Concise Dictionary Of Biology

Sudhir Dawra Dr.

Description

The book is designed to provide you with dictionaries of terms in biology to make science simpler for you. The terms have been arranged alphabetically for quick reference. Suitable explanations of terms that have come into public domain recently also find mention. The standard of explanation has been kept at a level of understanding expected from an average secondary and senior secondary student. Illustrations and examples, at appropriate places, have been given. Readers who have not made a special study of any science subject will have also be able to grasp the definitions. A glossary of Nobel Prize winners and their contributions is an added attraction. #v&spublishers

Sujets

• Dictionaries
• Biology
• Reference work
• Dictionary

Informations

• Publié par: V & S Publishers
• Date de parution: 01 février 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789350573297
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Published by:

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© Copyright: ISBN 978-935-05732-9-7
DISCLAIMER
While every attempt has been made to provide accurate and timely information in this book, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, unintended omissions or commissions detected therein. The author and publisher make no representation or warranty with respect to the comprehensiveness or completeness of the contents provided.
All matters included have been simplified under professional guidance for general information only without any warranty for applicability on an individual. Any mention of an organization or a website in the book by way of citation or as a source of additional information doesn't imply the endorsement of the content either by the author or the publisher. It is possible that websites cited may have changed or removed between the time of editing and publishing the book.
Results from using the expert opinion in this book will be totally dependent on individual circumstances and factors beyond the control of the author and the publisher.
It makes sense to elicit advice from well informed sources before implementing the ideas given in the book. The reader assumes full responsibility for the consequences arising out from reading this book. For proper guidance, it is advisable to read the book under the watchful eyes of parents/guardian. The purchaser of this book assumes all responsibility for the use of given materials and information. The copyright of the entire content of this book rests with the author/publisher. Any infringement/ transmission of the cover design, text or illustrations, in any form, by any means, by any entity will invite legal action and be responsible for consequences thereon.
Contents
Publisher's Note
Introduction
        A
        B
        C
        D
        E
        F
        G
        H
        I
        J
        K
        L
        M
        N
        O
        P
        Q
        R
        S
        T
        U
        V
        W
        X
        Y
        Z
Appendices Appendix – I
Appendix – II
Appendix – III
Appendix – IV
Appendix – V
Appendix – VI
Publisher's Note
Innumerable books are available in the market on science and its allied branches, like, physics, chemistry, and biology et al, both as textbook and reference manual. Written for different age-groups and class, quite a number of these books come replete with jargon-filled terms; and just fail to connect with readers’ inclination and curiosity level. On top of that, new words keep finding their way into the books every other day. Every new addition contributes to difficulty in comprehending the matter.
An average reader is interested only in knowing what a specific word means without getting lost with heavy sounding inputs.
Following an open-ended discussion with a cross-section of students and other stakeholders we realised that many books on science (physics, chemistry and biology) take readers’ understanding of scientific terms for granted and make short passing references while alluding to the term in the text. Presentations of this nature in no way assist readers in understanding the subject properly.
You need to suffer no longer.
V&S Publishers has come out with four dictionaries of terms; in science, physics, chemistry and biology. These have been compiled to help readers grasp the meaning of popular scientific terms. For easy reference terms have been arranged alphabetically. Terms that have come into the reckoning even in the early 2012 have been incorporated and suitably explained in such a way that an average secondary and senior secondary student can grasp them easily. High resolution images, illustrations and examples, where appropriate, have been added for reader's convenience. For all readers, who have not made a special study of any science subject, explanations of terms will be found to be easily comprehensible.
An attempt has been made to include important scientific charts, tables, constants, conversion tables as appendices to make this dictionary more useful. A glossary of Nobel Prize winners and their contributions is an added attraction.
We would be happy to have your views and comments about the book.
Introduction
What is Biology?
Biology is one of the three essential studies of science. Anyone interested in science has to study biology, chemistry, and physics. Chemistry looks at the different kinds of substances and molecules that exist, and physics looks at the way the world and the universe work. Biology is the fascinating study of life and is incredibly important for the advancement of modern society.
The study of biology helps us understand ourselves and other life forms. For many of us the most interesting part of biology may be the study of ourselves; how our body works; how it reacts to diseases; how we resemble or differ from other people such as our sisters, brothers and parents. We also learn how we and other living things came on this Earth, as part of the origin of life and the process of evolution of organisms. The study of man is not complete unless we also make a comparative study of other animals. For example, by studying the working of muscles in a frog, or the digestive, respiratory and nervous system of a mammal such as the rabbit, we can understand how such systems work in our own bodies.
By studying plants we have found that certain plants have medicinal value from which it is possible to manufacture drugs (e.g. penicillin and streptomycin) which have proved effective in the treatment of certain diseases. An ever-increasing human population requires more and more food. Food production can be increased by a careful study of plants and soil. Above all, biology helps us to understand ourselves and the world we live.
Why is the study of Biology Important?
Biology is important for a number of reasons, but in particular because it is used in nearly every field. If we do not understand biology, nobody would be able to understand how bodies work seamlessly, and of course, how other lives on the earth (e.g. plants) function.
If it were not for biology, we would not be able to understand the environment in which we live. Biology involves and contains many secrets of nature. Biology is incredibly complex and vast, and possesses the ability to explain many ‘unknowns’ found within nature everyday by individuals and scientists. It allows us to build upon the technology that allows people to be cured from illnesses or diseases and allows for society to obtain better overall well-being and health.
Without biology there would be no doctors; there would be no hospitals and there would be no real way to help people with the problems that they experience with their body. It is because of the progression of biological studies that the world's population is healthier than ever before. It is incredibly important for biology to continue being studied for this reason. That's why it has been promoted so highly in educational establishments.
How is Biology Classified?
Botany – Botany involves the study of plant life, the structure, growth, diseases, chemical and physical properties, metabolism and evolution of the fungi, algae and plant species. Botany implies the importance of study of plant life on earth because they generate food, fibers, medicines, fuel and oxygen.
Zoology – Zoology is the study of animals and animal life, including classification, physiology, development, and behaviour. Major studies on human health and wellness, besides research in medicine, is studied under zoology.
Though Zoology and Botany are considered to be principle branches of biology, there are at least 50 other branches. Some important ones among them are mentioned below:
Agriculture – The study of producing crops from the land, with an emphasis on practical applications.
Biochemistry – The study of the chemical reactions required for life to exist and function, usually a focus on the cellular level
Biophysics – The study of biological processes through physics, by applying the theories and methods traditionally used in the physical sciences.
Biotechnology – A new and sometimes controversial branch of biology that studies the manipulation of living matter, including genetic modification.
Bioengineering – The study of biology through the means of engineering with an emphasis on applied knowledge and especially related to biotechnology.
Bioinformatics – It is the study, collection, and storage of genomic data with the help of information technology (IT).
Ecology – The study of the ecosystem as a complete unit, with an emphasis on how species and groups of species interact with other living beings and non-living elements.
Environmental Biology – The study of the natural world, as a whole or in a particular area especially as affected by human activity.
Genetics – It is the study of genes – the hereditary aspects of all living organisms. The study of inheritance of traits from the parent is the subject matter of genetics.
Marine Biology – The study of ocean ecosystems, plants, animals, and other living beings.
Medicine – The study of the human body in health and disease, with allopathic medicine focusing on alleviating or curing the body from states of disease
Microbiology – The study of microscopic organisms (microorganisms) and their interactions with other living things.
Molecular Biology –