Science
(A) Various Important Branches of Science
Name of science Related to
Acoustics Sound and sound waves
Aeronautics Activities of flying
Agronomy Production of crops and soil management
Anatomy Dissectional learning of animal and human body
Anthropology Origin, cultural and physical development of man
Archaeology Study of material remains of past as proofs
Astronautics Space vehicles and travelling in space
Astronomy Planets (the heavenly bodies)
Biology Science of living organisms
Botany Plants
Cardiology Heart and related diseases
Ceramics Manufacturing of clay objects
Cetology Aquatic mammals, especially the whales
Cosmology Universe
Cryogenics Studying effects of low temperature
Cytology Structure and function of cells
Dactylogy Study of fingerprints
Dermatology Skin
Dietetics Diet and nutrition
Ecology Organisms and environment relationship
Entomology Insects
Endocrinology Endocrine glands
Etymology Origin and history of words
Genetics Heredity and its laws
Geology Earth’s (chemical and physical) structure
Gerontology Ageing process, problems and diseases
Gynaecology Female diseases of reproductive system
Haematology Blood and related disorders
Histology Tissues
Immunology Body’s immune system
Morphology External structure of living organisms
Mycology Fungi and fungal diseases
Nephrology Kidney
Obstetrics Pregnancy, child birth and their follow up
Ornithology Birds
Orthopaedics Human skeletal system
Osteology Study of bones
4.2 Science
Name of science Related to
Paediatrics Child diseases
Palaeontology Fossils and ancient life-forms
Pathology Mechanisms and manifestation of diseases
Pharmacology Drugs and their effects on the body
Physiology Life processes of various organs of living beings
Psychiatry Mental disorders
Semiology Sign language and signs
Seismology Earthquakes
Theology Religions
Toxicology Toxic substances and poisons
Zoology Animal life
Zymology Fermentation process
(B) Important Units of Measurement
Name of the unit Used to measure
Ampere Electric current
Angstrom Wavelength of light
Bar Atmospheric pressure
Calorie Quantity of heat
Candela Luminous intensity
Celsius Temperature
Coulomb Electric charge
Decibel Sound level
Dyne Force
Erg Work
Fahrenheit Temperature (commonly used by doctors to measure body temperature)
Fathom Depth of water
Faraday Electric charge (used in electrolysis) = 96,500 coulomb
Gauss Magnetic induction/Magnetic flux density
Henry Inductance
Hertz Frequency
Horsepower Power
Joule Work or Energy
Kelvin Temperature (SI unit)
Light year Distance, (Distance light travels in one year at a speed of 2,97,600 km)
Newton Force (SI unit)
Ohm Electrical resistance
Pascal Pressure
Poise Viscosity
Volt Electrical potential
Watt Power
Science 4.3
(C) Medical Discoveries
Discovery Discovered by
Penicillin Alexander Fleming
Aspirin Felix Hoffmann
Blood circulation William Harvey
Blood group K. Landsteiner
Cholera Robert Koch
Electro cardiogram (ECG) Williem Einthoven
Heart transplant surgery Christian Barnard
Malaria germs A. Laveran
Ultrasound Ian Donald
(D) Important Scientific Inventions
Invention Inventor
Aeroplane Wright Brothers
Bicycle K. Macmillan
Centigrade scale A. Celsius
Computer Charles Babbage
Diesel engine Rudolf Diesel
Dynamite Alfred Nobel
Dynamo Michael Faraday
Electric lamp Thomas Alva Edison
Fountain pen L.E. Waterman
Gramophone Thomas Alva Edison
Jet engine Sir Frank Whittle
Microphone David Hughes
Microscope Z. Jansen
Radium Marie and Pierre Curie
Safety lamp Sir Humphery Davy
Safety pin William Hurst
Sewing machine B. Thimmonnier
Shorthand (modern) Sir Isaac Pitman
Steam engine (piston) Thomas Newcome
Steam engine (condenser) James Watt
Telegraph code Samuel F.B. Morse
Telephone Alexander Graham Bell
Telescope Hans Lippershey
Television John Logie Baird
Thermometer Galileo Galilei
X-ray Wilhelm Roentgen
4.4 Science
(E) Scientific Instruments
Name of instrument Function
Ammeter Used for measuring strength of electric current
Barometer Used for measuring atmospheric pressure
Calorimeter Used for measuring quantities of heat
Cardiograph (ECG) Used for measuring movements of the heart; recorded on a cardiograph
Dynamo Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
Electroencephalograph
Records and interprets the electrical waves of the brain
(EEG)
Electrometer Used for measuring very small, potential difference in electric currents
Examines internal organs of the body and can be used for minor surgical
Endoscope
procedures
Fathometer Used for measuring depth of the ocean
Galvanometer Used for measuring the electric current
Hydrometer Used for measuring the relative density of liquids
Hygrometer Used for measuring the level of humidity in the atmosphere
Graphically records physiological movements
Kymograph
(e.g. blood pressure/heartbeat)
Used for measuring the relative density of milk to determine the purity
Lactometer
(fat content)
Manometer Used for measuring the pressure of gases
Micrometer Measures distances/angles
Microscope Used for obtaining a magnified view of small objects
Periscope Used for viewing objects above sea level (used in submarines)
Used for recording changes simultaneously in physiological processes
Polygraph such as heart beat, blood pressure and respiration; also used as a lie
detector
Pyrometer Used for measuring very high temperature
Salinometer Used for determining the salinity of solutions
Used by navigators to find the latitude of a place by measuring the
Sextant elevation above the horizon of the sun or another star; also measures
the height of distant objects
Sphygmomanometer Used for measuring blood pressure
Stethoscope Used by doctors to hear and analyze heart and lung sounds
Tacheometer Used for measuring distances and elevations and bearings during survey
Telescope Used for viewing distant objects in space
Transponder Used to receive a signal and transmit a reply immediately
Viscometer Used for measuring the viscosity of liquid
Voltmeter Used to measure electric potential difference between two points
Wattmeter Used for measuring the power of an electric circuit
Science 4.5
(F) Important Vaccines
Vaccine Discovered by
Smallpox Edward Jenner
Cholera, Rabies Vaccine Louis Pasteur
TB vaccine Leon Calmette and Camille Guerin
Polio vaccine Jonas E. Salk
(G) Important Information About the Human Body
Blood: It is a red, viscous fluid which circulates in the human body. It is basically a connective tissue which is
contained in the blood vessels. A healthy man possesses on an average, 5 litres of blood in the body.
