24 Introductory Biology 



actually and logically warrant. It is important to review the entire 

 problem step by step to check whether errors have been made, or if a 

 new procedure has presented itself whereby more accurate data may 

 be acquired. 



Possibly, one might say all this is merely a "common sense" method, 

 that it is merely a simple blueprint for mental reasoning. Be that as it 

 may, if the method is properly and carefully used on many types of 

 problems, it cannot help but result in more reliable conclusions and 

 results. If the scientific method is not followed, what better one can 

 be? The fault is not in the scientific method itself but in its improper 

 use, or possibly in not using it at all. The method becomes more useful 

 and usable the more it is used. 



IV. THE SCIENCE OF BIOLOGY AND ITS SUBDIVISIONS 



Biology, which is the "science of living things," is divided into (1) 

 zoology, which deals with the biology of animals, and (2) botany, which 

 deals with the biology of plants. Botany and zoology have grown so 

 extensively that such subdivisions as the following are really sciences 

 in themselves. 



Anatomy* (a-nat'omi) (Gr. anatetnno, cut up) — A study of gross structures, 



especially by dissection. 

 Histology (his -tol' o ji) (Gr. histos, tissue; logos, study)^ — A microscopic study of 



tissues. 

 Cytology (si -tol' o ji) (Gr. kytos, cell; logos, study) — A detailed study of cells and 



their protoplasm. 

 Taxonomy (taks -on' o mi) (Gr. taxis, arrangement; nomos, law) — The science of 



systematic classification of organisms. 

 Embryology (em bri -ol' o ji) (Gr. embryon, embryo; logos, study) — A scientific 



study of the formation and development of an embryo. 

 Physiology (fizi-ol'oji) (Gr. phusis, function; logos, study) — A study of the 



functioning or working of an organism or its parts. 

 Heredity or Genetics (he-red'iti) (L. heres, heir); (je-net'iks) (Gr. genesis, 



origin) — A scientific study of the inheritance or transmission of char- 

 acteristics from members of one generation to those of another. 

 Evolution (ev o -lu' shun) (L. e, out; volvere, roll or develop) — A scientific study 



of developmental changes undergone by organisms whereby they change 



from time to time. 

 Ecology (e-kol'o ji) (Gr. oikos, house or home; logos, study) — A scientific study 



of the interrelations of living organisms and their living and nonliving 



environments. 



^Pronunciations and derivations are based on Webster's New International Dictionary; Hender- 

 son's Dictionary of Scientific Terms; or Dorland's American Illustrated Medical Dictionary. Only 

 the major emphasis is shown by the symbol '. 



