Question

What is the importance of studying morphology ?

Answer 1

Hint:Morphology is the study of the external features of an organism and anatomy is study of the internal features of an organism.In morphology we study the general appearance of any organism such as size , shape and structure.

Complete answer:
>Morphology provides us with the basis for the understanding of function , taxonomy , heredity , ecology , development and other branches of biology , therefore gives us a platform to study other branches.
>Morphology forms its foundation or the building blocks for various topics to study which helps us to explore various fields of biology and to gain a deep knowledge about the various topics.
>Humans have always been keen to study and classify organisms since the dawn of civilization.These classifications were made to use organisms for their own use.Earliest classification was done by studying the morphological characters.
>Earliest classification was done by Aristotle where he used simple morphological characters and then classified plants and animals.By studying morphology , he classified plants into herbs , shrubs and trees.
On the basis of colour of blood , the classification of animals was done.Aristotle divided animals into two groups , the one which had red blood and the one which did not have red blood.
>Carolus Linnaeus gave the artificial classification system to classify plants.This classification was based on gross morphological characters like habit , colour , number and shape of leaves.
>In the artificial classification system given by Linnaeus vegetative characters or the androecium structure were taken into consideration . But this classification was discarded since it separated the closely related species.
>Therefore this classification was replaced by other classifications like natural classification system , phylogenetic classification system , numerical taxonomy , chemotaxonomy and cytotaxonomy.
>Morphology is extremely useful to study the effect of genetic mutation.The genotype of an organism directly affects the phenotype of the organism , therefore the genetic effect directs the morphology of the organism.

Note:Sometimes certain genetic disorders occur which can be identified by studying the phenotype of the organism.These disorders can be Mendelian disorder or chromosomal disorder. Chromosomal disorders occur due to change in the ploidy of the organism and these cannot be treated after birth , these are to be treated only at embryonic stage.