Biology is the study of life, and of everything living (and non-living) around us. The word “biology” literally means the study of life. The Greek root word “bio” means life, and the root word “logy” means to study. Biology is the most interesting and far-reaching science that we know. It is a subject that has shaped our understanding of the world around us, as well as ourselves. With biology, we can understand the surrounding environment, the earth and plants that give us life, and the animals great and small that share the planet with us. While showing why biology is cool, we will discuss the importance of biology, as any time you have wondered why your breath fogs the glass, or why you dreamed, you were pondering about biological sciences whether you knew it or not!
So why is biology important?
There is a huge importance to why we learn biology in school and why it is the best science. The role of biology has helped humankind, the environment, animals, and plants more than any other science. There are many branches of biology covering the studies of the natural world including living creatures that have roamed this earth, including cavemen, extinct animals, human beings, dinosaurs, and even the potential of extra-terrestrial life (in the field of astrobiology). We will explore a few of the most interesting fields of biological science when explaining why biology is the best science.
Okay – so what does biology study?
The study of life has helped humankind shape the world we live in today, however, the most important field of biology is the human body. We are all scientifically known as Homo sapiens. We are the only extant human species on the planet. The name “Homo sapiens” is Latin for wise man. The extinct species of our kind, the genus Homo, include the Homo erectus, who roamed the earth until 100,000 years ago. The name “Homo erectus” is Latin for upright man. The oldest fossil evidence of early Homo sapiens was found in Africa around 300,000 years ago, which is when it was believed the genetic splits occurred from Homo erectus, to Homo sapiens. Both the Homo erectus and the Homo sapiens have characteristics stemming from apes but were far more developed in body, having the ability to stand on two feet. While the Homo erectus may be considered cavemen, they still had the ability to work as a society, communicate and reason. Homo sapiens have the most complex bodily systems, and we are still making consistent discoveries about the way the human body works.
Ever wanted to know more about yourself? Biology has the answers.
By studying biology, you learn the reasons why certain changes happen to the body as it ages. You learn why we do not all look the same, with different eye colours, hair colours, skin colours and heights. We learn why we do not all think the same, and how we interpret things differently. We learn the reasons behind the changes that happen to growing bodies, and we can even scientifically understand some of what happens inside our brains, delving into the science of feelings, dreams, the way we learn, our memory, and what shapes our thoughts. Through learning about the body, and how it works, we have learned how to fix it, when we break bones, get sick, or suffer from physical or mental disabilities. The importance of biology has given way to breakthroughs in science which has caused life expectancy on earth to more than double and also has paved the way for medicine and pathology. This considers cell biology, and what gives us life and what treatments are available to us to keep us living as long as possible, as healthy and happy as possible.
Our future relies upon understanding plant and animal biology
Human beings are not the only living things that biology is concerned with. It also can offer solutions to many environmental issues that affect our planet today, and our very survival. It tells us about plants and animals, how they live, how they interact with each other and humankind, what they are made of, and how they contribute to the circle of life. Understanding more about animals is what has led to the branch of veterinary science, and how we can keep our beloved pets alive and healthy. Understanding more about nature is the knowledge of what plants we can eat, and which ones will make us sick. It also allows us to know how nature flourishes, and what we can do as humans to be more environmentally friendly in our lives, as we must consider greener methods of doing things, or our beloved earth will run out of life-giving resources.
Biology is the best and most important science
Biology is an area of study that often predates other scientific branches. In fact, biology is so important, that most fields of scientific study depend on the field of biology making a discovery first, so they can become a branch of science! Biology does not stop looking for solutions to improve the health of human beings, our planet, all animals and plants that live on the planet. And while we have come a long way in our discoveries, there is still so much more to learn, and the field of biology will be at the forefront of the discoveries.