Final answer:
Biology studies living organisms with subfields like zoology and botany, while areas like geology and physics fall outside of biology. Significant overlap exists between different scientific fields such as in biotechnology and geochemistry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question relates to the interconnectivity of scientific fields, and which areas fall within or outside the realm of biology. Biology is a branch of science that focuses on the study of living organisms. Two topics likely to be studied by biologists include zoology, the study of animals, and botany, the study of plants. Areas that would fall outside the realm of biology might include geology (the study of Earth) and physics (concerned with the fundamental interactions between matter and energy).
It is important to note that even though we categorize certain fields under specific scientific branches, there is significant overlap. For instance, biotechnology blends biology and technology, where scientists create useful products. There are also areas like geochemistry that connect geology and chemistry.
Answers to Exercise 1.7.1 on which fields of study are branches of science would include a. physiology, b. geophysics, and c. agriculture. Politics, however, does not fall under the branch of science.