Zoology Facts & Worksheets

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Zoology, or animal biology, is a branch of biology that deals with the study of animals. Zoology came from the Greek words zoon, which means “animal,” and logos, which means “the study of.” It includes all facets of the scientific understanding of animals, including their taxonomy, behavior, ecological distribution, and knowledge of their embryonic development.

See the fact file below for more information on Zoology, or you can download our 25-page Zoology worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• Zoology traces the study of animals from ancient times. The ability of early humans to survive as hunters determined their relationship with other animals, which served as both a food supply and a threat.
• Animals were diversely incorporated into people’s folk traditions and philosophical consciousness as fellow living creatures. Likewise, the domestication of animals pushed humans to apply a systematical and tested view of animal life, especially after urbanization required a constant and ample supply of animal products.
• Aristotle’s depth descriptions of living organisms inspired the systematic study of animals, where he studied the construction, development, and vital processes of animals as living things.
• Mechanistic perspectives of life processes provided a promising method for analyzing animal functions. The physiological functions of animals, such as digestion, excretion, and breathing, were easily observed.
• As the science of chemistry advanced, it inevitably expanded to the study of animate systems. The cell concept affected numerous biological disciplines, which offered a fresh perspective on the fundamentals of life, including embryology. Karl von Baer, a German-trained comparative embryologist, was the first to discover a mammalian egg within an ovary. 
• The widespread use of the microscope in scientific studies created a whole new world of opportunities since animal cells could be examined at the microscopic level. 
• The creation of the hypothesis of evolution through natural selection by Charles Darwin was a milestone in zoology. This transformed taxonomy and zoology. 
• Recent studies and discoveries regarding the evolutionary ties between species have been made possible by the discovery of DNA as the genetic material of life.

BRANCHES

Zoology is the study of all kinds of animals, from the tiniest insects to giant mammals and reptiles ever to have existed. Some zoology subdisciplines are the following.

• Animal Physiology. Animal physiology studies the fundamental processes that allow animal life to exist, how biological processes work, how they operate in different environments, and how these processes are regulated and integrated.
• Anthrozoology.  It studies the areas that animals inhabit in human social and cultural realms, as well as their relationships with humans. The study of how animal life interface with human civilizations is central to this area.
• Archaeozoology. It is also known as faunal analysis. When an animal dies, faunal remains are the parts left behind; examples are bones, shells, hair, chitin, scales, hides, proteins, and DNA.
• Ethology. The study of animal behavior in its natural context was first studied in the 1930s, but its roots can be seen in Darwin’s work. It is related to evolutionary biology and ecology and involves the study of animal learning, cognition, communication, and sexuality. 
• Behavioral Ecology. The study of behavioral adaptations and interactions of animals within a population in response to selecting forces in a specific ecological context.
• Niko Tinbergen is regarded as one of the founders of behavioral ecology for his contributions to understanding how natural selection impacts animal behavior. He studied how animals’ adaptive behavior boosts their reproductive and survival values in their natural setting.
• The likelihood of an organism surviving and reproducing is better for those with qualities that are adapted to their surroundings. The struggle between animals for resources, including food, territory, and mates, as well as the potential for enhanced reproductive success, are topics of research for behavioral ecologists.
• Comparative Anatomy. The study of similarities and differences between the anatomical structures of several animal species. Mammals and other closely related animals share similar bones, although these bones have undergone significant form modification. 
• Morphology. The study of animals’ form and structure and their particular structural traits. This encompasses features of the external appearance and the form and structure of interior organs and bones.
• Palaeozoology. It deals with the recovery and identification of multicellular animals remaining from geological contexts, as well as their usage in reconstructing prehistoric habitats and ancient ecosystems.
• Taxonomy. A method to classify and organize animals based on their biological characteristics. The hierarchy follows domain; kingdom; phylum; class; order; family; genus; species. Domains represent changes in the chemical makeup of the cell exteriors. Each kingdom is then subdivided until each species is classed independently. An organism’s scientific name is derived from its genus and species. When writing a scientific name, capitalize the initial letter of the genus and lowercase the rest. 
• The Linnaean Taxonomy is the primary classification system. It incorporates rankings as well as binomial nomenclature. The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) governs the categorization, taxonomy, and nomenclature of zoological creatures.
• Zoography. The study of animals and their environments is called descriptive zoology or zoogeography. It is concerned with the geographic ranges of specific animal populations, their effects on the ecosystems in which they dwell, and the causes of an animal species’ particular spatial distribution.
• Zoometry. Studies the length or size of various segments of an animal or animals.
• Zootomy. The dissection of animals is referred to as anatomy in humans.

Zoology is also divided into branches according to the kind of animal studied. Each species of animal investigated has a large number of unique terms. 

