Biological Science

NSC 2
Branches of Science
Main Branches

Natural Science
Social Science
Formal Science
Applied Science
What is Science???

Scienceis the pursuit and application of

knowledge and understanding of the
natural and social world following a
systematic methodology based on
evidence.
Biology

Bio means life and logos means study

Biology- study of life or living matter and its forms, origin, growth,
reproduction, structure and behavior
Branches of Biology

Botany is the study of plants.

Zoology is the study of animals.
Anatomy is the study of internal structures of living things.
Biochemistry is the use of chemistry in the study of living things.
Ecology is the study of the relationships of living things to each other and to
their environment.
Pathology is the study if diseases, generally in animals. Phytopathology is the
study of diseases in plants.
Physiology is the study of normal functions of living things.
 Taxonomy is the classification and naming of living things.
Genetics is the science of heredity and the lifelong development of living
things
Embryology is the study of the formation and development of living things
from fertilization to birth as independent organisms.
Pharmacology is the study of the actions of chemicals on and in living things.
Endocrinology is the study of hormones and their actions.
Cytology is the study of cells.
Histology is the study of tissues.
 Bacteriology is the study of bacteria.
Virology is the study of viruses.
Mammalogy is the study of mammals.
Ornithology is the study of birds.
Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians,
Ichthyology is the study of fishes.
Entomology is the study of insects.
Helminthology is the study of worms.
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms.
Mycology is the study of fungi.
Paleontology is the study of fossils.
What is Life???

A condition that shows distinction of plants and animals from inorganic

matters.
Atom

The basic structure of matter

Biomolecules

Biomolecules are molecules that occur naturally in living organisms.

Biomolecules include macromolecules like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and
nucleic acids.
Four Major Classes of Biomolecules

There are four major classes of biomolecules:

Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic acids
Functions of Biomolecules

Carbohydrates provide the body with source of fuel and energy, it aids in proper
functioning of our brain, heart and nervous, digestive and immune system.
Deficiency of carbohydrates in the diet causes fatigue, poor mental function.

Each protein in the body has specific functions, some proteins provide structural
support, help in body movement, and also defense against germs and infections.
Proteins can be antibodies, hormonal, enzymes and contractile proteins.

Lipids, the primary purpose of lipids in body is energy storage. Structural

membranes are composed of lipids which forms a barrier and controls flow of
material in and out of the cell. Lipid hormones, like sterols, help in mediating
communication between cells.

Nucleic Acids are the DNA and RNA, they carry genetic information in the cell.
They also help in synthesis of proteins, through the process of translation and
transcription.
In 1665
Robert Hooke
Hooke looked at the bark
of a cork tree and
observed its microscopic
structure. In doing so, he
discovered and named the
cell the building block of
life.
He thought the objects he
had discovered looked like
the individual rooms in a
monastery, which were
known as cells.
Animal cell

All animals are multicellular. Human body

contains trillions of cells.
All animal cells are eukaryotic, they are
surrounded by cell membrane and do not have a
cell wall.
Plant cell
Plant cell are eukaryotic cells, they are
membrane bound organelles. They are surrounded
by a rigid cell wall.
Plant cells are similar to animal cells in being
eukaryotic and they have similar cell organelles.
Generally, plant cells are larger than animal cells
and are mostly similar in size and are rectangular
or cube shaped.
plant cell contains a few distinctive features like
a cell wall, large vacuole and plastids.
 Plant Cell Animal Cell
Cell wall made of cellulose is present in
Cell Wall
almost all cells.
Cell wall is absent.
Plastids like leucoplasts, chloroplast
Plastids No plastids found.
and chromoplasts are present.
Plants cells have chloroplasts to
Chloroplasts Chloroplasts completely absent.
prepare their own food.
Cell sap containing vacuoles are Vacuoles are usually absent or one
Vacuoles
present. or more small vacuoles are seen.
Lysosomes Lysosomes not evident. Lysosomes occur in cytoplasm.
Due to the presence of the vacoule
at the centre of the cell, nucleus
Nucleus Nucleus is usually located centrally.
may be located at the edge of the
cell.
Plant cells have many simpler units Animal cells have a single highly
Golgi bodies
of golgi complex, called dictyosomes. elaborate golgi complex.
Endoplasmic reticulum Present Present
Ribosomes Present Present
Mitochondria Present Present
Centrioles Present only in lower plant forms. Present