biology
UK: baɪˈɒlədʒi | US: baɪˈɑːlədʒi
n. The scientific study of life and living organisms.
n. The characteristic life processes and phenomena of organisms.
n. The plant and animal life of a particular region or environment.
The word "biology" combines two Greek morphemes: "bio" (βίος), meaning "life," and "logy" (-λογία), meaning "study of." The term emerged in the early 19th century to describe the scientific discipline focused on living organisms. The fusion reflects the Enlightenment-era trend of systematizing knowledge by combining classical roots. "Bio" appears in other scientific terms like "biography" (life-writing) and "biome" (life-environment), while "logy" is ubiquitous in fields like "geology" (earth-study) and "psychology" (mind-study).
She majored in biology to research marine ecosystems.
Advances in biology have revolutionized modern medicine.
The biology of tropical rainforests is incredibly diverse.
His textbook explains cellular biology in simple terms.
Conservation biology aims to protect endangered species.