Branches of Biology
Branches of Biology
When we look around us, we see two types of living things - plants and animals. Based on this, for a long time, biology was divided into two branches - Botany and Zoology. However, the field of biology has expanded so much that it is not enough to confine its study to these two branches only.
There are many living beings that are neither plants nor animals, such as bacteria, fungi. The classification is not appropriate when analyzing common characteristics of animals, plants, bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc. So now also biology has been classified into many branches. Considering its aspect, there are also two other divisions of biology - Physical Biology and Applied Biology.
Physical Biology
In the field of Physical Biology, theoretical concepts are usually discussed. The following subjects are the general fields of its concern.
Morphology: This deals with the form and structure of organisms. It is usually divided into two branches - external and internal morphology. The external description of the body is called external morphology and the internal description of the body is called internal morphology.
Taxonomy: Classification of organisms and related principles are discussed in this branch.
Physiology: This branch of biology deals with the biochemical activities of different organs of organisms, such as respiration, excretion, photosynthesis, etc. A detailed description of all the physiological processes of organisms is found in it.
Histology: The microscopic structure, arrangement, and function of plant and animal tissues are studied in this subject.
Embryology: The branch of biology that discusses the origin of gametes, the origin of an embryo of a fertilized egg, the development of an embryo, their structure, growth, and development.
Cytology: The structure, function, and division of an individual cell in a body of organisms is studied in this branch of biology.
Genetics: This branch of biology deals with genes and heredity.
Evolution: The gradual development of life and organisms over successive generations on earth is studied in this subject.
Ecology: It is the science of the reciprocal relationship between organisms and their environment.
Endocrinology: The field of science that deals with the study of endocrine glands and hormones secreted by them.
Biogeography: The branch of biology that studies the geographical distribution of organisms and their evolution.
Applied Biology
Applied subjects related to life are included in this category, and some of them are mentioned below:
Paleontology: Science of the prehistoric life forms and fossils.
Biostatistics: Science of statistics of organisms.
Parasitology: Science related to parasitism, the life process of parasitic organisms, and diseases caused by them.
Fisheries: Science dealing with fish, harvesting of fish, management, and conservation of fish assets.
Entomology: Science related to the study of life, merit, demerit, and control of insects including the damages caused by them.
Microbiology: Science related to viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms.
Agriculture: Science related to human body diseases, treatment, etc.
Medical Science: Science related to human body diseases, treatment, etc.
Genetic Engineering: Science associated with gene technology and its uses.
Biochemistry: Science connected to the biochemical process and diseases of organisms.
Environmental Science: Science related to the environment.
Marine Biology: Science related to marine living beings.
Forestry: Science related to forest, management, and conservation of its resources.
Biotechnology: Science associated with the technology of uses of organisms for the benefit of mankind.
Pharmacy: Science dealing with the technology and industry of medicine.
Wildlife: Science related to wild animals.
Bioinformatics: Biological information based on computer technology, for example, information on the analysis of cancer.
