Bio XI Branches of Biology

Branches of Biology

Aerobiology – the study of airborne organic particles

Agriculture – the study of producing crops from the land, with an emphasis on practical applications

Anatomy – the study of form and function, in plants, animals, and other organisms, or specifically in humans

Arachnology – the study of arachnids

Astrobiology – the study of evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe—also known as exobiology, exopaleontology, and bioastronomy

Biochemistry – the study of the chemical reactions required for life to exist and function, usually a focus on the cellular level

Bioengineering – the study of biology through the means of engineering with an emphasis on applied knowledge and especially related to biotechnology

Biogeography – the study of the distribution of species spatially and temporally

Bioinformatics – the use of information technology for the study, collection, and storage of genomic and other biological data

Biomathematics (or Mathematical biology) – the quantitative or mathematical study of biological processes, with an emphasis on modeling

Biomechanics – often considered a branch of medicine, the study of the mechanics of living beings, with an emphasis on applied use through prosthetics or orthotics

Biomedical research – the study of the human body in health and disease

Biophysics – the study of biological processes through physics, by applying the theories and methods traditionally used in the physical sciences

Biotechnology – a new and sometimes controversial branch of biology that studies the manipulation of living matter, including genetic modification and synthetic biology

Building biology – the study of the indoor living environment

Botany – the study of plants

Cell biology – the study of the cell as a complete unit, and the molecular and chemical interactions that occur within a living cell

Conservation biology – the study of the preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife

Cryobiology – the study of the effects of lower than normally preferred temperatures on living beings

Developmental biology – the study of the processes through which an organism forms, from zygote to full structure

Ecology – the study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and with the non-living elements of their environment

Embryology – the study of the development of embryo (from fecundation to birth)

Entomology – the study of insects

Environmental biology – the study of the natural world, as a whole or in a particular area, especially as affected by human activity

Epidemiology – a major component of public health research, studying factors affecting the health of populations

Epigenetics – the study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence

Ethology – the study of animal behavior

Evolutionary biology – the study of the origin and descent of species over time

Genetics – the study of genes and heredity

Herpetology – the study of reptiles and amphibians

Histology – the study of cells and tissues, a microscopic branch of anatomy

Ichthyology – the study of fish

Integrative biology – the study of whole organisms

Limnology – the study of inland waters

Mammalogy – the study of mammals

Marine biology (or Biological oceanography) – the study of ocean ecosystems, plants, animals, and other living beings

Microbiology – the study of microscopic organisms (microorganisms) and their interactions with other living things

Molecular biology – the study of biology and biological functions at the molecular level, some cross over with biochemistry

Mycology – the study of fungi

Neurobiology – the study of the nervous system, including anatomy, physiology and pathology

Oncology – the study of cancer processes, including virus or mutation oncogenesis, angiogenesis and tissues remoldings

Ornithology – the study of birds

Population biology – the study of groups of conspecific organisms, including

Population ecology – the study of how population dynamics and extinction

Population genetics – the study of changes in gene frequencies in populations of organisms

Paleontology – the study of fossils and sometimes geographic evidence of prehistoric life

Pathobiology or pathology – the study of diseases, and the causes, processes, nature, and development of disease

Parasitology – the study of parasites and parasitism

Pharmacology – the study and practical application of preparation, use, and effects of drugs and synthetic medicines

Physiology – the study of the functioning of living organisms and the organs and parts of living organisms

Phytopathology – the study of plant diseases (also called Plant Pathology)

Psychobiology – the study of the biological bases of psychology

Sociobiology – the study of the biological bases of sociology

Structural biology – a branch of molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics concerned with the molecular structure of biological macromolecules

Virology – the study of viruses and some other virus-like agents

Zoology – the study of animals, including classification, physiology, development, and behavior (branches include: Entomology, Ethology, Herpetology, Ichthyology, Mammalogy, and Ornithology)