What is Biology?
Biology breaks down into major divisions that help scientists focus their research. The main divisions include Zoology (the study of animals), Botany (the study of plants), and Microbiology (the study of microorganisms like bacteria). These broad categories help organize biological research.
These divisions further branch into specialized fields that examine specific aspects of living things. For example, Morphology looks at the form and structure of organisms, while Molecular biology examines life's basic building blocks like proteins and carbohydrates. Cell biology focuses on cells and their functions, and Physiology studies how different body parts work.
Some branches focus on inheritance and development. Genetics explores how traits pass from parents to offspring, while Embryology examines how embryos develop into full organisms. These fields help us understand how life continues and changes across generations.
Did you know? The word "biology" comes from Greek roots meaning "the study of life" - which perfectly captures what biologists do every day!