Biology is the science of living things. It’s a very broad field but has many unifying themes that tie it together like a puzzle – each theme being a sub-theme of another. For example, one of the most general themes of biology is evolution. Entire branches of biology are devoted to describing and analyzing how species have evolved over time. Even more broad than evolution are health and disease – the theme of biology strives to describe and understand human health and disease, and much research is done in this area every day.
Some of the most prominent themes of biology are also the most interesting. For example, although most people are familiar with the big picture of evolution, less than 10% of biology teachers discuss or teach the theme of population genetics. Population genetics involves understanding how populations of living organisms grow and change over time, and how this affects their genetic makeup and their ability to reproduce.
The second most popular theme of biology is zoology. Zoology is concerned with the study of animals and their habitats. Most people have a basic knowledge of what a mammal or bird looks like; what it eats, how it grows and whether or not it moves. However, a good zoologist will also know everything about its behavior, habits, physiology and genetics. An excellent zoologist will be well-known and respected in his or her field, and they will work with others in the field to understand and conserve the natural world that they work in.
Biochemistry is closely related to biology, but on a different scale. Biochemistry is the study of how living organisms interact with one another and how their genes interact with those of other living organisms. There are four major branches of science that focus primarily on the interaction of genes: genome science, proteomics, cell biology and metabolism. Studying how genes function in combination with other cellular mechanisms is one of the hallmarks of the field of biochemistry. One example of an important area of biochemistry is metabologenetics, which studies the chemical processes through which an organism uses energy.
Botany is the study of nature’s plants. It focuses on how plant and animal tissues interact to control development and growth. Plants’ traits are controlled by genetics, but a successful scientist must be able to distinguish between natural selection and gene flow from non-genetic influences. Molecular evolution is the study of evolution by means of molecular sequences and DNA. It combines experimental methods with natural selection. Many naturalists believe in the principle of evolution by natural selection because they believe it is the best explanation for the diversity of life on earth.
One of the most prominent fields of biology is medical science. It encompasses many other fields as well, including botany, chemistry, genetics, nursing and veterinary science. Medical researchers conduct research on a wide range of topics, ranging from the physical structure of the human body to understanding the pathology of diseases and preventing disease. The field of medicine aims to improve the quality of life through prevention and treatment of disease using a scientific approach. One example of a branch of medicine is biomedical research, which studies the role of genetics and other factors in determining the risk of humans and animals suffering from disease.
Biochemistry is the science of living organisms. This field studies how specific sets of genes affect the functioning of cells in living organisms. In particular, biochemists research how genes affect the expression of genes in living organisms. Biochemistry is one of the most significant areas of research in biology. Some examples of the areas of biology that study living organisms are microbial biology, cell and tissue culture biology, genetics, physiology, and immunology.
Biochemistry is an important area of study in biology. Understanding the function of genes and how they control the functioning of living things is fundamental to our knowledge of how the world works. As such, advances in this area of biology provide valuable information about how to protect living things, how to improve their health, and how to cope with diseases. While a background in chemistry is helpful, it is the combination of knowledge garnered from other branches of biology that provide the most impact on the real world.