Whether there is a unified theory of biology is still a matter of debate. This can be answered only if the question ‘what constitutes a unified theory’ is answered. The answer will be ‘no’ in the sense that there is no unified theory of biology supported by clear mathematical equations effectively describing different aspects of all biological behaviors. However, many biologists opine that there is a unified theory of biology because biology is unified by the modern evolutionary synthesis, which simply refers to “theoretical merger of Darwin’s theory of natural selection and genetics” (Henriques, 2012). Later, many biologists tried to establish a unified theory of biology that is capable of explaining all biological behaviors in a convincing manner. Kant’s theory of biology is one of the important theories in this regard. This theory of biology has attracted significant attention of scholars over the last two decades and it has developed into a field that is gaining great research focus. Similarly, the autonomous theory of biology states that young children up to 3 years of age consistently relate biological causes to biological processes (Raman, 2014). This theory is being supported by a growing number of scholars and academic researchers. Cell theory is also a major theory of biology that states, cell is the basic unit of all organisms capable of facilitating self-reproduction. This theory of biology states that all cells come from pre-existing cells. It has been accepted universally because cell is the fundamental unit of life or life is not possible without the presence of at least a single cell. The cell theory of biology implies that a single-celled ancestor underwent a prolonged process of genetic transformation that in turn led to the emergence of all life over billions of years. This theory becomes a strong foundation for further developments in the field of biology. In short, the theory of biology is a broad concept that encompasses a diverse range of biological theories and models that have developed over many centuries.
References
Henriques, G. (2012). Is There a Unified Theory of Biology? Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/theory-knowledge/201202/is-there-unified-theory-biology
Raman, L. (2014). Children's and adults' understanding of the impact of nutrition on biological and psychological processes. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 32 (1), 78-93.
