Concepts and Unifying Theories in Modern Biology - Paper Example

Introduction

A theory is an organized scheme of ideas meant to elaborate something, mostly one build on general methods independent of the tools to be described, a concept in the other hand is an element used in the formulation of a theory. A principle of biology is a fundamental concept that is true for all living things. Modern biology is grounded in several great principles or ideas. These theories are:

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1. The cell concept
2. The ideology of evolution by natural selection.
3. Gene principle.
4. Homeostasis.

The Cell Theory

The cell is the fundamental unit of anatomy and function of all organisms. This theory maintains that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells. The cells come from preexisting ones. This finding was a challenge to a previously existing explanation known as a spontaneous generation; At the time of the outcome, most scientists believed that living things arise spontaneously under a particular circumstance. Voluntary production was a theory, a suggested description. The all cells from cell concept in contrary stated that cells did not come to life voluntarily but got manufactured when preexisting ones grow and split up. Cells can be unicellular or multicellular. A unicellular being also referred to as a single-celled structure, is an organism that consists of only a single cell, the multicellular organism is the one that has several cells. An example of a unicellular organism is the prokaryotes and some fungi. Multicellular creatures have examples of the plants, animal, and fungi that have diversified cells to perform specialized functions. This concept got founded by German researchers, Theodor Schwann, Matthias Schneider and Rudolph Virchow. The prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell are examples of a cell.

The Concept of Evolution By Natural Choice

This concept described by the English scientist Charles Darwin (1809-1882). He maintained that all species of creatures grow and develop through the natural choice of small, succeeded differences that raise the individual's ability to engage, survive and bleed. The principle maintains that all known organisms have a common origin. This theory grounded on the consideration that there is a difference between individuals within the same kind. This fundamental consideration is the central principle in biology. If particular heritable characteristics lead to an increase in success in producing young ones, then those characteristics become more common in the populations over a period. In this manner, the population traits vary as a result of natural choice acting on individuals. Therefore Natural selection works on individuals while evolutionary variation hinders populations only. Evolution happens when heritable changes result in favorable differential outcomes in reproduction. Darwin also introduced some words to help in understanding what happens in natural selection, For example, the term adaptation in biology is a characteristic that increases the ability of an individual in a particular environment. (Enger, 2003)

The Gene Theory

This principle was formulated by a monk referred to as Gregor Mendel in 1860s. The theory maintains that characteristics are transferred from parent to children by gene transmission. Genes are found in the chromosomes and are made up of DNA. The chromosomes are a complex of DNA and protein. These genes are passed from parent to children by reproduction. The genes of one species keep on being transferred from time to time through breeding. This diagram elaborates how the gene, chromosomes, and DNA are interrelated. (Kent, July 2000)

Homeostasis

A French physiologist Claude Bernard formulated the theory in 1865. He described it as the ability of the body to maintain a particular state of equilibrium. It explains how the body regulates its internal environment even when it's external environment changes. Some of this changes are temperature, energy and internal acidity (PH). The way the cell regulates the PH is by use of the concept of homeostasis. (Michael Roberts, 2000)

Conclusion

The principle of Homeostasis, gene theory, cell theory and the evolution theory are four unifying theories that form the basis of modern biology. These four principles are of great importance in every field of biology today. The gene theory helps in understanding how the parent traits are transmitted spontaneously to young ones from time to time. The evolution concept also helps explain the seen variations from generation to generation. The Homeostasis concept describes how bodies adapt to changes in the external environment like changes in temperature. Cells are born from preexisting ones; the cell theory explains this in detail. These four theories complement each other in the teaching and understanding of modern biology.

References

Enger, E. D. a. R. C., 2003. Concepts in biology. 10th edition ed. s.l.: McGraw-Hill.

Kent, M., July 2000. Advanced biology. OUP Oxford.

Michael Roberts, M. J. R. m., 2000. Advanced Biology. Illustrated, revised ed. s.l.: Nelson Thornes.