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The term biology is taken from the Greek word "bios" meaning life and "logos" meaning study. Biology is the science that studies about the life of various living organisms. A living organism could be a one-celled bacteria or a several-celled organism such as animals and plants. Biological science is classified into various branches depending on the study of the organisms and is a vast field. Here we look at some of the branches of biology.

Different Branches of Biology

Botany: The study of plant life or phytology is known as botany. It is one of the prominent branches of biology. Botany is a vast subject and studies the life and development of the fungi, algae and plants. Botany also probes into the structure, growth, diseases, chemical and physical properties, metabolism and the evolution of the plant species. Botany implies the importance of study of plant life on earth because they generate food fibers, medicines, fuel and oxygen.

Zoology: This is a branch of biology that studies about animals. The term zoology originated from the Greek term "Zoon" meaning animal and "logos" meaning study. Zoology as a branch of biology deals with the structure and function of animal bodies including human beings. Zoology studies not only the structure of organisms, but also the sub-cellular unit of life. Zoology is an important field of biology, that is diverse and complex. Aristotle and Charles Darwin are prominent zoologists.

Ecology: Ecology is a branch of biology that studies the interaction of various organisms with one another, and their chemical and physical environment. This branch of biology studies environmental problems such as pollution and how it affects the eco-cycle. The term ecology is derived from the Greek term "oikos" meaning "household" and "logos" meaning "study". A German biologist, Ernst Haeckel, coined the term ecology in 1866.

Genetics: This is considered to be an interesting field of study and is a branch of biology. Genetics is the study of genes. This term is derived from the Greek word "genetikos" meaning "origin". This branch of biology studies about the hereditary aspects of all living organisms. The study of inheritance of traits from the parent was begun in the mid-nineteenth by a renowned biologist Gregor Mendel. The modern science of genetics is based on the foundation laid by this biologist.

Biochemistry: This branch of biology studies the chemical processes in all living organisms. Biochemistry is a branch of science that studies the functions of the cellular components such as nucleic acids, lipids, proteins and various other biomolecules. Today, biochemistry is one of the upcoming branches of biology.

Marine biology: Marine biology studies about the ecosystems of the oceans, its animals and plants. There is a vast ocean life that is still unexplored. You can rightly say marine biology is a branch of oceanography, which is again a branch of biology.

Biology as a science gives us the opportunity to make observations, evaluate and solve problems that are related to plants and animals. If you are interested in biology, pursuing a career in any of the branches of biology could be immensely rewarding.