Zoology is the science of animals that studies representatives of the corresponding genus (Animalia). This includes all types of organisms that eat food containing protein, carbohydrates and fats. Such species differ from plants in that they constantly synthesize organic substances necessary for life from certain sources.
Many representatives of the genus of animals are able to move independently. Mushrooms have always been considered plants. However, it has been observed that they have the ability to absorb organic matter from external sources. There are also organisms that synthesize starch from inorganic molecules. However, they do not have the ability to move. In other words, it is impossible to give a general concept and identify alternative criteria between animals and plants, since they do not exist.
Categories
In this case, there is a division into many directions, which are differentiated depending on which object is being investigated andwhat problems are being studied. Zoology is a science that is divided into two main areas. Namely, the study of invertebrates and vertebrates. Also, these areas may include such disciplines:
- Protistology. In this case, the study of the simplest.
- Ichthyology is the study of fish.
- Helminthology is the study of parasitic worms.
- Malacology - the study of shellfish.
- Acarology - the study of ticks.
- Entomology is the study of insects.
- Carcinology is the study of crustaceans.
- Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians.
- Ornithology is the study of birds.
- Theriology is the study of mammals.
How important is zoology to humanity?
Let's consider this item in more detail. This science has a rather peculiar history of development. Animal zoology has always played an important role in human life. Looking at these individuals, their behavior, skills, ancient people better understood the environment. After all, mankind had to independently learn how to hunt birds and animals, how and where to fish, how to protect themselves from a predator. And all these skills could be learned from animals. Zoology is a science with ancient roots and an interesting rich history.
For the first time in the IV century BC. this science became known from the books of the great scientist - Aristotle. This is a true fact. In his books he described the originabout 500 species of different animals. Some of them had red blood, and some were without it at all. Also in the works of this scientist, the meaning of each type of animal, as well as their development and structure, was outlined. Such a detailed description has become a real encyclopedia.
In the Middle Ages, the history of this science continued to develop. Zoology has moved a step forward every year. Some important information about animals, which became known in ancient times, was forgotten. Scientists focused their attention only on reproduction, hunting and keeping animals. The lost interest only rose again in the Renaissance. At that time, attention was paid to navigation and trade. Thanks to this, numerous expeditions were carried out aimed at studying new species of plants and animals, about which nothing was known before.
Carl Linnaeus also played an important role in the development of zoology. It was he who classified the animal world and gave scientific names for each definition in it.
However, the history of development of this science does not end there. Zoology improved significantly in the second half of the 19th century. This is after Charles Darwin published a book on the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. In his work, he proved a certain fact. It lies in the fact that the world around us is modified due to natural selection. That is, new individuals are fighting for existence and survival, and only the strongest remain. Thanks to this foundation, zoology - the science of animals - has become rapidlydevelop. These successes will become known in systematics. There will be a description of the appearance of new species of animals.
Also, the history of the formation of zoology will become known in Russia after expeditions to the east and north of Siberia. They were carried out by A. F. Middendorf, N. M. Przhevalsky, Semenov-Tyan-Shansky. Also, scientific expeditions were carried out in Central Asia in embryology by I. I. Mechnikov and A. O. Kovalevsky, and in paleontology - by V. O. Kovalevsky, in physiology - by I. M. Sechenov and I. P. Pavlov.
Zoology Today
This may include the totality of animal sciences. Here certain directions are taken into account. Namely:
- Human Zoology.
- Paleontology is the study of fossils and the transformation of animals through evolution.
- Physiology - the study of the functions of cells and the body as a whole.
- The most important link in zoology is ecology. It is devoted to the relationship of representatives of the animal world between themselves and other organisms. She studies their influence on the world around them, that is, their relationship with the environment.
As mentioned earlier, zoology is the study of birds, mammals and insects. For a simpler perception, this science was divided into special sections. This will be discussed later.
Main Sections of Zoology
This includes:
- Systematics of animals. This is a certain science. She studies animals. Here they are divided into classes, the construction of a hierarchy. This section also explains howhow and why the animal world appeared, and so on.
- Animal morphology. This is a science that studies the structure of an animal's body.
- Animal ecology. Here, observations are made of the habitat and the relationship of animals with it.
- Comparative or evolutionary morphology. It is a science that explains the origin of different types of animals. It also helps explain comparative evolution.
- Ethology. Here is the study of the behavior of animals in the process of evolution.
- Zoogeography. This science observes the habitat, studies the structure of animals that exist in various environments.
- Paleozoology. There is a study of prehistoric animals. This section is similar to the science of animal evolution.
- Physiology. In this section, the study of the various functions of the animal's body is carried out.
In general, zoology is a science that is directly related to other disciplines and areas. For example, she has a very close relationship with medicine.
Diverse animal world
He is very large and multifaceted. Animals live everywhere - in fields, steppes and forests, air, seas, oceans, lakes and rivers.
In our world, there are such individuals as parasites who have chosen an animal or human body as their habitat. Individuals of this type can also be seen on plants. For example, these are caterpillars, aphids and mites.
Meaning of animals
There are many individuals that benefit not onlynature, but also to man. For example, these are bees, beetles, flies and butterflies. They pollinate many flowers and plants. Birds are also important in nature. They carry plant seeds over long distances.
There are also animals that harm plants, destroy crops. However, this does not prove that their existence is meaningless. They can be the main link in the food chain of various individuals. This all determines the importance of zoology. Zoology in this direction is an indispensable science.
Domestic and wild animals
It is very important for every person to get proteins and carbohydrates from meat. Previously, there were no shops and supermarkets, this product was obtained through hunting. Then people learned how to fish and acquired skills in its breeding.
Also, humanity has learned to domesticate wild cattle and use it for their own purposes. Its breeding made it possible to obtain products such as meat, milk, eggs, etc. Thanks to animals, people learned how to get wool, down and skin and used it for their own needs.
About 10 thousand years ago, a man first domesticated a wild wolf. These were the very first ancestors of the dog. Now these animals are considered the most faithful and devoted friends of people.
But animal husbandry began with the domestication of horses. They were indispensable in the household.
Differences and similarities of animals
All individuals of this species are usually distinguished by type, structure of respiration, reproduction, development andetc. Animals differ from plants in that they do not have a hard cellulose shell. They feed on ready-made organic matter. Animals are characterized by active movement. As a result, they can search for their own food.
Conclusion
All of the above indicates the versatility of this definition. Zoology plays an important role in the life of every creature on our planet. This was discussed above. Everything is interconnected in this world. And zoology is life itself.
