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GENERAL BIOLOGY 1
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INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY
PRINCIPAL BRANCHES OF BIOLOGY
Biology has been divided into Botany and Zoology on the basis of nature of living beings. Inspite of this,
now-a-days extensive research has been done on Microorganism. They influence human life in various ways.
So for discussion about them a new branch is made. This is known as Microbiology. Considering the
subjects of living bodies on which discussion is made the whole range of Biology is divided into the following
main branches.
1. Morphology: This branch deals with both the external and internal structures of organism. The
subject concerning internal structures is also known as Anatomy.
2. Cytology: Each living organism consists of one or more cells. Structures and functions of cells are
treated in this branch of Biology.
3. Histology: In this branch discussion is made on structure, location and function of different tissues.
4. Physiology: This branch includes all the activities of living things e.g growth respiration, excretion,
photosynthesis and other biological activities.
5. Taxonomy: In this branch discussion is made on identification nomenclature, and classification of plants
and animals into groups and subgroups.
6. Genetics: How different characters are inherited from parents to offsprings, and how the processes can
be controlled and improved etc. are brought under study and research in this branch.
7. Ecology: This branch considers the effects of environment on living organisms or living
communities and also interaction between them.
8. Evolution: This branch deals with the origin and successive transformations of living organisms.
Biology is the result of research and thinking of some great scientists. This part introduces you with some of
these scientists.
Aristotle (384-322 B.C): The great Greek scientist, Aristotle is regarded as the father of Zoology. He
first established Zoology as a branch of Science. Aristotle was simultaneously a scientist, poet, thinker and
philosopher. It is he who first mentioned about the basic similarities in the structure of plants and animals.
He stayed in an island named Lesbos for five years continuously and made research on animals. He wrote a
book on animals and named it "Historia animalium" which is full of information and knowledge.
Theophrastus (370-285 B.C.): Little amount of works of the Greek philosopher Theophrastus is known to
us. Of those available, nine volumes of "On the History of Plants" and six volumes of "On the causes of plants"
are important. Theophrastus was the pupil of great philosopher Aristotle. He divided the plant community
into four groups. For example: Trees shrubs, Undershrubs and Herbs. He is regarded as the Father of
Botany.
Al Biruni (973-1048): Known as an world famous scientist and educationist. Al Biruni was an Arabian
citizen. His real name is Abu Raihan Mohammad Ibne Ahmed Al Biruni. He made contributions in different
branches of science. He visited India during the reign of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni and described the
conditions prevailing in India in an attractive way.
Ibne Sina (980-1037): He was a renowned Muslim philosopher and scientist. He had excellent skill in
Chemistry, Medicine, Mathematics, Astronomy and Literature. His full name is Abu Ali Hussain Ibne
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Abdullah Ibne Sina. He composed more than hundred books on different subjects. Sixteen of which were
written on Medicine. He had fourteen volume compositions named AlKanun' on Medicine.
A1 Nafis: He was an Arabian scientist. He first (300 years before William Harvey) described correctly the
system of blood circulation in human body. He was also a successful physician. His actual name was
Abu Al Hasan Ali Ibne Al Nafis, He dedicated himself in the field of science for a long time, and died in
Damascus at the age of eighty.
William Harvey (1578-1657): William Harvey was a British scientist. He rediscovered the system of blood
circulation in 1628 and as a result some of the previous ideas about it came to an end. In 1651 he pointed out
that life starts from the egg cell. He is considered to be the father of Animal Physiology. He clearly
described the systems of blood circulation and excretion in animals, and explained the relationship between
the two processes. He published a book "On the motion of the heart and blood in animals".
Anthony Von Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723): Dutch scientist Leeuwenhoek first built the microscope.
But his microscope was not like that of today. Descriptions of bacteria, nerve cell, Hydra, Volvax, etc. were
written by him on observations through his microscope. They have been found to be precisely correct.
Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778): Swedish scientist Linnaeus introduced the system of Binomial
Nomenclature for plants and animals. A physician by profession, he was the professor of physiology in
Uppsala University, Sweden. Collecting numerous plants and animals he classified them and made their
nomenclature. His "Systema Naturae" composed on classification of living beings is a famous research
work. Besides these his other two famous Botanical books titled "Species Plantarum" and "Genera
Plantarum" are based on research work. He is considered to be the father of modern Taxonomy.
Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882): English naturalist Darwin introduced the Theory of Natural
Selection. He expressed his findings and ideas in his famous research publication, "Origin of Species by
Means of Natural Selection" in the year 1859, after observing the living communities of Galapagos
Islands.
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913): English naturalist Wallace made observation and research works in
the Amazon plateau for four years. His renowned book “Travels on the Amazon and Rio Negro" was
written on this experience. He wrote "The Malay Archipelago" on his eight years research experience in
Malay Peninsula. The huge collection of insects he made has been kept preserved in the Hope collection
centre of Oxford University. He is famous for the introduction of Natural Selection Theory along with
Charles Darwin.
Gregor Johann Mendel (1822-1884): Austrian Priest Mendel performed research work with pea plants in
his church garden for a long time. Based on this research he established two laws concerning genetics, which
are followed till today. He is regarded as the father of Genetics.
George Bentham (1800-1884): The most notable work of this English Botanist is the composition of
three volumes of "Genera Plantarum" along with Joseph Dalton Hooker.Other books written by him are
`Handbook of the British Flora'. `Flora Hongkongensis', Flora `Australiensis' etc.
Thomas Henly Huxley (1825-1895): Renowned British Zoologist T.H. Huxley did a lot of works on
birds. He termed birds as `glorified reptiles' and proved that birds have been evolved from the reptilian
ancestors. Besides, he made extensive research on Zoology. He was a notable supporter of Charles Darwin's
theory of Natural Selection. Huxley described protoplasm as the physical basis of life.
Alexander Fleming (1881-1955): Alexander Fleming was a Microbiologists He observed in 1918 that
some bacterial growth stops in a culture media where Penicaillium is grown. He tried to find out the reason
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behind it. From his quest and research he subsequently discovered the drug penicillin that has saved
millions of lives. He won Nobel Prize along with two other winners in the year 1945.
David Prain: David Prain was an English physician. He obtained degree in medicine from Aberdin and
Edinburgh. Joining Indian Medical Service he came to India in 1883. His first Place of Posting was Luxmipur
in Noakhali. Later he started research with the plants of this region. He was the Director of Calcutta Botanical
Garden from 1887 to 1897. His famous book, "Bengal Plants", Published in two volumes, widely treats
plants of Bangladesh and adjoining areas. "Flora of Sundribuns" is another notable book written by him.
Salim Ali (1896-1987): Known as the Birdman of India, Salim Ali was a renowned ornithologist. He
scientifically observed all birds of India and wrote an informative book. The title of the book is "The
Indian Birds" In addition to this he composed many other books on birds. His autobiography is also a
famous publication. In 1983 the Indian Government awarded him "Padmabhushan" title in recognition of
his research work.
Sir Hans Krebs (1900-1981): English scientist Krebs won Nobel Prize in 1953 along with F.A. Lipmann
in medicine and physiology for his research work on metabolism of cells. He was appointed as the
departmental head of Biochemistry in the Oxford University in 1954. Krebs cycle of respiration in living
beings is his discovery.
James Watson and Francis Crick: The two British scientists, Watson and Crick are famous for making
the model of the molecular structure of DNA which bears the hereditary factors of human beings. While
carrying out the research for PhD Degree in Cambridge University they discovered the molecular structure of
DNA in 1953. They won Nobel Prize in the year 1963 for this work. Watson and Crick first noticed that
DNA molecule is structurally a double helix and spiral.
Melvin Calvin (Born in 1911): Calvin, a professor of California University U.S.A. is famous for his research
concerning the pathway of carbon assimilation in green plants. In co-operation with other scientist
Bassham, discovered the biochemical steps of Carbon assimilation known as Calvin Bassham pathway of
photosynthesis. He obtained Nobel Prize in 1961.

References:
Campbell, N. and Reese, J. 2007. Essentials of Biology 7th ed. Pearson Education.
E.V. Evangelista, L. T. Evangelista & L. V. Evangelista. (2013). Worktext in General Zoology (Frog and
Human Bodies Compared). C&E Publishing Inc.
Hickman, C. et. al. 2006. Integrated Principles of Zoology 13th ed. McGraw – Hill.
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