1.1 Fields and Careers in Biology
Learn what biology means, the fields of study within biology, how biology contributes to daily life, and the careers connected to biology.
Learning Objectives
- State the meaning of biology.
- List the fields of study in biology.
- Explain the contributions of biology in daily life to human beings.
- Identify careers related to the field of biology.
Five Fields of Biological Study
Biology is divided into several specialised fields of study. Each field studies a different aspect of life.
Botany
Study of plant life.
Physiology
Study of functions and mechanisms in organisms.
Ecology
Study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
Genetics
Study of inheritance and genetic variation.
Microbiology
Study of microorganisms.
Contributions of Biology in Daily Life
Biological knowledge contributes a great deal to human beings in many different fields.
- In vitro fertilisation
- Family planning
- Plastic surgery
- Gene therapy
- Production of synthetic vitamins
- Vaccines
- Insulin hormone
- Synthetic enzymes
- Use of microorganisms in food production
- Cheese
- Soy sauce
- Tapai
- Tempe
- Transgenic plants and animals
- Hydroponic technology
- Aeroponic technology
Careers in Biology
The field of biology opens up many career opportunities connected to living things and research.
Researcher
A researcher who produces medicines applies biological knowledge to develop new treatments.
Wildlife biologist
A wildlife biologist studies animals and plants in their natural habitat.
Every field of biological study leads to work in the sectors where biology contributes:
Short Explanation
Definition
Biology — The word biology comes from the Greek words bios, meaning life, and logos, meaning study. Biology is therefore the detailed study of living things and the natural environment.
What does biology study?
Biology allows us to understand the structure and function of organisms, as well as the relationships and interactions between organisms and the environment.
Fields of study
Biology is divided into several fields such as botany, physiology, ecology, genetics and microbiology.
Three-dimensional bioprinting
The three-dimensional bioprinting technique is used to print and form artificial tissues in order to assist the field of modern medical engineering.
Malaysian innovation
Malaysian researchers have produced a biological scaffold from shellfish shells for use in dental treatment.
Try to Answer First
Answer in your mind, then press “Check Answer”.
What does the word “biology” mean in terms of language?
Name the field of biology that studies inheritance and genetic variation.
Give one example of a contribution of biology in the food production field.
Name one career that is related to the field of biology.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming that biology studies only animals, when it also studies plants, microorganisms and interactions with the environment.
- Confusing botany (plants) with microbiology (microorganisms).
- Assuming that physiology studies the external form of an organism, when it studies the functions and mechanisms inside organisms.
- Not being able to distinguish a field of study (botany, ecology) from a field of contribution (medical, pharmaceutical).
- Writing that “biology means life”, when it combines the ideas of life and study.
Concept Misunderstandings
Ecology is the study of the internal structure of a single organism only.
Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.
Microbiology studies only the germs that cause disease.
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms in general, including useful ones such as those used to make soy sauce and tempe.
Three-dimensional bioprinting prints complete replacement human beings.
The source states that it is used to print and form artificial tissues to assist the field of modern medical engineering.
Summary
- Biology = bios (life) + logos (study); that is, the detailed study of living things and the natural environment.
- The five fields of study are botany, physiology, ecology, genetics and microbiology.
- The contributions of biology cover the medical, pharmaceutical, food production and agriculture fields.
- Three-dimensional bioprinting forms artificial tissues, and Malaysian researchers have produced a biological scaffold from shellfish shells for dental treatment.
- Biology opens up a wide range of careers related to living things and research.
Short Activity
Objective: identify the meaning of biology, its fields of study and its contributions.
A. Objective Quiz
The three-dimensional bioprinting technique is used to print and form what?
Which of the following is a contribution of biology in the pharmaceutical field?
B. Fill in the Blanks
Growing plants without soil by using a nutrient solution is called technology.
Malaysian researchers produced a biological from shellfish shells for use in dental treatment.
C. Matching / Drag and Drop
Drag each field of study to its correct meaning. On a phone, tap a choice first, then tap the matching box. Tap the Answer Choices area to return a selected item.
C. Match the Field of Study to Its Meaning
Write the correct field of study next to each meaning.
| Meaning | Field of Study |
|---|---|
| 1. Study of plant life | |
| 2. Study of functions and mechanisms in organisms | |
| 3. Study of interactions between organisms and their environment | |
| 4. Study of microorganisms |
Answer choices: Botany • Physiology • Ecology • Microbiology
