Question

List a few applied branches of biology.

Answer 1

Hint: Biology is the branch of science which deals with the study of life. The study of life helps in a better understanding of the environment and the health of humans. Aristotle is known as the father of biology.

Complete answer:
Biology is the branch of science which deals with the study of life. The study of life helps in better understanding of the environment and health of humans; the word biology is derived from the Greek word Bios meaning life and Logos meaning reasoning or study. It mainly deals with the study of the structures, functions and various aspects of the living organism. The living world comprises plants, animals and microorganisms.

The main branches of biology are:
i) Botany- It is the study of plants. These are the eukaryotic organisms that can prepare their own food.
ii) Zoology- It is the study of animals their function, ecology and behaviour. The animals are the eukaryotic organisms which lack cell wall and chloroplast.
iii) Microbiology- It is the study of microbes. It consists of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and may contain cell walls and chloroplast.

Apart from the main branches, there are several applied branches of biology. They are-
i) Pharmaceutical microbiology- Study of the medicines obtained from microbes.
ii) Agriculture- It is the study of crops.
iii) Forestry- It deals with the study and research and conservation of forests.
iv) Sericulture- It deals with the rearing of silkworms.
v) Poultry- It is the rearing of duck, fowl.
vi) Horticulture- It deals with the study of fruits and vegetables.
vii) Apiculture- It deals with the study and rearing of honeybees.

Note: The study of biology is very important as it helps us in understanding nature and our relationship with it. Biotechnology is an emerging branch of science which deals with the study of life at the molecular and genetic levels. It also deals with the manipulation of genes so as to obtain the desired product.