The science and study of life and of plant, animal, and other types of organisms.

The science of life and living organisms, biology studies the form, structure, function, growth and development, behavior and interaction of all living things. Biologists study the characteristics of life forms, such as their cellular organization and development, how they respond to stimulation, the chemical processes of their growth and production of energy (metabolism) and how they reproduce. But the underlying question all biologists try to answer is, What is life?
Life is divided into levels of organization that help biologists see the big picture within the study of each organism. The organization goes from the tiniest part of the life form that can be studied, to the largest:

Molecules, the smallest portion of compounded atoms or elements that carries the form's characteristics; Cells, the smallest unit of living tissue that can function as an independent entity (form of life); Tissues, which are made up ofcells and other matter, are what animal and plant organ are made of; Organs, a structure of a plant or animal which performs a specific and essential function; Organ_systems, a group of organs that work together to perform a function, such as the digestive system; Organisms, a living thing and/or its structure - a human being is a complex organism, so is a dog, a cat and a tree; Populations, the organisms living in a certain group or area, such as a city, a forest or a test tube. The basic disciplines of biology study life at one or more of these levels.

biology
biology, study of living things and their vital processes. The field deals with all the physicochemical aspects of life. As a result of the modern tendency to unify scientific knowledge and investigation, however, there has been an overlapping of the field of biology with other scientific disciplines. Modern principles of other scienceschemistry and physics, for exampleare integrated with those of biology in such areas as biochemistry and biophysics. Because biology is such a broad subject, it is subdivided into separate branches for convenience of study. Despite apparent differences, all the subdivisions are interrelated by basic principles. Thus, though it was ... (100 of 15338 words)

Biology is the scientific study of living beings-plants and animals. Biology is divided into two main branches-Botany and Zoology. BotanyBotany is the study of plants such as stem, root, fruits etc. Zoology-

Zoology is the study of animals such as bacteria, mammals etc CellsCells are the smallest structural and functional units of living organisms (life). Cells were discovered in 1665 by Robert Hooke another scientist in 1833 Robert Brown discovered and named the nucleus in a cell. Structure of cell A cell has following structures: 1. Plasma membrane and cell wallEvery kind of cell is bounded by a thin membrane called plasma membrane. The plant cell has an additional protection outside the plasma membrane called the cell wall. 2. CytoplasmCytoplasm is a viscous, homogeneous and colloidal liquid that contains water, oxygen, metallic salts, amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. It is a seat of cellular metabolism. 3. NucleusThe nucleus is a major centrally located cellular component. It has two types of nuclear structuresthe nucleolus and chromatin. Nucleolus is rich in protein and RNA (ribonucleic acid). The Chromatin is a thin, thread-like chromosome material and composed of the genetic substance DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). 4. ChromosomesThe chromatin is condensed into two or more thick-ribbon like structure which is called chromosome. It contains many segments called genes. 5. MitochondriaMitochondria consists of enzymes necessary for the total oxidation of food and for release of high amount of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules. Mitochondria is known as 'Power house of the cell'. 6. PlastidsPlastids occur only in plant cells which are of two types-Leucoplasts and Chromo lasts. 7. Golgi apparatusIt functions in the processing and packaging of cell secretions : proteins and lipids.

8. LipidA type of fatty organic compound. 9. ChloroplastsThe chloroplasts have the green pigments called chlorophyll and they are involved in the photosynthesis of food. So chloroplasts are the "Kitchens of the cells". 10. LysosomesLysosome contains a variety of digestive enzymes. These enzymes are released when the lysosome's membrane bursts. It acts as suicide bags in causing cell death.

What is Biology?
How can there be seedless grapes, and how do they reproduce? Why is carbon monoxide extremely poisonous? Why can't you tickle yourself? What causes the smell after rain? How do vitamins work? What's all this fuss about stem cells? What makes us yawn? Why are frogs growing extra legs out of their legs? Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Biology is the study of living things and their vital processes. Because biology covers such a broad area, it has been traditional to separate the study of plants (botany) from that of animals (zoology), and the study of structure of organisms (morphology) from that of function (physiology). Despite their apparent differences, all the subdivisions are interrelated by basic principles, so current practice tends to investigate those biological phenomena that all living things have in common. The advancement of knowledge and technology has resulted in further categorizations that include, but are far from restricted to: cell biology, population biology, ecology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, and physical anthropology. The number of different animal and plant species on earth is estimated at between 2 million and 4.5 million. We are presently killing off species through human action at a faster rate than at any other time, but we are also discovering new oceanic species at an increasing rate. It is not known when the study of biology originated, but it can be safely assumed that early humanoids had some experimental knowledge of the animals and plants around them. One's very survival relied on the recognition of poisonous plants and on the basic understanding of the habits of predators. Many of the earliest records of biology come from the bas-reliefs left behind by the Assyrians and Babylonians. Papyrus and artifacts found in tombs and pyramids indicate that the Egyptians possessed considerable, albeit archaic by today's standards, medical knowledge. There is growing evidence from China and India as early as 2500 BC that there were general practices of therapeutic healing, silkworm use to produce silk, biological control of crops ,and agricultural cultivation. With the arrival of Greek civilization, the study of biology shifted dramatically to a belief that every event has a cause and that a particular cause produces a particular effect. These philosophers of science assumed the existence of a natural law governing the universe; a law that can be comprehended by man through his use of observation and deduction. Although they established thescience of biology, their greatest contribution to science was the idea of rational thought. Skipping forward through the rapid evolution of biological advancements to today, recent discoveries concerning hereditary mechanisms and genetic engineering have raised ethical issues beyond our previous imagination, and have potential ramifications that could affect the very existence of life itself. It will be interesting to see what is to come in the future!

With over 7 billion humans on Earth today, and growing explosively. We are rapidly stretching the limits of our planet to sustain life as we know it. Global warming, depleted food sources, desertification, weather pattern changes, shrinking ozone layers, and rising ocean levels are warning signs of these stresses. This is where you can get involved! Whether you enter the doors of biological science or sit on the outside, become informed of the advancements in biology. Make educated choices to support or be critics. Become informed! Biology Courses are currently offered at Kwantlen on the Surrey, Langley and Richmond Campuses. Check out these offerings in the Calendar. If you need science or Q credits for your non-science degree, have a look at our Biology Today (BIOL 1112) course. It's interesting and it will inform you on the most recent contemporary biological topics in the news