The 10 branches of biology: their objectives and characteristics

The science that studies living beings is always diversifying into specialties.

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

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

The branches of Biology (and the object of study of each one)

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 of them are related to and partially overlap with other major sciences with which they complement each other, such as chemistry or geology.

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

Cell biology

The cell is the primordial unit of living beings, since all living beings are made up of cells.Since all living beings are made up of cells, it is not surprising that one of the main branches of biology is cell biology. It is therefore not surprising that one of the branches of biology focuses on the study of the cell. 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 are kept alive, but also how they contribute to the functioning of the organism they are in, if they are part of multicellular life forms.

Developmental biology

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

3. Marine biology

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

4. Molecular biology

If earlier I spoke of cell biology, which specializes in the study of the structures and functions of cells, molecular biology focuses on the tools that cells use to carry out these functions. This discipline studies proteins and the processes carried out from them, such as the synthesis of these components or the 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 of biology, but there is a great variety of these, so it is necessary to diversify. Botany specializes mainly in the study of plants, such as plants, shrubs, bushes and trees.Botany specializes mainly in the study of plants, 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 perform photosynthesis (except fungi).

6. Ecology

The environment is a very important element for life and an increasingly topical subject. Ecology is the branch of biology which studies the intimate interactions that are established between living beings and their environment or habitat, forming what are known as ecosystems.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.

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 organs, i.e., functions that are performed by a set of cells. For example, the circulation of internal fluids or mechanisms of respiration.. There is physiology for both animals and plants.

8. Genetics

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

For this reason, there is an entire discipline that focuses on the study of genetic content, which is none other than genetics. The study of the genome has always been of particular interest to biology, and in the The study of the genome has always been of special interest to biology, and nowadays it is also important in the development of new technologies and resources obtained by means of the technique, such as gene editing, artificial selection, etc.

9. Microbiology

While botany mainly covers plants, microbiology focuses on the study of microorganisms. is focused on the study of microorganismsmicroorganisms, single-celled living beings of very small size, only visible through a microscope. Among the beings being investigated are bacteria, archaea (formerly called archaeobacteria), 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 to be discussed here is also one of the oldest in terms of its precedents: zoology, which covers the study of animals. the study of animals.. From sponges to mammals, a Wide range of living beings fall under its field of study. In addition, several of its sub-specializations include the study of their behavior and partially overlap with psychology and cognitive sciences.

Bibliographical references:

• Audesirk, T. and Audesirk, G. (2008). Biology, Life on Earth. (8th. 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.). Nueva York: W. H. Freeman.
• Karp, G. (1998). Biología Celular y Molecular. México: McGraw-Hill Interamericana.
• Smocovitis, V.B. (1996). Unifying Biology: the evolutionary synthesis and evolutionary biology. Journal of the History of Biology. 25. Princeton University Press.
• Starr, C. y Taggart, R. (2004). Biología, La unidad y diversidad de la vida. México: Thompson.