Fields in the Life Sciences
Do you know that your backyard can help you understand different fields of life sciences?
A branch of life science called botany studies how trees grow from seed, form roots, and shoots, and turn into big trees. It also studies their internal structure.
But the tree does not exist alone. Animals like birds and squirrels eat the fruits and use the tree’s branches for shelter, which links to zoology—the study of animal life. This field studies how animals grow and survive. It also studies their organs and tissues.
Beneath the tree, tiny soil organisms like bacteria break down complex nutrients from soil, helping the plant roots absorb them. The field of science that studies microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses is called microbiology.
All of this—how plants and animals survive by depending on each other and interacting with their surroundings—is studied in ecology.
With changing climate and surroundings, plants and animals have adapted to survive in different climates, a story uncovered by evolutionary biology.
Isn’t it fascinating how one tree connects so many fields of life sciences?
Fields in the Life Sciences
Life sciences focus on studying living organisms and their interactions with the environment. Scientists in this field explore everything from microscopic cells to vast ecosystems to understand how life functions, adapts, and evolves.
Botany- The study of plants, including their growth, structure, and environmental interactions. Scientists in this field explore how plants produce food, respond to environmental changes, and support other living organisms.
Zoology- The study of animals, including their behaviors, characteristics, and survival strategies in different habitats. Zoologists research how animals communicate, adapt to their environments, and interact with other species.
Microbiology- The study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, that are too small to be seen without a microscope. Microbiologists investigate how these microorganisms impact humans, animals, and the environment, both positively and negatively.
Ecology- The study of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment, including ecosystems and food chains. Ecologists seek to understand how natural changes, such as pollution or climate shifts, affect plants, animals, and humans.
Evolutionary Biology- The study of how living organisms change over time and adapt to their surroundings. Scientists in this field examine fossils, genetics, and species traits to understand the processes of evolution and ongoing adaptations in life forms.
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Engaging in arguments from evidence is a key practice in any scientific research. Understanding these principles teaches you how to construct, analyze, and critique arguments to understand biological phenomena.
Activity Idea:
In this activity, you can explore the ecological effects of zebra mussels, an invasive species in North American freshwater systems. Using scientific reasoning, you can determine whether they cause more harm than good in local ecosystems.
Research Phase
- Investigate how zebra mussels spread through ballast water in ships and how they attach to hard surfaces.
- Gather information about their effects on native species, water quality, and economic costs.
Building an Argument
- Based on your research, develop a claim: Do zebra mussels primarily negatively or positively impact freshwater ecosystems?
- Use evidence from your research to support your argument.
Discussion and Debate
- Share your argument and evidence in a class discussion or debate.
- Challenge and question each other’s claims, using facts to strengthen your reasoning.
This activity encourages critical thinking and helps you practice using evidence to support scientific arguments.
Crosscutting Concept (CCC): Structure and Function in Living Systems
All living things have different parts that work together to help them survive and grow. In biology, structure refers to a part's physical form or arrangement, while function describes what that part does and how it helps the organism.
Examples of Structure and Function:
Cells: Root Cell
- Structure: Long and thin with tiny extensions (root hairs)
- Function: The shape increases the cell's surface area, allowing it to absorb more water and nutrients from the soil to support plant growth.
Organs: Bird Wing
- Structure: Lightweight bones with strong muscles and feathers.
- Function: The structure allows birds to fly, helping them search for food and escape predators.
By studying these systems across different fields of Biology, scientists can explain how different parts of an organism or environment work together to support life.
Do you know that your backyard can help you understand different fields of life sciences?
A branch of life science called botany studies how trees grow from seed, form roots, and shoots, and turn into big trees. It also studies their internal structure.
But the tree does not exist alone. Animals like birds and squirrels eat the fruits and use the tree’s branches for shelter, which links to zoology—the study of animal life. This field studies how animals grow and survive. It also studies their organs and tissues.
Beneath the tree, tiny soil organisms like bacteria break down complex nutrients from soil, helping the plant roots absorb them. The field of science that studies microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses is called microbiology.
All of this—how plants and animals survive by depending on each other and interacting with their surroundings—is studied in ecology.
With changing climate and surroundings, plants and animals have adapted to survive in different climates, a story uncovered by evolutionary biology.
Isn’t it fascinating how one tree connects so many fields of life sciences?
Do you know that your backyard can help you understand different fields of life sciences?
A branch of life science called botany studies how trees grow from seed, form roots, and shoots, and turn into big trees. It also studies their internal structure.
But the tree does not exist alone. Animals like birds and squirrels eat the fruits and use the tree’s branches for shelter, which links to zoology—the study of animal life. This field studies how animals grow and survive. It also studies their organs and tissues.
Beneath the tree, tiny soil organisms like bacteria break down complex nutrients from soil, helping the plant roots absorb them. The field of science that studies microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses is called microbiology.
All of this—how plants and animals survive by depending on each other and interacting with their surroundings—is studied in ecology.
With changing climate and surroundings, plants and animals have adapted to survive in different climates, a story uncovered by evolutionary biology.
Isn’t it fascinating how one tree connects so many fields of life sciences?
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Fields in the Life Sciences
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