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BRANCHES OF

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While preparing for SSC, banking exams, or any competitive government exam, candidates are per- plexed to see the number of questions that are asked from Biology. This is why it's important for you to learn about the different branches of biology. If you were a science student in school or college, then it is not that big a deal, but for students from other streams, it becomes quite difficult to attempt such questions. Problems occur when questions related to different branches of biology are asked. But worry no more, as we are bringing to you the list of branches of biology frequently asked in SSC, banking, railways, and other government exams.

What is Biology?

Knowing the basic definition of Biology will help you comprehend the meaning of Biology and its branches easily. Biology is a branch of science where we study living organisms, their origins, phys- iology, anatomy, morphology, behavior, and distribution. The word Biology comes from the Greek words Bios and Logos which means life and study respectively.

Branches of Biology

The scope of Biology is extensive and is divided into several disciplines. Here is a list of all the branches of biology frequently asked in SSC, UPSC, State Services, Railways, and Banking exams. Go through the entire list and also try to remember them in order to be able to answer questions re- lated to Biology and its branches in your upcoming exams.

 Agrostology - Study of the grasses  Agrology - Production of the crop  Agronomy- Soil management and production of the crop  Allometry - Study of the relationship of body size to shape, anatomy, physiolo- gy, and finally behavior.  Anthology - Study of  Anatomy - Study of the internal structure of an organism as revealed by dis- section.  Archaeology - Study of the biology of ancient times through archaeological ma- terials.  Anthropology - The science of man including his physical, mental constitution, cultural development, and social conditions of present and past.  Agriology - Study of customs of primitive man.  Arthrology - Study of joints.  Aerobiology - Study of flying organisms in relation to other flying objects  Biocybernetics - Application of Cybernetics to Biological Sciences.  Bacteriology - Study of bacteria.  Biophysics - Study of physical aspects of living systems.  Biochemistry - Study of chemicals constituting the body and chemical reac- tions.  Biotechnology - Utilization of living organisms in Industrial Processes  Biogeography - Study of the geographic distributions of living organisms.  Cell Biology - Study of structure, functions, reproduction, and life cycle of cells.  - Study of time-dependent phenomena in living organisms.  Craniology - Study of skulls

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 Cryobiology - Study of the effects of low temperatures on living organisms.  Cytology - Study of the detailed structure of cells.  Cardiology - Study of heart and its functioning.  Dendrology - Study of shrubs and trees.  - Study of relationships between organisms and environment.  Eidonomy - Study of the external appearance of an organism.  Endocrinology - study of endocrine glands and their hormones  - Study of behavior of  Ethnobiology - Study of the way and animals are treated or used by dif- ferent human cultures.  Evolution - Study of origin of life, variation and formation of new species.  Etiology - Study of the causative agent of disease.  Entomology - Study of .  Eugenics - Study of science dealing with factors which improve successive gen- erations of the human race  Euthenics - Science deals with the improvement of the future of humanity by changing the environment.  Euphenics - Treatment of defective in heredity through genetic engineering.  Enzymology - Study of enzymes  Embryology - Study of development of embryo and its growth and repair.  Exobiology - Study of the possibility of life in space.  Esthesiology - Scientific study of sensation.  Floriculture - Cultivation of yielding plants.  Forensic Biology - Application of Biology to law enforcement.  Fermentation - Process of incomplete oxidation that occurs in microbes and other cells in absence of oxygen, leading to the formation of ethyl alcohol.  Forestry - Development and management of forest.  Food technology - Scientific processing, preservation, storage and transporta- tion of food.  Fishery - Catching, breeding, rearing and marketing of fishes.  Forensic science - Application of science for identification of various facts of ci- vilians.  Genetics - Study of heredity and variations.  Growth - Permanent increase in weight, volume and size of an organism.  Genetic Engineering - Manipulation of genes in order to improve the organism.  Gerontology - Study of the social, psychological, cognitive and biological as- pects of aging.  Gynecology - Study of the female reproductive organ.  Gastroenterology - Study of alimentary canal or stomach, intestine and their disease.  Haematology - Study of blood and disease caused by it.  Hepatology - Study of Liver  Hygiene - Science taking care of health  Helminthology - Study of parasitic worms  Hydroponics -Study of growing without soil in water which contain nutri- ent  Hypotonic - In two solutions which have lower solute concentration is called hypotonic.  Herpetology -Study of reptiles  Hydrobiology - Science of life and life processes in water.  Immunology - Study of natural or acquired resistance to specific diseases.  Ichthyology - Study of fish and its culture

