The Science of Life
Biology – The Science of Life
Biology – derived from the words “bios”, which means life and “logos” which means study. It is therefore the study of life or living things.
Major Divisions of Biology
1. Botany
- study of plants
- has a subcategory: •Phycology – study of seaweeds and algae
2. Zoology
- study of animals
- has eight subcategories:
•Morphology – study of gross structures of organisms
•Anatomy – study of the form and structure of organisms
•Mammalogy – study of mammals
•Ornithology – study of birds
•Ichthyology – study of fishes
•Entomology – study of insects
•Herpetology – study of reptiles and amphibians
•Malacology – study of mollusks
3. Ecology
- study of the interactions between organisms and their environment
- has two subcategories:
•Terrestrial Ecology – study of the function of organisms on land
•Marine Ecology – study of the function of organisms in the ocean
4. Microbiology
- study of microorganisms and viruses
- has six subcategories: •Parasitology – study of parasitism and parasites •Bacteriology – study of bacteria •Virology – study of viruses and viral diseases •Mycology – study of fungi •Epidemiology – study of patterns and causes of diseases •Pathology – study of the nature of diseases
5. Genetics
- study of genes and heredity
- has five subcategories: •Molecular Biology – study of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) •Physiology – study of the life processes of organisms •Cytology – study of the function of cells •Histology – study of plant and animal tissues •Biochemistry – study of the molecules within the cell
6. Evolutionary Biology
-study of the change in organisms over time
-has three subcategories: •Paleontology – study of fossils •Taxonomy – study of evolutionary interrelationships among organisms •Embryology – study of development of organisms
Biology – derived from the words “bios”, which means life and “logos” which means study. It is therefore the study of life or living things.
Major Divisions of Biology
1. Botany
- study of plants
- has a subcategory: •Phycology – study of seaweeds and algae
2. Zoology
- study of animals
- has eight subcategories:
•Morphology – study of gross structures of organisms
•Anatomy – study of the form and structure of organisms
•Mammalogy – study of mammals
•Ornithology – study of birds
•Ichthyology – study of fishes
•Entomology – study of insects
•Herpetology – study of reptiles and amphibians
•Malacology – study of mollusks
3. Ecology
- study of the interactions between organisms and their environment
- has two subcategories:
•Terrestrial Ecology – study of the function of organisms on land
•Marine Ecology – study of the function of organisms in the ocean
4. Microbiology
- study of microorganisms and viruses
- has six subcategories: •Parasitology – study of parasitism and parasites •Bacteriology – study of bacteria •Virology – study of viruses and viral diseases •Mycology – study of fungi •Epidemiology – study of patterns and causes of diseases •Pathology – study of the nature of diseases
5. Genetics
- study of genes and heredity
- has five subcategories: •Molecular Biology – study of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) •Physiology – study of the life processes of organisms •Cytology – study of the function of cells •Histology – study of plant and animal tissues •Biochemistry – study of the molecules within the cell
6. Evolutionary Biology
-study of the change in organisms over time
-has three subcategories: •Paleontology – study of fossils •Taxonomy – study of evolutionary interrelationships among organisms •Embryology – study of development of organisms