Biology-Introduction

Biology-Introduction

Biology

Branch of science in which the scientific study of life is done.

Bios = life and logos = study. Therefore, the study of life is called biology. The term 'biology' was first coined by Lamarck and Treviranus in the year 1801.

Biology has two main branches—

• Botany: Study of different aspects of plants. Theophrastus is known as the father of botany.

• Zoology: Study of various aspects of animals. Aristotle is called the father of zoology as well as biology.

Important Terms of Biology

• Anatomy: The study of the internal structure of an organism.

• Agrology: Soil science dealing specially with the production of crops.

• Agronomy: The science of crop technology of soil management for the production of the crops.

• Agrostology: Study of grass

• Arthrology: Study of joints

• Apiculture: rearing of honeybees for honey.

• Anthropology: The study of the origin, development, and relationship between the cultures of past and present humans.

• Anthology: Study of flowers and flowering plants.

• Angiology: the study of the blood vascular system, including arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels.

• Andrology: Branch of physiology and medicine that specially deals with the problems related to male reproductive organs.

• Bryology: the study of bryophytes.

• Biometrics: Statistical analysis of biological data.

• Biomedical engineering: Application of engineering for the production and design of spare parts for overcoming various defects in man. 

Example: Artificial limbs, iron lungs, pacemakers, etc.

• Biotechnology: Technology concerned with living beings for wilful manipulation on a molecular level.

• Bacteriology: The study of bacteria.

• Cytology: The study of cells.

• Cryobiology: It is the study of the effect of low temperature on organisms and their preservation.

• Clone: Clones are genetically identical individuals in a population.

• Cardiology: The study of the heart and blood vessels.

• Chiropody: Branch of science related to the study of feet.

• Demography: The study of population.

• Diffusion: Random movement of molecules/ions or gases from a region of higher concentration to lower concentration.

• Dermatology: The study of skin.

• Dendrochronology: Counting and analysing annual growth rings of a tree to know its age.

• Ecology: The study of interrelationships between living things and their environment.

• Evolution: the study of the origin of life, variation, and formation of new species.

• Embryology: the study of the fertilisation of an egg, the formation of a zygote, and the development of an embryo.

• Eugenics: The study of factors connected with the improvement of the human race.

• Euthenics: The study of environmental conditions that contribute to the improvement of human beings.

• Euphenics: The improvement of phenotypic defects due to genetic abnormalities by altering the environment.

• Ethnology: The study of science dealing with different races of humans.

• Ethology: The study of animal behaviour in their natural habitats.

• Aetiology: The study of the causative agent of disease.

• Entomology: The study of insects.

• Exobiology: The study of the possibility of life in space.

• Floriculture: Cultivation of plants for flowers.

• Food technology: Scientific processing, preservation, storage, and transportation of food.

• Forensic science: The application of science for the analysis of various facts and evidence to identify the cause or the person involved in a criminal act.

• Fishery: Catching, breeding, rearing, and marketing of fishes.

• Forestry: Development and management of forests.

• Fermentation: A process of incomplete oxidation that occurs in microbes and other cells in the absence of oxygen, leading to the formation of ethyl alcohol.

• Genetics: The study of variation and transmission of hereditary character from parents to their young ones.

• Growth: A permanent increase in the weight, volume, and size of an organism.

• Genetic Engineering: Manipulation of genes in order to improve the organism.

• Gynaecology: The study of female reproductive organs.

• Gerontology: the study of ageing.

• Gastroenterology: The study of alimentary canal- or (stomach and intestine)-related disorders.

• Hypertonic: When two solutions have different solute concentrations. The solution that has a higher solute concentration is called hypertonic.

• Hypotonic: Two solutions that have a lower solute concentration are called hypotonic.

• Homoeothermic: Animals that have a constant body temperature are called homoeothermic or warm-blooded animals.

• Histology: The study of tissue organisation and their structure with the help of a microscope.

• Hygiene: The science of taking care of health and preventing disease, especially through cleanliness.

• Hydroponics: The study of growing plants without soil in water that contains nutrients.

• Haematology: The study of blood in health and disease.

• Hepatology: The branch of medicine concerned with the structure, function, diseases, and abnormalities of the liver.

• Ichthyology: the study of fishes.

