Unit 1: Introduction to biology
Essential Biology notes · PTU syllabus (BMLS101-18)
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Unit summary
Biology is the study of living things, and medical laboratory science applies it to diagnose disease. This unit covers biology and its branches, the scientific method, the scope of biology, and career options in medical laboratory sciences.
After this unit you can
- Define biology and name its major branches
- Describe the steps of the scientific method
- Explain the scope of biology in health and industry
- Identify career options for MLS graduates
PTU syllabus topics
- Biology and its branches
- scientific methods in biology
- scope of biology and career options in Medical Laboratory Sciences
- 1
Observation
- 2
Question
- 3
Hypothesis
A testable explanation
- 4
Experiment
Controlled test
- 5
Analysis of results
- 6
Conclusion
Accept, reject or refine
Topic 1
Biology and its branches
- Biology: the science of life — the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution and distribution of living organisms.
Botany and zoology
Plants and animals
Microbiology
Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa
Anatomy and physiology
Body structure and function
Biochemistry
Chemical processes of life
Genetics and molecular biology
Heredity, DNA and genes
Cell biology and histology
Cells and tissues
Pathology and immunology
Disease and body defences
Biotechnology
Using organisms to make products
Topic 2
The scientific method
- 1
Observation
Notice a phenomenon
- 2
Question
Ask why or how
- 3
Hypothesis
Propose a testable explanation
- 4
Experiment
Test with controls and variables
- 5
Analysis
Record and interpret data
- 6
Conclusion
Accept, reject or modify the hypothesis
- 7
Communication
Publish so others can repeat it
Example
Observation: wounds dressed with a certain mould heal without pus. Hypothesis: the mould kills bacteria. Experiment: grow bacteria with and without the mould (Fleming, penicillin, 1928).
- Key ideas: independent and dependent variables, control groups, replication, and a theory as a well-tested explanation.
Topic 3
Scope of biology
- Medicine and health
- Diagnosis, vaccines, drugs, genetic testing
- Agriculture
- High-yield crops, pest control
- Industry
- Fermentation, enzymes, biofuels
- Environment
- Conservation, pollution control
- Forensics
- DNA fingerprinting
- Research
- Understanding disease and life processes
Topic 4
Careers in medical laboratory sciences
- Medical laboratory technologists test blood, body fluids and tissues so doctors can diagnose, monitor and treat disease — an estimated 70% of medical decisions rely on laboratory results.
- Hospital and diagnostic laboratories
- Haematology, biochemistry, microbiology, histopathology, blood bank
- Research laboratories
- ICMR institutes, universities, pharma R&D
- Industry
- Pharmaceutical quality control, diagnostic kit companies, application specialists
- Public health
- Disease surveillance, blood transfusion services
- Higher studies and teaching
- M.Sc MLT, PhD, lecturer
- Entrepreneurship
- Collection centres and laboratories (with NABL accreditation)
Key terms
- Biology
- Science of living organisms
- Hypothesis
- Testable proposed explanation
- Control group
- Group not given the treatment, for comparison
- Microbiology
- Study of microorganisms
- Medical laboratory technologist
- Professional who performs diagnostic laboratory tests
Quick revision
- Definition and branches of biology.
- Steps of the scientific method; variables and controls.
- Scope in medicine, agriculture, industry, environment, forensics.
- MLS careers in hospitals, research, industry, public health and teaching.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.Define biology.
- Q2.Name four branches of biology.
- Q3.What is a hypothesis?
- Q4.Why is a control group used?
- Q5.State two applications of biology in medicine.
- Q6.Name three departments of a clinical laboratory.
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Explain the branches and scope of biology.
- Q2.Describe the scientific method with an example.
- Q3.Discuss career opportunities in medical laboratory sciences.
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