Thursday, August 20, 2009

Branches of biology(summary)

Biology, the scientific study of life, includes several relevant branches. Below is a list of major branches of biology with a brief description for each.

Agriculture - science and practice of producing crops and livestock from the natural resources of the earth.

Anatomy - study of the animal form, particularly human body

Astrobiology - branch of biology concerned with the effects of outer space on living organisms and the search for extraterrestrial life.

Biochemistry - the study of the structure and function of cellular components, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules, and of their functions and transformations during life processes

Bioclimatology - a science concerned with the influence of climates on organisms, for instance the effects of climate on the development and distribution of plants, animals, and humans

Bioengineering - or biological engineering, is a broad-based engineering discipline that deals with bio-molecular and molecular processes, product design, sustainability and analysis of biological systems.

Biogeography - a science that attempts to describe the changing distributions and geographic patterns of living and fossil species of plants and animals

Bioinformatics - information technology as applied to the life sciences, especially the technology used for the collection, storage, and retrieval of genomic data

Biomathematics - mathematical biology or biomathematics is an interdisciplinary field of academic study which aims at modelling natural, biological processes using mathematical techniques and tools. It has both practical and theoretical applications in biological research.

Biophysics - or biological physics is an interdisciplinary science that applies the theories and methods of physical sciences to questions of biology

Biotechnology - applied science that is concerned with biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use

Botany - the scientific study of plants

Cell biology - the study of cells at the microscopic or at the molecular level. It includes studying the cells' physiological properties, structures, organelles, interactions with their environment, life cycle, division and apoptosis

Chronobiology - a science that studies time-related phenomena in living organisms

Conservation Biology - concerned with the studies and schemes of habitat preservation and species protection for the purpose of alleviating extinction crisis and conserving biodiversity

Cryobiology - the study of the effects of low temperatures on living organisms

Developmental Biology - the study of the processes by which an organism develops from a zygote to its full structure

Ecology - the scientific study of the relationships between plants, animals, and their environment

Ethnobiology - a study of the past and present human interactions with the environment, for instance the use of diverse flora and fauna by indigenous societies

Evolutionary Biology - a subfield concerned with the origin and descent of species, as well as their change over time, i.e. their evolution

Freshwater Biology - a science concerned with the life and ecosystems of freshwater habitats

Genetics - a science that deals with heredity, especially the mechanisms of hereditary transmission and the variation of inherited characteristics among similar or related organisms

Geobiology - a science that combines geology and biology to study the interactions of organisms with their environment

Immunobiology - a study of the structure and function of the immune system, innate and acquired immunity, the bodily distinction of self from nonself, and laboratory techniques involving the interaction of antigens with specific antibodies

Marine Biology - study of ocean plants and animals and their ecological relationships

Medicine - the science which relates to the prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease

Microbiology - the branch of biology that deals with microorganisms and their effects on other living organisms

Molecular Biology - the branch of biology that deals with the formation, structure, and function of macromolecules essential to life, such as nucleic acids and proteins, and especially with their role in cell replication and the transmission of genetic information

Mycology - the study of fungi

Neurobiology - the branch of biology that deals with the anatomy and physiology and pathology of the nervous system

Paleobiology - the study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms

Parasitology - the study of parasites and parasitism

Pathology - the study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences

Pharmacology - the study of preparation and use of drugs and synthetic medicines

Physiology - the biological study of the functions of living organisms and their parts

Protistology - the study of protists

Psychobiology - the study of mental functioning and behavior in relation to other biological processes

Toxicology - the study of how natural or man-made poisons cause undesirable effects in living organisms

Virology - study of viruses

Zoology - The branch of biology that deals with animals and animal life, including the study of the structure, physiology, development, and classification of animals

Ethology - the study of animal behavior

Entomology - the scientific study of insects

Ichthyology - the study of fishes

Herpetology - the study of reptiles and amphibians

Ornithology - the study of birds

Mammalogy - the study of mammals

Primatology - the science that deals with primates

Answer

Biology, the study of life, has many aspects to it and many specializations within this broad field. Below is an alphabetical list of many of the branches of biology.


Agriculture - study of producing crops from the land, with an emphasis on practical applications

Anatomy - the study of the animal form, with an emphasis on human bodies

Biochemistry - the study of the chemical reactions required for life to exist and function, usually a focus on the cellular level

Bioengineering - the study of biology through the means of engineering with an emphasis on applied knowledge and especially related to biotechnology.

Bioinformatics - also classified as a branch of information technology (IT) it is the study, collection, and storage of genomic data

Biomathematics or Mathematical Biology - the study of biological processes through mathematics, with an emphasis on modeling.

Biomechanics - often considered a branch of medicine, the study of the mechanics of living beings, with an emphasis on applied use through artificial limbs, etc.

Biophysics - the study of biological processes through physics, by applying the theories and methods traditionally used in the physical sciences

Biotechnology - a new and sometimes controversial branch of biology that studies the manipulation of living matter, including genetic modification
Botany - the study of plants

Cell Biology - the study of the cell as a complete unit, and the molecular and chemical interactions that occur within a living cell.

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 develops, from zygote to full structure.

Ecology - the study of the ecosystem as a complete unit, with an emphasis on how species and groups of species interact with other living beings and non-living elements.

