Branches of Biology

Branches of Biology

• Physiology studies normal functions and life processes in organisms.
• Embryology focuses on the growth and development of organisms.
• Paleontology explores fossils and ancient life forms.
• Ecology examines the environment and the interrelationships of organisms.
• Microbiology studies microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoans.
• Taxonomy is the science of classifying, naming, and identifying organisms.
• Entomology is the study of insects.
• Ichthyology is the study of fishes.
• Biochemistry studies the chemical composition of living things.
• Morphology examines the structure and form of plants and animals.
• Ornithology is the study of birds.
• Parasitology studies parasites and their interactions with hosts.
• Biogeography investigates the distribution of plants and animals on Earth.
• Conchology is the study of shells.
• Anatomy studies body structures through dissection and analysis.

Etymology of Biological Terms

• a-, an- means Absence, seen in "Anaerobic," meaning without oxygen.
• alba- means White, as in "Albino," which indicates a lack of pigmentation.
• andro- means Male, evident in "Androgen," a male hormone.
• angio- means Vessel, like in "Angioplasty," a surgery of blood vessels.
• arthro- means Joint, found in "Arthropod," referring to jointed-legged animals.
• bio- means Life, as in "Biology," the study of life.
• cephalo- means Head, seen in "Cephalopod," a head-footed animal such as an octopus.
• chloro- means Green, like in "Chlorophyll," the green pigment in plants.
• derma- means Skin, present in "Dermatology," the study of skin.
• ecto- means Outer, as in "Ectoparasite," a parasite living outside the host.
• endo- means Inner, illustrated by "Endoskeleton," an internal skeleton.
• gastro- means Stomach, as in "Gastritis," the inflammation of the stomach.
• homo- means Man or human, such as in "Homo sapiens," the human species.
• ichthyes- means Fish, used in "Ichthyology," the study of fish.
• micro- means Small, as in "Microscope," a device to see small things.
• morpho- means Form, found in "Morphology," the study of forms.
• osteo- means Bone, like in "Osteoporosis," a bone disease.
• ptero- means Wing, as in "Pterodactyl," a winged reptile.
• sapiens- means Intelligent, as in "Homo sapiens," modern human.
• zoo- means Animal, as in "Zoology," the study of animals.

Kingdom Classification

• Kingdom is the broadest classification level.
• Phylum is a major group within a kingdom.
• Class is a division within a phylum.
• Order is a grouping within a class.
• Family is a grouping within an order.
• Genus is a group of closely related species.
• Species is the most specific level, defining individual organisms.

Parts of the Microscope and Their Uses

• Ocular Lens (Eyepiece) magnifies the specimen, typically at 10x magnification.
• Diopter Adjustment corrects focus for eyesight differences between the eyes.
• Nosepiece holds and rotates the objective lenses.
• Objective Lenses provide various magnifications like 4x, 10x, and 40x.
• Stage Clip holds the slide in place on the stage.
• Mechanical Stage allows smooth movement of the slide for viewing different areas.
• Aperture controls the amount of light that reaches the specimen.
• Stage Controls allow movement of the slide left, right, forward, and backward.
• Diaphragm (Condenser) adjusts the intensity and focus of light.
• Illuminator (Light Source) provides light for viewing specimens.
• Brightness Adjustment controls the intensity of the light source.
• Coarse Adjustment Knob moves the stage up and down for initial focusing.
• Fine Adjustment Knob provides precise focus adjustments.
• Arm connects the head to the base and is used for carrying the microscope.
• Base provides stability and support for the microscope.
• Light Switch turns the light source on and off.

Overview of biology's main fields: physiology, embryology, paleontology, ecology, microbiology, taxonomy. Also includes entomology, ichthyology, biochemistry, morphology, ornithology, parasitology, biogeography, conchology and anatomy. It also lists prefixes in Biology.