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Biology and microbiology are two branches of natural science that study living organisms. They also study the origin, distribution, structure, functions, interactions and economic importance of different living organisms. At the same time, they differ in many aspects. When biology is a branch of natural science, microbiology is a branch of biology only. They differ with respect to the scope and tools used in making studies of diverse living organisms.
| Table of Content |
Key Takeaways: Biology, Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, Virology, Bacteriology, Mycology, Phycology, Morphology, Physiology, Parasitology
Biology
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Biology is a branch of natural science that deals with the study of living organisms. It also studies the principles, phenomena, and mechanisms involved in life processes. It gives us an idea about the origin and evolution of life on earth. It has a broad scope to make students understand the difference between living and nonliving organisms and biodiversity.
Microbiology
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The branch of biology that deals with the study of microorganisms can be called microbiology. It studies the habitat, structure, reproduction, life cycles, and economic importance of microorganisms.
Difference between Biology and Microbiology
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There are a number of differences between biology and microbiology. They are tabulated as follows:
| Biology | Microbiology |
|---|---|
| The term biology was coined by Aristotle. | The term microbiology was coined by Louis Pasteur. |
| Aristotle is considered the father of biology. | Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is considered the father of biology. |
| It is a branch of natural science. | It is a sub-branch of biology. |
| It is a diverse field of natural science. | It is a specific field of biology. |
| A person who studies biology is called a biologist. | A person who studies microbiology is called a microbiologist. |
| Biology has been there since the beginning of scientific studies. | Microbiology emerged as a science since the invention of powerful lenses and microscopes. |
| The branches of biology are botany (plants), zoology (animals), microbiology, morphology (body forms), cell biology, anatomy (internal structure), histology (tissues), genetics (heredity and inheritance), evolution, ecology (environment) etc. | The branches of microbiology are bacteriology (bacteria), mycology (fungi), virology (viruses), parasitology (microscopic parasites), protozoology (protozoans), phycology (microscopic algae), etc. |
| It studies plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, cells, tissues, body functions, etc. | It studies viruses, bacteria, algae, protozoans, and fungi. |
| It is pure science. | It is an applied science of biology. |
| It deals with the study of all living organisms from viruses to whales. | It deals with the study of only microorganisms. |
| It studies both microscopic and macroscopic organisms. That is organisms that can be studied under a microscope and also those which can be studied by our naked eye. | It studies only microscopic organisms that can be studied under a microscope. |
| Biology needs different tools to study living organisms. The tools are binoculars, microscopes, dissection microscope, stethoscopes, thermometers, slides, test tubes, Petri dishes, stains, forceps, scissors, scalpels, dissection devices, beakers, flasks, bunsen burners, herbarium sheets, etc. | Microbiology needs different kinds of microscopes to study microorganisms. The tools are compound microscopes, electron microscopes, slides, Petri dishes, stains, bunsen burners, etc. |
Things to Remember
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- Both biology and microbiology are natural sciences.
- Biology is studied by biologists and microbiology is studied by microbiologists.
- Biology can be studied with our naked. Microbiology cannot be studied without microscopes.
- Biology is pure science, whereas microbiology is an applied science.
- The branches of biology are botany, zoology, molecular biology. microbiology, morphology, cell biology, anatomy, histology, genetics, evolution, ecology, etc.
- The branches of microbiology are bacteriology, mycology, virology, protozoology and phycology.
- All kinds of organisms are studied in biology. Only microorganisms are studied in microbiology.
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Sample Questions
Ques 1: What is common to biology and microbiology? (2 marks)
Ans: Biology and microbiology are the branches of natural science. Both deal in the study of living organisms. Both study the origin, distribution, structure, functions, interactions and economic importance of different living organisms.
Ques 2: Who coined the terms biology and microbiology? Who were the pioneers in starting these two branches of science? (2 marks)
Ans: The term biology was coined by Aristotle. The term microbiology was coined by Louis Pasteur. The father of biology is considered Aristotle. The father of microbiology is Anton Von Leeuwenhoek.
Ques 3: What are the different organisms that are studied in biology and microbiology? (2 marks)
Ans: In biology, we study different living organisms like plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, cells, tissues, body functions, etc. In microbiology, we study different living organisms like viruses, bacteria, algae, protozoans, and fungi.
Ques 4: What are the different tools used in the study of microbiology? (2 marks)
Ans: In microbiology, we use different kinds of microscopes to study microorganisms. The other tools are compound microscopes, electron microscopes, slides, Petri dishes, stains, bunsen burners, etc.
Ques 5: What is the significance of the study of microbiology? (2 marks)
Ans: Microbiology is a sub-branch of biology. It is useful to study evolutionary processes, heredity and inheritance, epidemiology of diseases, production of antibiotics, production of industrial chemicals, insulin production, controlling diseases, etc.
Ques 6: What are the different branches of biology? (3 marks)
Ans: The different branches of biology and their interests of studies are given below
- Botany - plants
- zoology - animals
- Microbiology - microorganisms
- morphology - body forms
- cell biology - cell structure and function
- Physiology - body functions
- anatomy - internal structure of living organisms
- histology - tissues
- genetics - heredity and inheritance
- ecology - interaction between living and non-living organisms
Ques 7: What are the different branches of microbiology? (3 marks)
Ans: The different branches of microbiology and their interests of studies are given below:
- bacteriology - bacteria
- mycology - fungi
- virology - viruses
- parasitology - microscopic parasites
- protozoology - protozoans
- phycology - microscopic algae)
- Immunology - immunity
- Nematology - nematodes
- Cellular microbiology - cell structure of microorganisms
- Molecular microbiology - the study of biochemical molecules in microorganisms
Ques 8: Write any five important differences between biology and microbiology? (5 marks)
Ans: The table given below gives the differences between biology and microbiology
| Biology | Microbiology |
|---|---|
| The term biology was coined by Aristotle. Aristotle is considered the father of biology. | The term microbiology was coined by Louis Pasteur. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is considered the father of biology. |
| It is a branch of natural science. It is a diverse field of natural science. It is pure science. | It is a sub-branch of biology. It is a specific field of biology. It is an applied science. |
| The branches of biology are botany zoology, microbiology, morphology, cell biology, anatomy, histology, physiology, genetics, evolution, ecology etc. | The branches of microbiology are bacteriology, mycology, virology, parasitology, protozoology, phycology, immunology, etc. |
| It studies plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, cells, tissues, body functions, etc. | It studies viruses, bacteria, algae, protozoans, and fungi. |
| It studies both microscopic and macroscopic organisms. That is organisms that can be studied under a microscope and also those which can be studied by our naked eye. | It studies only microscopic organisms that can be studied under a microscope. |
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