Difference between Zoology and Biology
Key difference: Biology is a field of natural science that deals with the study of all living things. This includes the study of life itself, as well as the structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, identification and taxonomy of living organisms. Zoology, also known as animal biology is the study of animals. It focuses on the entire animal kingdom.
Zoology and Biology are two difference fields of study. However, they are so closely related that they are often confused. In fact, the lines between the two fields are often blurry as they are so similar in nature.
Biology is a field of natural science that deals with the study of all living things. This includes the study of life itself, as well as the structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, identification and taxonomy of living organisms. As this is very vast field of study, it has been divided into many sub-disciplines that biologists can focus on. Some of these fields include biochemistry, molecular biology, botany, cellular biology, physiology, evolutionary biology, ecology, etc. Each one of these studies a different aspect of biology, such as molecular biology focuses on the complex interactions among biological molecules, while botany studies the biology of plants.
Another popular sub-discipline of biology is zoology. Zoology, also known as animal biology is the study of animals. It focuses on the entire animal kingdom, including both terrestrial and aquatic life, and studies the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct. The subject also studies how the animals interact with their ecosystems. Zoology studies all animals, include mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, etc. However, while it does include the study of humans, it is not a primary directive of zoology.
Both are well respected fields of study. Humans have been observing and studying the things around them since they first started thinking, this of course includes nature and other living things around them. However, the fields of studies were not organized until much later. The term biology was first used in 1736 by Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus, who is widely credited with categorizing and naming various living things.
Zoology, on the other hand, is being studied since the times of Aristotle and Galen in the ancient Greco-Roman world. However, it did not become known as a professional scientific discipline until the 18th and 19th centuries, after which the discipline become better defined and organized.
Comparison between Zoology and Biology:
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Zoology |
Biology |
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Field |
Biology |
Natural Science |
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Description |
The branch of biology that studies the animal kingdom |
The branch of science that is concerned with the study of life and living organisms |
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Etymology |
The term is derived from Ancient Greek ζῷον, zōion, i.e. "animal" and λόγος, logos, i.e. "knowledge, study".[1] |
The term is derived from the Greek word βίος, bios, "life" and the suffix -λογία, -logia, "study of." |
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Scientist |
Zoologist |
Biologist |
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Studies |
Animals |
Life and all living organisms |
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Field of Study |
Studies the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct, and how they interact with their ecosystems. |
The study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, identification and taxonomy. |
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Sub-disciplines |
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Reference: Wikipedia (Zoology and Biology), Study, Chron Image Courtesy: amnh.org, biology.iastate.edu
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