We explain what botany is and what are the branches of study that this discipline covers. Also, what is zoology?
What is Botany?
Botany is a discipline, inside of biology, which is in charge of the study of vegetal kingdom from various axes such as operation, reproduction, the description, the geographical distribution and the classification of plants.
Within the organisms that studies botany are lichens, algae, mosses, mushrooms, ferns, plants with flower and liverworts.
This branch of biology, which focuses on the plant kingdom, can be divided into two large groups:
- Pure botany. It is dedicated to the approach to the plant kingdom as a science basic. From this branch are derived studies related to adaptations, development, characteristics, classifications, functions, distribution and composition of the various species of algae, fungi and plants.
- Applied botany. It is devoted to the study of the plant kingdom for practical purposes. For example, its use for the production of remedies, food, cosmetics or logging.
The ancient Greek philosopher, Theophrastus, is considered the father of this branch of biology, as a result of the treatises he made related to the history and causes of plants.
People who are dedicated to the study of plants, algae and fungi are called botanists and use two methods to carry out your studies:
- Botanical Garden. They are natural gardens where collections of species of all kinds are preserved and exhibited to be analyzed, studied, investigated and conserved.
- International code of botanical nomenclature. There the rules are established for naming the species that this branch of biology studies.
- Herbal. It is a collection of dissected and classified plants that make up a bank of information.
What does botany study?
According to the object of study, different branches can be identified within botany. Some of them are the following:
- Phytochemistry. This branch of botany is dedicated to addressing the chemical elements that come from plants, called “phytochemicals”, and that are often applied in the pharmaceutical industry. Botanists who specialize in this branch are dedicated to describing the chemicals found, along with their structures, functions, and biosynthesis.
- Histology. Within botany, this is the branch that is dedicated to addressing the anatomy of tissues and cells. A basic instrument in this area is the microscope.
- Phytogeography. This branch focuses on the study of the geographical distribution of plants and how they influence the earth's surface.
- Cell biology. It is the branch that addresses the functions and structures of cells. Botanists who specialize in this area focus on studying metabolic processes, organelle distribution, interactions, and life cycles of the basic unit of life. In the case of botany, all of these studies focus on plant cells.
- Paleobotany. Within this branch, botanists are dedicated to the reconstruction of habitats ancient, to the evolution of the various species throughout history and their links with the rest of the living beings. The starting point to carry out these studies are the plant remains.
- Palynology. This branch of botany is dedicated specifically to the study of spores and pollen grains.
- Phytopathology. It is the branch that addresses the diseases suffered by plants, caused by environmental conditions or pathogens such as virus, bacteria, parasitic fungi, among others. Phytopathology is dedicated to the etiology of diseases, the identification of these pathogens, the resistance of plants to these diseases and their impact on the rest of living beings.
- Embryology. It is the branch of botany that focuses on the study of embryos.
- Geobotany. It is the branch that is dedicated to studying the living conditions in which the various plant species develop. To do this, it focuses on identifying the survival strategies that each plant develops along with the characteristics of the environment in which it grows.
- Organography. It is the branch within botany that is dedicated to studying in depth the different organs that make up plants. In this way, it manages to identify its qualities along with its functions.
According to the group of plants studied, different branches can be identified:
- Pteridology. It is the branch that addresses the ferns.
- Phycology. Also called algology, this branch is dedicated to dealing with algae.
- Bryology. He is dedicated to studying liverworts and musks.
- Lichenology. It is the branch that studies lichens.
- Mycology. It focuses on the study of fungi.
Zoology
Zoology is another branch, within biology, that is devoted to the study of animals. It addresses the behavior and distribution of the various species and their interaction with the rest of the living beings with which they coexist.
In addition, zoology is dedicated to developing morphological and anatomical descriptions of each of the identified species.