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Branches of Biology

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The study of living organisms, their origin, anatomy, morphology, physiology, behavior, and distri-
bution is called biology. When it comes to biology, the earth is the only planet where life is known to
exist and over 8.7 million species are documented to date. The advancement in modern science and
great technology has opened up even more insights about life and it's major constituents. Biology is
composed of many branches through which the scope of biology is completely broadened from the
past few years with the unifying concepts that govern all study and research. In this article, we are go-
ing to read about biology and its different branches to excel in the biological and general knowledge
section. This article will help you in the preparation of the biological and general science section of
many competitive exams like UPSC - prelims, SSC, NDA, Railway, and Banking.

Branches of Biology - Introduction

Biology comes from the Greek word "bios" meaning life and "logos" meaning study. Biology is the sci-
ence that studies various living organisms. A living organism could be a one-celled bacteria or a sev-
eral-celled organism such as an animal or a plant. Biological science is classified into various
branches, depending upon the organisms to be studied, and is a vast field. It is composed of many
branches through which the scope of biology is broadened with the unifying concepts that govern all
study and research which is consolidated into a single and coherent field. Biology is not limited to one
or two different branches but there are several aspects through various Sub-disciplines or
branches. Here is the complete list of specific branches of biology that are very useful to understand
various phenomena related to life and are equally important from an exam perspective.

Botany - Botany is derived from the Greek word 'botane' and also from the adjective 'botanic'. It is
the branch of science or biology that deals with the study of plants. The one who studies botany is
known as 'botanist'. This is the world's oldest natural sciences. Botany also includes the study of
plant-like organisms such as algae, ferns, mosses along the actual plant. Further botany is also di-
vided into subgroups- Plant pathology, Plant ecology, Paleobotany, and Forensic botany

Zoology- Zoology is the branch or division of biology that deals with the study of animal physiology,
their behavior, and their interactions with other species in the environment. It is also known as ani-
mal biology. Zoology is famous for exploring new areas other than the animal kingdom and ecosys-
tem. Further division of zoology is as follows- Soil zoology, Herpetology, Entomology, Ornithology,
Animal physiology, Mammalogy, Behavioral ecology, Comparative anatomy.

Anatomy -The word anatomy is derived from the Greek word 'anatome' which means 'up and cut-
ting'. It is the branch or division of biological science that deals with the study of the body structure of
various living organisms as revealed by dissection. It is important in the field of the life science sector.

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Further division of anatomy are Human Anatomy, Plant anatomy (also called as phytotomy)Animal
anatomy ( also called as zootomy)

Physiology- Physiology is the branch of biology that deals with the study of characteristics and
mechanisms of the human body. This section of biology basically involves all the study, which is re-
lated to the Endocrine System, the Nervous System, the Immune system, and the blood cell of the hu-
man body.

Biotechnology - Biotechnology is the branch of science or is a biological science that is a wide disci-
pline that basically deals with the exploitation of living organisms involving the use of technology. It
generally involves the study of vaccines, enzymes, etc. Its purpose is to create new techniques for sus-
tainable development. The two major techniques that are used in this area of modern biotechnology
are - Genetic engineering, Bioprocess engineering

Ecology- Ecology is the branch of biological science that deals with the study of organism, environ-
ment, and how these two interact with each other. This branch of science includes human science,
population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere. The only aim of this branch is to improve the un-
derstanding of life processes, adaptation, and biodiversity of organisms. Further branches of
ecology are -Global ecology, Landscape ecology, Ecosystem ecology, Community ecology, Popula-
tion ecology, Molecular ecology

Immunology-Immunology is the branch that deals with the study of the immune system involving
the cell-mediated, humoral aspects of immunity, and immune response. In short, it involves the study
of the immune system, it's components, it's a biological process, it's physiology functioning, it’s typed,
and it’s disordered. This branch is important to study because the immune system acts as the body's
defense system from invading infection.

Genetics- Genetics is the branch of biological sciences that deals with the study of heredity, it's a bi-
ological process, the study of genes, genome, cell cycle, heredity, inherits genes, and a lot more. This
branch aims to deal with the Inheritance, the procedure by which characteristics are handed down
from one generation to the other.

Microbiology- Microorganisms are an essential part of the environment, human health, and econ-
omy. Microbiology is the branch of biological sciences that deals with the study of living organisms
that are invisible to the naked eye like bacteria, fungi, and other microscopic organisms. These micro-
organisms affect animals, the environment, the complete food supply, and health care as well. The
different types of microbiology include- Environmental microbiology, Veterinary microbiology,
Food microbiology, Pharmaceutical microbiology, Medical microbiology. Besides all these branches
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or divisions of biological science, there are some other important branches that you need to know to
increase your general knowledge section before the exam.

