Useful Links
BRANCHES OF BIOLOGY
1
Useful Links
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 flowers 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. Chronobiology - Study of time-dependent phenomena in living organisms. Craniology - Study of skulls
2
Useful Links
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. Ecology - Study of relationships between organisms and environment. Eidonomy - Study of the external appearance of an organism. Endocrinology - study of endocrine glands and their hormones Ethology - Study of behavior of animals Ethnobiology - Study of the way plants 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 insects. 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 flower 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 plant 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
3
Useful Links
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 microorganisms 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 birds 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 Photobiology - 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
4
Useful Links
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
5
Useful Links
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
6