Composition: It is made up of two chief constituents:
(a) Plasma (fluid), constitutes the major part while (b) Blood cells (solid), which constitutes the minor
part.
The blood cell corpuscles are of two types: (1) RBC (2) WBC. The RBC is red blood corpuscles which
contains a pigment called hemoglobin which is responsible for the red colour of the blood. Iron is the
element which is present in the hemoglobin. The WBC are white blood corpuscles which are primarily
responsible for combating with the infection of the body or they fight with the foreign harmful organisms of
the body.
Blood groups: They are of four types, viz.
(i) A-type
(ii) B-type
(iii) AB-type
(iv) O-type
AB - type is called universal recipient as it can receive all the four types (mentioned above) of blood and O-
type is called as universal donor as it can be given to any of the four types of blood groups (mentioned
above).
Bones:
(i) There are 206 bones in the skeletal system of an adult.
(ii) The largest bone is femur present in the thigh.
(iii) The shortest bone is the stirrup which is present in the middle ear.
Other important facts about the various organs of the human body:
1. The largest organ of the human body is skin.
2. Heart is responsible for regulating the circulation of blood in the body. The heart beat of adult males is 72 beats
per minute.
3. Liver is the largest gland of the human body. It is concerned with the digestion of the food intake.
4. Two kidneys are responsible for the filtering of nitrogenous waste of the body and throw it all in the form of urine.
5. Pituitary gland is called the master gland as it influences the growth and metabolism by controlling the other
ductless glands, viz. thymus, thyroid, adrenal, prostrate, pancreas and gonads.
4.6 Science
(H) Vitamins, Their Sources and Diseases Caused Due to Their Deficiencies
Disease caused due
Name of the vitamin Main source
to their deficiencies
Milk, carrot, egg,
Vitamin A Night blindness
animal fat, etc.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Cereals, pulses, carrots Beriberi
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Liver, kidney, milk Chilosis, dermatitis
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Yeast, cereals, liver Anaemia
Niacin (Nicotinic acid) Peas, tomato, eggs Polyneuritis
Green leafy vegetables,
Folic Acid Anaemia
meat, egg
Pantothenic Acid Kidney, meat, yeast Dermatitis
Vit. B12 (Cyanocobalamin) Milk, liver, meat Pernicious anaemia
Lemons, milk, oranges, Scurvy, sore mouth and
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
fresh fruits and vegetables gums bleeding
Many diseases of the bones,
Dairy products, sun rays,
Vitamin D (Calciferol) rickets in children,
eggs, oily fish, milk
osteomalacia
Interferes with reproduction
Vitamin E (Tocopherol) Milk, soyabeens, egg yolk and causes abortion and
menstrual irregularities
Fish, peas and Causes the delayed
Vitamin K (Menadione)
green vegetables clotting of blood
Science 4.7
(I) Other Diseases of the Human Body
Name of Affected part of
Caused by
the disease the human body
Anaemia Deficiency of haemoglobin
AIDS (acquired
Weakness in the immune
immuno deficiency Virus
system of the body
syndrome)
Asthma Allergens Lungs
Less production of insulin
hormone which causes an
Diabetes Pancreas and blood
increase in the sugar level of the
blood
Diphtheria Bacteria Throat
Glaucoma High pressure in the eyes Eyes
Goitre Deficiency of iodine Throat
Hepatitis Virus (mainly) Jaundice
Malaria Plasmodium
Polio Virus Legs
Streptococcus bacteria in
Rheumatism Joints
children
Tonsillitis Bacterial and viral infection Glands in throat
Tuberculosis Bacteria Lungs
(J) Major Enzymes in the human digestive system
Body part Enzyme Action
Salivary amylase Converts starch into
1. Mouth
(Ptyalin, acidic medium) disaccahrides
Pepsin and Renin
2. Stomach They act on proteins
(Acidic medium)
Lipase converts fats into fatty
acid and glycerol. Trypsin
Lipase, Trypsin, Carbohydrases converts proteins into amino
3. Intestine
(Medium is now basic) acids and carbohydrases
converts monosaccharides into
glucose.
