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Natural science

Science - this term has been derived from a Greek verb scire, meaning to know and a Latin noun scientia, meaning knowledge. It is an orderly and systematized body of knowledge based on observations, reasoning and experimental verification. The scientific knowledge is gathered by observations, inquiry and investigations. The main thing that distinguishes science from humanities such as art and culture is the use of the experiments to answer the questions.

The scientific reasoning and the experiments are often simple not mysterious at all. They are merely logical ways of trying to answer the problem as are used by business people, historians and each of us in everyday life. There is no need of any scientific training or knowledge to decide whether conclusions are justified from the data presented or not. We can request further tests of a theory that not appear to be well supported by evidence, and we can agree or disagree with the predictions from a theory.

The term science when used without any descriptive adjective refers to natural science. It deals with natural phenomena. It is different from social science such as sociology which deals with human relations or an abstract science such mathematics which deals with abstract relations.

Natural science is taken into a position of great importance in modern society. Scientific inventions and discoveries are inseparable from human life and welfare. Their applications in day to day problem provide solutions for them. Many decisions affecting our future depend on appropriate interpretation of scientific discoveries.

The government of a country requires that every one participate in decisions on such subjects as population control, pollution standards, protection of wildlife and immunization. The body of scientific knowledge is already so vast that everyone can not understand it all. However, as a responsible citizen, we can follow some studies that bear on public issues. By doing so, we can apply scientific reasoning to decide our own positions on these issues.

However, the natural sciences can be categorized into physical sciences and biological sciences. The physical sciences primarily deal with non-living matter and include subjects like Physics, Chemistry, geology, astronomy etc. The biological sciences include the living organisms, their interactions and relationship with the non – living things. It includes the subjects like Botany, Zoology and microbiology etc.









Scientific Method


The knowledge imparted by any science includes facts, laws and principles of the nature. The knowledge about these is acquired by a typical procedure which is sometimes called scientific method or method of science. This method is used to know about an unknown object or an unknown happening (event or phenomenon) in any science. Sequence of steps of this procedure are broadly classified as

• Observation
• Hypothesis
• Experimentation
• Conclusion
• Sometimes retesting


The scientific method begins with a set of observations with respect to an unknown object or an unknown happening (event or phenomenon) the set of observations activate observer’s (scientist’s or researcher’s ) mind and he wants to know about the unknown object or unknown happening. His natural reaction is to ask questions about it. Then considering his own thought, colleagues’ suggestion and information of the literature, he recognizes a problem to investigate on his observations.

With these information, the scientist or researcher puts forth a hypothesis. Hypothesis is an explanation of what he expects in the underlying original observation or a set or observations. The hypothesis is a tentative explanation or observations or event. It is confirmed through the experiment or refused.

The hypothesis is tested through experiment. It is called experimentation. The experiment is carried out in a specified fashion. The scientist attempts to hold all conditions constant except the one he is manipulating so that any result he observes should be exclusive function of the changed conditions. The result is compared with that of a control, an experiment that depicted all natural conditions.

From the data of experiment, a conclusion is arrived at. If the conclusion is contrary to the hypothesis the hypothesis is refuted, otherwise the conclusion establishes a fact law or principle about the unknown object or happening.


Physics, major science, dealing with the fundamental constituents of the universe, the forces they exert on one another, and the results produced by these forces. Sometimes in modern physics a more sophisticated approach is taken that incorporates elements of the three areas listed above; it relates to the laws of symmetry and conservation, such as those pertaining to energy, momentum, charge, and parity. See Atom; Energy.
Scopes of Natural Science
Divisible into pure science and applied science
Study , understanding of different laws, facts and principles of natural sciences is pure science
Application of the knowledge of pure science for the welfare of human beings is applied science
Scopes of physics
Simple machines
Lever pulley trolley wheel and axel screw wedge, water lifting pump
Computer which work like human brain
Light – microscope, telescope,
Heat – cook food
Sound - audio systems,
Electricity- machines, motors, television, fridge
Magnet – motors, sound systems, therapy
Scopes of chemistry – food, water, metals (ornaments), electric bulbs, metals used in machines, organic and inorganic substances, medicines, fertilizers, pesticides,
Scopes of biology

Nature of Biology

The word Biology comes from Greek words, Bios = life, logos= study, knowledge or discourse. It is the branch of Natural Science which deals with various aspects of living beings (animals and plants). Biology tries(seeks) to understand how animals and plants perform their life activities , how they interact with each other and with non living things. So, it is most appropriately called as the life science.

Though the definition of Biology is very simple, it is equally complex and extensive as it deals with various aspects of enormous number of living organisms spread in time and space.

This branch of science deals with structural organization of living organisms, functions of their body parts, habitat, relationship and interaction among themselves and surrounding. How they pass their specific characters to the next generation ? How do they evolve from simple or primitive to more advanced forms ?

Biology must have born very early in the remote past out of simple curiosity of man about himself and the living world around him. The study have begun in search of different articles of human use from living world so as to lead comfortable life. The science of living organism is as old as the history of man himself. However the first conceivable evidence of the study of living organisms comes from the work of great Greek philosopher Aristotle ( 384 – 322 BC) . He arranged all living organism in a hierarchy placing the simplest organism at the bottom and man at the top. Due to this creditable work, Aristotle is known as the Father of Biology. He is also known as the Father of Zoology and Founder of Embryology.

The term Biology was first used by French Naturalist Lamarck and Treviranus in 1801.

Scope of Biology

Biology is very much important branch of Natural Science. From the very ancient time, man has been benefited from the various parts of animals and plants found around him. The animals and plants are found to be helping man in various ways in making his life much easier.

