Final answer:
Biology is the scientific study of life, encompassing various sub-disciplines such as genetics, molecular biology, and ecology. Taxonomy and systematics help organize the understanding of living organisms. Historical figures in biology made foundational discoveries that still underpin our knowledge today.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biology is the science that studies life and living organisms. It is a very broad field that encompasses various disciplines such as cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology. Cell biology deals with the study of cells, their structure, function, and life cycle. Genetics explores inheritance and the variation of characteristics in living things, and molecular biology focuses on the molecular mechanisms within the cell, including DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.
The field of biology is also concerned with the classification and organization of organisms, which is why taxonomy and systematics are essential. These scientific branches help in understanding the relationships between different organisms, and they use a classification system including levels such as domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. The scientific name of an organism typically consists of its genus and species, which is known as binomial nomenclature.
Famous historical figures in biology include Robert Hooke who introduced the term 'cell', while Antonie van Leeuwenhoek identified 'animalcules', which we now refer to as microorganisms. The cell theory's main parts are: all living things are composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and new cells arise from existing cells.
Fields within biology like entomology and neuroscience specialize in the study of insects and the nervous system, respectively. Such specialization allows for a deeper understanding of the complex nature of life and living organisms.