PRELIMS

Introduction to Biology

Biology is the branch of science in which living beings are studied (Bios = Life, Logos = Study). The term was coined by Lamarck and Treviranus (1801).

Major Branches

1. Botany: Study of plants. Theophrastus is the Father of Botany.
2. Zoology: Study of animals. Aristotle is the Father of Zoology and Biology.

Glossary of Biological Terms (A–Z)

A-B:

• Anatomy: Internal structure | Apiculture: Honey bee rearing
• Anthology: Flowers | Anthropology: Human origin/culture
• Angiology: Blood vascular system | Andrology: Male reproductive organs
• Agrology: Soil for crop production | Agrostology: Grass
• Bryology: Bryophytes | Biometrics: Statistical bio-study

C-D:

• Cytology: Cells | Cardiology: Heart
• Dermatology: Skin | Dendrochronology: Tree rings (age)

E-F:

• Ecology: Link with environment | Entomology: Insects
• Eugenics: Improvement of human race | Exobiology: Life in space
• Ethology: Animal behavior | Etiology: Cause of disease
• Floriculture: Flower cultivation | Fishery: Fish breeding/marketing

G-H:

• Genetics: Heredity & Variation | Gerontology: Aging
• Gynecology: Female reproductive organ | Hematology: Blood
• Hepatology: Liver | Ichthyology: Fishes

I-K:

• Immunology: Immune system | Kalology: Human beauty

M-N:

• Mycology: Fungi | Nephrology: Kidneys
• Neurology: Nervous system | Neonatology: Newborns

O:

• Oncology: Cancer and tumors | Odontology: Teeth and gums
• Osteology: Bones | Ornithology: Birds
• Ophthalmology: Eyes | Orthopaedics: Locomotory repair

P:

• Pomology: Fruits | Phycology: Algae
• Pathology: Diseases & Pathogens | Physiology: Body functions
• Pisciculture: Fish rearing | Paleontology: Fossils

S-T:

• Serology: Serum & Blood interaction | Sonography: Ultrasound imaging
• Saurology: Lizards | Taxonomy: Identification/Naming

V-T:

• Virology: Viruses | Telepathy: Mental contact/thoughts

Key Concepts

• Cryobiology: Effect of low temperature on organisms and preservation.
• Genetic Engineering: Manipulation of genes for improvement.
• Hydroponics: Growing plants without soil in nutrient water.
• Phylogeny: Evolutionary history of an organism.

Confused Pairs

• Agrology vs Agronomy vs Agrostology: Agrology studies soil in relation to crop production; Agronomy is the broader field/crop-management science (soil + crop practices); Agrostology is the study of grasses specifically.
• Ecology vs Ethology vs Ethnology: Ecology studies organism-environment relationships; Ethology studies animal behavior; Ethnology studies human races/cultures comparatively.
• Taxonomy vs Systematics: Taxonomy is naming/classification; Systematics additionally studies evolutionary relationships between organisms.
• Anatomy vs Physiology: Anatomy studies internal structure; Physiology studies the functioning of that structure.

UPSC Relevance

The "Glossary of Science" is a high-yield area for Prelims.

• Agriculture Links: Differentiating between Agrology, Agronomy, and Agrostology.
• Environment Links: Ecology vs Ethology (behavior) vs Ethnology (races).
• Modern Science: Definitions of Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering in the context of S&T developments.