• Understand human life -- We are curious to know about our own health. Why we eat? How we grow? How we see and hear? What is the importance of balanced diet? The knowledge of Biology can help us to get the right answer of all such questions and others like these.

• Understand natural phenomena -- Natural phenomena like flowering of plants, breeding mechanisms and seasons of animals, social behavior of some insects , dispersal mechanism of seed etc can better understood by the study of Biology.



• Understand mechanism of

Heredity - the transmission of characters from generations to generations.
Evolution - Development of higher organisms from simple ones
Adaptation – Adjustment of organisms.
Scientific theory- various experiment are carried out on crops, animals like mice, guinea pig and their application on man.

• Fulfill the basic need – Skillful biological techniques can be used to fulfill the need of food, shelter, clothes and drugs by improving farming practices.

• Control population -- The knowledge of reproductive physiology of man and other harmful animals and plants can be used in controlling their population.

• Control epidemics -- The epidemics like Malaria, Encephalitis, Sleeping sickness due to insects as vectors can be controlled by knowledge of feeding mode, life cycle, breeding habit etc.

• Conservation of wild life -- if we know the habitat, feeding habit, breeding season etc, we can easily conserve these rare type of wild life.

• Careers in Biology
A. Pure Science - Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, Genetics Entomology etc.
B. Medical Science - Homeopathy, Allopathy including Dental, Nutrition. Etc
C. Applied Science – Apiculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Diary technology, sericulture, soil science, Food technology, Animal husbandry etc


Branches of Biology

Biology is vast subject. We can not study Biology as a whole in our life. Our life is very short. To make the study of Biology much easier, it has been divided into various branches or fields or disciplines. We can study the branches of our interests.

The branches of Biology on the basis of the structure and function:

• Morphology -- the study of external features of organisms
• Anatomy -- the study of internal structure of organisms as seen by naked eye.
• Cytology – the study of structure and functions of cell and cell inclusions.
• Histology -- the study of structure and functions of cells that make up the internal organs of organisms.
• Physiology -- the study of the functioning of organs of organism.



The branches of Biology on the basis of the specific unit or field:

• Toxicology – the study of the toxic substances and their effects
• Embryology -- the study of the development of organism
• Evolution -- the study of origin of life and development into modern plants and animals.
• Microbiology -- the study of micro organisms or microbs.
• Parasitology – the study of parasites and their effects.
• Ecology – the study of relationship between living organism and environment.
• Paleontology – the study of animal or plant fossil

The branches of Biology on the basis of the specific group of organisms:

• Entomology – the study of insects.
• Protozoology -- the study of unicellular organisms
• Parazoology – the study of sponges.
• Cnidology – the study of Coelenterates like Hydra etc
• Bacteriology – the study of Bacteria.
• Virology – the study of Virus
• Ornithology – the study of Birds

The branches of Biology related to the medical science:

• Cardiology – the study of structure and function of heart
• Nephrology -- the study of structure and function of kidney
• Oesteology – the study of bones
• Endocrinology – the study of endocrine glands and hormones.
• Neurology – the study of functioning of brain
• Hematology – the study of blood.
• Enzymology—the study of enzymes



Relation of Biology with other branches of Science

Biology has relationship with other branches of science. We can not study biology without the help of other sciences. We need the knowledge of other sciences to understand biology.
Relation of Biology with Chemistry
• In side the cells as well as body of animals and plants there are inorganic substances and organic compounds.
• Enzymes, hormones , vitamins and minerals are all chemicals. They take part in different vital activities.
• The acid base balance maintains pH. It is required to carry out biological reactions in the body.
• Chemical processes like diffusion, osmosis, plasmolysis, solubility play important role in biological system. These chemical processes help in absorption, excretion, filtration , ascent of sap, transpiration in animals and plants,
• The electrolytes like Na + and K+ play role in conduction of nerve impulse in brain.
• The subject Biochemistry shows the relation of Biology and Chemistry.

Relation with Physics
• The bones and cartilages of body of animals provide the mechanical strength. They act as efficient levers with joints and muscle.
• The lens of eye is for focusing light during image formation, ears are sensitive to change in sound waves.
• Photobiology is related to the role of light in different biological processes like photosynthesis, photoperiodism, phototaxis and phototropism etc.
• Use of energy and maintaining certain temperature of body.
• The subject Biophysics shows the relation of Biology and Physics


Relation with Statistics and Mathematics
The researches in biology requires the knowledge of statistics and mathematics. Many interpretations in biology are based on the knowledge of statistics. The Mendelian ratio of monohybrid and dihybrid cross is the examples of relation of biology with statistics and mathematics.

Relation with Geography
Animals and plants are distributed at different regions of the earth. The north and south poles have similar climatic condition but only the south pole (Antarctica) has the Penguins. The polar bears are found only at the north poles. The Elephants are found only in Asia and Africa. This shows the relation of biology with the geography. It is called as Zoogeography or biogeography.

