What is Zoology?

modern organic world, with all its diverse biomass can be divided into five kingdoms of nature:

  • animals;
  • plants;
  • mushrooms;
  • bacteria;
  • viruses.

study of each of them is engaged in a whole range of sciences.We will look at what science has been studying the representatives of the animal kingdom, the data subjects are called, since when have arisen and what results achieved to date.

Science Zoology

Home Science, devoted himself to studying the variety and lifestyle of animals - zoology.That it is the foundation on which kept the knowledge of our smaller brothers.

What is Zoology?Answer in one sentence is unlikely to succeed.It is not just a dry science, based on the theory, it is a set of sections and podnauk collecting materials about everything related to the animal world.

So the answer to this question is this: zoology - the science of that part of the biomass of the planet, which refers to animals.Thus, the object of study Zoology are all animals - from the simplest multicellular unicellular to mammals.The subject of this science considers the study of the external and internal structure, physiological processes, distribution in nature, lifestyle and behavioral characteristics, the interaction between themselves and with the outside world.

Goals and Objectives Science

more fully understand what zoology, to help its goals and objectives as a science.The objectives are:

  • explore the features of functioning, structure, historical development of the embryo and all members of the animal;
  • consider ways to adapt to their environment and track features ethology;
  • determine their role in the system of the organic world;
  • reveal the role of man in the conservation and protection of wildlife.

In connection with the intended purpose of Zoology tasks such items are:

  1. study of external and internal structure, as well as the physiological characteristics of the animal.
  2. comparison of their needs and their habitats.
  3. set value and the role of individual groups in nature and human activities.
  4. Analysis taxonomy of fauna, identification of the most vulnerable groups, to ensure their safety and protection.

considered the objectives, tasks, object and subject of zoology, we can confidently say that it is studying zoology fauna in all its manifestations.

Classification of zoological sections

over two million known species.Each has its own unique characteristics, and the interaction with each other, they do represent a unique system.The study of such a system requires a lot of time and effort.It is the work of so many people.Therefore, the whole science is a special section of Zoology.

their classification is based on two basic principles: the study on the project and the tasks for science.Consider both.

classification of objects to study

  1. Mammalogy (theriology) - the science of animal-class mammals.
  2. herpetologist - on reptiles and amphibians.
  3. Ichthyology - about fish.
  4. Ornithology - of birds (birds).
  5. Entomology - about insects.
  6. acarologists - about ticks.
  7. Arachnology - a spider.
  8. Malacology - on sea and ocean shellfish.
  9. carcinology - for crustaceans.
  10. Protozoology - about one-celled (protozoa).
  11. Helminthology - of parasitic worms.

Classification of zoological sections on tasks

There are also sections on zoological classification problems for science.It represents the following categories:

  • systematics - the section dealing with the classification and place in the biological classification for each of the animal;
  • zoogeography - the science that studies the distribution and settlement on the territory of our planet;
  • morphology - the science that studies the characteristics of the external and internal structure;
  • Phylogenetics - learn the basics of the origin and historical development of wildlife;
  • genetics - considering the laws of heredity and variation in all generations;
  • histology - is studying the cellular structure of tissues;
  • paleozoology - the science of fossils of extinct animals and all periods of life on the planet;
  • cytology - the study of the cell and its structure;
  • ethology - examines the characteristics of behavioral mechanisms in animals in different situations;
  • Embryology - is considering the establishment of embryos and the similarities and differences between all the representatives of the animal world on the basis of the analysis of embryonic and features of ontogenesis;
  • ecology - studies the interaction between the animals themselves, as well as adaptation to the conditions of the world and human interaction;
  • physiology - especially all the vital processes;
  • anatomy - studying the internal structure of animals.

Zoology vertebrates

What zoology of vertebrates?It's a section that deals with the study of the animal world, having a chord (for the life is transformed into the spinal column with the spinal cord).

The objectives of this part of the discipline students acquainted with the external and internal features of all classes of vertebrates, their behavior and lifestyle, distribution and role in nature and human life.

main features of vertebrates, which are specific to this group are the following:

  1. only they have the chord - the progenitor of the spine.In some species it is and remains for life, but the majority develops into the spine.
  2. nervous system of these animals is clearly differentiated in the brain and spinal cord (except for strictly chordates, with whom she is always a nerve cord of the chord).
  3. digestive system in representatives of different classes opens outward mouth opening at the front of the body, the end of the digestive tube is converted from marine life to the gills.In terrestrial form inside the lungs.
  4. All Representatives has heart - the center of the circulatory system.

It is in this section is devoted to animals and zoology of vertebrates.

Zoology invertebrates

What is studying zoology of invertebrates?This particular structure, lifestyle and the values ​​of all animals in the nature without the above features.These animals include representatives of the following types:

  • sponges;
  • coelenterates;
  • ringed, round and flat worms;
  • shellfish;
  • echinoderms;
  • arthropods (spiders, insects, crustaceans).

Invertebrates make up a large part of all known animals.In addition, they play an important role in human activities.

also many representatives of the invertebrates are pests that bring people a lot of trouble (parasitic worm eaters and harvest crops, and so on).

That is why the study of invertebrates is important and of great scientific interest.

Zoology simplest

It simply refers all single-celled animals.Namely:

  • sarcomastigophora (amoeba, pod, foraminifera, Dory);
  • flagellates (Volvox, euglena, trypanosome, opaline);
  • ciliates (ciliated and sucking ciliates);
  • Sporozoa (gregarines, coccidia, Toxoplasma, Plasmodium falciparum).

Some amoebae, ciliates and all Sporozoa are dangerous agents of serious diseases in humans and animals.Therefore, a detailed study of their life cycle, methods of feeding and breeding is an important part in finding ways to combat them.That is why zoology protozoa is no less important branches of science than all the others.

brief sketch of the development of science

This science is very entertaining.Zoology fascinated and seduced many minds at all times.And it is certainly justified.After observation of our smaller brethren indeed very interesting and useful exercise.

main stages that took place the development of zoology, are not much different from those in other sciences.This major four periods:

  1. ancient times.Ancient Greece - Aristotle, ancient Rome - Pliny the Elder.
  2. Middle Ages - the time of stagnation.All sciences were under the influence of the Church, the study of all living things were strictly forbidden.
  3. Renaissance - the most active period in the development of zoology.Accumulated a lot of theoretical and practical information on living animals, formulated the basic laws put into use taxonomy and taxa binary nomenclature of names of animals and plants.The most famous names in this period were: Charles Darwin, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, Carl Linnaeus, Georges Cuvier, John Ray, Saint-Hilaire, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek.
  4. New time refers to the XIX-XX century.This period of development of knowledge about the molecular and genetic structure of animals, the discovery of biogenetic laws and mechanisms of embryonic and physiological development of the animals of all types.Most big names: Max, Haeckel and Mueller, Mechnikov, Kovalevsky.

modern zoology

XXI century - the time of the triumph of digital technology and a unique heavy-duty equipment.This gives great advantages over the science that studies the wildlife, but at the same time and confronts them with new challenges.

What zoology current stage of development?It is a science that is being prepared to answer the questions:

  • What is the animal world?
  • By what laws he lives and what features have?
  • How can a man without harming the natural diversity of the world to use the animals for their own purposes?
  • possible to artificially recreate the lost (extinct) species?

search for answers takes scientists a lot more time, despite having such a perfect technique.

Zoology value is difficult to overestimate.More than once the above mentioned about what a big role it plays in people's lives, their health and their economic activities.She studied a century and will be studied ever, because of outstanding questions about the animals is still a very large number.