Biology is the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Living things are categorized into three domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. The term “biology” is derived from the Greek words βίος (bios), meaning “life” or “living”; -λογία (-logia), meaning “study of”; and λόγος (logos), meaning “knowledge”.
The science of biology has its roots in the ancient world. The earliest biologists were natural philosophers such as Aristotle and Hippocrates. Aristotle was one of the first people to develop a systematic approach to studying plant and animal life. He established principles of classification that are still used today. In the 18th century, Carl Linnaeus codified these principles in his Systema Naturae, which laid the foundation for modern taxonomy (the science of classifying living things).
During the 19th century, biology began to rapidly evolve as a result of advances in our understanding of chemistry and physics. New microscopes and other instruments allowed scientists to delve into previously unseen levels of detail in plant and animal tissues. This led to major discoveries about cell structure and function, as well as new insights into embryology (the study of how animals develop from eggs). In 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection – a work that would have a profound impact on our understanding not only of biology but also geology and anthropology. Darwin’s theory proposed that all species descended from a common ancestor through a process of natural selection – i.e., those individuals best suited to their environment would be more likely to survive and reproduce than others less well-adapted individuals. This concept revolutionized our thinking about life on Earth and continues to be an important part in modern evolutionary biology research.
As we entered the 20th century, biologists were beginning to unravel many mysteries surrounding infectious diseases such as choleraand tuberculosis. Thanks to Louis Pasteurand Robert Koch – among others – we now understood that these diseases were caused by microorganisms too small for us to see with the naked eye (known as microbes). We also learned how these microbes could be transmitted from one individual to another – information that would prove invaluable in developing vaccines against some deadly diseases such as polioand smallpox . In 1953 James Watsonand Francis Crick discovered DNA – the molecule that contains genetic instructions for building proteins – ushering in a new era known as molecular genetics . Scientists have since used this knowledge to modify genes within cells themselves , giving rise to powerful technologies such as gene therapy . Today there are few areas within biology that have not been touched in some way by molecular techniques . Advances in computing power have also played an important role in biological research , allowing us model complex systems simulate experiments , store vast amounts data , mine genomic databases , etcetera . Clearly then 21st century biology promises continued excitement exploration !