Biology as science of exception

Though there are different rules and regulations in the different branches of sciences, there are many exceptions in biology. So biology is called as the science of exceptions.
• The red blood corpuscles(RBC) of mammals are without nucleus except Camels.
• DNA is the hereditary materials in all except the Viruses.
• The heart of reptiles are three chambered except the Crocodiles.
• Fishes have gills for respiration but Protopterus (Nile lung fish) has lungs.
• Larva develops into adult but American Salamander larva becomes sexually matured and gives birth to larva.
• Birds are usually adapted for flying but certain birds like Kiwi, Ostrich can never fly.
• Stems are usually aerial but ginger, potato have underground stem.
• Mammals are viviparous but duck billed Platypus, Echidna is oviparous






Origin of life
From pre historical time, man of different walks of life has tried to define and explain life in their own ways and even biologist at some time attempted to define life
Philosophical definition of life
Ancient philosophers idealist view life possesses some supernatural source not comprehensible by experimental method. Plato called it ‘psyche’ , Aristotle called it as ‘ entelechy’ , Hindu philosophy ‘ atman ‘ immortal soul , as divine spark, universal reason by Hegel . idealist consider matter as non living and inert
Materialism based on facts derived from natural science confirms that life like rest of the world is material n its nature. It does not need any sort of spiritual origin for its understanding. There occur no biological laws. There exists one law alone reeling inorganic nature which directs all phenomena occurring in living bodies
Dialectical materialism special form of motion of the matter, qualitatively differentiated from objects of inorganic world. This form of motion is inherent only in living beings. According to rational definition of Oparin 1968 life is a special form of the motion of matter arising in a regular manner at certain stage in the development of matter.
Biological definition
Instead of defining life by exact words, provide an operational definition of life (Korn and Korn, 1971). They differentiate living system with non living objects by the set of properties that characterize living system.
1. the capacity for synthesis - convert different energy forms into chemical energy of ATP , which is then used to derive reactions for synthesis of macromolecules for maintaining growth
2. the capacity for self regulation - contain information content in the form of DNA which specifies polymeric synthesis and monomeric degradation that can occur through regulation of protein synthesis
3. The capacity to adapt genetically - the living system retain an identity apart from, yet within their environment while being inherently able to adapt to new environment or improve in their efficiency in the same environment by random changes in their information content. In short, living system undergo evolutionary changes.
Origin of life
The most complicated, puzzling problem for thinkers, philosophers naturalist



Different theories
Theories of origin of life

Theory of Special Creation

This theory was proposed by Hebrew et al and strongly supported by Father Suarez. According to Bible, God created this universe, all animals and plants including ocear, mountain etc. The life was created during 4004 BC in six consecutive days. The heaven and earth were created on 1st day. Sky was separated from water on the 2nd day. On the 3rd day, the land and plants were created. On the 4th day, the Sun, Moon and Stars were created. Te 5th day, fish and fowl were created. Animals were created on 6th day. The first human was Adam created from inanimate matter the clay which was furnished with soul. Then it started breathing. The first woman was Eve who was created from one of his ribs.
All existing animals and plants were created by God. According to Hindu Mythology, Brahma( God of Creation) created different forms of life. The body of all living beings was made up of five elements( pancha maha bhut) like the earth(Prithvi), water(jala), fire(Teja), sky(Akash) and air(Bayu). After the death, all these elements will be returned to pancha maha bhuta.

This theory states that
1. The life was created by God or Creater
2. Formed all of a sudden, out of nothing
3. No interrelationship among living beings and
4. Have not undergone any change
The life is a mysterious force or vital spirit that set living things completely apart from non living and originated due to some supernatural event. It is accepted on basis of faith. One should believe in the existence of God. However, this theory can not be proved experimentally. So biologists do not believe in this theory.



Objections
Charles Darwin condemned special creation theory saying that earth has not always been inhabited by plants and animals as we know now. It means there is always a change. This theory lacks sound logic, scientifically sound evidence, it could not convince scientists.




Theory of Spontaneous generation or abiogenesis

Before the end of the Seventeenth century, both biologists and philosophers believed that non living things could arise from the non living(inanimate) substance spontaneously. This remained true for centuries in the past. This theory was proposed by Von Helmont(1577-1644). In China, even from earliest time, there was belief that aphid and other insects under the influence of heat and moisture, come into existence. In sacred books of India, there are indication of sudden emergence of different parasites, flies, beetles from sweat and manure. The Babylonian cuneiform text showed the worms and other creatures were formed form the mud of canals. In ancient Egypt, the conviction prevailed that layer of humus deposited by Nile river in its flood gave birth to living creatures like toads and frogs.

o Frogs, toads, snakes etc were believed to be developed from mud
o Parasites, beetles flies etc from sweat and manures
o Aphids and other insects arose under the influence of heat and moisture
o Fly maggots from flesh
o Young mice could arise from wheat grains and when these are kept in a dark room along with dirty clothes
Anaximenes (586-524 BC) proposed that air as sole cause of life.
Aristtotle (384-322BC proposed that worms, insects, fish, tape worm from excreta, crab, salamanders from earth can be developed.

Experiment of Von Helmont
Von Helmont kept dirty shirt and few grains of wheat in a cup board for 21 days. He observed mice developed from sweat and wheat. So, he proposed that both sexes of mice will be developed directly from non living things. He conducted this experiment in the support of spontaneous generation.
We find the repetition of these tales in the writings of ancient Greeks like Thales(624-547 BC), Empedocles(485-425 BC), Democritus (460-370 BC), Plato (427-347BC ) and Aristotle(384-322 BC).
William Harvey(1578-1627) despite the statement that all life come from egg was not able to tear himself from the concept that lower forms of life may aboriginate by spontaneous generation from non living precursors.

Theory of biogenesis

This theory states that life is originated not from inanimate substance but from the preexisting forms only.

Redi’s Classical Experiment

Italian Physician Sir Francisco Redi (1621-1697) demonstrated that maggots were not created from meat or fishes. In his classical experiment, he placed lumps of boiled meat in jars, some uncovered, some covered with muslin cloth and some with parchment paper. After few day, he observed fly maggots only in the uncovered jars.


The discovery of microbs by Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) brought the question that microbs are so simple and could arise by Spontaneous Generation. This idea was authoritatively maintained by German philosopher Leibniz (1646-1716), French naturalist Buffon (1707-1788) and Englishman John Ne dham (1713-1781).


