Biology
Biology is the science of living things. It covers part of the natural sciences and the natural history of living beings. This word is coming from the Greek: bios “life” and logos, “speech”.
With life in many forms and at very different scales, biology extends from the molecular level, to that of the cell, then the organism, to the level of the population and the ecosystem.
Main branch of Biology studies
Biology is a branch of science that deals with living organisms and their vital processes. Biology encompasses diverse fields, for example botany, conservation, ecology, evolution, genetics, marine biology, medicine, microbiology, molecular biology, physiology and zoology.
Fields of Biology Studies and Explanations
Below are the various branches of biology (or divisions of biology) and their related definitions and sources.
| 1 | Science | Organized form of Knowledge or systematic knowledge i.e. knowledge through process. |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Biology | The branch of science which deals with the study of living beings. |
| 3 | Zoology | The branch of science which deals with the study of animals. |
| 4 | Morphology | The branch of science which deals with the study of total general structures and forms including shape, size and appearance. |
| 5 | Anatomy | The branch of science which deals with the study of internal structures after cutting or dissection. |
| 6 | Histology | The branch of science which deals with the study of tissue i.e. microscopic anatomy. |
| 7 | Cytology | The branch of science which deals with the study of cells and their organelles. |
| 8 | Acariology | Study of tics and mites. |
| 9 | Actinobiology | The branch of science which deals with the study of radiation effects on organism. |
| 10 | Aerobiology | Study of Flying organisms. |
| 11 | Agroforestry | This branch deals with form of land used on which herbaceous crops and trees crops are cultivated |
| 12 | Agronomy | Science which deals with the crop plants |
| 13 | Agrostology | Study of grasses. |
| 14 | Angiology | Science which deals with the study of blood vascular system. |
| 15 | Anthology | Study of flowers. |
| 16 | Anthropology | Study of apes and man. |
| 17 | Apiculture | Study of bee keeping |
| 18 | Araneology | Study of spiders. |
| 19 | Arthrology | Study of joints. |
| 20 | Aschelitinthology | Study of round worms |
| 21 | Bacteriology | Study of bacteria. |
| 22 | Batrachology | Study of frog. |
| 23 | Biochemistry | Branch of science which deals with the study of chemical reactions in relations to life activities. |
| 24 | Biometrics | Statistical analysis of different results of biological experiments. |
| 25 | Biotechnology | Use of biological organisms in commercial processes for producing fine chemicals such as drugs, vaccines and harmones etc. on a large scale and at reasonable cost. |
| 26 | Bryology | Study of Bryophytes. |
| 27 | Carcinology | Study of crabs and crustaceans |
| 28 | Cardiology | Study of heart. |
| 29 | Chondriology | Study of Cartilage. |
| 30 | Chromatology | Study of Pigments. |
| 31 | Cnidology | Study of Coelenterata (coral animals, true jellies, sea anemones, sea pens, and their allies) |
| 32 | Conchology | Study of shells. |
| 33 | Craniology | Study of skulls. |
| 34 | Cryobiology | Study of effects on life at very lower temperature. |
| 35 | Dendrology | Study of shrubs and trees |
| 36 | Dermatology | Study of skin |
| 37 | Ecobiology | Study of problems of existence of life in outer space |
| 38 | Ecology | Study of relationship between organism and environment |
| 39 | Embryology | Study of embryo i.e. developmental stages after fertilization or birth of young ones. |
| 40 | Endocrinology | Study of endocrine glands and their secretions |
| 41 | Entomology | Study of insects |
| 42 | Enzymology | Study of enzymes |
| 43 | Ethnology | Study of man-kinds (human and social sciences: it relates to anthropology and is related to sociology). |
| 44 | Ethology | Study of conditions of animals or behavior of animals, in a natural contest |
| 45 | Etiology | Study of diseases (causes and factors of a disease). |
| 46 | Eugenics | Study of improvement of human race by applying laws of heredity. It applied before birth. Eugenics is related with future generation. |
| 47 | Euphenics | Study of improvement of human race by drug treatment or gene engineering i.e. medical engineering of genetic disorder. |
| 48 | Euthenics | Study of improvement of human race by improving environment. It applied after birth and is related with present generation. |
| 49 | Evolution | The branch of science which deals with the study of origin of new from old i.e. origin, variation, inter-relationship between organisms of past and present days. |
| 50 | Exobiology | Space biology is also known as exobiology |
| 51 | Floriculture | Study of flower yielding plants |
| 52 | Genetics | Study of heredity and variations |
| 53 | Gerontology | Study of growing old |
| 54 | Gynaecology | Study of female reproductive organs |
| 55 | Haematology | Study of blood |
| 56 | Helminthology | Study of helminthes |
| 57 | Hepatology | Study of liver |
| 58 | Herpetology | Study of lizards and other reptiles |
| 59 | Hypnology | Study which deals with sleep |
| 60 | Histochemistry | Study of chemical nature of tissues |
| 61 | Horticulture | Study of flowering and fruits plants |
