Biology

Course summary

Biology is one of the key branches of Science along with Chemistry and Physics. It is the study of life. Biologists investigate living things. At one time biologists could be divided into zoologists - who studied animals - and botanists - who studied plants. The discovery of bacteria and viruses led to the development of microbiology and virology. As better technical resources and techniques were developed, biologists moved on to study the structure of cells (cytology) and the chemicals from which the cells are made (molecular biology). The study of genetics and heredity expanded following the elucidation of the structure of DNA. On the large scale, Biology has embraced aspects of Geography and Geology in ecology, the study of interrelationships of organisms with each other and with their physical and climatic environment. Biologists also contribute to palaeontology, the study of fossils and biological evolution. Biologists make discoveries which affect the lives of all of us. Examples range from: how to understand and control the development and the spread of disease which can decimate or eradicate species; how to develop strains of plant which give high food yields; and the genetic code which provides the blueprint for the development of an organism.