Theme #1 - Cells All living things are composed of one or more cells.

Different types of cells have different "jobs" within the organism. Each life form begins from one cell, which then will split. These cells split, and so on. After this has happened several times, differentiation is undergone, when the cells change so that they are not the same thing anymore. Then they are used to begin to put together the final organism, some cells, for example, as the eyes, some as the heart, etc. The only arguable exception to this is viruses. They are not composed of cells, but are said to be "living." Theme#2 - Organization Complex organization patterns are found in all living organisms. They arrange themselves on very small levels, grouping like things together. On larger levels, they become visible. This also has to do with differentiation, as the cells are organized in a manner that makes sense for the organism after they change to what they'll be in the final organism. Theme#3 - Energy Use All organisms use energy. The sum of the chemical energy they use is called metabolism. This energy is used to carry out everything they do. Autotrophs (plants) use energy from the sun for photosynthesis, to make their own "food' (glucose). Heterotrophs (animals and humans) must ingest food for this purpose. Theme#4 - Homeostasis All organisms have stable internal conditions which must be maintained in order to remain alive. These include temperature, water content, heartbeat, and other such things. In a way, this has to do with energy use, because a certain level of energy must be kept within the body at all times. For this, obviously, humans must then ingest food on a regular basis. Not all conditions are for the body to maintain itself; though most are. Theme#5 - Growth All organisms grow and change. Cells divide to form new, identical cells. Differentiation happens, as well, when cells mutate into other types of cells, making a more complex organism. Organisms growing, changing, and becoming more complex is called development. Single-celled organisms do grow as well, but they will only become slightly larger - this is nearly unmeasurable. Theme#6 - Reproduction All organisms reproduce in order to continue the species' life. This is combining genetic information (in sexual reproduction) or splitting into two organisms (in asexual reproduction) in order to create another of the same species. In sexual reproduction, the new organism will have some characteristics from the mother, and some from father. It may look like either of them, or it may not. In asexual reproduction, the new organism is an exact copy of the first. Sometimes, not every member of a species is able to reproduce. As long as others are (which we know they can, if they still exist today) then it does not threaten the species. (Except for mules, but don't worry about them, they are a bizarre anomoly.) Answer: The scope of biology is enormous - it's the history of all living organisms and their role on earth. There are many branches of biology, each focused on different aspects of research. Biology is first split into 3 main branches that focus on 3 different organisms: Zoology (animals), botany (plants), and microbiology (organisms). More information on each branch as well as numerous sub-branches are listed below in alphabetical order.

Branches of Biology Agriculture - the science and practice of producing crops and livestock from the natural resources of the earth. Anatomy - the study of the animal form, particularly the human body. Astrobiology - the branch of biology concerned with the effects of outer space on living organisms and the search for extraterrestrial life. Biochemistry - the chemical processes in all living organisms and the study of the structure and function of cellular components, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules, and of their functions and transformations during life processes. Bioclimatology - a science concerned with the influence of climates on organisms, for instance the effects of climate on the development and distribution of plants, animals, and humans. Bioengineering - the study of biology through the means of engineering with an emphasis on applied knowledge and especially related to biotechnology. Biogeography - a science that attempts to describe the changing distributions and geographic patterns of living and fossil species of plants and animals.

Bioinformatics - information technology as applied to the life sciences, especially the technology used for the collection, storage, and retrieval of genomic data. Biomechanics - often considered a branch of medicine, the study of the mechanics of living beings, with an emphasis on applied use through artificial limbs, etc. Biomathematics or Mathematical Biology - an interdisciplinary field of academic study which aims at modelling natural, biological processes using mathematical techniques and tools. Biophysics or biological physics - an interdisciplinary science that applies the theories and methods of physical sciences to questions of biology. Biotechnology - applied science that is concerned with biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use. Botany - the scientific study of plants. Cell biology - the study of cells at the microscopic or at the molecular level. It includes studying the cells' physiological properties, structures, organelles, interactions with their environment, life cycle, division and apoptosis. Conservation Biology - the study of the preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife. This is concerned with the studies and schemes of habitat preservation and species protection for the purpose of alleviating extinction crisis and conserving biodiversity. Chronobiology - a science that studies time-related phenomena in living organisms. Cryobiology - the study of the effects of low temperatures on living organisms. Developmental Biology - the study of the processes by which an organism develops from a zygote to its full structure. Ecology - the scientific study of the relationships between plants, animals, and their environment. Ethnobiology - a study of the past and present human interactions with the environment, for instance the use of diverse flora and fauna by indigenous societies. Ethology - the study of animal behavior. Entomology - the scientific study of insects. Evolutionary Biology - a subfield concerned with the origin and descent of species, as well as their change over time, i.e. their evolution. Freshwater Biology - a science concerned with the life and ecosystems of freshwater habitats. Genetics - a science that deals with heredity, especially the mechanisms of hereditary transmission and the variation of inherited characteristics among similar or related organisms. Geobiology - a science that combines geology and biology to study the interactions of organisms with their environment. Herpetology - the study of reptiles and amphibians. Histology - The study of cells and tissue, a microscopic branch of anatomy. Ichthyology - the study of fish. Immunobiology - a study of the structure and function of the immune system, innate and acquired immunity, the bodily distinction of self from nonself, and laboratory techniques involving the interaction of antigens with specific antibodies. Macrobiology - the study of biology on the level of the macroscopic individual (plant, animal, or other living being) as a complete unit. Mammology - the study of mammals. Marine Biology - study of ocean plants and animals and their ecological relationships. Medicine - the science which relates to the prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease. Microbiology - the study of microscopic organisms (microorganisms) and their interactions with other living things. Molecular Biology - the study of biology and biological functions at the molecular level, some cross over with biochemistry. Mycology - the study of fungi Neurobiology - the branch of biology that deals with the anatomy and physiology and pathology of the nervous system. Oceanography - the study of the ocean, including ocean life, environment, geography, weather, and other aspects influencing the ocean. See Marine Biology. Ornithology - the study of birds. Paleobiology - the study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms. Parasitology - the study of parasites and parasitism. Pathology - the study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences.

Pharmacology - the study of preparation and use of drugs and synthetic medicines. Physiology - the biological study of the functions of living organisms and their parts. Primatology - the science that deals with primates Protistology - the study of protists Psychobiology - the study of mental functioning and behavior in relation to other biological processes Toxicology - the study of how natural or man-made poisons cause undesirable effects in living organisms Virology - study of viruses Zoology - the study of animals and animal life, including classification, physiology, development, and behavior.