What is Biology?

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"Biology" is not one science -- it is dozens of different sciences, each with its own set of tools and techniques, theories and questions, puzzles and paradigms. Here are some examples of biological sciences:

• Biochemistry: biological molecules and their interactions; metabolism
• Microbiology: bacteria, viruses, and other microscopic organisms, and their interactions with other organisms
• Cytology and Histology: cell structures and their functions
• Physiology: functions of tissues, organs and organ systems, such as the muscular system, the nervous system, etc.
• Botany: plant diversity, structure, and functions
• Zoology: animal diversity, structure, and functions
• Genetics: the mechanisms of heredity, including its molecular machinery (DNA) and its observable consequences (e.g., genetic diseases).
• Evolution: the mechanisms by which populations change over time
• Ecology: the interactions of organisms with each other and their environments.

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