The decline and fall of the theory of Spontaneous Generation

An Italian scholar Abbe Spallanzani tested the theory of Spontaneous Generation. In 1765, he prepared flasks of meat broth which were boiled for several hours and then sealed. This broth remained clear for months and when seals were broken and broth tested, it was shown to be free of microbs.

Spallanzani’s experiment were neither conclusive nor satisfying to many of his contemporary scientist. They claimed that by boiling, he had driven out the vital force needed for Spontaneous generation. And also the sealed flask contained no oxygen.


The period of Louis Pasteur(1822-1895) : Pasteur devised several experiment means by which Spontaneous Generation of microbs was disproved. The simplest and most sophisticated one was with the use of a swan- neck flask. He prepared meat broth in this flask and boiled for several hours. He then left the flask unsealed. The flask was not sealed and there was free exchange of air with environment and system did not lack oxygen. Still the swan –neck remained free of microbial contamination for months because their swan neck were so shaped to trap the viable microbial particles and allow only air to enter the flask. After several months, he broke the neck of the flask and did not find the microbs. This simple experiment thus altogether disproved the concept of Spontaneous Generation. Thus it was proved that life could arise only from the pre existing life which is known as Biogenesis.

Cosmozoic theory
This theory was proposed by Richter 1865 AD and supported by Arrhenius 1908 AD. It states that life came on this earth from other planet in the form of seed or spore or panspermia. So, spore theory finding the suitable environment it grows into life. He could not explain mechanism by which panspermia survived adverse condition of high temp and lethal radiation of inter planatery space during migration.

Catastrophic theory
It was proposed by G Cuvier 1769-1832 and Orbigney 1802-1837. This theory states that there have been several creation each preceded by a catastrophy due to some major geological changes. Each catastrophy destroyed previous life completely and was followed by next advanced creation.

Steady state theory
This theory states that organisms have been unchangeable not only through out existence but also they have existed and continue to exist unchanging till eternity. Hutton says there is no beginning and end. This theory was supported by Richter and Arrhenius etc.

Modern or Natural or chemosynthetic theory of origin of life
This theory was proposed by Russian biochemist Alexander Ivanovich Oparin (1923) and supported by JBS Haldane (1928). This theory is popularly known as Oparin Haldane theory. This theory has been explained in detail in Oparin’s book “The Origin of life on the earth” published in 1936.

It states that primitive life originated in the water bodies on the primitive earth by chemical evolution through a series of chemical reaction about 4200 million years ago.
Steps
A. Origin of Earth (Biopoiesis)
The earth is supposed to be originated about 4.6 billion (4x109) years ago. The sphere was filled with cloud masses of dust particles called ylem. The rotation and gravity caused condensation and formed entire solar system. The earth when formed was very hot (4000 – 8000 oC ), like a ball of fire. Gradually cooled in next few million of years. They started condensing forming solids, liquids and gases. Heavy elements shank at the centre forming core. The lighter one (Aluminum, silicon, sodium, potassium ) formed the middle core of earth. Thus, lithosphere was formed. Lightest gases N2 H2 CO2 He etc including water vapor with dust particle rose above the land surface and turned finally into atmosphere.
B. Origin of life on earth
It is expected that life originated on earth nearly 3.7 billion years ago and involved following changes.
I. Chemogeny
Volcanic gases like H2 N2 CO2 H2O He underwent many changes (chemical evolution) which took place in following steps.
i. Formation of original gases
The original gases like NH3, CH4, HCN etc would have formed by interaction of volcanic gases when primitive earth cooled down from 100 oC. The formation of prime component was the start of life in primitive earth
N2 + 3H2 ……… 2NH3
C + 2H2 ……… CH4
2C + N2 + H2 ….. 2HCN
ii. Formation of key bio micro compounds
Simple key bio micro compounds like pentose sugar, glycerol. Fatty acids aminoacids, nitrogen bases( adenine, cytosine, thymine, Guanine etc would have formed by interaction of original gases( NH3 CH4 HCN ) when the temp further went down to about 50 to 60 oC Such reaction took place under the action of heat coming from energy radiation of Sun lightning, lava, radio active elements like radium, uranium of rocks etc.
6CH4 + H2O …………….. C6H12O6 + 12H2
CO2 + 2NH3 …………….. CO(NH2)2 + H20
CH4 + H2O + NH3 +HCN ……….. Nitrogen bases
CH4 saturated hydrocarbon reacted with water there by forming unsaturated hydrocarbon like acetylene, ethylene etc. From these, aldehydes, ketones, alcohol, acid were formed spontaneously, still more complex organic compounds like glucose, amino acid, fatty acids etc and purine and pyrimidine were formed as key bio micro compounds.
iii. Formation of complex bio macro compounds
Complex bio macro compounds like starch, protein, lipid, nucleic acid would have formed by polymerization of key simple bio micro compounds in the presence of water.
C6H12O6 + C6H12O6+ + C6H12O6 + … Polysaccharides
Fatty acids + glycerol ……………………. Lipid(fat)
Amino acids + amino acids + amino acids + ……..Protein
Complex bio macro compounds thus formed did not undergo oxidation because primitive earth was reducing, no free O2 and no microbes present.
iv. Formation of coacervates
When earth further cooled down, water vapour turned into rain, earth surface shrunk and formed depression where rain water filled up and turned into lakes, sea, as hydrosphere. Up lands turned into mountains. In sea, bio macro compounds when mixed with sea water formed thin hot soup called “broth”. To this Haldane 1992 called ‘pre biotic soup’.



