Introduction to Zoology

Prepared by: Asst. Prof. Sheryl Santa Cruz-Biscocho

1

Zoology
Scientific study of the diversity of animal life

life shares a common evolutionary origin, principles learned from the study of one group often pertain to other groups as well
2

Why do you have to Study Zoology?

Understand the natural world

Learn to protect the environment

Develop skills for learning

Fundamental Properties of Life

Does Life Have Defining Properties? What is life? No simple definition The history of life shows extensive and ongoing change called evolution Answer must be based on the common history of life on earth
1-7

Myths To Explain Biological Processes

Disease caused by evil spirits Brain produces snot Blood determines heredity Heart is for emotions

How Does Science Separate Myths from Reality?

Scientific Method

Scientific Method
Observation Hypothesis
Prediction

Test Hypothesis
Experiment Further Observations

Conclusion

10

Edward Jenner 1749-1823

Smallpox Scientific method

11

Observation
Smallpox is deadly

12

Observation
Survivors are immune

13

Observation
Milkmaids do not get smallpox

14

Observation
Milkmaids get cowpox from cows

15

Hypothesis
Cowpox Makes You Immune to Smallpox

Prediction
If you are exposed to cowpox, you will be immune to smallpox

17

Experiment

18

Results
Boy did not get smallpox

19

Conclusion
Hypothesis supported

20

Robert Koch 1843-1910

Identified the bacterium that causes anthrax Identified the bacterium that causes tuberculosis

21

Louis Pasteur 1822-1895

Developed vaccines for rabies and anthrax Demonstrated the existence of germs Invented Pasteurization

22

A New Scientific Theory Explains the Observations of Many Scientists

Edward Jenner
Smallpox

Louis Pasteur
Rabies and anthrax

Robert Koch
Tuberculosis and anthrax

23

Germ Theory of Disease

Germs cause disease Predictions of the Germ Theory
Many diseases are caused by germs
Diptheria Whooping cough Measles Plague

Modern medicine uses the Germ Theory to guide research

24

Ramifications of Germ Theory

Previous concepts about the cause of many diseases incorrect
Evil spirits Bad thoughts Excess blood

25

Theory vrs Scientific Theory

Theory (as used outside of science)
Guess Speculation Has not been tested

26

Scientific Theory
Principle Tested many times Explains many different phenomena Makes predictions Falsifiable

27

Falsify Germ Theory

Smallpox occurs without the smallpox virus Tuberculosis occurs without the TB bacterium Discovery of a different type of cause for infectious diseases
Cell phones Computer screens Lack of exercise
28

Jeffs Lost Dog

I love my dog

Jeffs beloved dog is missing (observation) Jeff thinks the dog has run away (hypothesis) What can falsify his hypothesis? Jeff finds his dog asleep in the house
29

Testing Hypotheses
Observation
Jeff found his dog asleep in the house Scientists find the same bacterium in the bodies of people who die of the plague

Experiment
Jenner vaccinates boy with cowpox and later infects him with smallpox. The boy does not get smallpox.
30

100 Sick People

Experimental group 50 People Medicine X

Control group 50 People Placebo

31

Three Days Later

Experimental group 34 Better Medicine X

Control group 33 Better Placebo

32

Three Days Later

Experimental group 34 Better Medicine X

Control group 5 Better Placebo

33

Why does this frog have extra legs?

34

Law vrs Theory

Law
Observation that has been repeated numerous times Law of gravity Does not explain the observation

Theory
Explains why or how something in nature happens
35

Which is most important to a scientist?

Fact Hypothesis Law Theory

36

Theory is the most important

Theory
Explains laws, hypotheses and facts

Law
States what happens

Hypothesis
Untested theory

Fact
Observation
37

Major Scientific Theories

Germ Theory of Disease
Germs cause infectious disease

Atomic Theory
Matter is made if tiny atoms

Gene Theory (Chromosomal Theory)

Genes on chromosomes determine heredity

Cell Theory
All living things are made of cells
38

Theory of Evolution
Populations of organisms change over time Changes result in new species that share a common ancestor.

39

Evolution is both a fact and a theory

Fact
Evolution is documented in the fossil record and has been observed in our lifetime.

Theory
How evolution happens

40

Theory of Evolution
Scientists no longer ask if evolution occurs. They study how evolution occurs. Evolution is the major theory that guides research in Zoology

41

Science
A body of knowledge gained from studying the natural world It is tested against the natural world
Does not use supernatural explanations

Its conclusions are not absolute.

New discoveries can revise previous conclusions

It is falsifiable
42

 Chemical Uniqueness: Living systems demonstrate a unique and complex molecular organization
Small molecules are assembled into macromolecules: 1. Nucleic Acids 2. Proteins 3. Carbohydrates 4. Lipids
1-43

General Properties of Living Systems

General Properties of Living Systems Complexity and Hierarchical Organization:

Living systems demonstrate a unique and complex hierarchical organization In living systems there exists a hierarchy of levels that includes: Macromolecules Cells Organisms Populations Species
1-44

General Properties of Living Systems Reproduction:

Living systems can reproduce themselves

At each level of the biological hierarchy living forms reproduce to generate others like themselves: Genes replicated to produce new genes. Cells divide producing new cells. Organisms reproduce, sexually or asexually, to produce new organisms Populations may fragment to produce new populations Species may split to produce new species 1-45

General Properties of Living Possession of Systems a Genetic Program:

A genetic program provides fidelity of inheritance
Nucleic Acids: Polymers built of repeated units called nucleotides DNA: Long, linear, chain of nucleotides containing genetic information Sequence of nucleotide bases in DNA determines the order of amino acids in proteins Genetic Code: correspondence between base sequences in DNA and the sequence of 1-46 amino acids in a protein

General Properties of Living Systems

Metabolism: Living organisms maintain themselves by acquiring nutrients from their environments Metabolic processes include:
Digestion Energy production (Respiration) Synthesis of required molecules and structures by organisms
1-47

General Properties of Living Systems

Development: All organisms pass through a characteristic life cycle
Development describes the characteristic changes that an organism undergoes from its origin to its final adult form
1-48

General Properties of Living Systems

Environmental Interaction: All animals interact with their environments
Ecology: The study of organismal interaction with an environment All organisms respond to environmental stimuli

1-49

 Movement: Living systems and their parts show precise and controlled movements arising from within the system
Living systems extract energy from their environments permitting the initiation of controlled movements

General Properties of Living Systems

1-50

Zoology As Part of Biology

Characteristics of Animals:
Eukaryotes: cells contain membraneenclosed nuclei Heterotrophs: Not capable of manufacturing their own food and must rely on external food sources Cells lack cell walls

1-51