1.1 Introduction to Biology

Short Introduction Science is all around us. When you look at a plant and wonder why its leaves are green, or why flowers have different colours, you have already taken the first step of science — asking a question. Biology is the branch of science that deals with living things, and this subtopic introduces what biology is, how the Holy Quran guides us to study life, and how early Muslim scientists contributed to this field.

Definition

Biology is the study of living organisms. It helps us explain how living things relate to one another and to their surroundings. The word "biology" comes from two Greek words: bios = life logos = thought, reasoning and study So, biology literally means "the study of life."

Main Idea

Science is a process of collecting information about the world around us. It begins with asking a question, making observations, and trying to find answers. The study of science helps us answer the how, what, where and why of our surroundings.

Core Concept

What is Science? Science is a process of collecting information about the world around us. Much of the time, the first step in collecting information is asking a question. For example: Why do I feel pain when I touch a hot object? Why are leaves green? Why are flowers of various colours? Making observations, asking questions, and trying to find answers is what science is all about. Quranic Instructions to Reveal the Study of Life generated by DeepSeek to PDF

What science is discovering today, the Holy Quran hinted at several hundred years ago. The Holy Quran is a book for all times to come. It gives us spiritual, moral and practical knowledge. There are many verses in the Quran which tell us about the origin of life. 1. Origin of Life in Water "We made every living thing from water" (Sura Ambiya 21, Ayat 30) Living things consist of 60 to 90 percent water. So all living things have come out of water and thus they have a common origin. 2. Creation of Man "He made man from clay like the potter" (Sura Rehman, Ayat 14) The creation of man consisted of two steps: The first step was the creation from water. The second step was to mix clay with water to create man. This can be said for all animals because man shares all characteristics of life with other animals. 3. Development "Then fashioned we the drop a clot, then fashioned we the clot a little lump, then fashioned we the little lump bones, then clotted the bones with flesh" (Sura Al-Mominoon, Ayat 14) The sequence of developmental stages is described in the Quran many times. Contribution of Muslim Scientists Muslim scientists have made great contributions to the field of biology. The knowledge of: Jabir Bin Hayyan Abdul Malik Asmai Bu Ali Sina has contributed a lot to the development of present-day knowledge of plants and animals.

Intermediate Level

Biology is not just about naming plants and animals. It is about understanding how living things work, how they interact with each other, and how they relate to their environment. The Quran gave hints about life's origin (from water), the creation of man (from clay), and the stages of development (drop → clot → lump → bones → flesh). Early Muslim scientists like Jabir Bin Hayyan, Abdul Malik Asmai, and Bu Ali Sina studied plants and animals in detail, laying the foundation for modern biology.

Important Points

• 1. Science is a process of collecting information about the world around us.
• 2. The first step in science is usually asking a question.
• 3. Biology is the study of living organisms and their relationships.
• 4. The word "biology" comes from Greek: bios (life) + logos (study).
• 5. The Quran mentions the origin of life from water, creation of man from clay, and stages of development.
• 6. Living things contain 60–90% water, supporting the idea of a common origin.
• 7. Muslim scientists (Jabir Bin Hayyan, Abdul Malik Asmai, Bu Ali Sina) contributed greatly to biology.

Remember

• bios = life, logos = study/reasoning
• Quranic verses quoted are from Sura Ambiya (21:30), Sura Rehman (14), and Sura Al-Mominoon (14).
• Water is the basis of life — 60–90% of living things is water.

Common Mistakes

• 1. Confusing "science" with "biology": Science is the broader process of collecting information; biology is
• a specific branch of science dealing with living things.
• 2. Thinking biology is only about animals: Biology includes plants, animals, and microorganisms.
• 3. Ignoring the Quranic context: The Quranic verses are guidance, not a replacement for scientific
• observation — they complement each other.
• 4. Mispronouncing "logos": It is "logos" (study/reasoning), not "logo" (symbol).

Quick Revision

• Biology is the study of living organisms. The word comes from Greek bios (life) and logos (study). Science begins
• with asking questions and making observations. The Holy Quran mentions the origin of life from water, the creation
• of man from clay, and the stages of human development. Muslim scientists like Jabir Bin Hayyan, Abdul Malik Asmai,
• and Bu Ali Sina contributed significantly to the development of biology.

