Definition

1. Noun:
   • The scientific study of life and living organisms: This is the primary meaning, referring to the branch of science that deals with the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living things.
   • The plant and animal life of a particular region: This meaning refers to the totality of living organisms found in a specific habitat or area.
   • The characteristic life processes and phenomena of a living organism: This usage pertains to the biological functions and behaviors of a specific organism or group.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She decided to major in biology at university. (This uses the primary meaning of the academic discipline.)
  • The biology of the coral reef is incredibly diverse and complex. (This uses the meaning referring to the life of a specific region.)
  • Understanding the biology of the virus is crucial for developing a vaccine. (This uses the meaning referring to the life processes of a specific organism.)

Advanced Usage

• "Molecular biology": A branch of biology that deals with the molecular basis of biological activity.
  • Advances in molecular biology have revolutionized medicine.
• "Cell biology": The study of cell structure and function.
  • The course covers fundamental principles of cell biology.

Variants and Related Words

• Biological (adj): Relating to biology or living organisms.
  • The biological diversity of the rainforest is under threat.
• Biologist (n): A scientist who studies biology.
  • The marine biologist studied the behavior of dolphins.

Synonyms

• Life science: A broad term for sciences that study living organisms (e.g., biology, botany, zoology).
• Bioscience: Another term for the biological sciences.

Related Phrases

• Biology textbook: A book used for studying the subject.
  • She forgot her biology textbook at home.
• Biology lab/Laboratory: A room or building equipped for scientific experiments in biology.
  • We have a practical session in the biology lab this afternoon.

Related Idioms

• is sometimes used informally to suggest a behavior is innate or inherent to an organism's nature.
  • Some say competitiveness is just in their biology.

Noun

1. all the plant and animal life of a particular region
2. characteristic life processes and phenomena of living organisms
   • the biology of viruses
3. the science that studies living organisms