There are 10s, if not hundreds, of different branches of biology that each focus on a particular subsection of the science. These branches all help contribute towards the general scope of biology, the study of life and living organisms. Four of the main branches of biology include anatomy, biochemistry, ecology and mammalogy.
Anatomy is the study of the structure of living things. Within it, the structure of humans, animal or plants can be considered. It is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. The former looks at anatomical structures that can be studied by the naked human eye, while the latter considers anatomical structures that can only be studied with the aid of a microscope.
This is the study of chemical processes in living organisms. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes. These biochemical processes help give information about the complexity of life by controlling information flow through biochemical signaling and the flow of chemistry through metabolism. Biochemistry deals with the structure and functions of cellular components.
Ecology is the study of the interactions that occur between living organisms and their interactions with the non-living environment around them. Ecologists look at the composition, distribution, number, amount and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems. These ecosystems are hierarchical systems that are organized according to regularity of interacting and semi-independent parts.
As the name suggests, mammalogy is the study of mammals. Specifically, the class of vertebrates that have characteristics such as homeothermic metabolism, fur, four chambered hearts and a complex nervous system. The branch of biology can be subdivided into more specific areas such as primatology and cetology.
These are just four of the many branches of biology that exist. Each covers a specific area that contributes the larger cope of studying life and living organisms.
