Zoology

Zoology Definition

Zoologyor animal biologyis the field of biology that involves the study of animals. The word zoology comes from the Greek words zōionmeaning “animal”and logosmeaning “the study of”. It encompasses all aspects of scientific knowledge about animalslike embryonic developmentevolutionbehaviorecological distributionand classification. Zoology is broken into many branches because there are so many different ways to study animals; it is also broken into branches based on which animals are being studied.

History of Zoology

People have been interested in learning about animals since ancient times. The prominent ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle took detailed notes on animal observationsand inspired other scientists for many hundreds of years. Many universities were founded in Europe in the 16^th Centuryand by the mid-17^th Centurydivisions were founded in universities that focused entirely on animal research.

In the 19^th Centurythe microscope became commonplace in scientific researchand this opened up a whole new realm of possibility; nowthe cells of animals could be studied at the microscopic level. Another breakthrough in zoology occurred when the naturalist Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution by natural selection. This theory revolutionized zoology and taxonomy (classification). More recentlythe discovery of DNA as life’s genetic material led to even more new research and knowledge about the natural world and the evolutionary relationships between animals.

Branches of Zoology

Zoography

Zoographyalso called descriptive zoology or zoogeographyis the study of animals and their habitats. It is concerned with the geographic ranges of specific populations of animalstheir effects on the ecosystems they live inand the reasons for a specific spatial distribution of an animal species.

Comparative Anatomy

Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different types of animals. Closely related animals like mammals share common boneseven if these bones have been extremely modified in shape. For examplebat wings are essentially very longthin bones that are homologous to the ones in human fingers. Studying the similar anatomical structures in related organisms provided evidence for evolution from a common ancestor that was later confirmed by genetics research. Comparative anatomy is still used todayoften in paleontologythe study of fossils.

Animal Physiology

Animal physiology is the study of the bodily processes that occur in animals that allow them to maintain homeostasis and survive. Homeostasis is the ability of the body to maintain a relatively constant equilibrium even in a changing environment. One example is the regulation of body temperature in mammals. Humans have a normal body temperature of about 37°C (98.6°F)even when the environment they are in is much colder. Animal physiology involves the study of processes like temperature regulationblood pressure and blood flowand the release of hormones at specific times in the body.

Ethology

Ethology is the study of animal behaviorusually in regard to in their natural environment as opposed to in a lab. Ethology has roots in the work of Darwinbut emerged as a field in the 1930s. It involves the study of animal learningcognitioncommunicationand sexualityand is related to evolutionary biology and ecology. Principles from ethology research are also used in animal training.

Behavioral Ecology

Behavioral ecology emerged from ethology. It is the study of evolution as the basis for animal behavior due to ecological pressureswhich are constraints placed upon organisms by their environment. Organisms with traits that are well-suited to their environment have a higher likelihood of surviving and reproducing than those who do not. When the proportion of individuals with favored traits increases over a long period of timeevolution can occur. Behavioral ecologists study animals’ competition for resources such as foodterritoryand mates and the increased reproductive success that certain traits may give.

Groupings by Animal

Zoology is also broken down into subcategories based on the type of animal being studied. For examplea distinction is made between invertebrate zoology and vertebrate zoology. There are also many specific terms for each type of animal that is studied. Some examples are:

This is a picture of a coral reef. Coral reefs are full of biodiversity; many fish and other sea animals live on coralswhich are also animals themselves.

Careers in Zoology

Many people are fascinated by animalsso zoology can be a rather competitive field. Howeverthere are many different types of jobs in zoology. Many zoologists are researchers who study animals in lab and or/field settings. To be the head of a research labhaving a PhD is necessary. Another job in zoology is that of a wildlife rehabilitatorwho cares for wild animals that are orphaned or injured in order to improve their health so that they can return to their natural habitat. Still other zoologists work in zoos as zookeepers and zoo curatorswho take care of zoo animalsmonitor their behaviortrain themand educate the public about the animals. Many zoologists also work in conservationwhere they do researchcollect information about endangered speciesand educate people about these species. Entry-level jobs in zoology usually require a bachelor’s degree and some experience working with animalswhile more advanced positions may require a master’s or doctorate.

Zoology Major

Some people go on to become zoologists after getting a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field. They combine a degree in biology with animal workand may go on to get a master’s or doctorate specifically in zoology. Howeversome colleges do offer bachelor’s degrees specifically in zoology. Zoology bachelor’s degree programs involve general classes in the basic sciences– biologychemistryphysicsand math– and also involve upper-level classes on a variety of subjectsfrom animal science to microbiology to wildlife ecology. These classes meet the requirements for graduate studies in zoology; if someone who has not received a zoology bachelor’s degree goes on to do graduate work in zoologythey must meet several basic requirements. Usually these requirements includein addition to biology coursesat least three semesters of chemistrya year of physicsand a year of calculus. All of these courses are usually taken in the process of getting a bachelor’s degree in biology. If one has deficiencieshe or she may be able to make up for it by taking these courses before or while attending graduate school.

References

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• HardisonRoss C. (2003). “Comparative Genomics.” PLoS Biol. 1(2): e58.
• HarperDouglas (2017). “Zoology.” Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2017-04-16 from http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=zoology.
• KielmasMaria (n.d.). “What Jobs Could a Zoologist Get?” The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-04-16 from http://work.chron.com/jobs-could-zoologist-get-10471.html.
• “Zoogeography.” Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved 2017-04-16 from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zoogeography.
• “Zoology.” Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved 2017-04-16 from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zoology.