What is Biology?

“Biology is defined as the study of living organisms, their

origins, anatomy, morphology, physiology, behaviour, and
distribution.”

Life is teeming in every corner of the globe – from the frozen

Arctics to the searing Sahara. And with over 8.7 million species
documented till date, the earth is the only planet in the universe
where life is known to exist.

Advancements in technology have opened up even more

insights about life and its constituents. For instance, discoveries
such as viruses have scrutinized traditional definitions and
pushed scientists to look at life from a whole new perspective.

Branches of Biology
Biology caters to these intriguing aspects through various sub-
disciplines or branches. Some branches are intertwined with
other disciplines of science.

For instance, theoretical biology is a branch of biology that

encompasses mathematical models to investigate certain
principles that affect life.

Quantum Biology deals with biological processes that are

quantum mechanical in nature – such as the conversion of
energy into more usable forms. Other branches of biology are
as follows:
Divisions of Biology

Anatomy

Biotechnology

Botany
 Ecology

Genetics

Immunology
 Microbiology

Physiology

Zoology

Important Topics in Biology

Properties of Carbon
Did you know, carbon is the second most abundant element in
humans (about 18% of mass) after oxygen? Explore more
about this element and the reason behind its importance in
biological elements.
 Carbon cycle
Human Biology
Macro Molecules
Energy and Enzymes
Structure of a Cell
Membranes and Transport
Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis
Cell Division
Classical and Molecular Genetics
DNA as the Genetic Material
Central Dogma
Gene Regulation
Biotechnology
Bacteria and Archaea
Viruses
Evolution and the Tree of life
History of life on Earth
Ecology
Biodiversity and Conservation
Plant Biology
History of Biology

Origin of the Term “Biology”

Before the term biology was adapted, other terms existed which
described the study of plants and animals. For instance, the
term Natural History was used to explain animals, plants, fungi
and other lifeforms in their natural environment.

Furthermore, it was observational rather than an experimental

field of study. Hence, a person who would study natural history
is termed as a natural historian or a naturalist. Other terms that
came before biology included Natural Theology and Natural
philosophy.

The term “Biology”, in the modern sense, was introduced

through the works of Michael Christoph Hanow in 1766.
However, it was introduced independently four more times
through the works of Thomas Beddoes (1799), Karl Friedrich
Burdach (1800), Gottfried Reinhold Treviranus (1802) and
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1802).

Origins as a Field of Study

For the very first humans, knowledge about plants
and animals meant the difference between life or death. As a
result, cumulative knowledge about species, behaviour and
anatomy were passed down for many generations.
However, the most significant development in biological
knowledge came when humans transitioned from hunters and
foragers to farmers, cultivating crops and perfecting agriculture.

Traditions of medicine, collective knowledge from physicians,

works of prominent historical figures such as Aristotle
eventually coalesced into the field of study we know today as
biology.

The most significant revolutions in biology came during the

19th century, with a host of discoveries and technological
innovations.