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 Karyology - Study of the nucleus  Katology - Study of Human Beauty  Kinesiology - Study of muscle movements  Koniology - Study of dust in relation to its effects on health.  Mastology - Study of breasts  Morphology - Study of form and structure  Myology - Study of muscles  Mycology - Study of fungi  Microbiology - Study of like bacteria and viruses  Molecular Biology - Study of chemicals living at the molecular level  Mammalogy - Study of mammals  Mammography - Branch of science which deals with breast cancer.  Mechanobiology - Study of interface of Biology and Engineering.  Neonatology - Study of newborn up to the age of 2 months  Nephrology - Study of Kidneys  Neurology - Study of neurons and nerve rings.  Nosology - Classification of diseases  Osteology - Study of skeletal system  Odontology - Study of Teeth  Organology - Study of different organs  Obstetrics - Science related with the care of pregnant women before, during and after childbirth.  Ontogeny -Study of various life-cycles  Ornithology - Study of  Ophthalmology - Study of eyes  Ophiology - Study of snakes  Olericulture - Study of cultivation of vegetables  Orthopaedic - Diagnosis and repair of disorder of the locomotor system  Oncology - Study of tumors  Physiology - Study of process and function associated with life  Pathology - Study of diseases  Phylogeny - Study of evolutionary relationship among different groups of or- ganisms  Paleontology - Study of fossils  Physiotherapy - Treatment of body defects through massage and exercise.  Psychiatry - Treatment of mental disease  Pisciculture - Rearing of fishes  Pedology - Study of different types of soils  Phenomics - Study of the physical and biochemical traits of organisms  Pediatrics - Branch of medicine dealing with children  Pomology - Study of Fruits  Phycology - Study of Algae  Psychobiology - Study of behavioural aspects of animals  Phytogeography - Study of plant distribution on the earth  Pharmacology - Scientific study of drugs  - Study of interaction of light and living organisms  Psychology - Study of human mind and behavior  Paleobotany - Study of distribution and characteristics of fossils.  Radiology - Study of effects of radiation on the living being  Rhinology - Study of nose and olfactory organs  Sarcology - Study of muscles  Scotobiology - Study of Biological effects of darkness

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 Sonography - Study of ultrasound imaging  Sociobiology - Study of the biological bases of sociology  Syndesmology - Study of bone joints and ligaments  Saurology - Study of lizards  Serology - Study of blood serum  Sphygmology - Study of pulse and arterial pressure.  Silviculture - Study of cultivation of timber yielding plants.  Sericulture - Study of the production of silk and the rearing of silkworms for this purpose.  Splanchnology - Study of internal organs  Tectology - Study of structural organization of the body  Trophology - Study of nutrition science  Traumatology - Study of wounds  Trichology - Study of hairs  Toxicology - Study of poisons and method of treatment  Taxonomy - Study of classification, nomenclature and identification of the or- ganism.  Teratology - Study of abnormalities during embryogenesis  Therapeutics - Treatment of disease  Telepathy - Communication of thoughts or ideas from one mind to another without normal use of senses.  Urology - Study of urine and its diseases  Virology - Study of viruses  Venereology - Study and treatment of venereal diseases  Veterinary Science - Science of health care and treatment of domestic ani- mals.  Xylotomy - Study of anatomy of wood/xylem  Zoology - Study of animals  Zoogeny - Origin and development of Animals  Zoogeography - It is the study of the distribution of animals in different geo- graphic regions  Zymology - Study of the fermentation process  Zootechny - Science of breeding and domesticating animals  Zoonosology - It is the study of handicapped animals  Zoopathology - Study of diseases of animals

Examples of GK question asked on Branches of Biology asked frequently

1. Which of the following branches of Biology is concerned with the effects of radia- tion on living organisms?

 Cryobiology  Cytogenetics  Actinobiolgy  Aerobiology

1. Which of the following branches of biology studies the Joint of bones is?

 Autecology  Araneology  Arthrology

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 Anthropology

1. The study of Improvement of the human race by improving the environment is known as ?

 Euthenics  Eugenics  Euphenics  Etiology

1. The Science of using mechanical devices with human muscle skeleton and nerv- ous systems to assist or enhance motor control lost by trauma, disease or defect is called

 Gerontechnology  Biomechatronics  Orthotics  Bionics

1. ‘Dendrochronology’ is the study of the age of which of the following?

 Fungi  Woody Plants  Shrubs  All of the above

1. What is the study of abnormalities during embryogenesis called

 Teratology  Zoopathology  Venereology  Therapeutics

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