We are living in the “Science era”. The word Science has been derived from the tin word Scire” which means “to know”. The adjective “Scientia” means “Knowledge”. Science is systematic knowledge based on experimental observations for an inquiry or investigation
So, before we are going to zoology first you have to know that, what is biology?
The term “Biology'” was coined independently by Jean Lamarck and Treviranus in 1802 It is derived from two Greek word: “Bios” means “life” and “Logos means “discourse”. Biology deals with the study of different as pets of living organisms, to understand the life processes like energy metabolism, growth, reproduction etc. It deals with the study of both plants and animals. Though a number of similarities are found between the two, yet they differ widely from each other. Therefore, they are placed in separate branches.
what is zoology?
Zoology is the science of animal life which deals with understanding the vast and varied animal world. During last two decades there has been an explosive growth in the knowledge about animals and microorganisms. The knowledge about animals is now, not only restricted to their structure and function, but also extended to their molecular basis, biochemical behavior, environmental impact and their interrelationship. The more we explore into this thrilling field of study, the more we realize that how less we know. The most recent knowledge in this field is the ‘deciphering of human genome. The genetic make-up, or in other Words, the nitrogenous base sequence in our DNA makes each one of us unique.
In comparison to the vastness of the universe our planet earth is too small. Yet, it is the only planet in the solar system where life has flourished. The part of earth where life exists is called BIOSPHERE. It is the zone of life and home of all living organisms. It includes the earth’s vegetation, animals and human beings.
Man is the supreme animal among all the living organisms evolved. The man must have looked around for food and shelter on the day of his arrival on this earth. He had used the living materials for food and non-living materials for his shelter. His needs had arisen the curiosity about living and non-living matters all around him. For better hunting purposes and to defend himself from predators, man studied the habit, habitat and behaviour of animals. The human, then, selected the useful animals and plants for his own benefit like food, medicine, tools and shelter etc. The useful animals and plants have established an intimate relationship with man. This relationship has led to domestication of animals and cultivation of plants and said the foundation of “Biology”
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ZOOLOGY
The history of “Biology” began, when Ampedocles 92-425 B.C.) put forwarded some evolutionary ideas on Science for which he was recognised as the “Father of Evolutionary Ideas”. But a brief account of some edibleeanmas were mentioned by an ancient Greek Physician of sth Century B.C. It is believed to be the first document on “Zoology
Hippocrates (460-370 B.C.) for the first time noted down about some human diseases and is called as
“Father of Medicine Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) the great philosopher and the renouned student of Plato, has undertaken first scientific studies in biology and is krcwn as father of biology. He has also described about 500 animal types in his book. “Historia Animalium published in nine Volumes and is called as “The Father of Zoology”. Theophrastus (370-287 B.C.) is known as father of Botany. Then Pliny (23-79 A.D.) wrote a book-“Natural History”. Galen (130-200A.D.) first studied the physiology of internal organs and is recognised as “The Father of Experimental Physiology”. After Galen, there was no advancement in the field of Science and is considered as “Dark age of Science”. In 1200-1280 A.D., Albertus Magnus wrote abook-“On Animals”‘, reviving the animal science. With the discovery of microscope in 16th. Century the “Golden age of Science” began with large number of discoveries.
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