Branches of zoology:

*Name of branches ---------- Study of
*Acrology --------- Mites and ticks
*Actinobiology ---------- Radiation effect on living organisms
*Aerobiology -------- Flying animals
*Agriology ------------ Customs of primitive animals
*Anatomy ----------- Internal structure
*Angiology ------------ Blood vessels
*Anthropology --------- Human beings
*Araneology ---------- Spiders
*Anthrology ---------- Joints of bones
*Autecology --------- Individuals
*Bacteriology ------------ Bacteria
*Biochemistry ---------- Chemical reactions in relation to life activities
*Biogeography ----------- Distribution of plants and animals
*Biometrics --------- Mathematical statistics in relation to biological research
*Carcinology ---------- Crustaceans
*Carcinomalogy ---------- Cancer
*Cardiology --------- Heart
*Cell Biology --------- Cell as fundamental unit of life
*Chondrology -------- Cartilage
*Chrology ------------ Geographical distribution
*Cnidology ----------- Coelenterata or cnidaria
*Conchology ---------- Molluscan shells
*Craniology -------- Skull
*Cyrobiology ------- Life at low temprerature
*Ctetology ------------- Aquired characters
*Dermatology --------- Skin
*Dysteleology ----------- Appearance of vestigial organs due to evolution
*Ecology --------- Interaction of organisms with their environment
*Embryology --------- Embryonic development of organisms
*Endocrinology --------- Endocrine glands and hormones
*Entomology ------- Insects
*Epidemilogy ----------- Epidemic diseases
*Ethnology ---------- Variety of human race
*Etiology --------- Causes of diseases
*Eugenics ------------ Improvement of human race by altering genetic composition
*Euphenics --------- Improvement of human race by drug treatment or genetic engineering
*Euthenics ---------- Improvement of human race by providing better nutrition
*Evolution -------- Origin and descent of species
*Exobiology -------- Life on other planets
*Food technology ------- Processing and preservation of food
*Forestry --------- Growing and conservation of forests
*Genecology ---------- Genetical makeup of species or population in relation of habitat
*Genetics ---------- Heredity and variations
*Gerentology --------- Process of growing old
*Gynaecology -------- Treatment of women`s diseases
*Haematology --------- Blood
*Helminthology --------- Helminthes or worm
*Hepatology ---------- Liver
*Herpetology --------- Amphibians and reptiles
*Histology --------- Tissue
*Hypnology --------- Sleep
*Ichnology ---------- Fossils of foot prints
*Ichthyhyology ----------- Fishes
*Immunology ---------- Resistance of organisms against infection
*Kalology ----------- Human beauty
*Karyology --------- Nucleus
*Limnology --------- Fresh water lakes, ponds, streams and inrelation to plants and animals
*Malacology --------- Molluscs
*Mammalogy -------- Mammals
*Mastology --------- Mammary glands
*Molecular Biology --------- Physical and chemical organization of biomolecules
*Morphology -------- Form and structure
*Mycology -------- Muscles
*Myrmecology --------- Ants
*Nematology --------- Nematodes
*Neonatology --------- Newly born
*Neontology -------- Life of resent organisms
*Nephrology ---------- Kidney
*Neurology --------- Nervous system
*Nidology --------- Nests
*Odonatology ------- Dragonflies and Damselflies
*Odontology -------- Teeth and gums
*Oncology ---------- Tumours, Cancer
*Oology --------- Eggs
*Ophilogy ----------- Snakes
*Ophthalmology ---------- Eyes
*Organocology ------------- Development of organs during embryonic period
*Organology --------- Organs
*Ornithology ----------- Birds
*Osteology ------- Bones
*Oto-laryngology ---------- Ear and larynx
*Otorhinolaryngology --------- Ear, nose and throat
Paleontology --------- Fossils
*Parasitology -------- Parasites
*Pathology --------- Plant and animal diseases
*Pediatrics --------- Disorders and diseases of children
*Pharmacology ----------- Synthesis and effect of medicnes on organisms
*Phenology -------- Periodic phenomenon like migration
*Phrenology -------- Mental faculties of brain including feelings
*Physiology -------- Life processes and functions of organisms
*Proctology ---------- Hind gut
*Protozoology -------- Protozoa
*Psycology -------- Mind and emotional life, conssious and *unconscious
*Pteridology --------- Pteridophytes
*Quantitative zoology ---------- Biometric data in animals
*Radiobiology --------- Radioactivity and radiations or their application to medicines
*Sarcology --------- Muscles
*Saurology ---------- Lizards
*Serology --------- Blood serum, interaction of antigens and antibodies in the blood
*Sitology --------- Regulation of diet
*Sonology --------- Hearing
*Splanchnology -------- Visceral organs
Syndesmology --------- Joints of bones and ligaments
*Synecology -------- Community in relation to environment
*Tactology -------- Structural organization of body
*Taxonomy --------- Identification, nomenclature and classification of organims
*Teleology -------- Interpretations of structures in terms of purpose and utility
*Teratology --------- Abnormal growth of plants and animals
*Texicodermatology -------- Skin and stuffing
*Toxicology --------- Narcotic effect on animals
*Traumatology -------- Wounds
*Tricology -------- Hairs
*Trophology ---------- Nutrition
*Urology -------- Urine and related diseases
*Zoophytology ---------- Drifting organisms like diatoms
*Zootechny ---------- Breeding and domesticating animals
*Zymology --------- Fermentation

BRANCHES OF BIOLOGY AS A PROFESSION

Biologists have a very wide choice of careers as their professions. Some of them are as follows:

Agriculture: The study of growing and improving crops.

Animal husbandry: The rearing and management of domestic animals.

