Including the simplest - amoebas, ciliates, other unicellular. Also, the subject of zoology is the development of animals, their diversity, relationships with the environment. The composition of zoology a large number of different disciplines. In particular, this is the morphology and physiology of animals, which study the structure and functions of their organisms, taxonomy, which describes and systematizes the entire animal world on various grounds, ethology (behavior), zoogeography, embryology and many others.

Depending on the objects under study, zoology is subdivided into such disciplines as protozoology (the study of protozoa), entomology (the study of insects), ichthyology (the study of fish), ornithology (the study of birds). Theriology studies, or mammals. There are also such sections of zoology as herpetology, which studies reptiles and amphibians, helminthology, all types of worms, and so on - a certain section of zoology corresponds to each group of living organisms.

The history of zoology goes back many hundreds of years - the first descriptions of animals were compiled by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. Zoology became an independent science at the end of the 18th century. A huge contribution to the study of the animal world was made by the founder of taxonomy C. Linnaeus, the French J. Buffon and J. Cuvier, the creator of the evolutionary doctrine C. Darwin, as well as such Russian biologists as C.F. Rulier and I.I. Mechnikov. In modern days, thanks to new technologies and constantly growing knowledge about the world around it, zoology receives a new impetus to development - new species of animals, previously unknown to mankind, have been found and described.

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Scientists entomologists study insects, and in biology, this science has a fairly extensive section. When and where the foundations of entomology originated is difficult to say, because man has always had an interest in insects, since ancient times.

The history of the emergence of the science of entomology

It is believed that interest in insects arose from the time when people began to master cattle breeding and agriculture. In ancient manuscripts of Assyrian and Egyptian origin, dated to the 3rd millennium BC, records of devastating locust raids were found, and ancient Chinese sources from the same time tell about the method of cultivating mulberry and different ways control of garden pests. That is, already in those days, insects were given Special attention.

In the 4th century BC, a summary of bloodless animals was already compiled from the entoma group, the author of which was ancient greek philosopher Aristotle. But the emergence of entomology and its recognition as a scientific trend is considered to be the 17th century, when the works of Dutch, Italian and English scientists on the classification, anatomy and development of insects were published.

Fundamentals of entomology

To the question of what is entomology, there is a simple answer - about the origin, development and significance of insects in human life and the nature of the planet.

Over the past 400 years, scientists have done a tremendous amount of work on the systematization of insect species, the peculiarities of their reproduction and, ways and methods of increasing the number of useful individuals and the destruction of harmful species. But without studying the foundations of entomology, further development of this science is impossible.

Being one of the most extensive sections of zoology, entomology itself is subdivided into several so-called sub-sciences, special sections. The ethnofauna systematizes existing and studies new species of insects, because every year unidentified and unqualified individuals are identified and found.

Morphology and physiology are sections in which research is aimed at the structure of the organism of insects, their features and types of functioning.

Biochemistry studies the behavior of insects, their ways of communicating and transmitting information, and entemogeography - their areas of residence, population density and principles of distribution.

Paleentomology is also of great importance in entomology - a section that studies the fossil remains of ancient insects. The results of such studies have great value and in the historical, and in the zoological, and in medical plan.

Practical application of entomology in human life

The science of entomology helps humanity not only in the development of ways to combat insects, as many ordinary people mistakenly believe. Thanks to the research of scientists entomologists, for example, the language of bees was studied, it was established which of the insects carried dangerous diseases, and which help a person to cope with them.

Study of habits and physiological characteristics individuals harmful to humans can increase the effectiveness of the fight against them, reduce their population without harming the environment.

V modern world there are about one and a half million species of various living organisms. Among them you can find the simplest unicellular organisms, which are visible exclusively under a microscope, and the giants of our planet - whales, reaching thirty meters in length. The animal kingdom overshadows all other categories in its quantitative diversity.

Some species have adapted to life in the water column of our planet, others live in underworld, or soar in the sky. Animals are a very significant part of the Earth's biosphere, bees are engaged in pollination of plants, many insects work on soil formation or clean water bodies.

