- Biochemistry: biological molecules and their interactions; metabolism
- Microbiology: bacteria, viruses, and other microscopic organisms, and their interactions with other organisms
- Cytology and Histology: cell structures and their functions
- Physiology: functions of tissues, organs and organ systems, such as the muscular system, the nervous system, etc.
- Botany: plant diversity, structure, and functions
- Zoology: animal diversity, structure, and functions
- Genetics: the mechanisms of heredity, including its molecular machinery (DNA) and its observable consequences (e.g., genetic diseases).
- Evolution: the mechanisms by which populations change over time
- Ecology: the interactions of organisms with each other and their environments.
Friday, October 2, 2009
What is Biology?
"Biology" is not one science -- it is dozens of different sciences, each with its own set of tools and techniques, theories and questions, puzzles and paradigms. Here are some examples of biological sciences: