QF Notes
Chapter 1: Introduction to Biology
FBISE 1st Year
Author: Qandeel Fatima
, 1. What is Biology?
Biology is the scientific study of life. The word "Biology" has been derived from two Greek
words: "Bios" meaning life, and "Logos" meaning thought or reasoning. It provides information
and reasoning about how living things interact with nature and themselves.
Key Characteristics of Living Organisms
To be classified as living, an organism must possess certain characteristics:
Highly organized and complex entities.
Are composed of one or more cells.
Contain genetic programs of their characteristics.
Can acquire and use energy.
Can carry out and control numerous chemical reactions.
Can grow in size and maintain a fairly constant internal environment (homeostasis).
Produce offspring similar to themselves.
2. Branches of Biology
Morphology: The study of form and structure of living organisms.
Example: Studying the shape of a leaf or the structure of the human heart.
Anatomy: The study of internal gross structure.
Example: Dissecting a frog to study its internal organs.
Histology: The microscopic study of tissues.
Example: Examining muscle tissue under a microscope.
Cell Biology: The study of the structure and function of cells and their organelles.
Example: Studying mitochondria or the nucleus.
Physiology: The study of the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.
Example: Understanding how the human digestive system breaks down food.
Ecology (Environmental Biology): The study of interactions between organisms and their
environment.
Example: Studying the food web in a forest ecosystem.
Embryology: The study of the development of an embryo to a fully formed organism.
Example: Observing the stages of chick development inside an egg.
Paleontology: The study of fossils, which are the remains of extinct organisms.
Example: Studying dinosaur bones to understand their anatomy.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Biology
FBISE 1st Year
Author: Qandeel Fatima
, 1. What is Biology?
Biology is the scientific study of life. The word "Biology" has been derived from two Greek
words: "Bios" meaning life, and "Logos" meaning thought or reasoning. It provides information
and reasoning about how living things interact with nature and themselves.
Key Characteristics of Living Organisms
To be classified as living, an organism must possess certain characteristics:
Highly organized and complex entities.
Are composed of one or more cells.
Contain genetic programs of their characteristics.
Can acquire and use energy.
Can carry out and control numerous chemical reactions.
Can grow in size and maintain a fairly constant internal environment (homeostasis).
Produce offspring similar to themselves.
2. Branches of Biology
Morphology: The study of form and structure of living organisms.
Example: Studying the shape of a leaf or the structure of the human heart.
Anatomy: The study of internal gross structure.
Example: Dissecting a frog to study its internal organs.
Histology: The microscopic study of tissues.
Example: Examining muscle tissue under a microscope.
Cell Biology: The study of the structure and function of cells and their organelles.
Example: Studying mitochondria or the nucleus.
Physiology: The study of the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.
Example: Understanding how the human digestive system breaks down food.
Ecology (Environmental Biology): The study of interactions between organisms and their
environment.
Example: Studying the food web in a forest ecosystem.
Embryology: The study of the development of an embryo to a fully formed organism.
Example: Observing the stages of chick development inside an egg.
Paleontology: The study of fossils, which are the remains of extinct organisms.
Example: Studying dinosaur bones to understand their anatomy.
