Introduction & Branches of Zoology

Biology includes three major branches-Botany, Zoology and Microbiology. Botany is the study of plants. Theophrastus (370-287 B.C.) is known as the father of Botany. Zoology is the study of animals. Aristotle is known as the father of zoology. Microbiology deals with different aspects of micro-organisms. Antony van Leeuwenhoek is known as the Father of Microbiology.

Taxonomy

There are several branches of Zoology. For example Taxonomy (taxis – arrangement; nomos – law) science of identification, nomenclature and classification of organisms. Identification refers to finding the correct place of an organism in a system of classification with the help of keys. Nomemenclature (nomen= name, clature = call) is the science providing distinct name to an organism. Classification of the organisms is the arrangement of the organisms into groups basing on their affinities.

Morphology

Morphology (morphos-form, logos-study) refers to the study of external form, size, shape, colour, structure and relative position of various organs. Morphology can be external morphology or internal morphology. Internal morphology includes Anatomy, Histology and Cytology. Anatomy (ana = up. Tome = cutting) is the basic study of internal structure of an organism which can be observed with naked aye. Histology (histos = tissue, logos- study) is the study of tissues. The study of tissues is done after several processes such as fixing, dehydrating, embedding, sectioning and staining. Cytology is the study of the cells. Cell biology is the branch science that deals with the study of the cell as a fundamental unit of living organisms.

Other Branches of Biology

Molecular biology is the study of nature of bio-molecules and their interaction. Physiology is the study of different types of functions and processes. Embryology is study of events that lead to fertilization, growth, division, and differentiation of zygote into an embryo. Ecology : (eStudy of living organisms in relation to other organisms and their environment. Genetics is the study of inheritance of characters from one generation to the next generation. It includes heredity and variations. Evolution is the study of origin of life and the study of continuous genetic adaptations of organism to the environment. Palaeontology is the study of fossils or the remains or organisms of past geological age. This includes palaeobotany and palaeozoology. Palaeobotany refers to the study of fossil plants. Palaezoloogy refers to the study of fossil animals. Biogeography is the study of distribution of organism in various parts of earth. In includes phytogeography and zoogeography. Phytogeography is the study of distribution of plants. Zoogeography is the study of distribution of animals. Exobiology is the study of possibility of living beings in other planets. Endocrinology is the study of endocrine glands i.e. the ductless glands in human body. Parasitology is the study of parasites.

Specific Branches of Zoology