CHAPTER NO.

01 INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY
SHORT QUESTIONS
Q.NO 01: Define biology?
Answer: Biology is the scientific study of life. The word "biology" has been derived from two
Greek Words 'bios ' meaning 'life' and 'logos' meaning 'thought or reasoning'.
Q.NO 02: How many divisions of biology are there?
Answer: There are three major divisions of biology:
Zoology: This division of biology deals with the study of animals.
Botany: This division of biology deals with the study of plants.
Microbiology: This division of biology deals with the study of microorganisms such as
bacteria etc.

DEFINE THE FOLLOWING BRANCHES OF BIOLOGY:

Morphology: This branch deals with the study of form and structures of living organisms.
Anatomy: The study of internal structures is called anatomy.
Histology: microscopic study of tissues is called histology.
Cell biology: The study of the structures and functions of cells and cell organelles is called
cell biology. This branch also deals with the study of cell division.
Physiology: This branch deals with the study of the functions of different parts of living
organisms.
Genetics: The study of genes and their roles in inheritance is called genetics. Inheritance
means the transmission of characters from one generation to other.
Embryology: It is the study of the development of an embryo to new individual.
Taxonomy: It is the study of the naming and classification of organisms into groups and
subgroups.
Paleontology: It is the study of fossils which are the remains of extinct organisms.
Environmental biology: It deals with the study of the interactions between the organisms
and their environment.
Socio-biology: This branch deals with the study of social behavior of the animals that make
societies.
Parasitology: This branch deals with the study of parasites.
Biotechnology: It deals with the practical application of living organisms to make substances
for the welfare of mankind.
Immunology: It is the study of the immune system of animals which defends the body
against invading microbes.
Entomology: It is the study of insects.
Pharmacology: It is the study of drugs and their effects on the systems of human body.
LONG QUESTONS
Q.NO 01: Explain the relationship of biology with five other branches of science.
Answer: RELATIONSHIP OF BIOLOGY TO OTHER SCIENCES
The interrelationship among different branches of science cannot be denied. Biology
includes information on various aspects of living things but these information relate to the
other branches of science as well. Each branch of science has relationship with all other
branches. For example, when studying the process of movement in animals, the biologists
have to refer to the laws of motion in physics. This forms the basis of interdisciplinary
sciences.
Biophysics: It deals with the study of the principles of physics, which are applicable to
biological phenomena. For example there is a similarity between the working principles of
lever in physics and limbs of animals in biology.
Biochemistry: It deals with the study of the chemistry of different compounds and
processes occurring in living organisms. For example the study of basic metabolism of
photosynthesis and respiration involves the knowledge of chemistry.
Biomathematics / Biometry: It deals with the study of biological processes using
mathematical techniques and tools. For example to analyze the data gathered after
experimental work, biologists have to apply the rules of mathematics.
Biogeography: It deals with study of the occurrence and distribution of different species of
living organisms in different geographical regions of the world. It applies the knowledge of
the characteristics of particular geographical regions to determine the characteristics of
living organisms found there.
Bio economics: It deals with the study of organisms from economical point of view. For
example the cost value and profit value of the yield of wheat can be calculated through
bioeconomic and benefits or losses can be determined.
Q.NO 02: Explain different careers in biology.
Answer: CAREERS IN BIOLOGY
The following are the careers that a student of biology can plan to adopt.
Medicine/Surgery: The profession of medicine deals with the diagnosis and treatment
of diseases in human. In surgery the parts of the body may be repaired, replaced or
removed, for example the removal of stones through renal surgery/transplantation of
kidney, liver etc. Both these professions are studied in the same basic course (MBBS) and
then students go for specializations.
Fisheries: Fisheries is the professional study of fish production. There are departments in
Pakistan where professionals of fisheries are employed. They serve for enhancing the
quality and quantity of fish production. In Pakistan this profession can be adopted after the
bachelor on masters level study of zoology and fisheries.
Agriculture: This profession deals with the food crops and animals which are the source of
food. An agriculturist works for the betterment of crops like wheat, rice, corn etc. and
animals like buffalo cow etc. from which we get food. In Pakistan there are many
universities which offer professional courses on agriculture after the higher secondary
education in biology.
Animal husbandry: It is the branch of agriculture concerned with the care and breeding of
domestic animals (livestock) e.g. cattle, sheep etc. Professional courses in animal husbandry
can be adopted after the higher secondary education in biology.
Horticulture: It deals with the art of gardening. A horticulturist works for the betterment of
existing varieties and for the production of new varieties of ornamental plants and fruit
plants. Biology students can adopt this profession after their higher secondary education.
Farming: It deals with the development and maintenance of different types of farm. For
example in some farms animal breeding technologies are used for the production of animals
which are better protein and milk source. ln poultry farms chicken and eggs are produced.
Similarly in fruit farms, different fruit yielding plants are grown. A student who has gone
through the professional course of agriculture, animal husbandry or fisheries etc. can adopt
this profession.
Forestry: In forestry, professionals look after natural forests and advises to the government
for planting and growing artificial forests. Many universities offer professional courses in
forestry after the higher secondary education in biology or after bachelor level study of
zoology and botany.
Biotechnology: It is the latest profession in the field of biology. Biotechnologists study and
work for the production of useful products through microorganisms. Universities offer
courses in biotechnology after the higher secondary education in biology and after the
bachelor level studies of botany or zoology.
Q.NO 03: Describe the steps involved in scientific/Biological method.
Answer: BIOLOGICAL METHOD
The scientific method in which biological problems are solved, is termed as biological
method. It comprises the steps a biologist adopts in order to solve a biological problem
In solving a biological problem, biologist takes following steps;
 • Recognition of biological problem
• Observations
• Hypothesis formulation
• Deductions
• Experimentation
• Summarization of results (create tables, graphics etc.)
• Reporting the results
The details of these steps are ae under:
1. Recognition of the Biological Problem
Biologists go for adopting biological method when they encounter some biologic problem. A
biological problem is a question related to living organisms that is either asked by someone
or comes in biologist's mind by himself.
2. Observations
Observations are made with five senses of vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch.
Observations may be both qualitative and quantitative. Quantitative observations are
considered more accurate than qualitative ones because the former are invariable and
measurable and can be recorded in terms of numbers. Examples of qualitative and
quantitative observations are given below:
Qualitative observations:

