Introducing Biology

Name the specific branches of Biology concerned with the study of:

1. Fungi
2. Fishes
3. Insects
4. Transmission of body characteristics from parents to children

Answer

1. Mycology
2. Ichthyology
3. Entomology
4. Genetics

Mention the kind of study made under the following branches of science:

1. Histology
2. Ecology
3. Cytology
4. Pathology

Answer

1. Histology — The study of minute structures or tiny bits of the body at tissue level as seen with the help of a compound microscope.
2. Ecology — the study of relationship of an organism to its biotic and abiotic environment.
3. Cytology — The study of structure and function of cell of an organism.
4. Pathology — The study of diseases of plant and animals.

Palaeontology is the study of

1. Embryos
2. Blood
3. Classification
4. Fossils

Answer

Fossils

Reason — The study of prehistoric forms of life through fossils is called Palaeontology.
Study of embryos is called Embryology. Study of blood is called Hematology. Study of classification of organisms is called Taxonomy.

Clones of animals are being produced through the practice of

1. Genetics
2. Ecology
3. Embryology
4. Biotechnology

Answer

Biotechnology

Reason — Cloning is a rapidly advancing branch of biotechnology which produces genetically identical individuals (clones) of an organism either naturally or artificially.
Genetics is the study of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms. Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. Embryology is the study of development of embryos from fertilization to birth.

The scientist known as the 'Founder of Biology' is:

1. Theophrastus
2. Hippocrates
3. Aristotle
4. Robert Hooke

Answer

Aristotle

Reason — Aristotle was the first person to study animals in sufficient detail.
Theophrastus is Father of Botany. Hippocrates is Father of Medicine. Robert Hooke coined the term cell.

Who among the following is called the 'Father of Botany':

1. Hippocrates
2. Aristotle
3. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
4. Theophrastus

Answer

Theophrastus

Reason — Theophrastus mainly studied plants in detail and is said to be the 'Father of Botany'.
Aristotle is called the Founder of Biology. Hippocrates is called the Father of Medicine. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is called the Father of Microbiology.

Which branch of Biology deals with blood and urine test?

1. Paleontology
2. Phycology
3. Physiology
4. Pathology

Answer

Pathology

Reason — Pathology is study of diseases and their effects on the body and involves blood and urine test.
Paleontology is study of fossils and ancient life forms. Phycology is study of algae. Physiology is study of functions of living organisms and their body parts.

The study of gross structure of organs in an organism as seen in a dissection is called:

1. Morphology
2. Cytology
3. Anatomy
4. Life sciences

Answer

Anatomy

Reason — Study of internal organs is called anatomy.
Morphology is study of the form and external structure of organisms. Cytology is study of cells. Life sciences covers all biological sciences.

The study of form and structure of an organism is called:

1. Mycology
2. Morphology
3. Genomics
4. Biometrics

Answer

Morphology

Reason — The study of form and structure of an organism is called Morphology.
Mycology is study of fungi. Genomics is study of the entire genome of an organism. Biometrics is study of statistical and mathematical analysis of biological data.

Which branch of biology deals with the interpretation of biological events in terms of molecules in a cell?

1. Molecular biology
2. Marine biology
3. Nuclear biology
4. Space biology

Answer

Molecular biology

Reason — Molecular biology involves study of biological processes at the molecular level.
Marine biology is study of life in oceans and seas. Nuclear biology is study related to the cell nucleus and nuclear processes. Space biology is study of effects of space conditions on living organisms.

Ajay had studied the habitat and characteristic features of two different kinds of microorganisms. He tried to categorise them in groups. He tabulated the pair as follows:

Identify the kind of microorganisms P and Q based on the category mentioned.

1. P — Algae, Q — Fungi
2. P — Fungi, Q — Algae
3. P — Bacteria, Q — Fungi
4. P — Algae, Q — Viruses

Answer

P — Fungi, Q — Algae

Reason — The scientific study of fungi is known as mycology, while the scientific study of algae is known as phycology.
Study of bacteria is called Bacteriology. Study of viruses is called Virology.

A biology teacher asked her students to explain 'Pisciculture'. Four students had given four different answers.

