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 primary difference lies in their scope. Biology is the broad scientific study of all living organisms, from large plants and animals to single-celled life. In contrast, microbiology is a specialised branch of biology that focuses exclusively on microorganisms—organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
2. What are the major branches of biology?
Biology is a vast field with many branches. Some of the most significant ones include:
- Botany: The study of plants.
- Zoology: The study of animals.
- Genetics: The study of heredity and gene variation.
- Ecology: The study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.
- Anatomy: The study of the structure of organisms.
- Physiology: The study of the functions of living organisms.
3. What are the key branches of microbiology?
Microbiology can be broadly divided into pure and applied branches. Key areas of study include:
- Bacteriology: The study of bacteria.
- Virology: The study of viruses.
- Mycology: The study of fungi.
- Parasitology: The study of parasites.
- Immunology: The study of the immune system, which is crucial for understanding how the body fights microbes.
- Medical Microbiology: The study of pathogenic microbes and their role in human diseases.
4. How does molecular biology differ from microbiology?
The main difference is the level of study. Microbiology studies the whole microorganism—its structure, function, and environment. Molecular Biology, on the other hand, is the study of biological processes at the molecular level, focusing on nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins. While distinct, these fields are interconnected; molecular biology techniques are essential tools for modern microbiologists to understand how microbes function genetically.
5. Why is microbiology considered a specialised branch of biology and not a completely separate science?
Microbiology is a branch of biology because microorganisms are living entities that follow the fundamental principles of life defined by biology. Core biological concepts such as cellular structure, metabolism, genetics, and evolution apply to microbes just as they do to plants and animals. Microbiology simply applies these broad biological principles to the specific context of the microscopic world.
6. How does a general biology curriculum, like in CBSE Class 11-12, prepare a student for advanced studies in microbiology?
The CBSE biology syllabus provides the essential foundation needed for microbiology. Topics like Cell: The Unit of Life, Biomolecules, Principles of Inheritance and Variation, and Molecular Basis of Inheritance directly explain the cellular and genetic mechanisms that govern microbes. This knowledge is a prerequisite for understanding the complex life processes of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in higher education.
7. Is the study of microbiology related to a medical degree like an MBBS?
While related, they are very different career paths. Microbiology (e.g., a B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree) is a scientific discipline focused on researching and understanding microorganisms. An MBBS is a professional medical degree to become a doctor, focused on diagnosing and treating human patients. A doctor uses the findings of medical microbiologists to treat infectious diseases, but their training and job functions are distinct.
8. What are some real-world applications where biology and microbiology principles are used together?
Many modern advancements rely on the integration of both fields. For example:
- Vaccine Development: Requires understanding the human immune system (biology) and the structure of the pathogen like a virus or bacterium (microbiology).
- Antibiotic Production: Involves using specific microbes (microbiology) to produce substances that can fight infections in the human body (biology).
- Bioremediation: Uses microorganisms to break down environmental pollutants, applying principles of both microbiology and ecology (a branch of biology).
