1. Understand biology as a science of life, its importance and how biologists work
2. Appreciate body symmetry and orientation of objects/organisms
3. be able to manipulate the light microscope
4. Acquire skills of preparing wet-mounts and observing them under the microscope

BIOLOGY AS A SCIENCE OF LIFE

Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of living organisms. The term biology is coined from the Greek words for life (bios) and study (logia). Life science is very often used as an alternative name for biology.

BRANCHES OF BIOLOGY

Traditionally, biology is divided into zoology and botany . Zoology is the study of animals and Botany is the study of plants. The main branches of biology include:

1. Anatomy --- the study of form and function, in plants, animals, and other organ- isms, or specifically in humans.


2. Bioinformatics --- the use of information technology for the study, collection, and storage of genomic and other biological data.


3. Biotechnology --- is the industrial and commercial applications of biology (partic ularly of microorganisms, enzymology, and genetic engineering) to produce indus- trial products or to achieve a particular purpose.


4. Ecology --- the study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and with the non-living elements of their environment.


5. Embryology --- the study of the development of embryo.


6. Entomology --- the study of insects.


7. Environmental biology --- the study of the natural world, as a whole or in a par ticular area, especially as affected by human activity.


8. Epidemiology --- a major component of public health research, studying factors affecting the health of populations.


9. Evolutionary biology --- the study of the origin and descent of species over time.


10. Genetics --- the study of genes and heredity.


11. Ichthyology --- the study of fish.


12. Limnology --- the study of inland waters.


13. Microbiology --- the study of microscopic organisms (microorganisms) and thein interactions with other living things.


14. Mycology --- the study of fungi.


15. Neurobiology --- the study of the nervous system, including anatomy, physiology and pathology.


16. Ornithology --- the study of birds.


17. Paleontology --- the study of fossils and sometimes geographic evidence of pre historic life.


18. Pathology --- the study of diseases, and the causes, processes, nature, and development of disease.


19. Parasitology --- the study of parasites and parasitism.


20. Virology --- the study of viruses.


21. Taxonomy --- is the science which deals with the study of identifying, grouping. and naming organisms according to their established natural relationship.