Zoology - the science of animals

So what is zoology? To begin with, this is a Greek word, and its literal translation sounds like "teaching about the animal." She refers to scientific knowledge and studies the structure of organisms, the life of animals, their diversity and what value they have for humans. It is closely related to medicine, many others biological sciences, agriculture, veterinary medicine, animal welfare and production activities people.

Its subject involves the study of the foundations of embryology, anatomy, ecology and phylogeny of animals, that is, motile heterotrophic multicellular eukaryotes.

What is zoology subdivided into

Studying the structure of zoology as a science will give us a clearer idea of ​​what it does. Let's analyze the sections of zoology in more detail:

  • Systematics. This section not only describes the entire variety of species, but also constitutes a certain system of signs of difference and homotypy. Taxonomy also reflects hierarchical categories that illustrate how animals evolved.
  • Research anatomical structure an animal or individual parts of its body is concerned with morphology. It, in turn, is divided into two subsections. The first is internal morphology, the second is external.
  • Embryology. This section of zoology is responsible for the study of embryogenesis, that is, the process of development of the embryo, which means any organism at the stages before hatching or birth.
  • Physiology deals with the study of the regularities of the functioning of certain biological systems.
  • Ethology. This section is devoted to the instincts of animals, including humans, that is, genetically determined behavior. This topic in zoology appeared relatively recently; ethology was finally formed only in the 1930s. It is based primarily on evolutionary teaching and field zoology.
  • The relationship of organisms both within their own species and with the rest of the inhabitants of the animal kingdom and environment considers ecology.
  • Zoogeography. This section of animal zoology studies the issues of their distribution on Earth.

Scientific disciplines that include zoology

Zoology is an entertaining science, it is also divided into a number of auxiliary disciplines that study various groups of animals:

  • Zoology of invertebrates. This group includes such disciplines as protozoology, helminthology, malacology, carcinology, arachnology, nematology, entomology (the science of insects, in turn, is divided into several more sections), etc.
  • Vertebrate zoology includes such disciplines as herpetology (reptiles and amphibians), ichthyology (fish and jawless), ornithology (birds), theriology (mammals). The latter discipline, in turn, is subdivided into cynology, primatology, ketology, hippology, etc.
  • Palaezoology. What it is? Zoology in this section of paleontology studies fossils, long-extinct animals. Those who are passionate about dinosaurs will especially like this discipline.

The history of the development of zoology

Since ancient times, people have accumulated knowledge about the world around them, including about animals and their role in nature. Aristotle can be safely considered the father of zoology. In his writings, for the first time, he described 452 representatives of the animal world, outlined the features of their behavior, talked about the environment in which they lived. Enriched science with knowledge about animals and the campaigns of the Romans. So, Pliny the Elder (ancient Greek scientist, 23-79 AD) in his multivolume work described all the animals known at that time.

In the era of feudalism, society found itself under the yoke of religion and strict church canons. All this hindered the development of science and led to a long stagnation.

When the time of the Renaissance came, new horizons and continents began to be conquered and explored by travelers known to contemporaries - Columbus, Magellan, Marco Polo and others. Travel to the most remote corners enriched the knowledge of Europeans about the fauna of the Earth. The vast accumulated material required systematization and generalization, which was what the Swiss scientist Hesper did. In the 17th century, the first microscope was created and an amazing and huge world multicellular animals.

The beginning of the 19th century was marked by discoveries in Cuvier's paleontological works and a great leap forward in the development of zoology. His writings stated that all internal organs and parts of the body are in a connecting chain of development, that is, if the function of one of the organs changes, then the whole organism will also change. While talking about what zoology is, one cannot fail to mention the evolutionary ideas of Charles Darwin, which finally gained the upper hand after the publication of his works.

Differences between plants and representatives of the animal world

The astonishing theme of the similarities between animals and plants has been confirmed by tests in zoology and research. It turns out they have more in common than we can imagine. For example, a similar chemical composition of cells, and the very structure of an organism is a cellular, similar mechanism of metabolism.

The differences, of course, predominate in quantity, the most basic of which are as follows:

  • Unlike animals, plants are nourished through photosynthesis.
  • In plants, organs of a vegetative structure, in animals, of a somatic structure.
  • Plants have no mobility, but animals can move around in the surrounding space.
  • Plant growth continues throughout life, while in animals, the growth of the organism is limited in time.
  • Animals need to seek food for themselves, unlike plants.

