Biology: Meaning and Subdivisions, Famous Biologists

The Greek word ‘bios’ means life and ‘logos’ means study. Therefore in simple terms, Biology is the study of life. It is not difficult to differentiate non-living things from living things. Yet, as the technology advanced, a whole perspective of living organisms changed with the discovery of viruses that are simply a large molecule.

There are very specific characteristics that living things do that non-living things cannot do. They take in food, eliminate waste and respond to external stimuli.

Living things are made up of tiny units called cells. The organisms consisting of a single cell are called unicellular organisms. Such organisms show diversity at cellular level. Some unicellular plants and animals are capable of carrying out all the life processes in a single cell. For example, Amoeba and Paramecium. Some unicellular organisms like Volvox are specialised to live in colonies and are capable of carrying out life processes within the colony itself.

Most of the living organisms that can be seen with naked eye are composed of thousands, or millions of cells.  These cells are specialised to perform specific functions. A group of cells having common origin and structure form tissues. A group of tissues that perform similar functions constitute organs. Organs work together to form an organ system.

Fields of Biology:

All the fields of biology are interrelated to each other in some way. Given below are the major subdivisions of biology:

1. Botany: The study of Plant Life. It is one of the two important parts of biology, the other being zoology. Botany is the branch of science that concerns itself every aspect of plants, including their classifications, naming,  where they live and how they grow. The structure, behaviour and requirements of every individual plant are recorded by botanists. The study of plants is very important to man as he depends on plant for food, directly or indirectly and also with the help of botanical sciences, man can improve plant breeds and discover new ones.

2. Zoology: The study of animals. One of the traditional two branches of biology. It deals with evolution, classification, structure, habitats, distribution and every other aspects related to the animal kingdom.

3. Agriculture: Cultivation of plants and animals for food. Agriculture has been described as ‘the art of cultivating the land’. It is an ancient occupation of human beings and is present since the beginning of human civilizations. Other than growing crops, the field of agriculture also deals with fisheries cattle rearing and forestry.

4. Biochemistry: The study of chemical processes in living things. It combines the field of biology, which studies life  and chemistry, which includes chemical reactions. The cells which make up the living organisms contain thousands of different chemical compounds carrying out a number of processes that affects our growth and activities. Biochemistry is also helpful to discover chemicals harmful bacteria.

5. Cell Biology: Also called as cell physiology is the study of structure and functions of cell. All living organisms from unicellular bacteria to huge whale, from algae to trees are made of microscopic structural units called cells. Cell biology encompasses both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and includes the study of cell metabolism, cytology, cell cycle and composition.

6. Ecology: The study of relationships between living things and their environments. Living organisms are dependent on various non-living components such as atmosphere, water, and light and also influence these factors. Ecology provides better understanding of biotic components, their habitat and nutrition.

7. Taxonomy: The classification and naming of different things. Unless the plants, animals or any microorganisms are identified, it is not possible to study them at all. Therefore, it can be said that study of living organisms depends on taxonomy. Not only naming, this branch of biology also deals with hierarchical classification of organisms based on their characteristic features.

8. Genetics: The study of heredity and genetics. It explains the similarities and differences among the organisms. Heredity is the factor responsible for resemblances between the parents and their offspring. The hereditary variations are of great importance in the process of evolution of a new species. Gregor Johann Mendel is called the father of modern genetics as he laid a firm foundation for the study of inheritance.

9. Pathology: The study of diseases in plants and animals. Sometimes, plant pathology is also referred to as phytology. The study mainly includes the causes and effects of all infectious and organic disease and also physiological disorders. 

10. Biomathematics: A branch of science that uses mathematics in the study of living beings. Precise numerical measurements are always important in the field of biology. Biometrical studies are used to determine probabilities, to measure deviations, and to test the reliability of the conclusion. 

11. Microbiology: It is the study of microscopic living things. Microorganisms are very diverse and include the bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa and viruses. It is one of the recent field that came into existence with the invention of microscopes that made it possible to look at minute organisms which otherwise cannot be seen with naked eyes.  

Important Biologists