Miller Urey experiment

Stanley Miller and Harold C Urey in 1953 performed series of experiments and tested Oparin and Haldane theory. They devised an apparatus that simulated the conditions of the surface of pre biological earth and analyzed the molecular forms that arose. The apparatus consisted of exposing water vapor to electric spark of 75,000 volts(to represent the lightning of thunder storms) in an ammonia, methane and hydrogen atmosphere of the early earth. After two weeks of treatment, Miller chromatographed the final solution and found many organic compounds including both carbohydrates and amino acids. Many of the compounds were important metabolic intermediates of present day organisms.

Since free oxygen destroys most of the intermediate products, the presence of intermediate products supported the Oparin and Haldane’s hypothesis of reducing atmosphere of primitive earth. Abiotic synthesis of molecules is possible only in reducing atmosphere and abundance of free oxygen (as in earth today) prevents the abiotic origin of life. So, life is originated from the earth’s inorganic atmosphere in the past but is no longer happens today.




Classification
Grouping of living organisms according to their similarities and dissimilarities is known as classification. It is the important part of modern taxonomy. There are millions of living organisms on earth. No systematic study can be done without classifying them.
The classification is not only for identification but also to know the evolutionary trend. Different systems of classification
Artificial classification
It is the classical type of classification. Ancient people tried to classify plants and animals according to use to mankind. This type of classification is based on one or few characters. It is not based on natural characters and phylogenetic relationship. Artificial classification is put forwarded by different workers in pre Darwinian era.
Natural system of classification
Natural system is based on truly natural characters such as characters of resemblance or correlation, affinities among them etc. this system considers all aspects by which closely related plants and animals come together. The best and highly recognized natural system of natural classification was proposed by George Bentham (1800 to 1894) and Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-19110). They made the thorough observation of the plants and presented classification.
Phylogenetic system of classification
The study of history of development of a race or simply evolutionary history is called phylogeny. It includes he knowledge of ancestor, place and time of origin. This is the most advanced type of classification. This system classifies the plants and animals according to their evolutionary sequence and genetic relationship. This system was put forwarded by A Engler(1844-1893) this system enables the taxonomists to trace out ancestor and evolutionary trend.

Hierarchic system in classification

Hierarchy is a system of arrangement where taxonomic categories are placed in major units of classification
8. Kingdom
This is the highest caterory. There are kingdoms like Monera, Protista, Fungi or Mycota, Plantae and Animalia etc.
9. Division or Phylum
The division or phylum includes classes of different organisms having common characters.
10. Class
It is the group of orders.
11. Order
Group of related Families
12. Family
Group of related genera
13. Genus
Aggregation of two or more species
14. Species
This is the basic unit of classification. The closely resembling individuals of same kind constitute species. They can freely interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Among the member of species, there may be presence of minor differences in color, form and size etc
Two Kingdom classification
Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) divided all living things into two Kingdoms for the first time.
Kingdom Plantae or Plant kingdom
Some characters
6. Autotrophic mode of nutrition
7. Immobility
8. Rigid cellulosic wall
9. Less sensitive
10. Includes all plants
Kingdom Animalia or Animal kingdom
Some characters
6. Heterotrophic mode of nutrition
7. Mobility
8. Made up of cells without rigid cellulosic wall.
9. More sensitive because of presence of nerve cell
10. Includes all animals
The two kingdom classification is appreciable effort. However it could not address a great variety of animals and plants. So, it is inadequate and unsatisfactory in modern age.

Five kingdom classification
RH Whittaker of USA (1969) gave five kingdom system of classification (Science,163:150-160)
This system focuses on
4. Complexities of cell structure and body organization
5. Mode of nutrition
6. Phylogenetic relationship
Features of five kingdom classification
4. Advancement over the two kingdom classification
5. Based on phylogenetic relationship
6. Solves many problems of two kingdom classification.
Characters of five kingdom classification
7. Separated prokaryotes from eukaryotes
8. Removed anomaly of positions of many transitional and intermediate forms
9. All multi cellular, photosynthetic, eukaryotic with cellulosic wall included in kingdom Plantae
10. All multi cellular, non photosynthetic, eukaryotic with cellulosic wall included in Animal kingdom
11. All multi cellular, non photosynthetic plants separated from photosynthetic plants and kept in kingdom Fungi.
12. Brought out phylogenetic relationship amongst the primitive forms
Kingdom Monera

Characters
6. Unicellular, microscopic, prokaryotic and found greatest in number on earth
7. Lack of well organized nucleus, not surrounded by nuclear membrane, nucleus consists of double stranded DNA, nuclear contents lie any where scattered in protoplasm.
8. Most of them rigid cell wall
9. Various mode of nutrition, autotrophic, parasitic, symbiotic or saprophytic known as decomposers which convert complex organic matter into simple and soluble forms.
10. Can tolerate extreme environmental conditions like temperature pH absence of O2.
Bacteria were first discovered by Dutch naturalist Anton Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723). He discovered the first microscope in the 17th C. He observed Bacteria in June 10, 1675. The term bacteria was given by Ehrenberg in 1838. The study of Bacteria is called Bacteriology. Bacteria can withstand temp up to 78 oC and -190 oC. There are two types of Bacteria Gram +ve and Gram –ve based on stain.

Kingdom Protista
Characters
6. Unicellular microscopic eukaryotic organism with well organized nucleus. Besides nucleus, mitochondria , endoplasmic reticulum, golgi bodies plastids etc present.
7. Both autotrophic and heterotrophic mode of nutrition.
8. Photosynthetic protists are chief prodders of ocean, fresh water bodies and known as phytoplankton .
9. The non photosynthetic protists are called zooplankton which are primary consumers.
10. Some act as decomposers
Reproduce both sexually and asexually. Some like Euglena exhibit flexible
Kingdom Animalia
Characters
9. Includes multi cellular, eukaryotic animals.
10. Heterotrophic mode of nutrition.
11. They are called consumers as they depend on others
12. Great variety ranging from invertebrates to vertebrates.
13. Lack of green pigment chlorophyll, cell wall.
14. Holozoic, parasitic
15. Reserve food in the form of glycogen
16. Have locomotory organ and sense organ.

