Definition and Pronunciation
Biology is the scientific study of living organisms and life processes. It examines how living things are structured, how they function, grow, reproduce, evolve, interact with one another, and interact with their environment. Biology includes the study of humans, animals, plants, fungi, microorganisms, and their cells, genes, and ecosystems.
Pronunciation: by-OL-uh-jee
Easy Explanation
Biology is the science of life.
It helps us understand how living organisms are built, how they survive, how they reproduce, how diseases develop, and how species change over time. Biology is one of the main branches of science and provides the foundation for medicine, genetics, ecology, agriculture, and many other fields.
In the study of human sexuality, biology explains topics such as biological sex, reproduction, genetics, hormones, puberty, and humananatomy.
Grammatical Formation
- Part of speech: Noun
- Related adjective: Biological
- Related noun: Biologist
- Related terms: Life science, genetics, anatomy
Word Comparisons
Biology vs. Anatomy
Biology is the broad study of living organisms and life processes. Anatomy is the study of the structure of living organisms and is one branch of biology.
Biology vs. Physiology
Biology covers all aspects of living organisms. Physiology specifically studies how the organs, tissues, and systems of living organisms function.
Biology vs. Genetics
Genetics is the branch of biology that studies genes, heredity, and genetic variation.
Biology vs. Human Sexuality
Biology explains the biological aspects of sexuality, including anatomy, hormones, reproduction, and biological sex. Human sexuality is much broader, also including psychological, emotional, social, cultural, and relational aspects.
Connotations
The term biology has a neutral scientific meaning. It is widely used in education, medicine, healthcare, genetics, environmental science, psychology, and public health.
Meaning with Prepositions
Biology of
Example: Researchers study the biology of human reproduction.
Biology in
Example: Biology is taught in schools around the world.
Biology behind
Example: Scientists examine the biology behind human development.
Biology through
Example: Students learn biology through observation and experimentation.
Real-Life Examples
Biologists study how cells divide, how diseases spread, and how organisms adapt to changing environments. Doctors apply biological knowledge to diagnose and treat illnesses. Teachers introduce biology to explain topics such as human anatomy, genetics, reproduction, and ecosystems.
Synonyms
- Life science
- Biological science
- Study of life
- Natural science (broader category)
Antonyms
There is no true antonym for biology, because it is a scientific discipline rather than the opposite of another concept.
Related Terms
- Biological
- Biologist
- Life science
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Genetics
- Ecology
- Evolution
- Cells
- DNA
- Hormones
- Reproduction
- Biological sex
- Human sexuality
- Medicine
Common Collocations
- Biology
- Human biology
- Molecular biology
- Developmental biology
- Evolutionary biology
- Cell biology
- Biology class
- Biology research
- Biology textbook
- Biology laboratory
- Biology and genetics
- Biology of reproduction
Idiomatic and Figurative Usage
The word biology is primarily used in its literal scientific sense.
Occasionally, people use it’s just biology figuratively to suggest that a behavior has a biological basis. However, many human behaviors are influenced by both biology and environmental, psychological, social, and cultural factors.
Sample Sentences
- Biology is the scientific study of living organisms.
- Students learn biology to understand how living things function.
- Genetics is an important branch of biology.
- Biology contributes to advances in medicine and healthcare.
- Human biology includes the study of anatomy and physiology.
- Biological research improves our understanding of disease.
- Biology helps explain human development and reproduction.
- Scientific discoveries continue to expand our knowledge of biology.
Connection to Sexuality
Biology is a scientific discipline that provides the foundation for understanding the biological aspects of human sexuality. It explains topics such as biological sex, chromosomes, genes, hormones, puberty, reproduction, and human anatomy. However, biology alone does not explain every aspect of human sexuality. Gender identity, sexual orientation, romantic attraction, relationships, and sexual behavior are also influenced by psychological, social, cultural, and personal factors.
Understanding biology helps distinguish between biological sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, reproduction, and human sexuality, providing an evidence-based foundation for studying sexuality in a broader context.
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