Amit said: Treatment and surgery of fish.
Sumit said: Anatomy of fish.
Rohit said: Economic importance of fish
Ronit said: The technique of growing fish.

Who was correct?

1. Rohit
2. Amit
3. Ronit
4. Sumit

Answer

Ronit

Reason — Pisciculture is the technique of growing fish, especially in controlled environments like fish farms.
Treatment and surgery of fish is called Ichthyotherapy. Anatomy of fish is called Ichthyology. Economic importance of fish is called Fisheries.

Name the following branches of biology

1. Application of biological processes in technologies.
2. Science of growing fruits and vegetables.
3. Study of prehistoric forms of life.
4. Study of causes of immunity (resistance to or defense against diseases).

Answer

1. Biotechnology
2. Horticulture
3. Paleontology
4. Immunology

Fill in the blanks:

1. Bioengineering deals with making artificial ............... .
2. ............... is the entire DNA sequence of an organism.
3. Silk is produced by rearing ............... .
4. Evolution deals with the study of ............... and ............... of organisms.
5. Organisms which draw food from the host body are called ............... .
6. Animals which give birth to young ones are known as ............... .
7. ............... is called the Father of Medicine.

Answer

1. Bioengineering deals with making artificial Joints and Limbs.
2. Genome is the entire DNA sequence of an organism.
3. Silk is produced by rearing Silkworm.
4. Evolution deals with the study of descent and origin of organisms.
5. Organisms which draw food from the host body are called Parasites.
6. Animals which give birth to young ones are known as Viviparous.
7. Hippocrates is called the Father of Medicine.

Name these:

(a) Three major branches of Science.

(b) Three branches of Biology on the basis of major of kinds of organisms.

(c) Three branches of sciences concerned with animal husbandry (raising, breeding and managing of livestock).

(d) Five professions which require a basic knowledge of biology.

Answer

(a) Physics, Chemistry and Biology

(b) Botany, Zoology, Human Biology

(c) Dairy farming, Poultry, Bee farming

(d) Doctor, Dentist, Pathologist, Druggist, Biotechnologist.

Match the branches of biology in Column A with the respective areas of study in Column B.

Answer

Note the relationship between the first two words and suggest a suitable word/words for the fourth place.

(a) Silkworm : Sericulture :: Bees : ...............

(b) Animals : Zoology :: Plants : ...............

(c) Diseases : Pathology :: Immunity : ...............

(d) Form and structure : Morphology :: Metabolism :: ...............

(e) Reptiles : Herpetology :: Fishes : ...............

Answer

(a) Apiculture

(b) Botany

(c) Immunology

(d) Physiology

(e) Ichthyology

Correct the following false statements by changing the first/last word only:

(a) Bacteriology is the study of Prokaryotes.

(b) DNA finger printing is an application of systematics.

(c) Study of birds is entomology.

(d) Non-living components of ecosystems are biotic components.

(e) Study of life in the sea is aqualogy.

Answer

(a) Bacteriology is the study of bacteria.

(b) DNA finger printing is an application of Biochemistry .

(c) Study of birds is ornithology.

(d) Living components of ecosystems are biotic components.

(e) Study of life in the sea is Marine biology.

Define the terms:

1. Life sciences
2. Human biology
3. Agriculture
4. Anthropology
5. Biometrics

Answer

1. Life science is the branch of science that deals with the study of life processes. The term biology is also used synonymously.
2. Human biology is defined as study of human as a living organism and his relationship with other living organisms.
3. Agriculture is defined as study of raising crops and livestock rearing.
4. The study of humans and their interaction with the society is called anthropology.
5. Biometrics involve the verification of a person by his body features such as fingerprints, the pattern of iris in the eye and behavioural characteristics.

What is Biology? Name and define its three major branches.

Answer

Biology is one of the major branches of science. It is a natural science which deals with study of living beings, that is to say animals, plants and even humans. Biology is derived from two Greek words: 'bios' meaning life and 'logos' meaning study. Biology on the whole can be sub-divided into three major branches, namely:

1. Botany — Botany is a branch of biology dealing with study of plants.
2. Zoology — Zoology is a field of biology concerning with animal study.
3. Human Biology — It deals with humans as a living entity and their relationship with other entities.