• Acarology – the study of mites and ticks
• Arthropodology – the study of arthropods
• Carcinology – the study of crustaceans
• Myriapodology – a study of milli- and centipedes
• Arachnology – the study of arachnids
• Entomology – the study of insects
• Coleopterology – the study of beetles
• Lepidopterology – the study of butterflies
• Melittology – the study of bees
• Myrmecology – the study of ants
• Orthopterology – the study of grasshoppers
• Cetology – Study of marine mammals (whales and dolphins)
• Herpetology – the study of amphibians and reptiles
• Batrachology – the study of frogs, salamanders, newts, and caecilians
• Cheloniology – the study of turtles and tortoises
• Saurology – the study of lizards
• Serpentology – the study of snakes
• Ichthyology – the study of fish
• Malacology – the study of mollusks
• Conchology – the study of shells
• Teuthology – the study of cephalopods
• Mammalogy – the study of mammals
• Cetology – the study of cetaceans
• Primatology – the study of living and extinct primates
• Ornithology – the study of birds
• Parasitology – the study of parasites, their hosts, and their relationships
• Helminthology – the study of parasitic worms (helminths)
• Planktology – the study of plankton
• Protozoology – the study of Protozoa (unicellular organisms)
• Nematology – the study of nematodes (roundworms)

METHODS

• Different approaches are required for each type of investigation, as animal research can focus on a wide range of issues. The emphasis on the molecular foundation of genetics, development, physiology, behavior, and ecology has increased the importance of procedures that include cells and their various components. 
• Microscopy. Specific procedures for isolating and characterizing molecules are required techniques in zoology. The light in microscopy can be adjusted to reveal structures in living cells that would otherwise be invisible.
• Radioactive Tracers. Radioactive chemicals enter cells. These molecules reveal the locations of specific metabolic activities within cells and insights into the destiny of these compounds in organisms and the environment.
• Computer Technology. Computers with access to large data sets pick and present information related to a specific problem to assist researchers in devising potential solutions. They aid in regular exams, such as examining chromosomal preparations for anomalies in quantity or structure. Computers can electrically monitor test organisms to make adjustments during experiments; this technique increases data quality and allows experimental settings to be fully explored.
• These contemporary techniques, in addition to the old ones, are utilized for tissue, organ, organ system, and organismic measurement and experimentation.

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

• Demand for Zoos, Aquariums, and Other Animal Parks. Taking animals out of their natural home was seen negatively by the 1980s. Animals used to be about display and entertainment. Yet, they have moved on to be recognized by their needs, participating in conservation and breeding programs and focusing on teaching and research. To remain relevant and do more good than harm, zoos must continue to employ and consult zoologists, as well as engage in the positive implementation of researcher discoveries.
• Conservation and Ecology. The need to respect the boundaries of protected species, study and conserve with minimal interruption, and conduct research in war and conflict zones. Site visits for large initiatives examining endangered species would carry the risk of ecological damage, animal assault, and a government’s wrath if not appropriately handled.
• Climate Change. Climate change can cause extreme events such as flooding and drought. Climate change causes an ecological transition, which changes the zoological profile of a landscape. There have already been reports of mosquitoes migrating north from the equator and into subtropical areas where they have not been seen in thousands of years. Diseases could spread as a result of this.

Zoology Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Zoology across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching about Zoology or animal biology, which is a branch of biology that deals with the study of animals.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Zoology Facts 
2. What About Zoology
3. Who am I?
4. More Zoo
5. Animal Bingo
6. Kingdom Animalia
7. My Take
8. Zoo?
9. Word Zoo
10. Zoologist’s Notes
11. Zoo-evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is zoology?

Zoology is the study of animals and their behavior, structure, physiology, and classification. Zoologists study animals in their natural habitats, in zoos and aquariums, and in laboratories, in order to understand how they live and interact with each other and their environment.

What types of animals do zoologists study?

Zoologists study a wide variety of animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates such as insects and crustaceans. They may also study animals in different environments such as freshwater, marine and terrestrial habitats.

What do zoologists do?

Zoologists conduct research, observe animal behavior, collect and analyze data, and publish their findings in scientific journals. They may also work in conservation and management of wildlife, teach and educate the public about animals and their habitat, and work in zoos and aquariums to care for animals.

How can I become a zoologist?

To become a zoologist, you will typically need to earn a bachelor’s degree in zoology or a related field, such as biology. Many zoologists also go on to earn a graduate degree in order to conduct advanced research or to specialize in a specific area of zoology. Zoologists may also get experience by working as a volunteer or intern at a zoo or wildlife sanctuary.

Why is zoology important?

Zoology is important because it helps us to understand the diversity of life on Earth and the ways in which animals interact with each other and their environment. This knowledge can be used to protect endangered species, manage wildlife populations, and conserve biodiversity. Additionally, zoology also has many practical applications, such as in the fields of medicine and agriculture, where knowledge of animal biology is essential.

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Link will appear as Zoology Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 11, 2023