(General Science) BIOLOGY - Main Branches of Biology and Fields of Biology
GENERAL SCIENCE: BIOLOGY
WHAT IS BIOLOGY?
The science which deals with the study of living objects and their life processes is called biology (Greek words, bios – life, logos – study). It covers all aspect of the study of living creatures like occurrence, classification, ecology, economic importance, external form, organization, internal structure, nutrition, health and other body functions, reproduction, life history, inheritance and origin. Being broad – based and multi- disciplinary, the term biology is often replaced by the term life sciences or biological sciences. Aristotle is known as the ‘Father of biology’. The term biology was coined by Lamarck.
There are three major branches of biology – botany, zoology and microbiology. Botany is the branch of biology which deals with the study of different aspects of plants. Theophrastus is known as the father of Botany. Zoology is the branch of biology connected with the study of different aspects of animals. Aristotle is known as the father of Zoology. Microbiology is the branch of biology dealing with the study of different aspects of microorganism. Leeuwenhoek is known as the father of Microbiology.
MAIN BRANCHES OF BIOLOGY
Some of the main branches of biology are briefly discussed below:
1. Taxonomy: It is the science of identification, nomenclature and
classification of organisms.
2. Morphology: It is the study of external form, size, shape, colour,
structure and relative position of various living organ of living beings.
3. Anatomy: It is the study of internal structure which can be observed
with unaided eye after dissection.
4. Histology: It is the study of tissue organization and structure as
observed through light microscope.
5. Cytology: It is the study of form and structure of cells including
the behavior of nucleus and other organelles
6. Cell Biology: It is the study of morphological, organizational,
biochemical, physiological, genetic, developmental, pathological and
evolutionary aspects of cell and its components.
7. Molecular Biology: It is the study of the nature, physicochemical
organization, synthesis working and interaction of bio-molecules that bring
about and control various activities of the protoplasm.
8. Physiology: It is the study of different types of body functions and
processes.
9. Embryology: It is the study of fertilization, growth, division and
differentiation of the zygote into embryo or early development of living beings
before the attainment of structure and size of the offspring.
10. Ecology: It is the study of living organisms is relation to other
organism and their environment.
11. Genetics: It is the study of inheritance of characters or heredity
and variations. Heredity is the study of expression and transmission of traits
from parents to offspring.
12. Eugenics: It is the science which deals with factors related to
improvement or impairment of race, especially that of human beings.
13. Evolution: It studies the origin of life as well as new types of
organism from the previous ones by modifications involving genetic changes and
adaptations.
14. Palaeontology: It deals with the study of fossils or remains and
impressions of past organisms present in the rocks of different ages.
15. Exobiology: It is the branch of scientific inquiry dealing with the
possibility of life in the outer space.
16. Virology: It is the study of viruses in all their aspects.
FIELDS OF BIOLOGY
1 |
Science |
Organized form of Knowledge or systematic knowledge i.e. knowledge through process. |
---|---|---|
2 |
Biology |
The branch of science which deals with the study of living beings. |
3 |
Zoology |
The branch of science which deals with the study of animals. |
4 |
Morphology |
The branch of science which deals with the study of total general structures and forms including shape, size and appearance. |
5 |
Anatomy |
The branch of science which deals with the study of internal structures after cutting or dissection. |
6 |
Histology |
The branch of science which deals with the study of tissue i.e. microscopic anatomy. |
7 |
Cytology |
The branch of science which deals with the study of cells and their organelles. |
8 |
Acariology |
Study of tics and mites. |
9 |
Actinobiology |
