Grade 10 Biology - Unit 1: Sub-fields of Biology

Vocabulary flashcards covering the sub-fields of biology, branches classified by structure and subject, and related biological concepts from Unit 1.

Zoology

The major subdivision of biology that focuses on the study of animals.

Botany

The major subdivision of biology that focuses on the study of plants.

Microbiology

The major subdivision of biology that focuses on the study of microorganisms or microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, protozoa, and archaea.

Morphology

The sub-branch of biology concerned with the study of the external form and structure of organisms, such as leaf shape and stem texture.

Anatomy

The study of the bodily structure of animals and other living organisms, especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts.

Histology

The sub-branch of biology that deals with the study of the details of tissue structure, such as parenchyma and connective tissue.

Cytology

The branch of biology dedicated to the study of cells, such as plant cells and nerve cells.

Cell biology

The study of the structure, function, and various aspects of the cell and its components, including mitochondria, ribosomes, and the nucleus.

Molecular Biology

The study of the structure and function of informational molecules, such as DNA and RNA.

Physiology

The branch of biology that studies the normal functions of living organisms and their parts, such as photosynthesis and digestion.

Embryology

The branch of biology studying the embryo, from a single-celled zygote (fertilized ovum) to the development and formation of form and shape.

Blastula

An early stage in embryonic development consisting of a hollow ball of cells.

Gastrula

The stage in embryonic development following the blastula, during which the embryo develops two distinct layers.

Ecology

The study of the interactions of living organisms with their living environment, including concepts such as food chains, biomass, and the biosphere.

Taxonomy

The branch of biology focused on the identification, nomenclature, and classification of living organisms.

Paleontology

The branch of biology that studies the origin, growth, and structure of organisms of the past through fossils.

Evolution

The branch of biology concerning the change in characteristics of a species over several generations that relies on the process of natural selection.

Genetics

The study of heredity and variation among organisms, including the gene concept and Mendel's laws.

Exobiology

The study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the Universe, such as investigating life on the Moon or Mars.