Kingdom plantae
Characters
6. Includes multi cellular eukaryotic plants found on land, sea water or freshwater. They can be alga, bryophytes, pterydophytes, gymnospersm and angiosperm. All are photosynthetic hence called autotrophs and producers of ecosystem.
7. Cell wall is made up of cellulose
8. Some are parasitc(Cuscuta). Some insectivorous like Pitcher plant and others symbiotic( leguminous plants.
9. Fixed on land and no locomotory organ.
10. Have chlorophyll and can synthesize food.

Kingdom Fungi( Mycota)
Characters
14. Includes multi cellular eukaryotic plants with heterotrophic mode of nutrition. Size vary from microscopic to bracket fungi, toadstools. Puffballs which are seen
with unaided eye.
15. Mostly saprophytes feeding on dead and decaying organic matter also known as decomposers.
16. Cell wall is made up of chitin or cellulose or both
17. Exists as a mycelium made of network of branching multi cellular threads called hyphae
18. Some are parasitic eg. Puccinia
19. Body is thallus( not differentiated into root, stem and leaf.
20. Lack chlorophyll, cannot manufacture food
21. Non vascular
22. Reproduce by spore forming, asexual and sexual method
23. Reserve food in the form of glycogen and oil globules.
24. Some harmful, causes diseases
25. Some beneficial, used in industry like alcohol, enzymes. Vitamins, bread and antibiotics, some as food.
26. Found in almost all habitat where organic material is available.




Lamarckism

Organic evolution
The doctrine of organic evolution states that the present day organisms are modified but lineal descendants of species that lived in former geological times and that more complex and highly differentiated forms have evolved from simpler ones by gradual modifications. It is still in operation.

One of the first attempts to explain the organic evolution was made by French Biologist Jean Baptiste Lamarck n 1809. he outlined his ideas in his book Philosophie Zoologique published in 1809.

This theory is based on observation that the changes in the environment lead to the changed pattern in the species.

This theory consists of four postulates or facts
1. Tendency to grow - the internal forces of life tends to increase in size of parts of an organism on the whole up to a certain limit. The limit is determined by life itself.
2. Formation of new organs - new organ or a part in the body is formed due to long felt need or want. For example webbed toes in duck.
3. Effects of use and disuse - the more frequently and continuously and animal used an organ; the more it was strengthened, developed and enlarged. If an organ wan not used, it gradually weakened and finally disappeared. For example legs of snake.
4. Inheritances of acquired character -- all changes which organism acquire during life time are acquired characters. These characters are inherited in the generations. The acquire characters go on accumulating through generations and finally in long course of time produce organism entirely different from the pre existing ones. So, this theory is also known as Theory of acquired characters. For example, Giraffe developed long neck and long legs by continuous effort and stretching to reach the higher level of trees. The longer neck and legs produced, passed on to the next generations. Over long period of time after successive generations, the present day Giraffe with long neck and leg were evolved.


Draw backs

Lamarck’s theory is rejected because acquired characters are never inherited. Acquired characters can bring changes in body or somatic cells, but not in the germ cells.

August Weismann proved that acquired characters affect the body and are somatic; they can not be inherited since they do not affect germ cells. Any variation must be present in the germ cells if they are to be inherited. In one experiment, he cut tail of mice for 20 generations, mouse produced after that have same length of tail. No decrease in length at all.

This theory could not produce any example from plants.









Darwinism

Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace jointly contributed a paper in 1858 putting forward the view that species had evolved by process of natural selection of those races most fitted to survive in particular surroundings. According to this theory, living organisms have common origin and through a series of small changes in the organism generation after generation new species are formed. This theory is known as theory of Natural Selection or Darwinism.

The theory of Natural Selection can be explained under following observations and consequences.

1. over production of offspring
Every lining organism tends to increase in a geometrical manner. Such reproductive
Potential of different species may be easily observed in nature. A single pair of English sparrow would be the ancestor of over 275 billion individuals in 10 years if they and their descendants could reproduce at their natural rate without any check. In case of slowest breeding animals like elephants, one pair of elephants in 800 years could have 29 million descendants in the absence of any check.

2. Total number of survivors remain nearly constant
In spite of their capacity to increase, population remains nearly constant. In case of fishes, they can lay large no of eggs, all the eggs do not hatch. Large number of fingerlings dies or killed before they reach reproductive age. Even in case of human beings, the mortality of infants is much higher. Besides, these are different checks by which population can not increase so high.

3. struggle for existence
the available food and other resources can support only a limited number of organisms . So animals and plants have to struggle for their existence.
Intraspecific struggle
Intraspecific struggle or competition occurs among the individuals of same species. This type of completion is fierce due to similar requirements. This may be for food, shelter and mate.
Interspecific struggle
This type of competition is found between two individuals of different species. The very common object for this type of competition is food.
Predation
There are different carnivore animals which kill and feed on the herbivores. These animals are said to be predators. Due to predation also no o animals are kept within limit.
Environmental struggle
Living organisms struggle with adverse environmental conditions like drought, heat cold, lightening, earthquake, volcanic eruption heavy rainfall flood etc. Besides out break of diseases, war etc can kill large no. of animals and plants.

4. variations and heredity
Individuals always try to become better adopted to utilize the resources and to survive successfully. For this they may have certain modifications or changes in their bodies. These changes are called variations. Variations are of two types. Some variations are harmful which make the animal unfit but some variations are useful or favorable. Useful variations are quite significant and make organisms fit in their environment. The same variation may be harmful at one environment but useful at other environment. Variations are inherited in the progeny and therefore progeny have better chances of survival.

