Introduction

Biology is a term derived from two Greek words: bios (life) and logos (knowledge).

Biology is therefore the study of life.

Biology is the scientific study of life/living things (organisms).

Science is knowledge about the structure and behavior of the natural world based on facts that can be proved by experiments.

 

Question

State the meaning of the following terms;

1. Science
2. Biology

 

Branches of Biology

Biology is divided into two major branches:

1. Zoology: the study of animals.
2. Botany: the study of plants.

These are further divided into sub-branches;

1. Microbiology: It is the study of microscopic organisms (microorganisms) like bacteria and viruses.
2. Virology: It is the study of viruses.
3. Mycology: It is the study of fungi
4. Bacteriology: It is the study of bacteria.
5. Anatomy: It is the study of internal body structures
6. Morphology: It is the study of external body structures.
7. Embryology: It is the study of embryos
8. Parasitology: It is the study of parasites.
9. Pathology: It is the study of the disease causing microorganisms (pathogens).
10. Physiology: It is the study of functions of body structures.
11. Biochemistry: It is the study of chemical compounds and how chemical reactions take place in the cells of the living organism.
12. Entomology: It is the study of insects.
13. Genetics: it is the study of inheritance and variation.
14. Cytology: It is the study of cells.
15. Histology: It is the study of tissues
16. Ecology: It is the study of the interrelationship between the living organisms and their environment.
17. Taxonomy: It is the study of classification of living organisms.
18. Ichthyology: It is the study of fish
19. Biotechnology: study of development of techniques for application of biological processes
20. Evolution: It is the study of the origin and development of organisms from ancient life to date and how they relate with each other.

 

Summary of branches of Biology

Branch	Study of
Parasitology	Parasites
Virology	Viruses
Bacteriology	Bacteria
Mycology	Fungi
Embryology	Embryos
Entomology	Insects
Ichthyology	Fish
Microbiology	Microorganisms
Pathology	Pathogens
Anatomy	Internal structures of living organisms
Morphology	External structures of living organisms
Taxonomy	classification of living organisms
Physiology	functions of body structures
Biochemistry	chemical compounds in living organisms