One of the most ancient sciences is, of course, biology. The interest of people in the processes occurring within themselves and surrounding beings arose several thousand years before our era.
Observation of animals, plants, natural processes was an important part of people's lives. Over time, a lot of knowledge has accumulated, methods for studying wildlife and the mechanisms that occur in it have improved and developed. This led to the emergence of many sections that make up a comprehensive science.
Biological research in different areas of life allows us to obtain new valuable data that are important for understanding the structure of the biomass of the planet. Use this knowledge for practical human purposes (space exploration, medicine, agriculture, chemical industry and so on).
Modern biology
Today, the achievements of this multifaceted science allow us to achieve many positive results. So, modern science offers a number of solutions to the problems of human diseases from the effects of viruses and bacteria. It became possible to be in outer space without damage to health for about 3 months, while using microorganisms or unicellular plants as an oxygen source .
Many discoveries made it possible to do biological research in the field of the internal structure and functioning of all living systems. The molecular composition of organisms, their microstructure was studied, many genes from the genome of humans and animals, plants were isolated and studied. The merits of biotechnology, cell and genetic engineering make it possible to obtain several plant yields per season, as well as to breed animal breeds that produce more meat, milk and eggs.
The study of microorganisms made it possible to obtain antibiotics and create dozens and hundreds of vaccines that can defeat many diseases, even those that used to take thousands of lives of people and animals with epidemics.
Therefore, modern biology science is the unlimited possibilities of mankind in many branches of science, industry and health preservation.
Classification of Biological Sciences
One of the very first appeared private sections of the science of biology. Such as botany, zoology, anatomy and systematics. Later, disciplines became more dependent on technical equipment - microbiology, virology, physiology, and so on.
There are a number of young and progressive sciences that were formed only in the XX-XXI century and play a large role in the modern development of biology.
There is not one, but several classifications by which biological sciences can be ranked. The list of them is quite impressive in all cases, consider one of them.
| Biology | Private sciences | Botany | is engaged in the study of external and internal structure, physiological processes, phylogenesis and distribution in nature of all plants existing on the planet (flora) | It includes the following sections: - algology;
- dendrology;
- taxonomy;
- anatomy;
- morphology;
- physiology;
- bryology;
- paleobotany;
- ecology;
- geobotany;
- ethnobotany;
- breeding plants.
|
| Zoology | is engaged in the study of external and internal structure, physiological processes, phylogenesis and distribution in nature of all animals existing on the planet (fauna) | Disciplines that are part of: - acarology;
- coleopterology;
- taxonomy;
- arachnology;
- lepidopterology;
- theriology;
- hymenopterology;
- malacology;
- felinology;
- myrmecology;
- physiology;
- hippology;
- ornithology;
- entomology;
- ichthyology;
- ethology;
- cynology;
- parasitology;
- primatology.
|
| human anatomy | It studies the shape, structure, location and functioning of organs and systems in the human body | Disciplines: - topographic anatomy;
- comparative;
- systematic;
- age;
- plastic;
- functional;
- experimental.
|
| Anthropology | a number of disciplines in the complex studying the development and formation of man in the biological and social environment | Sections: philosophical, judicial, religious, physical, social, cultural, visual. |
| Microbiology | studies the smallest living organisms, from unicellular animals to bacteria and viruses | Disciplines: virology, bacteriology, medical microbiology, mycology, industrial, technical, agricultural, space microbiology |
General sciences | Taxonomy | the tasks include developing the basis for the classification of all living things on our planet with the goal of strict ordering and identification of any representative of biomass | |
| Morphology | description of external signs, internal structure and topography of the organs of all living things | Sections: plants, animals, microorganisms, fungi |
| Physiology | studies the features of the functioning of a system, organ or part of the body, the mechanisms of all processes that ensure its vital activity | Plants, animals, humans, microorganisms |
| Ecology | science of the relationship of living beings with each other, the environment and humans | Geoecology, general, social, industrial |
| Genetics | studies the genome of living creatures, the mechanisms of heredity and variation of characters under the influence of various conditions, as well as historical changes in the genotype during evolutionary transformations | |
Biogeography | considers the resettlement and distribution of certain species of living things on the planet | |
Evolutionary doctrine | reveals the mechanisms of historical development of man and other living systems on the planet. Their origin and formation | |
| Complex sciences that arose at the interface with each other | Biochemistry | studies the processes occurring in the cells of living things from a chemical point of view | |
Biotechnology | considers the possibility of using organisms, their products and or parts for human needs | |
Molecular biology | studying the mechanisms of transmission, storage and use of hereditary information by living creatures, as well as the functions and fine structure of proteins, DNA and RNA. | Related sciences: genetic and cellular engineering, molecular genetics, bioinformatics, proteomics, genomics |
Biophysics | it is a science that studies all possible physical processes that occur in all living organisms, from viruses to humans | Sections of this discipline will be discussed below. |
Thus, we tried to cover the basic diversity that biological sciences represent. This list is expanding and replenishing with the development of engineering and study methods. Therefore, a single classification of biology does not exist today.
