M., Choi, J., Desaix, J., Jurukovski, V., Rye, C., & Wise, R. (2016). General Biology
1 Textbook. 1253 G. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City: Vibal Publishing.
- Dela Cruz, S. B. (2003). Phoe