Complete List of Branches of Biology

Here is the Complete List of Specific branches of Biology which are useful to understand the various
phenomena’s related to life and important for examinations perspective also like SSC, UPSC, State
Services, and NDA etc.

Branches of Biology Definition

Agrostology It is the scientific study of the grasses

Agrology Soil science dealing especially with production of the crop

Agronomy Science of soil management and production of the crop

Study of the relationship of body size to shape, anatomy, physiology and

Allometry
finally behavior.

Anthology Study of flowers

It is a branch of biology which deals with the study of internal structure of

Anatomy
an organism as revealed by dissection.

Aphidology Study of Aphids (Plant Lice)

Archaeobiology Study of the biology of ancient times through archaeological materials.

The science of man and mankind including his physical and mental con-
Anthropology stitution, cultural development and social conditions of present and past
is called anthropology.

Agriology Study of customs of primitive man.

Arthrology Study of joints.

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Aerobiology Study of flying organisms in relation with other flying objects

Biocybernetics Application of Cybernetics to Biological Sciences.

Bacteriology Study of bacteria.

Biophysics Study of physical aspects of living systems.

Biochemistry Study of chemicals constituting the body and chemical reactions.

Biotechnology Utilization of living organisms in Industrial Processes

Biogeography Study of the geographic distributions of living organisms.

Cell Biology Study of structure, functions, reproduction, and life cycle of cells.

Chronobiology Study of time-dependent phenomena in living organisms.

Ctetology Study of acquired characters of organisms.

Craniology Study of skulls

Cryobiology Study of the effects of low temperatures on living organisms.

Cytology Study of the detailed structure of cells.

Cardiology Study of heart and its functioning.

Dendrology Study of shrubs and trees.

Ecology Study of relationships between organism and environment.

Eidonomy Study of the external appearance of an organism.

Endocrinology Study of ductless glands and their hormones

Ethology Study of behavior of animals

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Study of the way plants and animals are treated or used by different hu-
Ethno biology
man cultures.

Evolution Study of origin of life, variation and formation of new species.

Etiology Study of the causative agent of disease.

Entomology Study of the life history of insects.

Study of science dealing with factors which improve successive genera-

Eugenics
tions of the human race

Science deals with the improvement of future of humanity by changing

Euthenics
environment.

Euphenics Treatment of defective in heredity through genetic engineering.

Enzymology Study of enzymes

Embryology Study of development of embryo and its growth and repair.

Exobiology Study of the possibility of life in space.

Esthesiology Scientific study of sensation.

Floriculture Cultivation of flower yielding plants.

Forensic Biology Application of Biology to law enforcement.

Process of incomplete oxidation that occur in microbes and other cells in

Fermentation
absence of oxygen, leading to the formation of ethyl alcohol.

Forestry Development and management of forest.

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

Fishery Catching, breeding, rearing and marketing of fishes.

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Forensic science Application of science for identification of various facts of civilian.

Genetics Study of heredity and variations.

Growth Permanent increase in weight, volume and size of an organism.

Genetic Engineering Manipulation of gene in order to improve the organism.

Study of the social, psychological, cognitive and biological aspects of ag-

Gerontology
ing.

Gynecology Study of the female reproductive organ.

Gastroenterology Study of alimentary canal or stomach, intestine and their disease.

Study of the structure, biosynthesis, and biology of saccharides (sugar

Glycobiology
chains or glycan’s)

Haematology Study of blood and disease caused by it.

Hepatology Study of Liver

Hygiene Science taking care of health

Helminthology Study of parasitic worms

Hydroponics Study of growing plant without soil in water which contain nutrient

In two solutions which have lower solute concentration is called hypo-

Hypotonic
tonic.

Herpatology Study of reptiles

Hydrobiology Science of life and life processes in water.

Immunology Study of natural or acquired resistance to specific diseases.

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Ichthyology Study of fish and its culture

Karyology Study of the nucleus

Katology Study of Human Beauty

Kinesiology Study of muscle movements

Koniology Study of dust in relation to its effects on health.

Limnology Study of snails

Lipidology Study of lipids

Mastology Study of breasts

Morphology Study of form and structure

Myology Study of muscles

Mycology Study of fungi

Microbiology Study of microorganisms like bacteria and viruses

Molecular Biology Study of chemicals living at the molecular level

Metazoans All multicellular animals are called metazoans

Mammalogy Study of mammals

Malacology Study of molluscs and their shells.