The branch of science which deals with the study of radiation effects on organism. |
10 |
Aerobiology |
Study of Flying organisms. |
11 |
Agroforestry |
This branch deals with form of land used on which herbaceous crops and trees crops are cultivated |
12 |
Agronomy |
Science which deals with the crop plants |
13 |
Agrostology |
Study of grasses. |
14 |
Angiology |
Science which deals with the study of blood vascular system. |
15 |
Anthology |
Study of flowers. |
16 |
Anthropology |
Study of apes and man. |
17 |
Apiculture |
Study of bee keeping |
18 |
Araneology |
Study of spiders. |
19 |
Arthrology |
Study of joints. |
20 |
Aschelitinthology |
Study of round worms |
21 |
Bacteriology |
Study of bacteria. |
22 |
Batrachology |
Study of frog. |
23 |
Biochemistry |
Branch of science which deals with the study of chemical reactions in relations to life activities. |
24 |
Biometrics |
Statistical analysis of different results of biological experiments. |
25 |
Biotechnology |
Use of biological organisms in commercial processes for producing fine chemicals such as drugs, vaccines and harmones etc. on a large scale and at reasonable cost. |
26 |
Bryology |
Study of Bryophytes. |
27 |
Carcinology |
Study of crabs and crustaceans |
28 |
Cardiology |
Study of heart. |
29 |
Chondriology |
Study of Cartilage. |
30 |
Chromatology |
Study of Pigments. |
31 |
Cnidology |
Study of Coelenterata |
32 |
Conchology |
Study of shells. |
33 |
Craniology |
Study of skulls |
34 |
Cryobiology |
Study of effects on life at very lower temperature. |
35 |
Dendrology |
Study of shrubs and trees |
36 |
Dermatology |
Study of skin |
37 |
Ecobiology |
Study of problems of existence of life in outer space |
38 |
Ecology |
Study of relationship between organism and environment |
39 |
Embryology |
Study of embryo i.e. developmental stages after fertilization or birth of young ones. |
40 |
Endocrinology |
Study of endocrine glands and their secretions |
41 |
Entomology |
Study of insects |
42 |
Enzymology |
Study of enzymes |
43 |
Ethnology |
Study of man-kinds |
44 |
Ethology |
Study of conditions of animals or behavior of animals, in a natural contest |
45 |
Etiology |
Study of diseases |
46 |
Eugenics |
Study of improvement of human race by applying laws of heredity. It applied before birth. Eugenics is related with future generation. |
47 |
Euphenics |
Study of improvement of human race by drug treatment or gene engineering i.e. medical engineering of genetic disorder. |
48 |
Euthenics |
Study of improvement of human race by improving environment. It applied after birth and is related with present generation. |
49 |
Evolution |
The branch of science which deals with the study of origin of new from old i.e. origin, variation, inter-relationship between organisms of past and present days. |
50 |
Exobiology |
Space biology is also known as exobiology |
51 |
Floriculture |
Study of flower yielding plants |
52 |
Genetics |
Study of heredity and variations |
53 |
Gerontology |
Study of growing old |
54 |
Gynaecology |
Study of female reproductive organs |
55 |
Haematology |
Study of blood |
56 |
Helminthology |
Study of helminthes |
57 |
Hepatology |
Study of liver |
58 |
Herpetology |
Study of lizards and other reptiles |
59 |
Hypnology |
Study which deals with sleep |
60 |
Histochemistry |
Study of chemical nature of tissues |
61 |
Horticulture |
Study of flowering and fruits plants |
62 |
Ichnology |
Study of fossil footprints |
63 |
Immunology |
Study of resistance of organisms against infection |
64 |
Kalology |
Study of sensory or sensari-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste |
65 |
Karyology |
Study of nucleus |
66 |
Lepidopterology |
Study of moths and butterflies |
67 |
Lichenology |
Study of lichens |
68 |
Limnology |
Study of fresh water lakes, ponds and streams in relation with plants and animals |
69 |
Malacology |
Study of mollusks |
70 |
Mammology |
Study of mammals |
71 |
Mastology |
Study of breasts |
72 |
Melanology |
Study of pigments |
73 |
Molecular Biology |
Study of life sciences on molecular level (i.e. RNA and DNA level) |
74 |
Mycology |
Study of fungi |
75 |
Myrmecology |
Study of ants |
76 |
Neonatology |
Study of the new-born up to 1 month of age |
77 |
Nephrology |
Study of kidney |
78 |
Neurology |