How does Biology help us in leading a healthier life?

Answer

Knowledge of biology has greatly helped us in the field of human health. It provides to individuals and society, the knowledge that enables us to live a proper life. Basic knowledge can help in self-analyzing causatives of diseases, different microbes causing diseases. Thereby examining and studying their mode of living and propagating diseases. This study has paved the way for production of new drugs synthesized naturally or synthetically killing causatives of diseases.

A farmer and a housewife may have never studied biology, yet both of them know some of its general principles through experience. State any two principles which they know.

Answer

A farmer, although has never studied biology, knows by his experience how to increase his produce. He knows how to plough and plant crops and select good quality seeds for sowing. Right from selecting germfree seeds to sow, act of ploughing, crop plantation, using fertilizers, irrigation and its types, crop harvesting, cross-breeding with other plants, weed removal, etc, they have knowledge of basic biological concepts.

A housewife, by using her experience knows which fruit or vegetable to grow and how much time. She knows all the nutritional values of various foodstuffs. She can suggest first hand treatment for simple cold, cough and other mild mishaps. She knows to tame some useful animals like cow, goat and dog for her maximum benefit.

Distinguish between Zoology and Entomology

Answer

Distinguish between Genetics and Eugenics

Answer

Distinguish between Phycology and Mycology

Answer

Distinguish between Space Biology and Exobiology

Answer

Distinguish between Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

Answer

Distinguish between Embryology and Immunology

Answer

Distinguish between Ichthyology and Pisciculture

Answer

Do you think Biology can help in further increasing the yield of food? If so, how?

Answer

Yes, Biology can help in further increasing the yield of food. New varieties of plants and new breeds of cattle, poultry, etc. are being developed with the knowledge of Biology. The science has also increased our knowledge of diseases of plants and animals, and how to cure them. Plants and animals of newer varieties are cultivated by cross-breeding through the application of biotechnological principles, unleashing unexplored concepts for a brighter future. All these efforts are helping us to produce more food in fields, dairies and poultry farms.

Assertion (A): Ichthyology and Pisciculture are the same branches of zoology as both of them are related to fishes.

Reason (R): Both the branches are different as they deal with different types of fishes.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

A is false but R is true.

Reason — A is false because Ichthyology and Pisciculture are not the same. Ichthyology is the scientific study of fish, while Pisciculture is the technique of growing fish. Both the branches are different.
R is true as both the branches are different as they deal with different types of fishes.

Therefore, A is false but R is true is the correct option.

Assertion (A): The study of the effects of radioactivity on living things is termed as Nuclear Biology.

Reason (R): It is also known as Radiation Biology as radioactive rays emit from the nucleus of the elements.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

A is False and R is True

Reason — A is False the correct term is Radiation Biology (or Radiobiology), not Nuclear Biology.
R is True as radioactive rays emit from the nucleus of the elements so, it is called Radiation Biology.

Therefore, A is False and R is True is the correct option.

Assertion (A): The term viviparous is normally used for mammals who give birth to young ones.

Reason (R): None of the mammals are oviparous.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

A is True and R is False.

Reason — A is True because animals who give birth to young ones rather than laying egg are known as viviparous animals.
R is False as most of the mammals are viviparous but there are some exception like platypus which is oviparous (lays eggs).

Therefore, A is True and R is False is the correct option.

Assertion (A): Pathology helps in the detection of diseases of plants and animals.

Reason (R): Pathological tests cover tests on blood, bodily tissues, urine, stools (faeces).

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Reason — A is true as pathology is the study of diseases, including their causes, development, and effects on plants and animals.
R is true as pathology involves analyzing body fluids and tissues to diagnose diseases.

Therefore, Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A is the correct option.

Assertion (A): Phycology is the study of algae.

Reason (R): Algae are simple, chlorophyll-containing organisms found mainly in aquatic habitats.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Answer

Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Reason — A is true because Phycology is indeed the branch of biology that deals with the study of algae.
R is true as algae are simple, chlorophyll-containing organisms found mainly in aquatic habitats.
However, this reason only describes algae; it does not explain why the study of algae is called phycology.

Therefore, Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. is the correct option.