Biology (from the Latin ‘bios’ meaning life and ‘logia’ meaning study of) is the study of all organisms and all aspects of their life-cycles.
Biology
Biology (from the Latin ‘bios’ meaning life and ‘logia’ meaning study of) is the study of all organisms and all aspects of their life-cycles. The subject of Biology, as we know it today, was born in the nineteenth century along with physics, chemistry and the scientific method. Before then ‘Natural Philosophy’ which was the study of nature and the physical universe, included biology, chemistry and physics.
Natural Philosophy The study of our natural world is known to date back to the time of Mesopotamia around 3,100 BC but as this was the beginning of written historic record the study probably existed long before this time. Modern Biology The first great development of modern biology came from Charles Darwin, who is often referred to as the father of modern biology. Although known for his work ‘On the Origin of Species’ (published in 1859), Darwin produced nineteen additional publications, wrote hundreds of scientific papers and fourteen thousand letters, all of which laid the foundations for Biology as a subject we recognise today. Although he did not invent the theory of evolution, he certainly made the idea more accessible to the world. His theory was evolution by natural selection; where by an organism with a mutation may be better adapted to certain environmental changes and therefore improve their chance of survival. This means the organism with the useful mutation is more likely to survive, reproduce and hopefully pass on the useful mutation. Overtime species are able to adapt to the world around them and this process gave the Galapagos Islands (and the world) the rich diversity of its inhabitants. Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA was first discovered in 1869 but its role was not known at the time. It was in 1943 that it was discovered that it is DNA that is responsible for programming the genetic makeup of organisms and passing on the mutations Darwin had discovered. This new understanding of how amino acids are programmed on a cellular level to make up various parts of the organism was a huge leap forward but new profound discoveries are being made everyday in the field of biology.
Discovering the Fascinating World of Microbiotheria: The Enigmatic Monito Del Monte
The Monito Del Monte, also known as the “little monkey of the mountain,” is a small marsupial that is native to the temperate rainforests of South America. It is the only surviving member of the order Microbiotheria, making it a truly unique and mysterious...
The Wonders of Monotremata: Exploring the Fascinating World of Platypus and Echidnas
Monotremata, also known as monotremes, is a unique order of mammals that includes the platypus and echidnas. They are characterized by their egg-laying reproduction, which sets them apart from other mammals. Monotremes are considered to be one of the most primitive...
Exploring the Fascinating World of Macroscelidea: Meet the Adorable Elephant Shrews!
Elephant shrews, also known as sengis, are small mammals that belong to the order Macroscelidea. Despite their name, they are not shrews and are not closely related to elephants. Elephant shrews are found in Africa and are known for their unique characteristics and...
Lagomorha: The Fascinating World of British Rabbits, Hares, and Pikas
Lagomorpha is an order of mammals that includes rabbits, hares, and pikas. These small to medium-sized herbivores are found all over the world, including in the United Kingdom. In Britain, lagomorphs play an important role in the ecosystem and have cultural...
The Secret Insectivores: Discovering the Fascinating World of British Shrews, Moles, and Hedgehogs
Insectivores are a group of small mammals that play a vital role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations and contributing to soil health. In Britain, there are three main types of insectivores: shrews, moles, and hedgehogs. Despite their importance, these...
The Fascinating World of Hyracoidea: Exploring the Quirky Habits and Traits of Hyraxes
Hyracoidea, commonly known as hyraxes, are a group of small, herbivorous mammals that belong to the order Hyracoidea. They are native to Africa and the Middle East and are known for their unique physical characteristics and social behavior. Hyraxes have a long...
The Fascinating World of Diprotodontia: Exploring the Unique Traits of Wombats, Kangaroos, Wallabies, and Koalas
Diprotodontia is an order of marsupials that includes some of Australia’s most iconic and unique animals. Marsupials are a distinct group of mammals that give birth to relatively undeveloped young, which then continue to develop and nurse in a pouch. This is in...
Fascinating Fauna: The Wondrous World of British Dermoptera and Didelphimorphia
Dermoptera and Didelphimorphia are two unique and interesting groups of animals found in the United Kingdom. Dermoptera, commonly known as colugos or flying lemurs, are arboreal mammals that are native to Southeast Asia. Despite their name, colugos are not actually...
Discovering the Fascinating World of Dasyuromorphia: Meet the Quolls, Dunnarts, Numbats and Tasmanian Devils
Dasyuromorphia is an order of carnivorous marsupials native to Australia. These unique creatures are known for their sharp teeth, powerful jaws, and predatory nature. They are a diverse group, with several different species belonging to this order. Dasyuromorphia...
The Fascinating World of Chiroptera: Delving into the Lives of British Bats
British bats are a diverse and fascinating group of mammals that play an important role in the ecosystem. There are 18 species of bats that can be found in the United Kingdom, making it one of the most bat-rich countries in Europe. These nocturnal creatures are known...
Cetacea: The Majestic Marine Mammals of the British Isles
Cetacea is a scientific term used to describe a group of marine mammals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. These fascinating creatures are known for their adaptability to life in the ocean and their unique characteristics such as their blowholes and...
Carnivora Chronicles: A British Guide to Canine, Feline, Bears, Racoons, Sea Lions and Seals
Carnivora Chronicles is a blog dedicated to exploring the fascinating world of carnivores. In this article, we will be focusing specifically on the carnivores found in Britain. While Britain may not be known for its diverse range of carnivorous species, it is home to...