Anthropology: The study of origin, physical and mental development of man in the present and past races with social condition.

Apiculture: The rearing of bees commercially.

Horticulture: Development and management of gardens.

Entomology: It is the study of insects.

Sericulture: Rearing and management of silkworms for producing raw silk.

Fishery: It is the occupation or industry to rear or catch the fishes or aquatic products.

Poultry farming: The study of domestic fowls like chickens, ducks and geese.

Pathology: The study of nature, symptoms, causes, effects, prevention and treatment of diseases.

Medicines: The study of functioning of human body and mind in sickness.

Agronomy: Branch of agricultural science which deals with the study of crops and soil.

Psychology: The study of human behaviour and mental quality.

Veterinary: The study of diseases of domestic animals and their treatment and health care.

Forestry: The study of development, protection, conservation, plantation and selective exploitation of forest.

Microbiology: Study of micro-organisms.

Nursing: Care of ill and injured persons.

Surgery: It is the branch of medicine which involves physical operations to cure diseases or injuries to the body.

Soil science: Study of structure, types and dynamics of soil.

Dairy technology: Application of technology for the manufacture of milk and milk products.

Pharmacology: Study of science that deals with the knowledge of drugs and preparation of medicines.

Pharmacy: It deals with the preparation and dispensation of medicines based on medical description.

Forensic science: Application of knowledge of science for civilian and criminal law e.g. identification of finger prints, narcotics, etc.

Nutrition: Study of composition of diet and nourishment of human beings or other organisms.

SOME KEY SCIENTISTS IN BIOLOGY AND ALLIED FIELDS

Father of Biology: Aristotle

Father of Botany: Theophrastus

Father of Zoology: Aristotle

Father of Taxonomy: Carolous Linnaeus

Father of Genetics: G.J. Mendel

Father of Experimental genetics: T.H. Morgan

Father of Microscopy: Marcello Malpighii

Father of Comparative Anatomy: B.G. Cuvier

Father of Modern Anatomy: Andreas Vesalimm

Father of Experimental Physiology: Galen

Father of blood circulation: William Harvey

Father of Evolutionary ideas: Empedocles

Father of Modern Embryology: K.V. Baer

Father of Ayurveda: Charaka

Father of Paleontology: L. Da Vinci

Father of Medicine: Hippocrates

Father of Bacteriology: Robert Koch

Father of Microbiology: Louis Pasteur / Leeuwenhoek

Father of Mutation: Hugo de Vries

Father of Modern Genetics: Bateson

Father of Immunology: Edward Jenner

Father of Blood Groups: C. Landsteiner

Father of Cytology: Robert Hooke

Father of Virology: W.M. Stanley

Father of Ecology: Reitter

Father of Parasitology: Platter

SCIENTIFIC METHODS

The scientific method is a manner of thinking and working towards more complete knowledge of the world. In our daily life, we come across with many questions, such as why is sky blue?, what is the reason of getting old?, how the birds fly?, etc. Science helps us understand such phenomenon or interprets with reasons. In studying science there are three basic assumptions:

1. Science deals with observable phenomenon in a material universe;
2. Science assumes a uniformity in the material universe; and
3. Science does not deal with certainties but with probabilities.

By observable phenomenon, we mean that they can be comprehended by means of human senses. Those non-material or supernatural phenomena are, therefore, beyond the scope of science. In science, we expect that the phenomenon is reproducible, or you get the same results under the same circumstances, for instance water boils at 100 degree centigrade, wherever you go. However, science never denies probability. The same water may boil below 100 degree centigrade in some places, and science will have reasons of atmospheric pressure in such instances.

In order to conduct science, we must know the rules of the game. The scientific method starts from observations. Till eighteenth century, observation was the sole process of science making science more descriptive type of study. However, there has been critical shift in scientific discourse, especially after nineteenth century. It is now essential that scientific statements must be falsifiable in principle. These days, scientific method commonly include following four steps:

1. Observation: defining the problem to solve or understand;
2. Hypothesis : one or more falsifiable explanations for the observation;
3. Explanation : controlled attempts to test one or more hypotheses; and
4. Conclusion : was the hypothesis supported or not, to modify it or reject.

BIOLOGY AND SCIENCE

Biology is a science devoted to the study of living organisms. Literally it means “The study of life”. The word Biology is derived from Greek word Bios meaning life, and Logos meaning discourse. The aim of biology is to explain the living world in terms of scientific principles. It is an exceedingly broad and diverse science. Biology helps us understand the life processes and reveals the secret of life.

The Earth when created was devoid of living organisms. Fossil records showed that the first living creature appeared some 3.5 billion years ago. Today the number of living species is estimated over 10 million. The occurrence of such a huge number of living species has made biology a very fascinating subject.

Biology was a descriptive discipline till few decades ago. Today, its scope ranges from molecular level (e.g. gene, DNA) to the global level (e.g. ecosystem conservation). It not only details about the human brains but also explores vast forests and marine biodiversity. Some recent research topics in biology are deciphering human genome, DNA finger printing, cloning, gene therapy, delaying ageing process, etc.

As science, biology follows scientific approaches and methods. Science is the process of knowing truth. It is an objective, logical and repeatable attempt to understand the principle and forces operating in the natural universe. Science is derived from the Latin word Scientia meaning to know. It was used in regard to knowledge of any sort. Present-day meaning of science most commonly indicates natural science.

Traditionally, the natural science has been divided into two categories: (i) Physical science and (ii) Biological science. Physical sciences have been defined as those natural sciences which deal with non-living phenomenon. Subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Geology fall under this category. Biological sciences are those natural sciences which deal with living phenomenon.