2.4 Branches of Biological Study

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • List examples of different subdisciplines in biology

The scope of biology is broad and therefore contains many branches and sub disciplines. Biologists may pursue one of those sub disciplines and work in a more focused field. For instance, molecular biology studies biological processes at the molecular level, including interactions among molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins, as well as the way they are regulated. Microbiology is the study of the structure and function of microorganisms. It is quite a broad branch itself, and depending on the subject of study, there are also microbial physiologists, ecologists, and geneticists, among others.

Another field of biological study, neurobiology, studies the biology of the nervous system, and although it is considered a branch of biology, it is also recognized as an interdisciplinary field of study known as neuroscience. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, this sub discipline studies different functions of the nervous system using molecular, cellular, developmental, medical, and computational approaches.

Photo depicts scientists digging fossils out of the dirt.
Figure 2.11 Researchers work on excavating dinosaur fossils at a site in Castellón, Spain. Credit: by Mario Modesto © Public Domain

Paleontology, another branch of biology, uses fossils to study life’s history. Zoology and botany are the study of animals and plants, respectively. Biologists can also specialize as biotechnologists, ecologists, or physiologists, to name just a few areas. Biotechnologists apply the knowledge of biology to create useful products. Ecologists study the interactions of organisms in their environments. Physiologists study the workings of cells, tissues and organs. This is just a small sample of the many fields that biologists can pursue. From our own bodies to the world we live in, discoveries in biology can affect us in very direct and important ways. We depend on these discoveries for our health, our food sources, and the benefits provided by our ecosystem. Because of this, knowledge of biology can benefit us in making decisions in our day-to-day lives.

The development of technology in the twentieth century that continues today, particularly the technology to describe and manipulate the genetic material, DNA, has transformed biology. This transformation will allow biologists to continue to understand the history of life in greater detail, how the human body works, our human origins, and how humans can survive as a species on this planet despite the stresses caused by our increasing numbers. Biologists continue to decipher huge mysteries about life suggesting that we have only begun to understand life on the planet, its history, and our relationship to it.

Forensic Scientist

Forensic science is the application of science to answer questions related to the law. Biologists as well as chemists and biochemists can be forensic scientists. Forensic scientists provide scientific evidence for use in courts, and their job involves examining trace material associated with crimes. Interest in forensic science has increased in the last few years, possibly because of popular television shows that feature forensic scientists on the job. Also, the development of molecular techniques and the establishment of DNA databases have updated the types of work that forensic scientists can do. Their job activities are primarily related to crimes against people such as murder, rape, and assault. Their work involves analyzing samples such as hair, blood, and other body fluids and also processing DNA found in many different environments and materials. Forensic scientists also analyze other biological evidence left at crime scenes, such as insect parts or pollen grains. Students who want to pursue careers in forensic science will most likely be required to take chemistry and biology courses as well as some intensive math courses.

Photo depicts a scientist working in a lab.
Figure 2.12 This forensic scientist works in a DNA extraction room at the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory. Credit: U.S. Army CID Command Public Affairs

Glossary

biotechnologists: biologists who apply the knowledge of biology to create useful products

botany: the study of plants

ecologists: biologists who study the interactions of organisms in their environments

forensic science: the application of science to answer questions related to the law, mostly to provide scientific evidence for use in courts

microbiology: the study of the structure and function of microorganisms

molecular biology: the study of biological processes at the molecular level

neurobiology: the study of the biology of the nervous system; when recognized as an interdisciplinary field of study it is referred to as neuroscience

paleontology: branch of biology that uses fossils to study life’s history

physiologists: biologists who study the workings of cells, tissues and organs

zoology: the study of animals

References

Biology and the Citizen (2023) Copyright © 2022 by Utah State University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Media Attributions

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License

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ABE 074: Biology Copyright © 2024 by Tacoma Community College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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