What are the branches of applied biology

BIOLOGY

Biology is a natural science which involves the study of life and that of the living organism.

We find two types of life in nature. One is plant while the other is animal. Accordingly Biology has been divided into two branches: Botany and Zoology. Botany deals with theoretical discussion and research about characters and other features of plants, while Zoology is limited in subjects relating to animals.

In biology, it’s divided into branches which includes;

· Morphology

· Cytology

· Histology

· Physiology

· Taxonomy

· Anatomy

· Biochemistry

· Ecology

· Evolution

· Cell biology

· Genetics

· Mycology

· Parasitology

· Virology

PRINCIPAL BRANCHES OF BIOLOGY

Biology has been divided into Botany and Zoology on the basis of nature of

living beings. Inspite of this, now-a-days extensive research has been done on Microorganism. They influence human life in various ways. So for discussion about them a new branch is made. This is known as Microbiology.

Considering the subjects of living bodies on which discussion is made the whole range of Biology is divided into the following main branches.

1. Morphology: This branch deals with both the external and internal

structures of organism. The subject concerning internal . structures is also known as Anatomy.

2. Cytology: Each living organism consists of one or more cells. Structure and functions of cells are treated in this branch of Biology.

3. Histology: In this branch discussion is made on structure, location and function of different tissues.

4. Physiology: This branch includes all the activities of living things e.g growth respiration, excretion, photosynthesis and other biological activities.

5. Taxonomy: In this branch discussion is made on identification

nomenclature, and classification of plants and animals into groups and subgroups.

6. Genetics: How different characters are inherited from parents to offsprings , and how the processes can be controlled and improved etc. are brought under study and research in this branch.

7. Ecology: This branch considers the effects of environment on living

organisms or living communities and also interaction between them.

8. Evolution: This branch deals with the origin and successive transformations of living organisms.

Anatomy: is a branch of biology that deals with the study of the structure of the living organisms and their parts.

Biochemistry: this is a branch of biology concerned with the chemical and physiochemical processes that occurs within the lining organisms.

Evolution: this is the process by which different kinds of living organism are thought to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth.

Cell biology: this is the study of the cell structure and its function and the cell is the main fundamental unit of life.

Mycology: is the study of fungi.

Parasitology: parasitology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of parasitic organism.

Virology: this is a branch of biology that deals with the study of viruses.

The groups discussed above are the basic branches of Biology. Scientists gradually started to utilize the knowledge of these branches for human welfare, and as a result applied branches of Biology were created. Agriculture, Medical science, Breeding etc. are some of the important applied branches of Biology. Applied Biology also includes Forestry and Horticulture, Fishery, Pest Control. Animal Husbandry etc. There are numerous varieties of plants and animals on earth. Generally similar plants or animals are arranged in particular groups. Some special branches of Biology have been created on the basis of different types of living things are under discussion and research: for example. Phycology includes only members of algae; fungi are treated in Mycology; Virology deals with viruses only; bacteria are considered in Bacteriology; Helminthology is based on study of worms only; insects are discussed in Entomology. Each of the above mentioned divisions has been divided into subdivisions or branches. It has been mentioned earlier that research in Biological fields has greatly extended now-a-days.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS Taking a few main characteristics from many we shall now compare plants with animals.

1. Size and shape: Plants have no definite size and shape while animals have definite size and shape. 2. Life Time: Life time is not limited for plants and under suitable conditions they live for a long period. But animals live up to a certain length of time under suitable conditions.

3. Growth: In suitable environment growth of many plants continue for a long period. Growth in animals takes place up to a certain stage of life and growth ceases after that.

4. Movement: Most land plants remain fixed in soil with the help of roots as a result they cannot move. But some organs of plants may show some movement. A few animals (Such as Sponge) are not capable of movement. Most of the animals can move freely.

5. Nature of Food: Plants cannot take solid food Animals can take solid and liquid type of food.

6. Nutrition: Plants are autotrophic, it can prepare food through photosynthesis. Animals cannot prepare their own food. For foods they are to depend on plants and other animals.

7. Structure of Cell: A Plant cell has dead cell wall. Most of the mature cells have a large vacuole and plastids. The animal cell has no cell wall and it contains small vacuoles and centrioles.

8. Reproduction: Plants reproduce by vegetative, asexual and sexual methods. Reproduction in animals mainly takes place by sexual method .Vegetative and asexual reproduction may be found in some animals.

9. There are different systems in animal body. But plants have no body system.