Progressive Biosciences and Their Importance
The youngest, modern and progressive sciences of biology include such as:
- biotechnology;
- molecular biology;
- space biology;
- biophysics;
- biochemistry.
Each of these sciences was formed no earlier than the 20th century, and therefore it is rightfully considered to be young, intensively developing, and most significant for a person’s practical activity.
Let us dwell on such a one as biophysics. This is a science that appeared around 1945 and has become an important part of the entire biological system.
What is biophysics?
To answer this question, first of all, one should point out its close contact with chemistry and biology. In some issues, the boundaries between these sciences are so close that it is difficult to make out which one is specifically involved and in priority. Therefore, it is worth considering biophysics as a complex science that studies the deep physical and chemical processes that occur in living systems at the level of both molecules, cells, organs, and at the level of the Biosphere as a whole.
Like any other, biophysics is a science that has its own object of study, goals and objectives, as well as worthy and significant results. In addition, this discipline is closely correlated with several new directions.
Objects of study
They are for biophysics biosystems at different organizational levels.
- Microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, unicellular fungi and algae).
- The simplest animals.
- Individual cells and their structural parts (organelles).
- Plants.
- Animals (including humans).
- Ecological communities.
That is, biophysics is a study of the living in terms of the physical processes taking place in it.
Science Objectives
Initially, the tasks of biophysicists were to prove the presence of physical processes and phenomena in the life of living beings and to study them, finding out the nature and significance.
The modern tasks of this science can be formulated as follows:
- To study the structure of genes and the mechanisms that accompany their transmission and storage, modifications (mutations).
- Consider many aspects of cell biology (the interaction of cells with each other, chromosomal and genetic interactions and other processes).
- To study polymer molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides) in combination with molecular biology.
- To reveal the influence of cosmogeophysical factors on the course of all physical and chemical processes in living organisms.
- More deeply reveal the mechanisms of photobiology (photosynthesis, photoperiodism, and so on).
- Introduce and develop methods of mathematical modeling.
- Apply nanotechnology results to study living systems.
From this list it is obvious that biophysics studies a lot of significant and serious problems of modern society, and the results of this science are important for man and his life.
Formation history
As a science, biophysics was born relatively recently - in 1945, when Erwin Schrödinger published his work "What is life from the point of view of physics." It was he who first noticed and indicated that many laws of physics (thermodynamic, laws of quantum mechanics) have a place to be precisely in the life activity and work of organisms of living beings.
Thanks to the works of this person, the science of biophysics began its intensive development. However, even earlier, in 1922, the Institute of Biophysics was created in Russia, led by P.P. Lazarev. There, the main role is assigned to the study of the nature of excitation in tissues and organs. The result was the identification of the importance of ions in this process.
Further, a series of discoveries by various scientists makes it possible to understand that biophysics is a complete, capacious, and complex science, which is necessary for understanding all processes occurring in living systems.
- Galvani discovers electricity and its importance for living tissues (bioelectricity).
- A. L. Chizhevsky is the father of several disciplines that study the influence of space on the Biosphere, as well as ionization radiation and electrohemodynamics.
- The detailed structure of protein molecules was studied only after the discovery of the XRD method (X-ray structural analysis). This was done by scientists Perutz and Kendru (1962).
- In the same year, a three-dimensional structure of DNA was discovered (Maurice Wilkins).
