BIOTA KINDOM

The Life Study:

Biology is a branch of science, which deals with the study of living organisms. As a branch of science, Biology encompasses the scientific method. However, human interest in biology is much older than that in experimental science. Of all branches of science, Biology is perhaps one of the greatest interest to man. The origin of biology can be traced back to human inquisitiveness about the things happening in nature. Today, biology is one of the fastest growing branches of science. It is likely that in future, the knowledge provided by biology may become the key to human survival on this planet Earth.

Need for studying biology:

It brings about an awareness of the rich diversity of life forms that inhabit the planet Earth. It helps us to know and appreciate the precision and complexity of living process.

Scope of Biology:

Branches of Biology:

Biology has two basic branches — Botany and Zoology. Botany is the study of plants while zoology is the study of animals.

Botany (Greek) means plants. Zoon (Greek) means animals.

Classical Branches:

These branches are largely meant for gaining knowledge in the respective areas. Following are the most common classical branches of Biology.

Cell Biology (Cytology):

It is the study of the structure and functions of cells.

Developmental Biology (Embryology):

It is the study of early life history of individual organisms from the fertilized egg to the adult stage (Ontogeny).

Environmental Biology (Ecology):

It is the study of organisms in relation to their environment. 

Ethology (Behavioral Biology):

It is the study of  behaviour of animals to their natural habitat.

Eugenics:

It is the science that deals with factors related to the improvement of race, especially to that of human beings.

Genetics:

It is the study of heredity and variations in the organisms. 

Histology:

It is the study of tissues in plants and animals.

Morphology:

It is the study of external form and structure and relative position of various organs in living organisms.

Anatomy (Greek - anatome means ‘to cut apart’):

It is the study of internal structure of living organisms.

Organic evolution (Phylogeny):

It is the study of history and relationships of living organisms through time.

Paleontology:

It is the study of living organisms that existed once (extinct) through their remains called fossils and their geological history.

Physiology:

It is the study of biological functions and their underlying mechanisms.

Taxonomy (Systematics):

It is the study of identification and naming of organisms. Systematics deals with the grouping and higher level classification of groups.

All these classical branches are interrelated with one another. The aspects covered by any one branch involve the use of knowledge from other branch or branches. The following scheme represents such an interrelationship.

Interdisciplinary branches:

Biology invariably uses knowledge and techniques from other branches of science, to solve its complicated life processes. Most of the recent discoveries and inventions in biology have resulted from the joint endeavour between biology and physical sciences and even biology and social sciences. This has resulted in the emergence of many interdisciplinary branches. Following are some of them.

Biochemistry:

It is the study of chemistry of life. It is concerned with the study of chemical processes underlying life activities.

Biophysics:

It is the study of physics of living organisms. It is concerned with the study of physical laws and principles that are used in the study of plants and animals. For example, the principle behind microscopy.

Biology Biometry:

It is a branch, which involves mathematical and statistical studies in co-relating the various life processes.

Bioinformatics:

It is a branch concerned with the application of knowledge of information technology in analyzing biological data. This branch is of immense significance in the field of biotechnology.

Psychology:

It is the study of human mind. It is concerned with the application of biology to the problems of people. It represents a branch in which biology is entering the realms of social science.

Applied branches:

These are the branches in which the knowledge obtained from biology is applied for the welfare of man and the animals and plants that are useful to him. Following are some of the applied branches of biology that are of great significant to human welfare.

Animal husbandry:

It is the study of principles and practices pertaining to the economics of domestic animals.

Anthropology:

It is the study of development and characteristics of human race.

Biotechnology:

It is the application of principles and practices of engineering and technological sciences in living organisms.

Conservation biology:

It deals with preservation of natural resources such as natural habitats, wild life, earth resources, energy resources, etc.

Medicine:

It is the application of principles of biology to diagnose and  conditions in man.

Microbiology:

It is the study of micro-organisms that are useful and harmful to man, animals and plants.

Some more scopes of Bilogy are Molecular Biology, Pathology, Pharmacy, Poultry, Apiculture, Sericulture, Veterinary science, and many more.