Introduction to Biology
• Definition: Biology is defined as the scientific study of life and living organisms.
• Quranic Instruction: The study of life is supported by instructions in the Quran to
reveal and contemplate the nature of living things.
Major Fields and Sub-fields
Biology is categorized into three primary divisions:
1. Botany: The study of plants.
2. Zoology: The study of animals.
3. Microbiology: The study of microscopic organisms.
Specialized Sub-fields
• Morphology & Anatomy: The study of the form and internal structure of organisms.
• Physiology: The study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.
• Genetics: The study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity.
• Ecology: The study of how organisms interact with their environment.
• Paleontology: The study of fossils to understand the history of life.
• Other branches include: Histology, Cytology, Molecular Biology, Embryology,
Taxonomy, Marine Biology, Pathology, Immunology, and Pharmacology.
Interdisciplinary Sciences
Biology connects with other natural sciences to form interdisciplinary fields:
• Biophysics: Applying the principles of physics to biological phenomena.
• Biochemistry: Studying the chemical processes within and relating to living
organisms.
• Biotechnology: Using living systems and organisms to develop products.
• Bio-economics: Studying biological resources from an economic perspective.
• Definition: Biology is defined as the scientific study of life and living organisms.
• Quranic Instruction: The study of life is supported by instructions in the Quran to
reveal and contemplate the nature of living things.
Major Fields and Sub-fields
Biology is categorized into three primary divisions:
1. Botany: The study of plants.
2. Zoology: The study of animals.
3. Microbiology: The study of microscopic organisms.
Specialized Sub-fields
• Morphology & Anatomy: The study of the form and internal structure of organisms.
• Physiology: The study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.
• Genetics: The study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity.
• Ecology: The study of how organisms interact with their environment.
• Paleontology: The study of fossils to understand the history of life.
• Other branches include: Histology, Cytology, Molecular Biology, Embryology,
Taxonomy, Marine Biology, Pathology, Immunology, and Pharmacology.
Interdisciplinary Sciences
Biology connects with other natural sciences to form interdisciplinary fields:
• Biophysics: Applying the principles of physics to biological phenomena.
• Biochemistry: Studying the chemical processes within and relating to living
organisms.
• Biotechnology: Using living systems and organisms to develop products.
• Bio-economics: Studying biological resources from an economic perspective.