5. Survival of fittest or Natural Selection
Those individuals having favorable variations would survive and propagate their kind. They can increase their population. Herbert Spencer called it survival of the fittest. Those which are fit can survive. According to Darwin, it is Natural Selection. Only those animals having favorable variations are selected. The animals with harmful variations will decline and one day they will become extinct.

6. Origin of species
Useful variations are accumulated generation after generation for thousands of years. After long time, the generations produced will be quite different from parents. This is the emergence of new subspecies. These new subspecies later on form different species. In this way new species in originated. Some process of variations with heredity accompanied by natural selection was sufficient over the vast geological time to produce all the living animals of today.

Natural Selection is admitted today as the most probable explanation of evolution. With the scanty of knowledge of the nature of variations and heredity before 1900, little could be added to what Darwin knew of the phenomena.



Criticism

A. Mutation is the process in which sudden large variations occur in the animal’s body. It is now proved that mutation has powerful role in evolution. Darwin ignored mutation.

B. Darwin could not identify the heritable variation and non heritable variation. Because only the heritable variations are counted.

C. Natural selection is not a creating or initiating force but only directing or controlling factor. Natural selection operated only after variations have appeared. It accounts for preservation rather that origin of favorable variation.

D. Darwin’s theory does not show how natural selection is brought about nor does it explain the origin of non useful variations.

E. This theory explained the survival of the fittest but not arrival of the fittest.
Neo Darwinism
On these and several other grounds it is now held by many scientists that the theory of natural selection is not only the factor in evolution. Darwin and his contemporaries were not aware of cytological and genetic information which became available later on. Since Darwin’s time interest has not lessened in the matter of how evolution has taken place. At present, the most widely accepted theory of evolution incorporates many of Darwin’s ideas into a frame work of genetics. Neo Darwinism is modification of Darwin’s theory taking into account the results of more recent work.

Scientist like Dobzhansky, RA Fischer, Julian Huxley, JBS Haldane Sewell Wright, Hugo de vries etc contributed to the Neo Darwinism.

It is based on following facts.

Mutation -- it is the sudden heritable change which occur in the chromosome.

Genetic recombination -- crossing over in the meiotic division brings changes in the genetic composition. It is responsible for the variations in the population.

Natural Selection -- useful variations are preserved by natural selection.

Genetic drift or Sewell Wright Effect -- variation in gene frequencies within populations can occur by chance than by natural selection. It is important in small or isolated population.

Reproductive isolation -- it can help to bring more changes in new environment. When not mixed, they become more and more different from one another.

Origin of new characters
Heredity is the presence of characters in the off springs which are present in the parents. These characters are directly transmitted to children from parents. The children thus get some characters from father and some other characters from mother. Some children get more of the characters from father and less from mother and vice versa. So, any child is not the photocopy of the father or mother. The child is little bit different from the father as well from the mother.

In the sexually reproducing animals including human beings, at the time of gamete formation, there is meiosis. During this cell division meiosis, the chromosomes number is reduced to half. For example, in case of human beings, there are 23 pairs of chromosomes. It is said to be Diploid number of chromosomes, denoted as 2n. In the sperm and ova(eggs), there are only 23 chromosomes. This number of chromosomes is said to be Haploid number of chromosomes and denoted as n. At the time of fertilization, the chromosomes of sperm and egg together make Homologous pairs of chromosomes and thus make Diploid number of chromosomes. During the process of formation of Homologous pair of chromosomes, there is crossing over to make the new set of chromosomes. This new set of chromosomes are little bit different from the those of parents. This new set of chromosomes are responsible for the origin of new characters in the off spring or children.

The new set of chromosomes are formed because of meiosis. The pattern of transmission of characters depend on the way the new set of chromosomes are formed. The pattern of transmission of characters in the off spring is studied in Genetics. This term Genetics was first used by W Bateson in 1905. The foundation of Genetics was laid in 1865 by Gregor Johann Mendel. For his overriding contribution in Genetics he is called as Father of Genetics.

Biography of Gregor Mendel

Gregor Mendel was born on 22 July 1822 at Heinzendorf of Silesian village in Austria. He joined Augustinian monastery at Brunn in Austria in 1843. He was sent to University of Vienna to study Natural Science and Mathematics. He returned to Monastery in 1853. He conducted research on common garden pea plant (Sativum pisum) for eight years from 1956 to 1864. Mendel presented data and conclusion derived from his experiments in a paper entitled “ Experiments in plant hybridization” which was read before Brunn Natural History Society in 1865 and was published in Annual proceedings of Natural history Society in 1866. His work was not recognized in his life. Unrecognized and bitterly disappointed , he died in 1884. Mendel’s observations went unnoticed on account of
o He published his work in an obscure journal.
o Failure of he scientists to notice his work because scientific world was at that time busy in the controversy arisen by the Darwin’s theory of origin of species.
o His ideas were ahead of his time as the ignorance was prevalent in that period about cytological basis of heredity.
In 1900, three eminent biologists Hugo de Vries of Holland, Karl Correns of Germany and Eric Von Tshermak of Australia working independently on heredity discovered the same phenomena originally uncovered by Mendel. Thus the genius of Mendel came to be discovered after 16 years of his death. Mendel for his great contribution is now famous as “Gather of Genetics”.