| 62 | Ichnology | Study of fossil footprints |
| 63 | Immunology | Study of resistance of organisms against infection |
| 64 | Kalology | Study of sensory or sensari-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste |
| 65 | Karyology | Study of nucleus |
| 66 | Lepidopterology | Study of moths and butterflies |
| 67 | Lichenology | Study of lichens |
| 68 | Limnology | Study of fresh water lakes, ponds and streams in relation with plants and animals |
| 69 | Malacology | Study of mollusks |
| 70 | Mammology | Study of mammals |
| 71 | Mastology | Study of breasts |
| 72 | Melanology | Study of pigments |
| 73 | Molecular Biology | Study of life sciences on molecular level (i.e. RNA and DNA level) |
| 74 | Mycology | Study of fungi |
| 75 | Myrmecology | Study of ants |
| 76 | Neonatology | Study of the new-born up to 1 month of age |
| 77 | Nephrology | Study of kidney |
| 78 | Neurology | Study of nervous system |
| 79 | Nidology | Study of nests of birds |
| 80 | Nosology | Study of classification’s diseases |
| 81 | Odontology | Study of teeth and gums |
| 82 | Olericulture | Study of vegetable yielding plants |
| 83 | Oncology | Study of cancer |
| 84 | Oneirology | Study of dreams |
| 85 | Ontogeny | Study of embryonic history |
| 86 | Oology | Study of egg of birds |
| 87 | Ophthalmology | Study of eyes |
| 88 | Organocology | Study of development of organs under embryology |
| 89 | Organology | Study of organs |
| 90 | Ornithology | Study of birds |
| 91 | Osteology | Study of bones |
| 92 | Otorhinolaryngology | Study of ear, nose and throat |
| 93 | Paedology | Study of larval stages |
| 94 | Palaezoology | Study of fossils and their distribution in time. |
| 95 | Palaeozoology | Study of fossils of animals |
| 96 | Palynology | Study of pollen grains in relation to taxonomy and evolution |
| 97 | Parasitology | Study of parasites |
| 98 | Pathology | Study of various diseases in human beings |
| 99 | Parazoology | Study of poifera (sponges) |
| 100 | Pedology | Study of soils |
| 101 | Pharmacognosy | Branch of science dealing with the medicinal plants |
| 102 | Pharmacology | Study of synthesis and effect of medicines on organisms |
| 103 | Phenology | Study of organisms as affected by seasonal climates e.g. of bird migration, opening of flowers etc. |
| 104 | Phrenology | Study of mental faculties of brain including feelings |
| 105 | Phycology (algology) | Study of algae |
| 106 | Phylogeny | Study of evolutionary history |
| 107 | Physiology | Study of functions of various parts within the organisms |
| 108 | Pisciculture | Study of rearing of fishes |
| 109 | Platyhelminthology | Study of flat worms |
| 110 | Pomology | Study of fruits |
| 111 | Poultry | Study which deals with keepings of foul |
| 112 | Proctology | Study of hind gut including rectum and anus |
| 113 | Protistology | Study of protests. Its field of study overlaps with more traditional disciplines of algology, mycology and protozoology |
| 114 | Pteridology | Study of pteridophytes |
| 115 | Rainology | Study of nose and olfactory organs |
| 116 | Saurology | Study of lizards |
| 117 | Sericulture | Silk industry concerned with culture of silk moth and pupa |
| 118 | Serology | Study of serum; interaction of antigens and antibodies in the blood |
| 119 | Sepentology (Ophiology) | Study of snakes |
| 120 | Silviculture | Study of development of forests |
| 121 | Sitology | Study of dietetics |
| 122 | Speciology | Study of species |
| 123 | Spermology | Study of seeds |
| 124 | Splanchnology | Study of visceral organs |
| 125 | Stomatology | Study of forget including buccal cavity and stomach |
| 126 | Synecology | Study of bony joints and ligaments |
| 127 | Taxi dermatology | Study of skin and stuffing |
| 128 | Taxonomy | The breach of science which deals with the study of classification of organisms |
| 129 | Teratology | Study of foetal malformations |
| 130 | Torpedology | Study of skates and rays |
| 131 | Toxicology | Study of narcotics and the influence of narcotics on various organisms |
| 132 | Traumatology | Study of wounds and turnover |
| 133 | Trichology | Study of hair |
| 134 | Trophology | Study of nutrition |
| 135 | Urobiology | Study which deals with preservation of deals bodies in liquids by chemicals |
| 136 | Urology | Study of wine including diseases and the abnormalities of uninary and urino-genital tract |
| 137 | Virology | Study of virus |
| 138 | Zoogeography | The branch of science which deals with the study of distribution of animals on earth. |
| 139 | Biophysics | Study of physical aspects of living organisms |
| 140 | Cytogenetics | Study of cytological basis of inheritance |
| 141 | Ctetology | Study of acquired characteristics of organisms |
| 142 | Ichthyology | Study of fish and it’s culture |
| 143 | Kinesiology | Study of muscle movements |
| 144 | Phytogeography | Study of plants distribution on earth |
| 145 | Palaeobotany | Study of distribution and characteristics of fossils |
| 146 | Psychobiology | Study of behavioural aspects of animals |
| 147 | Sarcology | Study of muscles |
| 148 | Syndesmology | Study of bone joints and ligaments |
| 149 | Tectology | Study of structural organization of body |
| 150 | Zoophytology | Study of drifting micro-organisms such as diatoms. |
Branches and career options