Medicine Study of treating disease by drug.

Mammography Branch of science which deal test of breast cancer.

Mechanobiology Study of interface of Biology and Engineering.

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Monoecious Plant which have both male and female flower.

Neonatalogy Study of new born up to the age of 2 months

Nephrology Study of Kidneys

Neurology Study of neurons and nerve rings.

Chemical substance taken as food which are necessary for various func-
Nutrients
tion, growth and heath of living.

Nosology Classification of diseases

Osteology Study of skeletal system

Movement of water molecule across the semipermeable membrane from

Osmosis the region of its higher concentration to the region of lower communica-
tion.

Odontology Study of Teeth

Organology Study of different organs

Science related withthe care of pregnant women before, during and after
Obstetrics
childbirth.

Ontogeny Study of various life-cycles

Ornithology Study of birds

Ophthalmology Study of eyes

Ophiology Study of snakes

Olericulture Study of cultivation of vegetables

Orthopaedic Diagnosis and repair of disorder of the locomotery system

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Oncology Study of tumors

Physiology Study of process and function associated with life

Pathology Study of diseases, effects, causable agents and transmission of pathogens.

Phylogeny Study of evolutionary relationship among different groups of organisms

Paleontology Study of fossils

A substance which absorb light of certain wavelength like chlorophyll

Pigment
found in green leaves.

Organism which depend on other living organism for their food and shel-
Parasite
ter.

Parasitology Study of parasites

Primatology Study of primates

Protozeology Study of protozoa

Physiotherapy Treatment of body defects through massage and exercise.

Psychiatry Treatment of mental disease

Pisciculture Rearing of fishes

Pedology Study of different types of soils

Phenomics Study of the physical and biochemical traits of organisms

Pediatrics Branch of medicine dealing with children

Phenology Study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events.

Pomology Study of Fruits

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Phycology Study of Algae

Psychobiology Study of behavioural aspects of animals

Phytogeography Study of plant distribution on the earth

Pharmocology Scientific study of drugs

Photobiology Study of interaction of light and living organisms

Protistology Study of protists (Eukaryotic Microorganisms)

Phvtoplaniktons Microscopic organism which passively float on the surface of the water.

Psychology Study of human mind and behavior

Paleobotany Study of distribution and characteristics of fossils.

Radiology Study of effects of radiation on the living being

Rhinology Study of nose and olfactory organs

Sarcology Study of muscles

Scotobiology Study of Biological effects of darkness

Sonography Study of ultrasound imaging

Sociobiology Study of the biological bases of sociology

Syndesmology Study of bone joints and ligaments

Saurology Study of lizards

Serology Study of blood serum

Sphygmology Study of pulse and arterial pressure.

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Silviculture Study of cultivation of timber yielding plants.

Study of the production of silk and the rearing of silkworms for this pur-
Sericulture
pose.

Splanchnology Study of internal organs

Tectology Study of structural organization of the body

Trophology Study of nutrition science

Traumatology Study of wounds

Termitology Study of termites

Tricology Study of hairs

Toxicology Study of poisons and method of treatment

Taxonomy Study of classification, nomenclature and identification ofthe organism.

Teratology Study of abnormalities during embryogenesis

Therapeutics Treatment of disease

Communication of thoughts or ideas from one mind to another without

Telepathy
normal use of senses. In other word this is the process of mental contact.

Urology Study of urine and its diseases

Virology Study of viruses

Venereology Study and treatment of venereal diseases

Veterinary Science Science of health care and treatment of domestic animals.

Xylotomy Study of anatomy of wood/xylem

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Zoology Study of animals

Zoogeny Origin and development of Animals

It is the study of the distribution of animals in different geographic re-

Zoogeography
gions

Zymology Study of the fermentation process

Zootechny Science of breeding and domesticating animals

Zoonosology It is the study of handicapped animals

Zoopathology Study of diseases of animals

Biology is the science that studies living organisms. However, as a science, it has multiple branches
that intend to study issues such as evolution, nutrition, morphogenesis, reproduction etc. There are a
total of seven fields from which each branch hangs. Fields such as animal, evolutionary, medical, en-
vironmental, microscopic structure, chemistry-related and other miscellaneous issues. There are
many other Branches of Biology but the above-mentioned list is sufficient from the examination point
of view. We hope you like the article on Branches of Biology. In this article, you will find all the
branches of biology which are asked in the previous year’s question paper of competitive exams. If
you have any query, feel free to comment below, we will get to you soon. For more information on
general science questions, you can download the Testbook App. You can also check our Testbook
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