Correct Answer: Zoology

Solution : The correct choice is the first option.

Explanation:

The given group of words refers to the systematic study of animals, encompassing various aspects such as behaviour, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution. The term that precisely encapsulates this scientific discipline is zoology . It is the branch of biology that focuses on the animal kingdom, making it the most appropriate one-word substitute for the provided description.

The meanings of the other options are as follows:

• Archaeology refers to the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of artefacts and structures.
• Petrology refers to the branch of geology dealing with the origin, composition, distribution, and structure of rocks.
• Ecology refers to the scientific study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment.