Botany covers a wide range of scientific disciplines that study plants, algae, and fungi including: structure, growth, reproduction, metabolism, development, diseases, and chemical properties and evolutionary relationships between the different groups.
The study of plants and botany began with tribal lore, used to identify edible, medicinal and poisonous plants, making botany one of the oldest sciences. From this ancient interest in plants, the scope of botany has increased to include the study of over 550,000 kinds or species of living organisms.
Scope and importance of botany
As with other life forms in biology, plant life can be studied from different perspectives, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, cells, tissues, organs, individuals, plant populations, and communities of plants. At each of these levels a botanist might be concerned with the classification (taxonomy), structure (anatomy and morphology), or function (physiology) of plant life.
Historically, botany covers all organisms that were not considered to be animals. Some of these "plant-like" organisms include fungi (studied in mycology), bacteria and viruses (studied in microbiology), and algae (studied in phycology). Most algae, fungi, and microbes are no longer considered to be in the plant kingdom. However, attention is still given to them by botanists, and bacteria, fungi, and algae are usually covered in introductory botany courses.
The study of plants has importance for a number of reasons. Plants are a fundamental part of life on Earth. They generate the oxygen, food, fibres, fuel and medicine that allow higher life forms to exist. Plants also absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, a minor greenhouse gas that in large amounts can effect global climate. It is believed that the evolution of plants has changed the global atmosphere of the earth early in the earth's history and paleobotanists study ancient plants in the fossil record. A good understanding of plants is crucial to the future of human societies as it allows us to:
* Produce food to feed an expanding population * Understand fundamental life processes * Produce medicine and materials to treat diseases and other ailments * Understand environmental changes more clearly
1. The study of human populations, including their size, growth, density and distribution as well as statistics regarding birth, marriage, disease and death Demography
2. The study of the formation and structure of the features of the surface of the Earth or another planet’s surface Geomorphology
3. The study of the properties, distribution, use and circulation of the earth’s water and the atmosphere in all of its forms Geology
4. Scientific study of oceans Oceanography
5. The study of life in prehistoric times by using fossils Paleontology 6. The study of rocks with respect to their occurrence, structure, origin, history, and mineral content Petrology
7. Science deals with the production and study of Maps and charts Cartography
8. The study and description or mapping of the entire world or the universe is called Cosmography
9. The study of biological function and mechanics, and the application of them to machine design is called Bionics
10. A branch of zoology dealing with the study of sea shells and the animals that inhabit them is called Conchology
11. The scientific study of climates Climatology
12. The study of, or the science of determining, the order in which things occur Chronology
13. The study of recurring cycles of events in the natural world Chronobiology
14. The application of statistical techniques to biological studies Biometry
15. The scientific study of the chemical substances, processes, and reactions that occur in living Biochemistry
16. The study of Crimes, Criminals and the punishment of criminals is called Criminology
17. The preparation of maps in which specific areas or regions are delineated and often highlighted Chorography
18. The scientific study of Bacteria is called Bacteriology
19. Study of projectiles is called Ballistics
20. The study of the physical properties, origin, and development of celestial objects and events is called Astrophysics
21. The scientific study of ancient cultures through the examination of their material remains Archaeology
22. The cultivation of trees and shrubs for study, ornamentation, or profit Arboriculture 23. The branch of science that studies the physical structure of animals, plants, and other organisms Anatomy
24. The branch of botany concerned with the scientific study of algae Algology or Phycology
25. The scientific study of the universe, especially of the motions, positions, sizes, composition, and behavior of celestial objects is called Astronomy
26. The branch of statistics that deals with gas in equilibrium and with gases and bodies in them is called Aerostatics
27. The branch of meteorology concerned with the study of clouds Nephology
28. The study of the positions of the Moon, Sun, and other planets in the belief that their motions affect human beings Astrology
29. The branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of diseases of the kidneys Nephrology
30. The scientific study of Earth’s atmosphere especially its patterns of climate and weather Meteorology
31. The scientific study of units of measurements Metrology
32. The relationship between organism and its environment is called Ecology
33. The science that deals with all forms of life, including their classification, physiology, chemistry, and interactions Biology
34. The branch of geology that examines the formation and structure of the features of the surface of the Earth or another planet’s surface Geomorphology
35. .....is the science of the intricate series of relationship between living organisms and their living and non living surroundings Ecology
37.Bibliography given in a research report helps : those interested in further research and studying the problem from another angle
38. The scientific study of lakes and other bodies of fresh water, including their physical and biological features Limnology
39. The study of the bumps on the outside of the skull, based on the now discredited theory that these bumps reflect somebody’s character Phrenology
40. The science or study of drugs is Pharmacology
41. Cultivation of flowers Floriculture
42. The keeping of bees, especially for commercial purposes Apiculture
43. The science or practice of growing grapevines, especially for wine making Viticulture
44. The controlled breeding, hatching, and rearing of fish, especially for scientific or commercial purposes Pisciculture
46. The branch of anatomy concerned with the study of the structure and functions of bones Osteology
47. The scientific study of sleep or hypnosis Hypnology
48. The study of characteristics of rocks is Lithology
49. The study of fish Ichthyology
50. The science in which chemicals are used for the treatment of diseases is known as Chemotherapy
"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.
