Introduction of Biology and Microbiology
Students often ponder upon one particular question: ‘is biology and microbiology the same?’ They are not entirely different, but they are not the same either. It would be safe to say that. Microbiology is a part of biology which involves the intensive study of microorganisms, their living mechanisms, their study of the structure, and so on. Therefore, it brings us to one question, i.e., ‘What is the difference between microbiology and biology?’.
What is Biology?
The word “Biology” is made up of two Greek words- “bios” means life and “logos” means study. Hence, biology is the branch of science which deals with the study of living beings and their vital life processes. Lamarck and Teviranus first coined the term “biology” in the year 1801. Aristotle is known as the Father of Biology. Biology is generally divided into two main branches, i.e., Botany and Zoology. Botany deals with the study of different aspects of plants and Zoology deals with the study of various aspects of animals.
A biologist is a person or a professional who possesses specialised knowledge in the field of Biology.
What is Microbiology?
Microbiology is the branch of biology which deals with the study of microorganisms, like viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi, archaea, and protozoa. These microorganisms are collectively known as microbes. Though the existence of microorganisms was hypothesized for many centuries, Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) was the first person to observe bacteria and other organisms in water under a homemade single-lens microscope, in the year 1674.
There are mainly two branches of microbiology. They are applied microbiology or biotechnology and pure microbiology. Pure microbiology deals with the profound theoretical study of the organisms as the subject itself. In comparison, applied microbiology or biotechnology deals with the application of microorganisms in specific processes such as brewing or fermentation.
Difference between Biology and Microbiology
What is Molecular Biology?
Molecular biology is the study of living organisms at a molecular level, and it aims to understand living organisms by examining the components that they are constituted of. It specifically deals with the study of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins and their interactions with carbohydrates, lipids, and other biomolecules. It is a specialized branch of biochemistry. Electrophoresis, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Restriction digestion, Litigation, Blotting, Cloning are some of the commonly used molecular biology techniques.
Difference Between Molecular Biology and Microbiology
Did you know?
Anton Van Leeuwenhoek is known as the founding father of microbiology. He discovered microorganisms in the year 1674. He was a cloth trader from Delft, the Dutch Republic who used magnifying glasses to find irregularities in his clothes. Later driven by self-interest, he made a homemade microscope in 1674 and examined a drop of water from the murky Berkelse lake and observed “animalcules” in it, and became the first person to discover microbes. The “animalcules”, as discovered later, were green algae and rotifers. Soon, he found bacteria and red blood cells in 1676. Also, the first recorded microscopic observation was done by Robert Hooke in 1666, when he observed the fruiting body of moulds.
Hence the article clearly explains what are the differences between biology and microbiology. Along with this major difference between molecular biology and microbiology is also discussed in the above article
FAQs on Difference Between Biology and Microbiology
1. What is the main difference between biology and microbiology?
The main difference is their scope. Biology is the very broad study of all living things, from giant trees to whales. Microbiology is a specialised branch of biology that focuses only on organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
2. If microbiology is a part of biology, what are some other major branches of biology?
Biology is a vast field with many important branches. Besides microbiology, some other key areas include:
- Zoology: The study of animals.
- Botany: The study of plants.
- Genetics: The study of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms.
- Ecology: The study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.
- Anatomy: The study of the structure and parts of organisms.
3. What are the main fields of study within microbiology?
Microbiology itself is divided into several specialised fields. The most common ones are:
- Bacteriology: The study of bacteria.
- Virology: The study of viruses.
- Mycology: The study of fungi, like yeasts and molds.
- Immunology: The study of the immune system and how it protects us from microbes.
- Medical Microbiology: The study of microbes that cause human diseases.
4. How is microbiology different from related fields like molecular biology and biochemistry?
These fields often overlap but have different focuses. Microbiology studies the entire microorganism. Molecular Biology zooms in further to study the molecules of life, like DNA and proteins, across all organisms. Biochemistry focuses on the chemical reactions and processes that happen inside living cells.
5. Why is microbiology considered a branch of biology and not a separate science?
Microbiology is fundamentally a part of biology because microorganisms are living things. They follow all the core principles of life that biology defines, such as having a cellular structure, carrying out metabolism, possessing genetic material (DNA/RNA), and undergoing evolution. It simply applies these broad biological rules to the microscopic world.
6. How does the CBSE Class 11 and 12 biology syllabus prepare a student for studying microbiology later?
The CBSE syllabus for classes 11 and 12 provides the essential foundation. Chapters like 'Cell: The Unit of Life', 'Biomolecules', and 'Molecular Basis of Inheritance' teach the fundamental concepts about cell structure and genetics that are critical for understanding how microorganisms function. This knowledge is a prerequisite for any advanced study in microbiology.
7. Can I pursue a career in microbiology after getting a B.Sc. in Biology?
Yes, absolutely. A bachelor's degree in biology gives you a strong, broad foundation. Many students then choose to specialise in microbiology for their master's degree (M.Sc.) or Ph.D. Your biology degree will have covered the essential topics needed to succeed in a microbiology-focused program.
8. What are some real-world examples where biology and microbiology work together?
Many modern scientific advancements rely on both fields. For instance:
- Vaccine Development: This requires understanding the human immune system (biology) and the specific virus or bacterium causing the disease (microbiology).
- Antibiotic Production: This uses specific microbes (microbiology) to create drugs that fight infections inside the human body (biology).
- Bioremediation: This involves using microorganisms to clean up pollution in the environment, combining principles of microbiology and ecology (a branch of biology).
9. Is microbiology considered harder to study than general biology?
It's not necessarily harder, but it is different. General biology is very broad, covering everything from plants and animals to ecosystems. Microbiology is highly specialised and requires you to understand complex processes that are completely invisible. The difficulty really depends on your personal interests. If you enjoy focusing on details and lab work, you might find microbiology more engaging.