Study of nervous system |
79 |
Nidology |
Study of nests of birds |
80 |
Nisology |
Study of diseases |
81 |
Odontology |
Study of teeth and gums |
82 |
Olericulture |
Study of vegetable yielding plants |
83 |
Oncology |
Study of cancer |
84 |
Oneirology |
Study of dreams |
85 |
Ontogeny |
Study of embryonic history |
86 |
Oology |
Study of egg of birds |
87 |
Ophthalmology |
Study of eyes |
88 |
Organocology |
Study of development of organs under embryology |
89 |
Organology |
Study of organs |
90 |
Ornithology |
Study of birds |
91 |
Osteology |
Study of bones |
92 |
Otorhinolaryngology |
Study of ear, nose and throat |
93 |
Paedology |
Study of larval stages |
94 |
Palaezoology |
Study of fossils and their distribution in time. |
95 |
Palaeozoology |
Study of fossils of animals |
96 |
Palynology |
Study of pollen grains in relation to taxonomy and evolution |
97 |
Parasitology |
Study of parasites |
98 |
Pathology |
Study of various diseases in human beings |
99 |
Parazoology |
Study of poifera (sponges) |
100 |
Pedology |
Study of soils |
101 |
Pharmacognosy |
Branch of science dealing with the medicinal plants |
102 |
Pharmacology |
Study of synthesis and effect of medicines on organisms |
103 |
Phenology |
Study of organisms as affected by seasonal climates e.g. of bird migration, opening of flowers etc. |
104 |
Phrenology |
Study of mental faculties of brain including feelings |
105 |
Phycology (algology) |
Study of algae |
106 |
Phylogeny |
Study of evolutionary history |
107 |
Physiology |
Study of functions of various parts within the organisms |
108 |
Pisciculture |
Study of rearing of fishes |
109 |
Platyhelminthology |
Study of flat worms |
110 |
Pomology |
Study of fruits |
111 |
Poultry |
Study which deals with keepings of foul |
112 |
Proctology |
Study of hind gut including rectum and anus |
113 |
Protistology |
Study of protests. Its field of study overlaps with more traditional disciplines of algology, mycology and protozoology |
114 |
Pteridology |
Study of pteridophytes |
115 |
Rainology |
Study of nose and olfactory organs |
116 |
Saurology |
Study of lizards |
117 |
Sericulture |
Silk industry concerned with culture of silk moth and pupa |
118 |
Serology |
Study of serum; interaction of antigens and antibodies in the blood |
119 |
Sepentology (Ophiology) |
Study of snakes |
120 |
Silviculture |
Study of development of forests |
121 |
Sitology |
Study of dietetics |
122 |
Speciology |
Study of species |
123 |
Spermology |
Study of seeds |
124 |
Splanchnology |
Study of visceral organs |
125 |
Stomatology |
Study of forget including buccal cavity and stomach |
126 |
Synecology |
Study of bony joints and ligaments |
127 |
Taxi dermatology |
Study of skin and stuffing |
128 |
Taxonomy |
The breach of science which deals with the study of classification of organisms |
129 |
Teratology |
Study of foetal malformations |
130 |
Torpedology |
Study of skates and rays |
131 |
Toxicology |
Study of narcotics and the influence of narcotics on various organisms |
132 |
Traumatology |
Study of wounds and turnover |
133 |
Trichology |
Study of hair |
134 |
Trophology |
Study of nutrition |
135 |
Urobiology |
Study which deals with preservation of deals bodies in liquids by chemicals |
136 |
Urology |
Study of wine including diseases and the abnormalities of uninary and urino-genital tract |
137 |
Virology |
Study of virus |
138 |
Zoogeography |
The branch of science which deals with the study of distribution of animals on earth. |
139 |
Biophysics |
Study of physical aspects of living organisms |
140 |
Cytogenetics |
Study of cytological basis of inheritance |
141 |
Ctetology |
Study of acquired characteristics of organisms |
142 |
Ichthyology |
Study of fish and it’s culture |
143 |
Kinesiology |
Study of muscle movements |
144 |
Phytogeography |
Study of plants distribution on earth |
145 |
Palaeobotany |
Study of distribution and characteristics of fossils |
146 |
Psychobiology |
Study of behavioural aspects of animals |
147 |
Sarcology |
Study of muscles |
148 |
Syndesmology |
Study of bone joints and ligaments |
149 |
Tectology |
Study of structural organization of body |
150 |
Zoophytology |
Study of drifting micro-organisms such as diatoms. |
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