Question

The term 'Ecology' is derived from which two Greek words?

• A. Bios and Logos
• B. Oikos and Graphein
• C. Oikos and Logos
• D. Geo and Oikos

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Oikos and Logos

Origin and Meaning of 'Ecology'

• The term 'Ecology' is derived from two ancient Greek words: Oikos and Logos.
• The Greek word Oikos (οἶκος) signifies 'house,' 'dwelling place,' or 'habitat.' It refers to the home or environment where an organism lives.
• The Greek word Logos (λόγος) translates to 'study of,' 'discourse,' or 'science.'
• Therefore, Ecology literally means 'the study of the house' or, more precisely, 'the study of organisms in their natural habitat or environment.'

Key Facts and Historical Context

• The term 'Ecology' was first coined by the German zoologist and philosopher Ernst Haeckel in 1866. Haeckel is often considered the 'Father of Ecology'.
• Haeckel defined ecology as 'the body of knowledge concerning the economy of nature—the investigation of the total relations of the animal both to its inorganic and its organic environment.'
• Ecology is a branch of biology that scientifically studies the interactions among organisms and their biophysical environment, including both biotic and abiotic components.
• It examines how these interactions affect the distribution and abundance of organisms, and how they contribute to ecosystem functions.

Important Concepts and Related Terms for Competitive Exams

• Branches of Ecology:
  • Autecology: Focuses on the ecological study of an individual organism or a single species in relation to its environment.
  • Synecology: Deals with the study of groups of organisms (populations, communities, or ecosystems) in relation to their environment.
• The term 'Ecosystem', a fundamental concept in ecology, was coined by Arthur Tansley in 1935. An ecosystem includes all living organisms (biotic factors) in an area interacting with each other and with their physical environment (abiotic factors).
• Biodiversity, another crucial term in environmental studies, was popularized by Edward O. Wilson, though the term was coined by Walter G. Rosen in 1985.
• Understanding ecological principles is vital for addressing global environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.