Mendel’s experiment
Mendel selected garden pea (Pisum sativum) as plant material for his experiment since it had following advantages.
o Possess many varieties with well defined characters.
o Flowers are bisexual and can pollinated easily.
o Easily be grown and readily be crossed.
o Very short life span, many generations formed.
o Hybrid pea plants are fertile.
o Flowers completely closed by petal, so plants predominantly self pollinating and self fertilizing.
Reasons for Mendel’s success
o Studied the inheritance of one character at a time.
o Carried out experiments to F2 and F3 generations only.
o Maintained statistical records, analyzed carefully.
o Selected pure line parent plants.
o All possible precautions taken to prevent self pollination.
o Even reciprocal crosses conducted but no change in the expected ratio of off springs.
Seven pairs of contrasting characters of pea plant used by Mendel
Trait dominant recessive
1. Seed color yellow green
2. Seed shape round wrinkled
3. Pod color green yellow
4. Pod shape inflated constricted
5. Flower color purple white
6. Flower shape axial terminal
7. Plant height tall dwarf
These seven pairs of contrasting characters of pea plant mean that if one character is expressed the other is not expressed. If the character tallness is expressed the other character dwarfness cannot be expressed. In the same way, if dwarfness is expressed, the other character tallness is not expressed.

Some basic terms used in inheritance studies

Gene or Factor

Mendel called it factor which carry the character from the parent to offspring. In the modern sense an inherited factor that determines a biological character of an organism is called gene. This is the function unit of hereditary material. It is a segment of DNA. Gene is equivalent to the factor of mendel.

Allelomorphs or allele

Allele is abbreviated form of allelomorphs, which means one form or the other. It indicates the alternative forms of the same gene. Each character has two determiners called factor. In pure tall or pure dwarf plant, same allele is duplicated like TT or tt. But in the hybrid tall plant both alleles are present like Tt. An organism having same allele or two identical alleles is known homozygous and an individual with different alleles is called the heterozygous. For example an organism with both TT or tt is called homozygous and an organism with Tt is called heterozygous.

Homozygous plants are genetically pure or that character. They give rise to offspring having same character on self breeding. The heterozygous hybrid plants do not breed true on self fertilization. The heterozygous plants on self fertilization produce both tall and dwarf plant.

Homozygous organism bear either dominant or recessive alleles and never both. Where as heterozygous organism bear both dominant(T) and recessive(t) alleles. The homozygous organism(plant) produces one types of gametes either T or t only. But heterozygous organism produces two types of gametes nearly half with T and another nearly half with t. The homozygous plants do not show vigor but the hybrid or heterozygous plants show extra vigor.

Genotype and phenotype
It is the genetic composition of an organism. It can be like TT, Tt or tt for a particular character. The genotype can be ascertained from ancestry or progeny of individual. On the other hand, phenotype is character which can be observed from the outside like the tall plant or dwarf plant. Phenotype is expressed like form, sex, color, behaviour etc. phenotypes of organism is expression or observable structural traits or characters produced due to interaction of genes and environment. In some cases, the phenotype is not visible from outside. For example, the blood groups like Blood group A, B, O and AB and Rhesus Factor like Rh +ve or –ve is not expressed outside.

Monohybrid and dihybrid cross
In the monohybrid cross, Mendel considered only one pair of contrasting characters like tallness and dwarfness of plant. Similarly, the other characters like round or wrinkled seed or yellow or green seed etc. can be considered but only one pair of the contrasting characters. The other characters are not taken into consideration. In case of dihybrid cross, two pairs of contrasting characters are taken into consideration at the same time like the yellow or green and round or wrinkled seeds.

Reciprocal cross
The reciprocal crosses involve tow crosses concerning the same characteristics but with reversed sex. For example, if in first cross, A is as the female and B is as male, then in the second cross A is as male and B is as female.

The interpretation of Mendel’s results
The principles of inheritance as given by Mendel are as follows.
1. Principle of Dominance
Out of two contrasting characters only one is expressed itself in an individual. The factor which is expressed is called dominant while the other which has not shown its effect is termed as recessive. In monohybrid cross, when homozygous (true breed) tall pea plant is crossed with homozygous dwarf plant, all the plants appeared in F1 generation are tall although they receive both factors (Tt) T from tall plant and t from dwarf plant. In the F1 generation, the character of t is not expressed. The character which is expressed in the F1 generation is called the dominant character and the character which is not expressed in F1 generation is called the recessive. The factors responsible for certain character is always found in the pair like TT or Tt or tt. To these Mendel’s factors, Danish botanist Johansson introduced the term gene in 1909.
Importance of principle of dominance - the phenomenon of dominance is of practical importance as the harmful recessive characters remain hidden by normal dominant character in hybrids. In human beings, a form of idiocy, diabetes and hemophilia are recessive characters.
2. Principle of segregation ( purity of gametes)
The law of segregation states that when a pair of contrasting factors or allelomorphs or genes are brought together in a hybrid(heterozygote) these factors do not blend or mix up but simply associate themselves and remain together and separate at the time of gamete formation.



3. Principle of independent assortment.
the law states that the agaenes of different characters located in different pairs of chromosomes are independent of one anotrher in theeir segregation during gamete formation ( meiosis) . the principle of independent assortment can also be defined as “ if we consider the inheritance of tow or more genes at a time their distribution in the gametes and in progeny of subsequent generations in independent of each other.
in the experiment of dihybrid cross between the round yellow and wrinkled green seed plants, we can get the emergence of new characters like round green and wrinkled yellow seed plants. these new characters in combination were not present in the parents.we have the ratio of the dihybrid cross as follows. The round yellow:round green:wrinkled yellow:wrinkled green is 9:3:3:1 in the F2 generation. this showed that the factors responsible characters are separated during the segregation and they are free to combine with any other of the factors. they combine haphazardly. there is no any hard and fast rule for their combination. this is known as principle of independent assortment.



11. life style. In absence of light ingest food and in he presence of light show autotrophic mode of nutrition.