Biology is a natural science that studies living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, and distribution. It is a broad field that encompasses different branches such as microbiology, zoology, botany, and ecology. In this article, we will explore the definition, meaning, and associations of biology.
Definitions
Biology is the study of life and living organisms. It is a science that deals with the characteristics, behavior, and interactions of living things. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, biology is defined as “a branch of knowledge that deals with living organisms and vital processes.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines biology as “the scientific study of living organisms, including their physical structure, chemical processes, molecular interactions, physiological mechanisms, development, and evolution.”
Origin
The word biology comes from the Greek words “bios” meaning life and “logos” meaning study or science. The term was first used by German naturalist Gottfried Reinhold Treviranus in 1802. However, the study of living organisms dates back to ancient times, with Aristotle being one of the first to classify living things into different categories.
Meaning in different dictionaries
Different dictionaries have slightly different definitions of biology. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines biology as “the scientific study of the natural processes of living things.” The Collins English Dictionary defines biology as “the scientific study of living organisms and their interactions with each other and their environment.” The American Heritage Dictionary defines biology as “the science of life and of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution.”
Associations
Biology is associated with different fields such as medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and ecology. It is also closely related to other natural sciences such as chemistry, physics, and geology. Biology is essential for understanding the basic processes of life, including reproduction, metabolism, and genetic inheritance.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of biology include life science, natural science, zoology, botany, ecology, and microbiology.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of biology, but some opposite concepts include non-living, inanimate, and abiotic.
The same root words
Other words that share the same root words as biology include biosphere, biotic, antibiotic, and symbiosis.
Example Sentences
- Biology is a fascinating subject that explores the diversity of life on Earth.
- She decided to major in biology because she was interested in studying genetics.
- The field of biology has made significant advancements in understanding diseases and developing treatments.
- Ecology is a branch of biology that studies the interactions between organisms and their environment.
- The biology lab was equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for conducting experiments.