Entomology - the study of insects

Environmental Biology - the study of the natural world, as a whole or in a particular area, especially as affected by human activity

Ethology - the study of animal behavior.

Evolution or Evolutionary Biology - the study of the origin and decent of species over time

Genetics - the study of genes and heredity.

Herpetology - the study of reptiles (and amphibians?)

Histology - The study of cells and tissue, a microscopic branch of anatomy.

Ichthyology - the study of fish

Macrobiology - the study of biology on the level of the macroscopic individual (plant, animal, or other living being) as a complete unit.

Mammology - the study of mammals

Marine Biology - the study of ocean ecosystems, plants, animals, and other living beings.

Medicine - the study of the human body in health and disease, with allopathic medicine focusing on alleviating or curing the body from states of disease

Microbiology - the study of microscopic organisms (microorganisms) and their interactions with other living things

Molecular Biology - the study of biology and biological functions at the molecular level, some cross over with biochemistry

Neurobiology - the study of the nervous system, including anatomy, physiology, even pathology

Oceanography - the study of the ocean, including ocean life, environment, geography, weather, and other aspects influencing the ocean. See Marine Biology

Ornithology - the study of birds

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

Parisitology - the study of parasites and parasitism

Pharmacology - the study and practical application of preparation, use, and effects of drugs and synthetic medicines.

Physiology - the study of the functioning of living organisms and the organs and parts of living organisms

Pre-medicine - a college major that covers the general aspects of biology as well as specific classes relevant to the study of medicine

Zoology - the study of animals and animal life, including classification, physiology, development, and behavior (See also Entomology, Ethology, Herpetology, Ichthyology, Mammology, Ornithology

anatomy - study of the human body

Astrobiology - The branch of biology concerned with the effects of outer space on living organisms and the search for extraterrestrial life.

biophysics - biophysics (also biological physics) is an interdisciplinary science that applies the theories and methods of physical sciences to questions of biology.

botany - The scientific study of plants and related organisms.

developmental biology - The study of the processes by which an organism develops from a zygote to its full structure. This field includes the study of cellular differentiation as well as body structure development.

Ecology- The scientific study of the relationships between plants, animals, and their environment.

Evolutionary biology - Evolutionary biology is a subfield of biology concerned with the origin and descent of species, as well as their change over time, i.e. their evolution.

genetics - The branch of biology that deals with heredity, especially the mechanisms of hereditary transmission and the variation of inherited characteristics among similar or related organisms.

Microbiology- The branch of biology that deals with microorganisms and their effects on other living organisms. molecular biology - The branch of biology that deals with the formation, structure, and function of macromolecules essential to life, such as nucleic acids and proteins, and especially with their role in cell replication and the transmission of genetic information.

marine biology - marine biology, study of ocean plants and animals and their ecological relationships.

medicine - The science which relates to the prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease.

mathematical biology - mathematical biology or biomathematics is an interdisciplinary field of academic study which aims at modelling natural, biological processes using mathematical techniques and tools. It has both practical and theoretical applications in biological research.

Neurobiology - The branch of biology that deals with the anatomy and physiology and pathology of the nervous system .

Different Branches of Biology

Botany: The study of plant life or phytology is known as botany. It is one of the prominent branches of biology. Botany is a vast subject and studies the life and development of the fungi, algae and plants. Botany also probes into the structure, growth, diseases, chemical and physical properties, metabolism and the evolution of the plant species. Botany implies the importance of study of plant life on earth because they generate food fibers, medicines, fuel and oxygen.

Zoology: This is a branch of biology that studies about animals. The term zoology originated from the Greek term "Zoon" meaning animal and "logos" meaning study. Zoology as a branch of biology deals with the structure and function of animal bodies including human beings. Zoology studies not only the structure of organisms, but also the sub-cellular unit of life. Zoology is an important field of biology, that is diverse and complex. Aristotle and Charles Darwin are prominent zoologists.

Ecology: Ecology is a branch of biology that studies the interaction of various organisms with one another, and their chemical and physical environment. This branch of biology studies environmental problems such as pollution and how it affects the eco-cycle. The term ecology is derived from the Greek term "oikos" meaning "household" and "logos" meaning "study". A German biologist, Ernst Haeckel, coined the term ecology in 1866.

Genetics: This is considered to be an interesting field of study and is a branch of biology. Genetics is the study of genes. This term is derived from the Greek word "genetikos" meaning "origin". This branch of biology studies about the hereditary aspects of all living organisms. The study of inheritance of traits from the parent was begun in the mid-nineteenth by a renowned biologist Gregor Mendel. The modern science of genetics is based on the foundation laid by this biologist.

Biochemistry: This branch of biology studies the chemical processes in all living organisms. Biochemistry is a branch of science that studies the functions of the cellular components such as nucleic acids, lipids, proteins and various other biomolecules. Today, biochemistry is one of the upcoming branches of biology.

Marine biology: Marine biology studies about the ecosystems of the oceans, its animals and plants. There is a vast ocean life that is still unexplored. You can rightly say marine biology is a branch of oceanography, which is again a branch of biology.

Biology as a science gives us the opportunity to make observations, evaluate and solve problems that are related to plants and animals. If you are interested in biology, pursuing a career in any of the branches of biology could be immensely rewarding.

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