Biology is an area of science with numerous subdisciplines that are concerned with all aspects of life, in fact all aspects of modern human life. That said, there are countless career options, ranging from basic science to industrial or agricultural applications. These are the main branches of biology:
- Anatomy – the study of organisms’ structures
- Comparative anatomy – the study of evolution of species through similarities and differences in their anatomy
- Histology – the study of tissues, a microscopic branch of anatomy
- Astrobiology (also known as exobiology, exopaleontology, and bioastronomy) – the study of evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe
- Biochemistry – the study of the chemical reactions required for life to exist and function, usually a focus on the cellular level
- Biological engineering – the attempt to create products inspired by biological systems or to modify and interact with the biological systems
- Biogeography – the study of the distribution of species spatially and temporally
- Bioinformatics – the use of information technology for the study, collection, and storage of genomic and other biological data
- Biolinguistics – the study of the biology and evolution of language
- Biomechanics – the study of the mechanics of living beings
- Biomedical research – the study of health and disease
- Biophysics – the study of biological processes by applying the theories and methods traditionally employed in the physical sciences
- Biotechnology – the study of the manipulation of living matter, including genetic modification and synthetic biology
- Synthetic biology – research integrating biology and engineering; construction of biological functions not found in nature
- Botany – the study of plants
- Phycology – the scientific study of algae
- Plant physiology – concerned with the functioning, or physiology, of plants
- Astrobotany – the study of plants in space
- Cell biology – the study of the cell as a complete unit, and the molecular and chemical interactions that occur within a living cell
- Chronobiology – the study of periodic events in living systems
- Cognitive biology – the study of cognition
- Conservation biology – the study of the preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife
- Cryobiology – the study of the effects of lower than normally preferred temperatures on living beings
- Developmental biology – the study of the processes through which an organism forms, from zygote to full structure
- Embryology – the study of the development of the embryo (from fecundation to birth)
- Gerontology – the study of ageing processes
- Ecology – the study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and with the non-living elements of their environment
- Evolutionary biology – the study of the origin and descent of species over time
- Genetics – the study of genes and heredity
- Genomics – the study of genomes
- Epigenetics – the study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence
- Immunology – the study of the immune system
- Marine biology (or biological oceanography) – the study of ocean ecosystems, plants, animals, and other living beings
- Microbiology – the study of microscopic organisms (microorganisms) and their interactions with other living things
- Bacteriology – the study of bacteria
- Mycology – the study of fungi
- Parasitology – the study of parasites and parasitism
- Virology – the study of viruses and some other virus-like agents
- Molecular biology – the study of biology and biological functions at the molecular level, some cross over with biochemistry
- Nanobiology – the application of nanotechnology in biological research, and the study of living organisms and parts on the nanoscale level of organization
- Neuroscience – the study of the nervous system
- Paleontology – the study of fossils and sometimes geographic evidence of prehistoric life
- Pathobiology or pathology – the study of diseases, and the causes, processes, nature, and development of disease
- Pharmacology – the study of the interactions between drugs and organisms
- Phycology – the study of seaweeds and other algae
- Physiology – the study of the functions and mechanisms occurring in living organisms
- Phytopathology – the study of plant diseases (also called Plant Pathology)
- Psychobiology – the application of methods traditionally used in biology to study human and non-human animals behaviour
- Quantum biology – the study of the role of quantum phenomena in biological processes
- Sociobiology – the study of social behavior in terms of evolution
- Systems biology – the study of complex interactions within biological systems through a holistic approach
- Structural biology – a branch of molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics concerned with the molecular structure of biological macromolecules
- Theoretical biology – the branch of biology that employs abstractions and mathematical models to explain biological phenomena
- Zoology – the study of animals, including classification, physiology, development, evolution and behaviour, including:
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- Ethology – the study of animal behaviour
- Entomology – the study of insects
- Herpetology – the study of reptiles and amphibians
- Ichthyology – the study of fish
- Mammalogy – the study of mammals
- Ornithology – the study of birds
Source of picture: Pixy
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