What Is Biology & Branches of Biology? - Introduction To Biology - Science

What is Biology?

Biology (Bios = Life; Logos = Study, reasoning)

“It is a branch of science which deals with the scientific study of life.”

The biologists study about the followings;

1. The living part of nature
2. The non-living things with affect the living things
3. How the life works.

What is life?

It is difficult to define life. Biology cannot tell about all aspects of life. Biology cannot answer the questions like, what is the meaning of life? Why there should be life? These questions are answered by philosophers and theologians (religious scholar). The biologists only how life works.

Characteristics of Life:

Life has certain characteristics. These characteristics are not present in the non-living things and dead organisms. A living object possesses all these characteristics. On the other hand, a non-living object does not possess all these characteristics.   

1. The living organisms are highly organized
2. They have complex structures and they are complex entities
3. They are composed of one or more cells
4. They contain genetic program of their characteristics
5. They can produce and use energy
6. They can carry out and control numerous chemical reactions
7. They can grow in size
8. They maintain fairly constant internal environment
9. They can produce offspring similar to themselves
10. They show response to changes in environment.

Branches of Biology:

The main branches of biology are given below:

1. Morphology:

The study of form and structure of the different parts of the organisms is called morphology.

2. Anatomy:

The study of the internal gross structure of an organism is called anatomy. It is also called internal morphology.

3. Histology:

The microscopic study of the tissues of an organism is called histology.

4. Physiology:

The study of functions of different parts of an organism is called physiology.

5. Embryology:

The study of formation and development of an embryo (early stage in development which include organ formation) till it is hatched or born is called embryology.

6. Paleontology:

The study of fossils (preserved remains of dead organisms) and their relation with the evolution is called paleontology.

7. Evolution:

The study of ancestral history is called evolution. It deals with the development of more advanced and complex organisms from preexisting (primitive) ancestors.

8. Genetics:

The study of transfer of the hereditary characters from the parents to the offspring is called genetics.

9. Zoogeography:

The study of distribution of the animals in different regions of the earth is called zoogeography.

10. Molecular Biology:

It is the study of structure of organisms, the cells and their organelles at molecular level.

11. Environmental Biology:

The study of the relationship between the organism and their environment is called environmental biology. This includes interaction between the organisms (especially the humans) and their organic and inorganic environment.

12. Microbiology:

It is the study of the microorganisms which includes bacteria, viruses, protozoa, microscopic algae and fungi.

13. Freshwater Biology:

The study of organisms living in freshwater bodies (i.e. river, lakes etc.) and the physical and chemical parameters of these water bodies is called freshwater biology.

14. Marine biology:

The study of marine life and the physical and the chemical characteristics of seas and ocean is called marine biology.

15. Parasitology:

The study of parasites is called parasitology. This includes structures, mode of transmission, life histories and host-parasites relationship.

16. Human biology:

It deals with the study of man. This include structure, function, histology, anatomy, morphology, evolution, genetics, cell biology and ecology of human beings.

17. Social biology:

It deals with the study of social behavior and communal life of human beings.

18. Biotechnology:

The use of living organisms, their systems or processes in the manufacturing and services industries is called biotechnology.