• Immunology: The study of the immune system or the resistance of the body to disease.

• Kalology: The study of human beauty.

• Metazoans: All multicellular animals are called metazoans.

• Monoecious: Plants that have both male and female flowers.

• Morphology: The study of microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi, and protozoa.

• Molecular biology: The study of molecules found in the bodies of living organisms.

• Medicine: The study of treating disease by drugs.

• Mammography: Branch of science that deals with tests for breast cancer.

• Mycology: the study of fungi.

• Myrmecology: The study of ants is called myrmecology.

• Mixed farming: study along with animal husbandry.

• Nutrients: Chemical substances taken as food that are necessary for various functions, growth, and health of living things.

• Nanotechnology: The study ‘science of the very small’ is known as nanotechnology, or the manipulation of materials and devices on the scale of the atomic level.

• Neurology: The study of the nervous system.

• Neonatology: Medical care of newborns, especially the ill or premature.

• Nephrology: Study of kidneys.

• Osmosis: Movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane from the region of their higher concentration to the region of lower concentration.

• Odontology: The study of teeth and gums.

• Osteology: the study of bones.

• Oncology: The study of cancer and tumours.

• Obstetrics: Science related to the care of pregnant women before, during, and after childbirth.

• Ornithology: the study of birds.

• Ophthalmology: Study of eyes.

• Orthopaedics: Diagnosis and repair of disorders of the locomotory system.

• Phytoplankton: Microscopic organisms that passively float on the surface of water.

• Parasite: An organism that depends on other living organisms for its food and shelter and often harms them.

• Poikilothermic: Organisms that change their body temperature according to their surroundings. These are also called cold-blooded animals.

• Pigment: A substance that absorbs light of a certain wavelength, like chlorophyll found in green leaves.

• Palaeontology: The study of fossils like dinosaurs.

• Physiology: The study of the function of various systems of an organism.

• Pathology: The study of diseases, effects, causable agents, and transmission of pathogens.

• Pomology: The study of fruit and fruit-yielding plants.

• Psychiatry: Treatment of mental disorders.

• Psychology: The study of the human mind and behaviour.

• Pisciculture: rearing of fishes.

• Phycology: The study of algae.

• Paediatrics: Branch of medicine dealing with children.

• Parasitology: The study of parasites.

• Pharmacology: The science that deals with drugs.

• Photobiology: Effect of light on various biological processes.

• Phylogeny: Evolutionary history of an organism.

• Physiotherapy: Treatment of body defects through massage and exercise.

• Radiology: Medical science dealing with imaging such as X-rays, CT, MRI, and PET for diagnosing and treating disease in the human body.

• Rhinology: the study of the nose and olfactory organs.

• Sonography: The study of ultrasound imaging.

• Saurology: The study of lizards.

• Serology: The study of serum and the interaction of antigens and antibodies in the blood.

• Sphygmology: Study of pulse and arterial pressure.

• Taxonomy: The study of the classification, nomenclature, and identification of organisms.

• Telepathy: Communication of thoughts or ideas from one mind to another without normal use of senses. In other words, this is the process of mental contact.

• Veterinary Science: The science of health care and treatment of domestic animals.

• Holstein Friesian: It is a non-indigenous breed of cow.

• Primatology: The study of bodies and behaviour of human-like species such as monkey, apes, orangutans, etc.

• Viticulture: Cultivation of grapes.

• Horticulture: Growing vegetables, flowers, and fruit for commercial purposes.

• Agriculture: The science and art of cultivating soil, raising crops, and rearing livestock.

• Osteology: The study of the structure and function of the skeleton and bony structure.

• Olericulture: The branch of horticulture that deals with the production, storage, processing, and marketing of vegetables.

• Otorhinolaryngology: The branch of medicine that deals with conditions of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) region.

Final Thoughts

Biology, the scientific study of life, covers every aspect of living organisms—from their structure and function to evolution and interaction with the environment.

It is divided mainly into botany and zoology but extends into numerous specialised fields like genetics, ecology, anatomy, and biotechnology. Each branch helps us understand life processes more deeply and apply this knowledge in medicine, agriculture, the environment, and technology.

In essence, biology forms the foundation of all life sciences, connecting human understanding to the living world around us.