Branches of Biology

Branches of Biology

• Botany: study of plants
• Zoology: study of animals
• Microbiology: study of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.)
• Ecology: study of interactions between organisms and their environment
• Genetics: study of heredity and variation
• Biochemistry: study of chemical processes in living organisms
• Molecular Biology: study of biological molecules and their interactions
• Cell Biology: study of cellular structure, function, and behavior

Biological Molecules

• Carbohydrates: energy source for cells (e.g. sugars, starches)
• Proteins: perform various functions (e.g. enzymes, hormones, structural)
• Lipids: energy storage and structural roles (e.g. fats, oils)
• Nucleic Acids: store genetic information (e.g. DNA, RNA)

Cell Structure

• Plasma Membrane: outermost layer, regulates movement of molecules
• Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside cell, site of metabolic reactions
• Nucleus: contains genetic material (DNA)
• Mitochondria: generate energy for cell (ATP production)
• Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis
• Lysosomes: contain digestive enzymes, break down waste

Cellular Processes

• Photosynthesis: light energy converted to chemical energy
• Cell Division: process of cell growth and reproduction (mitosis, meiosis)
• Metabolism: energy conversion and transformation of molecules
• Transport: movement of molecules across cell membrane (passive, active)
• Signaling: communication between cells, response to stimuli

Evolution

• Natural Selection: process by which species adapt to environment
• Speciation: formation of new species
• Phylogeny: study of evolutionary relationships between organisms
• Fossil Record: provides evidence of evolutionary history

Branches of Biology

• Botany is the study of plants
• Zoology is the study of animals
• Microbiology is the study of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and others
• Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment
• Genetics is the study of heredity and variation
• Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes in living organisms
• Molecular Biology is the study of biological molecules and their interactions
• Cell Biology is the study of cellular structure, function, and behavior

Biological Molecules

• Carbohydrates serve as an energy source for cells and include sugars, starches, and others
• Proteins perform various functions such as enzymes, hormones, and structural roles
• Lipids are responsible for energy storage and structural roles, including fats, oils, and others
• Nucleic Acids, including DNA and RNA, store genetic information

Cell Structure

• The Plasma Membrane is the outermost layer of the cell and regulates the movement of molecules
• Cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic reactions occur
• The Nucleus contains genetic material in the form of DNA
• Mitochondria generate energy for the cell through ATP production
• Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis
• Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes and break down waste

Cellular Processes

• Photosynthesis is the process by which light energy is converted to chemical energy
• Cell Division is the process of cell growth and reproduction, including mitosis and meiosis
• Metabolism is the process of energy conversion and transformation of molecules
• Transport refers to the movement of molecules across the cell membrane, including passive and active transport
• Signaling is the process of communication between cells, allowing them to respond to stimuli

Evolution

• Natural Selection is the process by which species adapt to their environment
• Speciation is the formation of new species
• Phylogeny is the study of evolutionary relationships between organisms
• The Fossil Record provides evidence of evolutionary history

Identify the different branches of biology, including botany, zoology, microbiology, and more. Test your knowledge of the various fields of biological study.