The 10 branches of Biology: their objectives and characteristics

Like all self-respecting science, biology diversifies its efforts in different disciplines in order to cover as much knowledge as possible. This is necessary, because there is more and more information and knowing everything in detail about science life is something that can be dismissed as impossible, or for which we would need all the time of the world.

The different branches of biology make it possible to limit and concentrate knowledge to be able to investigate and continue advancing in the discovery of new information that reveals the mysteries that are hidden in living beings.

The branches of Biology (and what object of study each has)

Biology is divided into a multitude of disciplines created to better adapt to its different objects of study and objectives, and as knowledge advances, new ones appear. In addition, some are related and partially overlap with other great sciences with which they complement each other, such as chemistry or geology.

Even taking into account that the limits of these research fields are to some extent blurred, it is possible to distinguish between various branches of biology; let's see which are the main ones.

1. Cell biology

The cell is the primordial unit of living beings, since all are formed by them. Therefore, it is not surprising that one of the branches of biology focuses on the study of it. Formerly known as cytology, this discipline, as its name suggests, specializes in the knowledge of the structures and functions carried out by cells. This includes not only the processes by which they stay alive, but also the way in which contribute to the functioning of the organism in which they are, if they are part of life forms multicellular.

• You may be interested: "Major cell types of the human body"

2. Developmental biology

One of the most impressive phenomena in life is how a whole multicellular organism can be generated from the union of two gametes. I'm talking about fertilization with a sperm and an egg (in the case of animals) to form a zygote. This branch of biology specializes in the study of all cellular processes that take place in the development of a new organism through sexual reproduction.

• Related article: "The 3 phases of intrauterine or prenatal development: from zygote to fetus"

3. Marine biology

The Earth is also known as the blue planet, and it is that almost 71% of the extension of this is occupied by water. Life in the seas is no small thingProof of this is the fact that there is a whole branch of biology that focuses on the study of it, from the beings that inhabit it to their interaction with the environment. In fact, the aquatic environment is probably the origin of all forms of life, and therefore there are a great diversity of living beings, some totally different from those we find on land firm.

4. Molecular biology

If before I spoke of cell biology that specializes in the study of the structures and functions of cells, molecular biology focuses on the tools cells use to carry out such functions. This discipline studies proteins and the processes they carry out from them, such as the synthesis of these components or processes related to metabolism. It is a hybrid field of study between biology and chemistry.

5. Botany

Living beings are the main object of study in biology, but there is a great variety of these, so it is necessary to diversify. The botanic specializes mainly in the study of vegetables, such as plants, shrubs and trees, but also of life forms that are not plants and yet share characteristics with them, such as algae, fungi and cyanobacteria. All of them have in common a reduced mobility and that they can carry out photosynthesis (except for fungi).

6. Ecology

The environment is a very important element in life and an increasingly current issue. Ecology is the branch of biology that studies the intimate interactions established between living beings and their environment or habitat, forming what are known as ecosystems. It should not be forgotten that living beings have their reason for being in the environment to which they have adapted through evolution.

• Related article: "The 6 types of ecosystems: the different habitats that we find on Earth"

7. Physiology

If cell biology focuses on the functions of cells, physiology is the discipline that specializes in the study of the processes that occur in the organs, that is, functions that are carried out from a set of cells. For example, internal fluid circulation or breathing mechanisms. There are both animal and plant physiology.

8. Genetics

The cell is the unit of life, but without DNA it would be nothing. Genetic material contains all the information necessary to develop an organism, since it enables cells to create proteins.

Therefore, there is a whole discipline that focuses on the study of genetic content, which is none other than genetics. The study of the genome has always been of special interest for biology, and at present, it is also important in the development of new technologies and resources obtained through the technique, such as genetic editing, artificial selection, etc.

9. Microbiology

If botany covers plants mainly, microbiology focuses on the study of microorganisms, unicellular living beings of very small size, only visible through a microscope. Among the beings being investigated are bacteria, archaea (formerly called archaebacteria), protozoa (eukaryotic unicellular organisms) or the enigmatic viruses, although it is still debated whether the latter are living beings.

10. Zoology

The last branch of biology that we will talk about here is also one of the oldest in terms of its precedents: it is zoology, which encompasses the study of animals. From sponges to mammals, a wide range of living things are under its field of study. In addition, several of its sub-specializations include the study of its behavior and partially overlap with psychology and cognitive sciences.

Bibliographic references:

• Audesirk, T. and Audesirk, G. (2008). Biology, Life on Earth. (8ª. ed.). Mexico: Prentice-Hall, Hispanoamericana.
• Bartsch, J.; Colvard, M.P. (2009). The Living Environment. New York State: Prentice Hall.
• Griffiths, A.J.F.; Miller, J.H.; Suzuki, D.T.; Lewontin, R.C.; Gelbart, W-M. (2000). An Introduction to Genetic Analysis (7th ed.). New York: W. H. Freeman.
• Karp, G. (1998). Cellular and molecular biology. Mexico: McGraw-Hill Interamericana.
• Smocovitis, V.B. (nineteen ninety six). Unifying Biology: the evolutionary synthesis and evolutionary biology. Journal of the History of Biology. 25. Princeton University Press.
• Starr, C. and Taggart, R. (2004). Biology, The unity and diversity of life. Mexico: Thompson.