Three Branches of Science

Andrew Rambo

Ms. Gardener

10th Grade Biology

September 11, 2000

Science is such a wide area that it is divided into branches. Biology, chemistry and geology are three of these branches. Each branch of science are very different. They use many of the same techniques in the study of the materials in their area of science, but are very different materials.

Biology is the study of life and living things. The French naturalist, Jean Baptiste, introduced the term, biology, in Germany during the 1800’s. Biology is also divided into branches. Zoology, botany and anatomy are three of the major branches. Biology studies the life of particular species and their behavior, development and history. What makes biology different from the other branches of science is that it studies living things.

Chemistry is the branch of science dealing with the properties, composition and structure of substances and the changes they undergo when they combine or react under specific conditions. Chemistry deals mainly with components of material origin. Organic chemistry is the only branch of chemistry defined as the study of substances produced by living organisms. Physical chemistry is concerned with the physical properties of materials. Chemistry deals with the states of matter. Through experimentation a chemist defines a material by how it reacts under many different situations and how it reacts to other materials. From the earliest recorded times, humans have observed chemical changes and have speculated at their possible causes. By following the history of these observations and speculations the gradual evolution of the ideas and concepts that have led to the modern science of chemistry can be traced. In recent times, a great deal of research has been at the atomic and molecular levels. The study of their reactive characteristics has led to great advances in the use of the power of their reactions in the creation of nuclear power.

Geology is the science of the Earth’s history, composition and structure. Geological observations have been made since ancient times. The branches of geology are divided between the study of the Earth’s landforms, petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, structural geology and paleontology. Geology encompasses the study of the Earth’s landforms and it’s surface features but is also concerned with the structure and inner parts of the planet. The focus of applied geology is to search for useful minerals, stable environments for human constructions and identify natural hazards. Oceanography is a branch that studies the ocean floor, mapping and measuring the Earth’s surface and searching for clues to the origin of Earth.

As you can see, these three branches of science are very different. They each involve the research of very different materials present here on Earth. They study living and non-living substances. The common thread is the science focused on the goal of finding and understanding these materials and how they can make life better for us. Scientists have searched for and studied various materials found on Earth. By studying the reactions in different environments, all branches of science have been able to develop the resources found on Earth to improve the status of living in society today. Each branch of science is focused on a grouping of materials that are very different in their characteristics, but the scientist’s goals are very much the same. They seek to come to the best understanding of the possibilities that each offer to the human race.

Bibliography

Microsoft® Encarta. Copyright© 1994 Microsoft Corporation

Copyright©1994 Funk & Wagnall’s Corporation

Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition]© & (p) 1999-2000 Microsoft Corporation

Encyclopedia©1988 published by New York Post Press

Bibliography

Bibliography

Microsoft® Encarta. Copyright© 1994 Microsoft Corporation

Copyright©1994 Funk & Wagnall’s Corporation

Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition]© & (p) 1999-2000 Microsoft Corporation

Encyclopedia©1988 published by New York Post Press

Word Count: 596