Biology: Branches & Terminologies Notes with PDF

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Core Biological Sciences

Zoology

• Definition: The study of animals, both living and dead (non-living).
• Scope: Covers anatomy, development, classification, behavior, and distribution.
• Key Figure: Aristotle is known as the Father of Zoology.

Botany (and its Sub-disciplines)

• Core Botany: The study of plants.
• Sub-disciplines:
  • Paleobotany: The study of fossil plants and their environment.
    • Key Figure: Professor Birbal Sahni is the Father of Indian Palaeobotany.
  • Anthology: The study of flowers.
  • Palynology: The study of pollen grains and spores.
  • Agrostology: The study of grasses.

Other Biological Studies

• Entomology: The scientific study of insects.
• Ichthyology: The study of fish.
• Malacology: The study of molluscs and their shells.
• Ornithology: The study of birds.
• Ecology: The study of the interrelationship between organisms and their environment.
• Genetics: The study of heredity and variation.
• Palaeobiology: The study of fossils (ancient life).
• Parasitology: The study of parasitic organisms.
• Virology: The study of viruses.
• Ethology: The study of animal behavior.

Cultivation and Rearing Practices (Agriculture & Allied Fields)

• Sericulture: The rearing of silkworms.
• Apiculture: The rearing of honey bees (beekeeping).
• Pisciculture: The rearing of fish.
• Vermiculture:
  • Definition: The science and practice of raising earthworms.
  • Purpose: Used to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.
  • Organism: The specific worm used is the Earthworm.
• Viticulture:
  • Definition: The science of cultivating and studying grapes.
  • Scope: Encompasses all processes involved in managing a grape vineyard.
• Horticulture: The cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
  • Pomology: The cultivation of fruits (a branch of horticulture).
  • Olericulture: The cultivation of vegetables (a branch of horticulture).
  • Floriculture: The cultivation of flowers (a branch of horticulture).
• Agronomy: The science of soil management and crop production.
• Hydroponics:
  • Definition: A method of growing plants without soil by using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.
  • Core Principle: The cultivation of plants without soil.
  • Classification: It is a type of hydroculture.

Other Scientific Fields of Study

Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

• Demography: The statistical study of human populations.
• Ethnology: The comparative study of different cultures and races.
• Ethnography: The study of a specific, single culture.
• Bionics: The study of biological systems to apply their principles to the design of engineering systems.
• Gerontology: The branch of science that deals with the social, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects of old age and the ageing process.

Other Fields

• Lexicography: The compilation of dictionaries.
• Philology: The study of language structure and history.
• Iconography: The study of idols, images, and works of art.
• Phrenology: The study of the human skull.
• Ethics: The study of moral principles and duties.
• Pedology: The scientific study of soil, including its formation, morphology, and classification.
• Osteology: The branch of science concerned with the study of bones.
• Oncology: Study and treatment of cancer.
• Teratology: Study of physiological birth defects.
• Orology: Study of mountains.
• Serology: Study of blood serum.
• Geology: Study of the Earth’s physical structure and substance.
• Psychology: Study of the human mind and behaviour.
• Serpentology: Study of snakes.
• Herpetology: Study of amphibians and reptiles.

Quick Revision

• Palynology: The study of pollen grains and spores.
• Paleobotany: The study of fossil plants
• Palaeobiology: The study of fossils (ancient life).
• Ethology: The study of animal behavior.
• Ethnology: The comparative study of different cultures and races.
• Ethnography: The study of a specific, single culture.
• Agronomy: The science of soil management
• Pedology: The scientific study of soil
• Philology: The study of language structure and history.
• Iconography: The study of idols, images, and works of art.
• Phrenology: The study of the human skull.
• Orology: Study of mountains.
• Serology: Study of blood serum.
• Herpetology: Study of amphibians and reptiles.

Know More About Biology: Branches & Terminologies:

• Biology: Branches & Terminologies – Old Year Questions
• Biology: Branches & Terminologies One Liner Questions & Answers