Zoology- Definition, Branches and Importance of Zoology

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Aug 14, 2025 11:51 AM IST

Zoology is a science dealing with the study of animals, their structure, behaviour, classification, and interaction with the environment. It includes different branches of zoology like animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolution, and genetics, to the life processes and adaptations of animals. Both living and extinct species are studied by zoologists to understand their roles in ecosystems, their biodiversity, and the way they interact with humans. This branch is instrumental to the conservation of wildlife, environmental science, and even medical studies, hence a vital division of biological sciences.

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What is Zoology?
Branches of Zoology
Classification of the Animal Kingdom
Characteristics of Animals
Zoology for NEET 2025

Zoology

What is Zoology?

Zoology is the study of biology that deals with the different aspects of animals. This is a vast discipline that learns about the interaction between animals and their environments, classification, physiology, behaviour, and evolution. The zoologists trace the mystery in nature by studying the various lives of animals, which helps our understanding of the balance in nature that sustains ecosystems.

Zoology continued to advance with the Age of evolution 17th and 16th centuries, as scientific research offered improved ways of categorization. Animals of the kingdom Animalia were categorised into a five-kingdom system, further grouped into phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species.

Branches of Zoology

Zoology includes many sub-disciplines, each dealing with particular aspects of animal life. Some of the main branches of zoology include:

Branch of Zoology	Description
Anatomy	Study of the internal and external structures of animals.
Physiology	Study of the functions and processes of animal organs and systems.
Ecology and Environment	Examination of the relationships between animals and their environments.
Entomology	Study of insects, their behaviour, anatomy, and ecology.
Herpetology	Study of reptiles and amphibians, focusing on their biology and ecology.
Ornithology	Study of birds, including their behaviour, anatomy, and ecology.
Ichthyology	Study of fish, covering their biology and ecological roles.
Mammalogy	Study of mammals, including their physiology, behaviour, and conservation.
Paleontology	Study of fossils and extinct animals, providing insights into evolutionary history.
Taxonomy and Classification	Classification and naming of animals based on shared characteristics.
Aetiology	Study of animal behaviour, focusing on natural environments and evolutionary implications.

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Classification of the Animal Kingdom

There are different species in the animal kingdom, each with certain unique characteristics and adaptations. The classification system followed in zoology works to systematically organise and understand how these various animals relate to one another. Major groups within the animal kingdom include:

Vertebrates Groups: Those animals that have a backbone, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.
Invertebrates: Those that do not have a backbone, including insects, molluscs, and worms.

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Characteristics of Animals

Animals have certain distinctive features which can help distinguish them from other life forms. These are listed as under:

Multicellular Structure: Animals possess more than one cell, which co-operatively perform many functions
Heterotrophic Nutrition: They cannot produce their food and rely on other living sources for deriving energy
Mobility: Most animals can have locomotion skills at some stages of their lives.
Nervous System: Most animals have a developed nervous system to process information and respond to the environment.
Sensory Organs: Well-developed sense organs make it possible for an animal to perceive the surroundings in which it may be living.

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Examples of the Animal Kingdom

The animal kingdom consists of a large number of species. Each animal is specially adapted to certain conditions that constitute the environment of an individual. Grouping into different categories makes identification and studies easier. These are grouped into the following examples:

Examples of the Animal Kingdom	Groups Included	Examples
Mammals	Warm-blooded animals with mammary glands	Humans (Homo sapiens), Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), Elephants (Loxodonta spp.)
Birds	Feathered vertebrates, often capable of flight	Eagles (Aquila spp.), Sparrows (Passeridae), Penguins (Sphenicidae)
Reptiles	Cold-blooded vertebrates with scaly skin	Snakes (Serpentes), Turtles (Testudines), Crocodiles (Crocodylidae)
Amphibians	Vertebrates that can live both on land and in water	Frogs (Anura), Salamanders (Caudata)
Fishes	Aquatic vertebrates with gills	Goldfish, Sharks, Clownfish
Insects	The most diverse group of animals	Butterflies (Lepidoptera), Ants (Formicidae)
Arachnids	Eight-legged invertebrates	Spiders, Scorpions
Molluscs	Soft-bodied invertebrates, often with shells	Snails, Clams, Octopuses
Echinoderms	Marine invertebrates with radial symmetry	Starfish, Sea urchins

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Zoology for NEET 2025

The Zoology section makes up a major portion of the Biology section, which is 360 out of 720 marks in total. For NEET preparation, studying the NCERT textbooks thoroughly is important. Understanding key Zoology concepts and practising previous years' questions helps to score well in this section.

NEET Zoology Preparation

To prepare effectively for Zoology in NEET 2025, the first step is to understand the NEET Zoology syllabus, which includes chapters from CBSE Class 11 and 12 Biology. Mastering the topics and concepts from these classes is a must for success. Build a strong concept understanding of human physiology, reproduction, evolution, and animal classification to perform well in the NEET Zoology section.

Class 11 Zoology Chapters for NEET 2025

Given below is the list of important Botany chapters of class 11 syllabus for NEET Exam preparation:

Chapter Name	Key Topics for NEET
The Living World	Classification, Taxonomy, Five Kingdom Classification, Nomenclature
Structural Organisation in Animals	Animal Tissues, Morphology and Anatomy of Earthworm, Cockroach, and Frog
Cell Cycle and Cell Division	Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells, Cell Organelles, Biomolecules, Cell Cycle, Mitosis
Biomolecules	Structure and Functions of Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Enzymes
Digestion and Absorption	Human Digestive System, Digestion of Food, Absorption and Assimilation of Nutrients
Breathing and Exchange of Gases	Human Respiratory System, Mechanism of Breathing, Transport of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
Body Fluids and Circulation	Blood Composition, Human Circulatory System, Cardiac Cycle, ECG
Excretory Products and Their Elimination	Human Excretory System, Urine Formation and Osmoregulation
Locomotion and Movement	Types of Movements, Human Skeletal System, Muscular System
Neural Control and Coordination	Structure of Neurons, Human Nervous System, Reflex Action, Sense Organs
Chemical Coordination and Integration	Endocrine Glands and Hormones

Class 12 Zoology Chapters for NEET 2025

Given below is the list of important Zoology chapters of class 12 syllabus for NEET Exam preparation:

Chapter Name	Key Topics for NEET
Reproduction in Organisms	Asexual and Sexual Reproduction, Life Cycles
Human Reproduction	Male and Female Reproductive Systems, Gametogenesis, Menstrual Cycle, Fertilization
Reproductive Health	Contraceptives, Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs), Population Stabilization
Principles of Inheritance and Variation	Mendelian Genetics, Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance, Sex Determination
Molecular Basis of Inheritance	DNA Structure and Function, Transcription, Translation, Genetic Code, Human Genome Project
Evolution	Theories of Evolution, Evidence for Evolution, Adaptive Radiation
Human Health and Disease	Immunity, Pathogens (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Protozoa), Vaccines, Lifestyle Diseases
Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production	Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Poultry Farming, Fisheries
Microbes in Human Welfare	Role of Microbes in Antibiotics, Biogas, Industrial and Agricultural Use
Biodiversity and Conservation	Types of Biodiversity, Conservation Methods, Hotspots, Endangered Species