Study of unicellular

The most numerous group of the animal world are unicellular organisms. They are believed to be the first terrestrial living organisms. Protozoa can differ not only in size (from 0.3 microns to 20 cm), but also in shape. Most of them have microscopic body parameters. For the first time, unicellular organisms were discovered by A. Levenguk, it happened in 1673.

Charles Darwin is undoubtedly the main naturalist and great scientist. This honor was given to him for a reason. It was he who determined the driving forces of the evolution of the plant and animal world. Even schoolchildren know that these are variability, hereditary factors and natural selection.

By variability, Darwin meant the absence of the same traits in the offspring of the same pair. His research revealed a difference in both plant organisms and animals, in contrast to the great-grandfathers who lived in ancient times. For example, all breeds of dogs, according to the educational version, descended from wolves.

Variability is a cardinal difference among representatives of any species, and not necessarily mammals, but also other various living organisms. It can be hereditary and non-hereditary, directed and undirected, group or individual, quantitative or qualitative.

Heredity in zoology

The study of the zoology of invertebrates and vertebrates made it possible to conclude that certain traits can be transmitted from generation to generation, and sometimes "jump". It is for this reason that we can observe the transfer of a mole on the neck from father to daughter. But if some signs of changes in the organism were accepted during life, then the next generation will not receive them. That is, acquired heredity does not exist. If the tail, which was originally long, is cut off, the puppies will develop a tail of normal length. But the breed was originally short tails- this is a mutation that has occurred, selected for further reproduction by artificial forces, that is, by humans.

Natural selection

If a person provides domesticated animals with food and care, then wild species forced to fight for their survival. V wildlife not only endurance, but also cunning plays a big role.

For example, in winter, many need to monitor the preservation of heat, so as not to freeze to death. To do this, you have to gorge on the fat layer, since food during this period is rather scarce. Someone will be the first to notice a weak hare and eat it, while someone will die of hunger. The strongest survives. This statement is familiar to us from school, and it perfectly reflects the essence of natural selection. As a result of this powerful and fundamental evolutionary process the number of individuals with the maximum adaptability to living conditions increases in the population, and the number of those with unfavorable characteristics decreases.

Development of adaptations

It is clear that only those who were able to adapt their body to the changed conditions of the habitat as much as possible will survive.

Many individuals die in infancy therefore, in the wild, having large offspring is very important for the survival of a particular species. According to the experiments of Charles Darwin, one can understand that those organisms that have received certain adaptations (adaptations), albeit insignificant, remain to live. They can develop at the level of an individual cell, or a group of cells, organs, or as a morphological or functional whole.

Examples of amazing adaptations in the animal kingdom great amount... What are the Alaskan frogs, which literally freeze into the ice for the winter, they fall into a "cryosleep". This condition became possible due to the special structure of the liver.

Artificial selection is the main breeding method

What is zoology, we think, is clear. As mentioned above, this science is closely related to many biological disciplines, including evolution and selection.

Artificial selection in zoology is primarily due to the need to breed new breeds of domesticated animals: cats, dogs, birds, and so on. How does this happen? When a breeder finds an interesting and distinctive new trait in any offspring, he immediately fences it off from reproduction with "wrong" individuals and thus continues to develop a unique mutation. For example, by choosing dogs with only short legs, man created such a breed as the Dachshund. If people need cows with a high milk yield, then those who always have more milk are taken away and only their reproduction is carried out. That is, only those differences remain that are beneficial to people. With natural selection, all changes are primarily beneficial to the animals themselves.

Zoology - the science of animals

Remark 1

Zoology("Zoo" - animal and "logia" - teaching), - the science of animals.

Definition 1

Zoology- a part of biology that studies the diversity of the animal world, the structure of the body and vital activity of animals, their distribution on the planet, connection with the environment, the laws of individual and historical development.

Zoology helps humans to understand their physical essence. The study of zoology makes it possible to protect the animal world of the Earth, and to provide oneself with food, clothing and other material values ​​from the animal world.

