From planting rice seedlings to analysing cancer data on a computer, biology gets put to work in many ways. In this note you will meet the book's seventeen applied branches one by one, and learn how to tell a physical branch from an applied one.
1. Where use matters most
In an applied branch, putting the science to use matters most. Applied biology holds the practical subjects that are tied to life. A physical branch leans on theory; an applied branch leans on use. Sort twelve branches and see.
sort themIf application matters most, it is applied.
Physical or applied?
Pick up a chip, then drop it in a box.
Right. Next one.
Not yet. Ask: does this branch discuss theory, or put something to use?
All in place. Physical: theoretical discussion in ecology, the theory of genes and heredity in genetics, the theory of organ activity in physiology, the principles of classification in taxonomy, the structure of tissues in histology, and biogeography on the book's physical list. Applied: fish production, using genes, controlling insects, computer analysis of data, and microbiology and palaeontology on the book's applied list.
2. The seventeen applied branches
The first four. Fisheries deals with fish, fish harvesting, and the management and conservation of fish resources. Biostatistics is the science of the statistics of organisms. Parasitology studies parasitism, the life of parasitic organisms and the diseases they cause. Palaeontology studies prehistoric life forms and fossils.
Entomology studies the life, benefits, harm and control of insects, including the damage they cause. Microbiology deals with viruses, bacteria, microscopic fungi and other microorganisms. Agriculture is the science concerning farming. Medical Science deals with the human body, diseases, treatment and so on.
Genetic Engineering concerns gene technology and its uses. Biochemistry concerns the biochemical processes and diseases of organisms. Environmental Science is the science related to the environment. Marine Biology deals with marine living beings.
Forestry covers forests and the management and conservation of their resources. Biotechnology is the technology of using organisms for the benefit of people and the environment. Pharmacy deals with the technology and industry of medicine. Wildlife is the science of wild animals. The last is Bioinformatics: biological information handled with computer technology, for example the analysis of cancer.
A farm, a hospital, a fish pond. Each place has jobs waiting. Pick a job and see which applied branch handles it.
fix ita place, then a job
Which branch gets it done?
Now match what the six pictures of Figure 1.01 show to the book's branches. The book's activity expects Entomology for the spider, but a spider is not really an insect, so check that one with your teacher.
Figure 1.01What is in the picture, and which science studies it?
Name the branch from the picture
Pick up a picture, then drop it on a branch.
Right. Next one.
Not yet. Ask whether the picture shows an organism, a place or an activity.
All matched: the fossil fish to Palaeontology, the forest to Forestry, fishing to Fisheries, rice seedlings to Agriculture, the cells to Histology. The book's activity files the spider under Entomology, but a spider is not an insect, so check it with your teacher.
All seventeen branches are cut into cards. Before you flip one, say what it studies.
applied branch cardsSay what it studies before flipping.
The 17 applied branches
BranchFisheries
StudiesFish, harvesting of fish, and management and conservation of fish assets.
BranchBiostatistics
StudiesThe science of statistics of organisms.
BranchParasitology
StudiesParasitism, the life process of parasitic organisms and the diseases they cause.
BranchPalaeontology
StudiesPrehistoric life forms and fossils.
BranchEntomology
StudiesThe life, merit, demerit and control of insects, including the damage they cause.
BranchMicrobiology
StudiesViruses, bacteria, microscopic fungi and other microorganisms.
BranchAgriculture
StudiesThe science concerning agriculture.
BranchMedical Science
StudiesThe human body, diseases, treatment and so on.
BranchGenetic Engineering
StudiesGene technology and its uses.
BranchBiochemistry
StudiesThe biochemical processes and diseases of organisms.
BranchEnvironmental Science
StudiesThe science related to the environment.
BranchMarine Biology
StudiesMarine living beings.
BranchForestry
StudiesForests, and the management and conservation of their resources.
BranchBiotechnology
StudiesThe technology of using organisms for the benefit of mankind.
BranchPharmacy
StudiesThe technology and industry of medicine.
BranchWildlife
StudiesThe science related to wild animals.
BranchBioinformatics
StudiesBiological information based on computer technology, for example the analysis of cancer.
3. Check yourself
Three questions. Remember: application means applied.
check yourselfpick one answer
Question 1
Which branch of biology discusses insects?
Right. Entomology deals with the life, benefits, harm and control of insects.
Parasitology is about parasites and their diseases, not insects.
Endocrinology is about hormones, not insects.
Microbiology is about microorganisms like viruses and bacteria; insects are not microorganisms.
In the next one, recall what the branch studies.
check yourselfpick one answer
Question 2
Insects and parasites are studied in which two branches?
Right. Parasites belong to Parasitology and insects to Entomology; both are applied branches.
Entomology is right, but Embryology is about embryos, not parasites.
The book does not list these; insects are Entomology and parasites Parasitology.
Entomology is right, but Phycology is not in the book; parasites are Parasitology.
The last one is in the same style.
check yourselfpick one answer
Question 3
Farming rohu fish in a pond and managing fish resources belongs to which branch of biology?
Ecology is about organisms and environment, not fish production.
Right. Fisheries is the science of fish, fish production and the management and conservation of fish resources.
Marine Biology covers all sea life; fish production and management belong to Fisheries.
Biostatistics is about statistics of organisms, not fish production.
The whole note on seven cards.
cut from the notetap to turn over
Seven cards
QuestionWhat is applied biology?
AnswerThe division of biology where application matters most; it covers practical subjects related to life.
QuestionWhich science deals with parasitism, the life of parasites and the diseases they cause?
AnswerParasitology.
QuestionThe life, benefits, harm and control of insects belong to which branch?
AnswerEntomology.
QuestionParasitology and Entomology: which is about insects and which about parasites?
AnswerEntomology is about insects; Parasitology is about parasites and their diseases.
QuestionWhich science deals with viruses, bacteria and microscopic fungi?
AnswerMicrobiology.
QuestionWhich science deals with gene technology and its uses?
AnswerGenetic Engineering.
QuestionBiological information handled with computer technology, such as cancer analysis, belongs to which science?