Biology is a word of Greek origin, whose meaning is "science of life", and this is defined as the science that studies living beings in different aspects, that is, according to their origin, properties, evolution, development, reproduction, among others.
Discover what are the branches of biology
This science is divided into several branches, disciplines or fields of study, which can be classified into two groups: the main and secondary. The first are the cellular, marine and molecular biology, botany, ecology, physiology, genetics, microbiology and zoology; while the secondary ones with those that have a relationship with biology to a lesser degree than the previous ones.
All the biology job opportunities they are quite broad, since it has many branches or disciplines. For this reason, it is important to know them if you are studying the main career, in order to specialize in a branch that generates interest.
Major disciplines of biology
Those mentioned above are the main disciplines, which we will explain in detail below, taking into account aspects such as fields of study and job opportunities.
Cell biology
Also known as cytology, is a branch of biology that consists of the study of the functions, structures, properties and the interaction in the environment that cells develop. This was born together with the microscope, since it gave us the possibility to observe cells.
El study of cell biology includes the observation of cells at the molecular level, which is why both branches are normally associated. In addition, there are several important components to carry out this study, such as the cell wall, lysosomes, chloroplasts, ribosomes, cell nucleus, cytoskeleton, among others.
Marine biology
It is one of the branches of biology that aims to study living beings found in marine ecosystems, taking into account all the elements of marine life, which is also responsible for protecting and conserving. In addition, it also studies biological phenomena in these ecosystems and can make use of various sciences to carry out more comprehensive and globalized studies.
Molecular biology
It is part of the fields of study of biology, which studies living beings in a molecular way, that is, the processes or phenomena are tried to explain considering the macromolecular properties; which are usually nucleic acids (DNA) and proteins.
Botany
It refers to the science whose object of study is plants, taking into account all possible factors, reproduction processes, relationship with other beings, their classification, among others. The species observed and studied are the plants, fungi, algae and cyanobacteria. In addition, it is possible to find two divisions of the discipline, since it is possible to find applied botany (use for technological purposes) and pure botany (to learn more about the nature of the beings studied).
Ecology
Among the latests Moravia's compositions disciplines of biology we can find ecology, a science whose purpose is to observe the relationship that living beings have with their environment and with other living beings; being the main studies, the abundance and distribution of the same according to the interactions with these aspects.
In a summarized and more specific way, basically ecology studies the different ecosystems and the relationships between the different species that inhabit them.
Physiology
It is part of the branches of biology since it is responsible for studying what are the functions of living beings, which can be animal physiology (where human is included) and plant. In addition, it is also possible to find other divisions, such as cell, organ, tissue, veterinary and comparative.
Genetics
It focuses on the study of biological inheritance, that is, how it is passed on between generations of living beings. This is one of the most modern branches, where the presence of other branches such as cell biology and biochemistry is found. His main objects of study are nucleic acid (DNA) and RNA, where the latter includes messenger, transfer and ribosomal.
Microbiology
It refers to the science that aims to study and analyze microorganisms; these being those organisms or "living beings" invisible to human eyes. The main microbes, that is, those that this branch focuses on studying, are the viruses, fungi and bacteria; while the other microorganisms are usually studied in other disciplines such as parasitology.
Zoology
Finally, we find the branch of biology that focuses on studying animals and in which different aspects such as morphology, physiology, behavior, among others, of the same are considered.
Secondary branches of biology
Finally, we find other disciplines or fields of study of biology that are related to it, but that are not located among the main ones as they are branches with more specific objectives. Among them it is possible to find the following:
- Anatomy.
- Arachnology.
- Aerobiology.
- Biophysics.
- Biogeography.
- Astrobiology.
- Bacteriology.
- Bioinformatics.
- Chorology
- Epidemiology.
- Entomology.
- Evolutionary biology.
- Biochemistry.
- Environmental biology.
- Phylogeny.
- Ethology.
- Phytopathology.
- Phycology.
- Herpetology.
- Immunology.
- Histology.
- Herpetology.
- Inctiology.
- Limnology.
- Mycology.
- Ornithology.
- Paleontology.
- Oncology.
- Ontogeny.
- Pathology.
- Parasitology.
- Sociobiology.
- Theology.
- Virology.
- Toxicology.
- Taxonomy
We hope that the information provided about the different branches of biology has been of your degree; If you want to contribute content and have any questions, do not forget to leave us a comment and we will respond as soon as possible.