Subject, object and tasks of zoology

Remark 2

Thing- living organisms of the animal kingdom and the kingdom of protists. An object- a certain type of animal.

The tasks of zoologists are aimed at studying:

  • Internal and external structure animals;
  • Livelihoods of animals;
  • Individual and historical development;
  • The relationship of animals with the external environment;
  • Geographic distribution of animals.

Research methods in zoology

Zoological research methods are common to many biological disciplines. Observation method. Used in natural and special conditions... During observation, the phenomena under study are recorded, with the help of writing and sketches.

Experiment- an active form of study. With the help of experiments, a specific goal is pursued and a number of issues that have arisen are resolved.

Comparative method. It is used to compare the studied object of the animal world. This method helps to classify and analyze specific traits closely related forms of animals.

Monitoring. Continuous observation and analysis of the studied studies of individual objects.

Modeling. Studying processes that cannot be experimentally reproduced. This method consists in demonstrating and researching certain processes and phenomena that occur in the animal kingdom.

Statistical method. It is aimed at the statistical processing of quantitative material, which is comprehensively analyzed and, as a result, certain patterns are established.

Historical method. Studies the patterns and development of animals.

Zoological method- organization of measures to combat animal pests in agriculture and forestry.

Ecological-zoological method- organization of fish stock production, number of objects hunting grounds, acclimatization of useful animals.

Disciplines of the science of zoology

According to the research tasks, zoology is divided into disciplines:

Systematics. This discipline describes the external and internal structure of animals, thereby systematizing them by similarity. Taxonomy includes taxonology.

Morphology. Explores the external and internal structure animals. Compares similarities different groups animals, and establishes the laws of their development.

Phylogenetics. Studying the evolutionary paths of representatives of the animal world.

Animal embryology. Studies individual development animals.

Ecology. The relationship between oneself and other living organisms, and inanimate environmental factors.

Ethology. Studying the behavior of animals.

Paleozoology. Studying ancient extinct animals.

Physiology of animals. Studying the functions of the animal organism.

The word "zoology" consists of two words - "zoon" (animal) and "logos" (teaching). Zoology is the science of animals, their structure, life, diversity, classification, interaction with each other and with the environment.

What is studying

In the study of the vast field of zoology, animal science - the following biological disciplines are involved:

  • cytology - cell science;
  • physiology - the science of the functioning of the body and the regulation of life processes;
  • anatomy (morphology) - external and internal structure of the body;
  • embryology - the science of the development of the embryo;
  • paleontology - the science of fossil animals;
  • genetics - the science of the development and heredity of organisms;
  • taxonomy - development of classification principles.

Each of these disciplines provides an understanding of the origin, development, modification and structure of the animal.

Man is part of the animal world, therefore he is studied according to the same principle as any other animal.

Depending on the object of study, zoology is divided into the following disciplines:

Rice. 1. Animals.

Zoology is closely related to other related sciences - medicine, veterinary medicine, ecology.

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Differences from plants

Animals have the features of a living organism, which is proved by the following features:

  • cellular structure;
  • growth;
  • metabolism;
  • breath;
  • release of waste products;
  • reproduction.

However, there are a number of characteristics that distinguish animals from plants:

  • lack of cellulose cell walls, vacuoles, chloroplasts;
  • heterotrophic nutrition, i.e. the use of other organisms for food;
  • the presence of an organ system or its rudiments;
  • active movement;
  • the presence of instincts and behavior.

Rice. 2. Comparison of animal and plant cells.

Types of animals

There are more than 1.6 million animal species in the world. Most of the animal world is made up of arthropods (1.3 million species). These include insects, spiders, and crayfish.

Rice. 3. Arthropods are numerous animals.

A classification is used to describe the diversity of species, which includes nine categories:

  • Superkingship (Domain);
  • Kingdom;
  • Subkingdom;
  • Class;
  • Detachment;
  • Family;

The smallest animal consists of one cage (no more than 0.5 mm in length). Giants are found not only among mammals ( blue whale), but also reptiles, birds, amphibians.

What have we learned?

Zoology studies animals, includes many disciplines and affects related sciences. In structure and way of life, animals differ significantly from plants. They are classified into nine categories.

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