60-Second Revision

• Biology = study of living things
• generated by DeepSeek to PDF

• bios = life, logos = study
• Science = collecting information by asking questions and observing
• Quran: Life from water, man from clay, development in stages
• Muslim scientists: Jabir Bin Hayyan, Abdul Malik Asmai, Bu Ali Sina
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Q1. What is science? Answer: Science is a process of collecting information about the world around us. It involves
• making observations, asking questions, and trying to find answers. The study of science helps us answer the how,
• what, where and why of our surroundings.
• Q2. What is the meaning of the word "biology"? Answer: The word biology comes from two Greek words: bios
• meaning life and logos meaning thought, reasoning and study. Therefore, biology is the study of living organisms.
• Q3. How does the Holy Quran instruct us to study life? Answer: The Holy Quran gives several hints about the
• study of life. It states that every living thing was made from water (Sura Ambiya 21:30), that man was created from
• clay like the potter (Sura Rehman 14), and it describes the sequence of developmental stages from a drop to a clot,
• to a lump, to bones, and then flesh (Sura Al-Mominoon 14). These verses encourage the study of life and its origins.
• Q4. What is the significance of the verse "We made every living thing from water"? Answer: Living things
• consist of 60 to 90 percent water. This verse indicates that all living things have come out of water and thus they
• have a common origin. This aligns with scientific understanding of the importance of water for life.
• Q5. Name three Muslim scientists who contributed to biology. Answer: The three Muslim scientists mentioned
• are:
• 1. Jabir Bin Hayyan
• 2. Abdul Malik Asmai
• 3. Bu Ali Sina
• Their knowledge contributed a lot to the development of present-day knowledge of plants and animals.
• Q6. What is the first step in doing science? Answer: The first step in doing science is asking a question. For
• example, wondering why leaves are green or why flowers have various colours is the beginning of scientific inquiry.
• This is followed by making observations and trying to find answers.
• Q7. Why is it said that all living things have a common origin? Answer: According to the Quranic verse (Sura
• Ambiya 21:30), every living thing was made from water. Since living things consist of 60 to 90 percent water, it is
• understood that all living things have come out of water and thus share a common origin.
• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Q1. The word "biology" is derived from which language? A. Latin B. Greek C. Arabic D. Sanskrit Correct Answer: B
• Explanation: Biology comes from Greek words bios (life) and logos (study).
• Q2. What is the literal meaning of "bios"? A. Study B. Life C. Reasoning D. Thought Correct Answer: B Explanation:
• Bios is a Greek word meaning life.
• Q3. Which of the following is the first step in doing science? A. Making a hypothesis B. Asking a question C.
• Performing an experiment D. Drawing a conclusion Correct Answer: B Explanation: The first step in collecting
• information is usually asking a question.
• generated by DeepSeek to PDF

• Q4. According to the Holy Quran, every living thing was made from: A. Clay B. Fire C. Water D. Air Correct Answer: C
• Explanation: Sura Ambiya 21:30 states "We made every living thing from water."
• Q5. Which Surah and Ayat mention the creation of man from clay? A. Sura Ambiya, Ayat 30 B. Sura Rehman, Ayat 14
• C. Sura Al-Mominoon, Ayat 14 D. Sura Baqarah, Ayat 30 Correct Answer: B Explanation: Sura Rehman, Ayat 14 states
• "He made man from clay like the potter."
• Q6. Living things consist of what percentage of water? A. 10–20% B. 30–50% C. 60–90% D. 95–100% Correct Answer:
• C Explanation: Living things consist of 60 to 90 percent water.
• Q7. Which Muslim scientist is NOT mentioned in the context of contributions to biology? A. Jabir Bin Hayyan B.
• Abdul Malik Asmai C. Bu Ali Sina D. Ibn Khaldun Correct Answer: D Explanation: The three scientists mentioned are
• Jabir Bin Hayyan, Abdul Malik Asmai, and Bu Ali Sina.
• Q8. The study of science helps us answer which of the following? A. Only "how" and "what" B. Only "where" and
• "why" C. How, what, where and why D. Only "when" Correct Answer: C Explanation: Science helps us answer the
• how, what, where and why of our surroundings.
• Q9. According to Sura Al-Mominoon, Ayat 14, the developmental stages described are: A. Water → clay → bones →
• flesh B. Drop → clot → lump → bones → flesh C. Egg → sperm → zygote → embryo D. Seed → plant → flower → fruit
• Correct Answer: B Explanation: The verse describes: drop → clot → lump → bones → flesh.
• Q10. The Holy Quran is described as a book for: A. Only Muslims B. All times to come C. Only scientists D. Only the
• past Correct Answer: B Explanation: The text states "The Holy Quran is a book for all times to come."
• Subtopic 1.1 complete. Reply "next" to approve and I will produce Subtopic 2: 1.2 Major Fields of Biology
• (Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, and all 15 sub-fields).