Branches of Biology and its Meaning

Pharmacology is the study of the actions of chemicals on and in living things. Endocrinology is the study of hormones and their actions. Cytology is the study of cells.

Botany is the study of plants. Zoology is the study of animals. Anatomy is the study of internal structures of living things. Biochemistry is the use of chemistry in the study of living things. Biological Earth Science is the use of earth sciences, such as geography in the study of living things. Biological Psychology is the use of biology in psychological studies. Biomathematics is the use of mathematics in the study of living things. Biophysics is the use of physics in the study of living things. Ecology is the study of the relationships of living things to each other and to their environment. Pathology is the study if diseases, generally in animals. Phytopathology is the study of diseases in plants. Physiology is the study of normal functions of living things. Taxonomy is the classification and naming of living things. Genetics is the science of heredity and the lifelong development of living things Embryology is the study of the formation and development of living things from fertilization to birth as independent organisms.

Histology is the study of tissues. Protozoology is the study of one celled organisms. Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. Virology is the study of viruses. Mammalogy is the study of mammals. Ornithology is the study of birds. Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians, Ichthyology is the study of fishes. Entomology is the study of insects. Helminthology is the study of worms. Microbiology is the study of microorganisms. Mycology is the study of fungi. Phycology is the study of algae. Liehenology is the study of lichens. Paleontology is the study of fossils. Biogeography is the study of geographical distribution of living things. Phytogeography is the study of the land and its plants. Zoogeography is the study of the land and its animals.

Protoplasm is the living contents of a cell that is surrounded by a plasma membrane. It is a general term for the cytoplasm.[1] Protoplasm is composed of a mixture of small molecules such as ions, amino acids,monosaccharides and water, and macromolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and polysaccharides.[2] In e ukaryotes the protoplasm surrounding the cell nucleus is known as the cytoplasm and that inside the nucleus as the nucleoplasm. In prokaryotes the material inside the plasma membrane is the bacterial cytoplasm, while in Gram-negative bacteria the region outside the plasma membrane but inside the outer membrane is the periplasm. is the living contents of a cell that is surrounded by a plasma membrane. It is a general term for the cytoplasm.

Matter Makes up our bodies, bodies of other organisms, and physical environment. Element A substance that cannot be broken down to other substances. Compound A substance consisting of two or more different elements in a fixed ratio i.e. table salt (Sodium [Na] + Chlorine [Cl]). Molecule A substance made of two or more atoms of the same element. Atom The smallest unit of matter that still retains the properties of an element. Protons Positively charged. Neutrons Electrically charged neutral. Electrons Negatively charged. Atomic Weight Number of protons + neutrons. Also called mass number or atomic mass. Radioactive Isotopes Nucleus is unstable and decays spontaneously giving off particles and energy. Covalent Bond When two atoms share one or more outershell electrons.

Definition: The Cell Theory is one of the basic principles of biology. Credit for the formulation of this theory is given to german scientists Theodor Schwann, Matthias Schleiden, and Rudolph Virchow. The Cell Theory states: All living organisms are composed of cells. They may be unicellular or multicellular. The cell is the basic unit of life. Cells arise from pre-existing cells. The modern version of the Cell Theory includes the ideas that: Energy flow occurs within cells. Heredity information (DNA) is passed on from cell to cell. All cells have the same basic chemical composition. Scientific method scientific method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. CHEMICAL BASIS OF LIFE

Ionic Bond Attractions between ions of opposite charge. Cation When an electron is lost a positive charge results. Anion When an electron is gained a negative charge results. Cohesion Tendency of molecules of the same kind to stick together. Adhesion Tendency of two kinds of molecules to stick together. Surface Tension A measure of how difficult it is to break the surface of a liquid. Heat The energy associated with movement of atoms and molecules in matter. Temperature Measures the intensity of heat. Heat is releases when hydrogen bonds form. Heat must be absorbed to break hydrogen bonds. Evaporating Cooling When a substance evaporates the surface of the liquid that remains behind cools down. Solution A liquid consisting of a uniform mixture of two or more substances.

Solvent Dissolving agent. Solute Substance that is dissolved. Aqueous Solution is one in which water is the solvent. Acid A compound that releases H+ to a solution. Base A compound that releases OH- to a solution. pH Scale Describes how acidic or basic a solution is. Ranges from 0 to 14 with zero the most acidic and 14 the most basic. Buffer Substance that minimizes changes in pH. Accepts H+ when it is in excess and donates when H+ is depleted.