Biology is the science of living nature, of the laws governing it. What does biology study? Biology as a science studies the structure, origin, growth, functioning and evolution of living organisms. Biology is the science of wildlife.
The basis of biology is 5 fundamental principles. These are cell theory, homeostasis, genetics, evolution and energy.
The task of general biology is the identification, as well as an explanation of common processes and phenomena for all organisms. Biology as a science allows you to accumulate knowledge about what is happening in the living world, store them on various media and use as necessary.
Biological sciences are divided by the type of studied organisms.
Zoology studies animals, botany studies plants, and microbiology studies single-celled microorganisms.
Inside, biology as a science is divided into areas according to the scale of research, or according to the methods used. So, the subject of studying histology and anatomy is the structure of the body and tissues, genetics - the transmission of hereditary information, biochemistry - the chemical foundations of life, molecular biology - the interaction between biological molecules, physiology - the chemical and physical functions of organs, etc.
Signs of a living organism :
- has a complex internal structure;
- any part of the body has a special purpose, and it performs the functions assigned to it;
- extracts, converts and uses energy from the environment, exchanges matter and energy;
- respond to environmental changes (to an external stimulus);
- the ability to adapt, that is, organisms adapt to the environment;
- the ability to reproduce;
- ability to evolution (there is a change from simple to complex).
The living world is diverse and has a complex structure. The organization of life is carried out at various levels.
- The lowest level is molecular structures.
- Cell level.
- Organ - tissue level. At this level, organisms are multicellular.
- Holistic organism.
- Population and species level.
- The level of biocenoses, that is, communities of all species that inhabit the territory.
- Biosphere. This is the totality of life on Earth.
A holistic (living) system has the following qualities:
- unity of chemical composition;
- openness of living systems;
- living systems - self-regulating, self-organizing, self-managing, self-reproducing systems;
- variability;
- the ability to develop and grow, that is, to increase in mass and size, the emergence of new qualities and traits;
- discreteness and integrity.
Study methods.
Biology uses many different methods to study living organisms. For example, these include:
- Observation.
It makes it possible to identify objects and various phenomena.
- The experiment.
A situation is simulated in which the properties of the studied biological objects are revealed.
- Comparison.
Allows you to set patterns common to various phenomena.
- The historical method.
Cognition is carried out taking into account the available data on the organic world.
To study biological objects, various techniques are used. These are: computers, microscopes, chemical analyzers, ultracentrifuges, and many other equipment.
Biology as a science is very important for people, since the studies that are conducted allow us to know more about the processes and phenomena occurring in the living world and use this invaluable experience in everyday life, to solve global world problems. Knowledge of the laws of biology allows us to solve practical problems, for example, to provide the population with food. Agronomy and zootechnics are based on biology. Medicine cannot do without knowledge of the structure (anatomy) of the human body.