- Neer and Zakman in 1991 were able to develop a method of local fixation of electric potential.
Also, a number of other discoveries allowed the science of biophysics to embark on the path of intensive and progressive modernization in development and formation.
Sections of Biophysics
There are a number of disciplines that make up this science. Consider the most basic of them.
- Biophysics of complex systems - considers all the complex mechanisms of self-regulation of multicellular organisms (systemogenesis, morphogenesis, synergogenesis). Also, this discipline studies the features of the physical component of the processes of ontogenesis and evolutionary development, the levels of organization of organisms.
- Bioacoustics and biophysics of sensory systems - studies the sensory systems of living organisms (vision, hearing, reception, speech and others), methods of broadcasting various signals. It reveals the mechanisms of energy conversion during the perception of external influences (irritations) by organisms.
- Theoretical biophysics - includes a number of subsciences involved in the study of the thermodynamics of biological processes, the construction of mathematical models of the structural parts of organisms. Also considers kinetic processes.
- Molecular biophysics - examines the deep mechanisms of the structural organization and functioning of such biopolymers as DNA, RNA, proteins, polysaccharides. He is engaged in the construction of models and graphic images of these molecules, predicts the behavior and formation of them in living systems. Also, this discipline builds supramolecular and submolecular systems in order to determine the mechanism of construction and action of biopolymers in living systems.
- Cell biophysics. It studies the most important cellular processes: differentiation, division, excitation and biopotentials of the membrane structure. Particular attention is paid to the mechanisms of membrane transport of substances, potential differences, properties and structure of the membrane and its surrounding parts.
- Biophysics of metabolism. The main processes under consideration : photosynthesis, solarization and adaptation of organisms to it, hemodynamics, heat regulation, metabolism, the influence of ionization rays.
- Applied Biophysics. It consists of several disciplines: bioinformatics, biometrics, biomechanics, the study of evolutionary processes and ontogenesis, pathological (medical) biophysics. The objects of study of applied biophysics are the musculoskeletal system, methods of movement, methods of recognizing people by physical features. Of particular note is medical biophysics. She considers pathological processes in organisms, methods of reconstruction of damaged sections of molecules or structures, or their compensation. Provides material for biotechnology. It is of great importance in preventing the development of diseases, especially of a genetic nature, in eliminating them and in explaining the mechanisms of action.
- Habitat biophysics - studies the physical impact of both local creature habitats and the influence of near and far outer space entities. Also considers biorhythms, the influence of weather conditions and biofields on creatures. Develops methods of measures to prevent the negative effects of environmental conditions.
All these disciplines make a tremendous contribution to the development of an understanding of the mechanisms of vital activity of living systems, the influence of the biosphere and various conditions on them.
Modern achievements
We can name a few of the most significant events that relate to the achievements of biophysics:
- revealed the mechanisms of cloning organisms;
- studied the features of transformations and the role of nitric oxide in living systems;
- the interrelation of small and messenger RNAs has been established, which in the future will allow finding a solution to many medical problems (eliminating diseases);
- the physical nature of autowaves is open;
- thanks to the work of molecular biophysicists, aspects of DNA synthesis and replication were studied, which entailed the possibility of creating a number of new drugs for serious and complex diseases;
- computer models of all reactions accompanying the process of photosynthesis were created;
- developed methods of ultrasound examination of the body;
- the connection between cosmogeophysical and biochemical processes is established;
- predicted climate change on the planet;
- the discovery of the value of the urokenase enzyme in the prevention of thrombosis diseases and the elimination of the consequences after strokes;
- a number of discoveries have also been made on the structure of the protein, the circulatory system and other parts of the body.
Institute of Biophysics in Russia
In our country there is Moscow State University . M.V. Lomonosov. The faculty of biophysics operates on the basis of this educational institution. It is he who provides training for qualified specialists to work in this area.
It is very important to give a good start to future professionals. Hard work awaits them. The biophysicist is obliged to understand all the intricacies of the processes occurring in living beings. In addition, students must understand physics. After all, this is a complex science - biophysics. Lectures are structured in such a way as to encompass all the disciplines related and constituting biophysics, and cover the consideration of issues of both a biological and physical nature.