'''Biology''' encompasses several fields of studyabout the living organisms and their environment. Disciplines range over several levels of organization, including such as atomic ([[geneticsbiochemistry]], [[biochemistrystructural biology]], and [[cell biologygenetics]]), microscopic ([[structural cellular biology]]), organismal ([[mammalian physiologybotany]], [[zoology]], [[biophysics]]), and large-scale levels ([[medicineecology]], [[botanyevolution]], and [[zoologyagriculture]]; in addition). Human-related fields tend to be the most applied, studies such as [[ecologygenetics]] , [[physiology]], and [[evolutionmedicine]] also fall under the purview . Despite having multiple subdisciplines, all fields of biologyare deeply related to each other.
An Oxford University book states:
The study of biology works from several basic foundations:
1. The [[cell]]ular ''Cell Theory''. Cell theory of life. All , as put forth by Schwann and Schleiden in 1838, stipulates that all life is composed of at least once cellmade from cells, which undergoes the classical processes of cellular life, such as [[reproduction]]; that the cell is the basic unit fundamental building block of all macrobiotic life. The chemical composition of all cells in nature is similar, and that all existing cells have emerged come from prior preexisting cells through the processes of cellular division, generally through [[mitosis]] but with meiosis playing a significant role.
2. ''Genetic theoryTheory''. All cells encode their genetic information Determined by Griffith in the form of 1928, DNA, is the fundamental component genetic material of genesall cells. These DNA encodes genes transfer the physical, and often psychological, traits of which are transferred from one generation of organism to the nextand determine the characteristics of an individual.
3. ''Homeostasis''. All living organisms will attempt to reach some form of dynamic equilibrium with their environment - both through the metabolism of individual creaturesfrom chemical equilibria, and the to cellular homeostasis, to organismal regulation, to population dynamics . 4. ''Change''. While evolution is debated to be a core tenant of whole biology, short-term changes do occur in populationsthat are important for ecological and genetic interactions that occur. Change is also important in development, population dynamics, mutations, and homeostasis, where nothing remains static and everything is in constant flux.
==History==
More than ten thousand years ago, Mesopotamia showed evidence of the domestication of goats, sheep, and grains; while this was . While most likely unintentional, at least at first, it can be placed as the first point at which human study of the nature of life itself began. From these humble beginnings, all of modern biology eventually flourished. The discoveries of the nineteenth century spurred the development of modern biology. Mendel's breeding experiments initiated [[genetics]]; the microscope initiated [[microbiology]]; and the synthesis of urea initiated [[biochemistry]]. In the early twentienth century the field of [[population genetics]] spurred the development of [[statistics]]. Advances in [[analytical chemistry]] permitted scientists to determine the structure of important biological molecules, such as DNA. These discoveries lead to the rapid development of [[molecular genetics]]. Coming full circle, these developments, combined with population genetic theory, is permitting scientists to examine the process of crop and animal domestication.
The discoveries of the nineteenth century spurred the development of modern biology. [[Charles Darwin|Darwin's]] observations began the controversial field of [[evolution]], [[Gregor Mendel|Mendel's]] breeding experiments was the start [[genetics]]; the microscope opened [[microbiology]] for exploration; and the synthesis of urea initiated [[biochemistry]].
In the early twentieth century, [[statistics]], in tandem with the new fields of [[evolution]] and [[genetics]], spurred the development of [[population genetics]]. Advances in [[analytical chemistry]] permitted scientists to determine the structure of important biological molecules, such as DNA. These discoveries lead to the rapid development of [[molecular biology]].
==Modern Research==
Modern biological research is heavily focused on identifying [[gene]]s and characterizing their [[gene expression|expression]] and function. Progress in this field has enabled scientists to analyze organisms as [[complexStructural biology]] molecular systemshas been vital for understanding diseases and health defects. The study of complex systems [[Ecology]] has also been applied advancing to ecology. There is also rapid characterization of better estimate the [[biodiversity]] of on the planet as well as how to prevent [[Earthextinction]]. This is especially pronounced in events ==See also==*[[microbiologyBiology and creation]], where surveys of diversity have only become possible with the development of modern molecular techniques.
==References==