History of Zoology

Zoology is the science of studying about the animals. The animal kingdom has fascinated
mankind for centuries together. People try and understand the evolution of life, extinction and
emergence of species to understand different biological cycles.

Zoology is recorded to have originated from China and Arabia when Al-Jahizz, a famous
Afro-Arab scholar wrote a book on animals. Other popular people who have published their
observations in the same field are Shen Kuo and Su Song.
Reports state that scientific zoology began during the 16th century where the spirit of
exploration, observation and research took shape. However, it was considered a separate field of
study independent of physiology, anatomy and other medical research fields. Initially, this field
started manifesting in the universities in Italy before it moved to the Oxford University 50 years
later!
In the year 1651, the popular institution in Europe named Academia Naturae Curiosorum
started analyzing, illustrating and describing the structure of animals as well as plants. It was the
incorporated by the Royal Society of London after about 11 years. Louis XIV established the
Academy of Sciences in Paris. Anatomists and scientists set to work seriously in this field during
the end of the eighteenth century.

Branches of Zoology
"Zoology can be divided into many branches and disciplines. The basic branches
are:Acarology: the study of ticks and mites. (A branch of arachnology.)Arachnology: the study
of arachnids.Cetology: the study of whales, dolphins and porpoise.Entomology: the study of
insects.Herpetology: the study of reptiles and amphibians.Ichthyology: the study of
fishes.Mammalogy: the study of mammals.Ornithology:
the study of birds.Paleozoology: the study of fossilized animals.Parasitology: the study of
parasite, their hosts and how they relate to one another.There are also many other sub fields of
biology that include zoology as well as other scientific disciplines such as:Ethology: the study of
animal behavior.Neuroethology: the study of animal behavior in their natural
habitat.Comparative anatomy: the study of bodily structures and functions.Evolutionary biology:
the study of the origin of species, their change and diversity over time."





Characteristics of Life
Theme #1 - Cells

Theme#2 - Organization

Theme#3 - Energy Use

Theme#4 - Homeostasis

Theme#5 - Growth

Theme#6 - Reproduction


Scientific Method- is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or
correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
[1]
To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be
based on empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning
1. State the Problem: Find out what your problem is.
- Define the problem clearly as possible
2. Gather Information: Gather data about the problem.
- make good observations using the 5 senses:
3. Form a Hypothesis: Form a logical idea of the answer to your problem.
- Hypothesis: A prediction that can be tested.
4. Test The Hypothesis: Use an experiment to test your logical answer to the problem.
- Use controlled conditions to test your hypothesis
A. Controlled experiment: Everything in an experiment that is the same except for the
variable.
~ Variable: Something in an experiment that you change, only one per experiment.
~ Constant: Factors in an experiment that stay the same.
5. Analyze Data: Go over all the data you have/ go over conclusions.
- Keep a journal of your records.
6. Draw a Conclusion: Based on data and observations, conclude the answer to your
hypothesis.
- should be logical answers to the question based on data and observations.
7. Share results: report journal to classmates, or publish a journal of findings.
1.Plant cells are larger than animal cells.
2.Plant cells have chloroplasts unlike animal cells
3.Plant cells have a cell wall unlike animal cells.
4.Animal cells have a lot of lysosomes unlike plant cells.
5.Animal cells have a centrosome unlike plant cells
6.Plant cells have plasticids unlike animal cells
7.Vacuoles are conspicuous in plant cells than animal cells i.e. large central vacuole in plant cells
8. Animal cells can be phagocytic (engulf other cells) unlike plant cells
9.Cells of Higher plants lack centrioles unlike animal cells.
10.Plant cells have plasmodesmata which links pores in the cell wall allow and communication
between adjacent

LEVEL 1 - Cells
Are the basic unit of structure and function in living things.
May serve a specific function within the organism
Examples- blood cells, nerve cells, bone cells, etc.
LEVEL 2 - Tissues
Made up of cells that are similar in structure and function and which work together to
perform a specific activity
Examples - blood, nervous, bone, etc. Humans have 4 basic tissues: connective,
epithelial, muscle, and nerve.
LEVEL 3 - Organs
Made up of tissues that work together to perform a specific activity
Examples - heart, brain, skin, etc.
LEVEL4 - Organ Systems
Groups of two or more tissues that work together to perform a specific function for the
organism.
Examples - circulatory system, nervous system, skeletal system, etc.
The Human body has 11 organ systems - circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory
(urinary), immune(lymphatic), integumentary, muscular, nervous, reproductive,
respiratory, and skeletal.
LEVEL 5 - Organisms
Entire living things that can carry out all basic life processes. Meaning they can take in
materials, release energy from food, release wastes, grow, respond to the environment,
and reproduce.
Usually made up of organ systems, but an organism may be made up of only one cell
such as bacteria or protist.
Examples - bacteria, amoeba, mushroom, sunflower, human