A teacher of this discipline at an educational institution, a specialist in the field of genetic research, an employee of a botanical garden or a zoo calls himself a biologist. So what is a biologist anyway? What is this profession? Who is eligible to be considered a biologist? The answers to these questions are in our small study.
Biology is a science
Science, which is connected with the study of all life on the planet, from microscopic bacteria to the physiological processes of human life.
Homo sapiens life processes, similarities and differences of living forms, differences in living conditions of plants and animals have been of interest for a long time. True, during the period of the dark Middle Ages, for too visible interest in research, one could go to the stake. Another thing is the Renaissance. Art and science were then held in high esteem, entire scientific schools were founded, and the first museums of natural history appeared.
Who is a biologist in antiquity? It could be a herbalist, an alchemist, and the founder of the first menagerie. The term "science biology" itself appeared only in the 19th century,when everything related to the study of living forms of existence on Earth was united into one stream (“bio” - life, “logos” - science).
Directions of biology
Biology is the science of life. This is the generalized concept. Depending on the specific subject of study, separate biological sciences are distinguished:
- Zoology is the science of the animal world.
- Botany - studies the world of plants.
- Physiology and anatomy - the sciences of life processes and the structure of the human body.
- Microbiology and virology. The subject of their study is visible only under a microscope.
- Morphology - studies the structure and shape of living species.
In turn, the main areas were gradually divided into narrower speci alties and specializations, which are becoming more and more as science develops. Today, more than seventy areas of biology are known. Ocean biology, anthropology, cytology, neuroscience, ecology are just some of them. The profession of a biologist unites all representatives of certain specializations and directions related to one science.
Connection with other sciences
During the development of world science and technology, thanks to the penetration of scientists into the deep spheres of knowledge, a deep connection between biology and other disciplines was revealed. Who is a biologist in the modern world? In addition to the traditional zoologist and botanist, he is a biophysicist, biochemist, specialist in biometrics, space biology, labor biology, and bionics. Modern biologistcan be a good engineer, doctor or mathematician at the same time.
What does a biologist do?
The theory is more or less clear. But who is a biologist in practice? Where is his workplace? The answer is ambiguous and extensive, as is the list of biology majors. It all depends on the chosen direction. A graduate who graduated from the relevant faculty of the university can become a teacher in a secondary educational institution, or can continue his connection with science and devote his life to studying other living organisms. Zoologists successfully work with animals in zoos, botanists in greenhouses and botanical gardens. Breeding biologists are working on the invention of new crop varieties. Virologists study new and old microorganisms, their impact on the environment, environmentalists monitor the cleanliness of the environment. Biologists of a new formation are widely in demand in the modern world - geneticists, neurobiologists, space biologists, bioenergetics. A biology specialist can be a veterinarian, agronomist, landscape designer, laboratory doctor.
The main qualities of a biologist
The successful profession of a biologist will be for those who feel themselves part of the mysterious world of living organisms, who are interested in communicating with nature, studying the environment.
Love of nature becomes paramount when a biologist spends long months traveling and expeditions to study new species of flora and fauna.
Persistence and analytical mind are needed by employees of laboratories, research centers.
Depending onspecialization biologist may need a good relationship with physics, astronomy, mechanics, chemistry and other sciences.
Pros and cons of the profession
For those who love all living things in all its manifestations, devoting their lives to biology is already a big plus. Nothing makes a person happy like doing what you love. The profession of a biologist, unfortunately, is not always valued adequately in terms of money - this is a minus. It was low salaries that led to the fact that an interesting profession for many entered the category of unpopular. Those who nevertheless decide to devote their lives to it and stubbornly go towards the goal, sometimes become the authors of new discoveries and scientific sensations.
Biology of new directions, research in the field of genetics, microbiology, new biotechnologies ranks second in the world in the list of promising professions. Canada, the USA, Western countries who are developing new technologies are especially glad to see such specialists.
Outstanding biologists
Speaking of biology as a science, it is worth mentioning people whose names are known throughout the world. Their discoveries have made a huge contribution to the development of mankind as a whole.
- Vavilov Nikolai (Russia) – a geneticist in the field of agronomy, the founder of the doctrine of plant immunity.
- Vladimir Vernadsky (Russia) – the founder of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, studied the biosphere, stood at the origins of the development of biochemistry and biophysics.
- William Harvey (Great Britain) is the king's court physician whofirst conducted research and described the circulatory system and the work of the heart and blood vessels in the human body.
- Charles Darwin (England) is a great naturalist who created a classification system for plant species.
- Anthony Van Leeuwenhoek (Holland) is a naturalist who created a microscope, which made it possible to study organisms previously invisible to the human eye.
Besides them, the Russians Ilya Mechnikov, Kliment Timiryazev, Louis Pasteur, Carl Linnaeus, Ruslan Medzhitov and many other naturalists glorified science.