• The freezing point of water is colder than the boiling point.

• A liter of water is heavier than a liter of ethanol.
Quantitative Observations:

• The freezing point of water is 0°C and the boiling point of water is 100°C.
• A liter of water weighs 1000 grams and a liter of ethanol weighs 789 grams.
3. Formulation of Hypotheses
Observations do not become scientific observations until they are organized and related to a
question. Biologist organizes his/her and others' observations into data form and constructs
a statement that may prove to be the answer of the biological problem under study. This
tentative explanation of observations is called a hypothesis. It may be defined as a
proposition that might be true. A hypothesis should have the following characteristics:

• It should be a general statement.

• It should be a tentative idea.
• It should agree with available observations.
• It should be kept as simple as possible.
• It should be testable and potentially falsifiable.
4. Deductions
In the next step, biologist draws deductions from hypotheses. Deductions are the logical
consequences of hypotheses. For this purpose, a hypothesis is taken as true and expected
results (deductions) are drawn from it. Generally in biological method, if a particular
hypothesis is true then one should expect (deduction) a certain result. This involves the use
of "if-then" logic.
5. Experimentation
The most basic step of biological method is experimentation. Biologists performs
experiments to see if hypotheses are true or not. The deductions, which are drawn from
hypotheses, are subjected to rigorous testing. Through experimentations, biologist learns
which hypothesis is correct. The incorrect hypotheses are rejected and the one which
proves correct are accepted An accepted hypothesis makes further predictions that provide
an important way to further test its validity.
6. Summarization of results
Biologist gathers actual quantitative data from experiments. Data for each of the groups are
then averaged and compared statistically. To draw conclusions, biologist also uses statistical
analysis.
7. Reporting the results
Biologists publish their findings in scientific journals and books, in talks at national and
international meetings and in seminars at colleges and universities. Publishing of results is
an essential part of scientific method. It allows other people to verify the results or apply
the knowledge to solve other problems.