Biophysics investigates the physical processes involved in the functioning of the various parts of living things. The field of genetics is concerned with how plants and animals pass on characteristics to their offspring. Molecular biology examines the structure and function of proteins and other large molecules essential to life. Paleontology investigates the forms of life that existed in prehistoric times. Taxonomy involves the classification of living things.
Sociobiology deals with the biological basis for the social behavior of people and other animals.
Ecology focuses on the relationships living things have to one another and to their environment. Some life sciences concentrate on certain kinds of organisms. For example, bacteriology is the study of bacteria, and ornithology is the study of birds. Some other life sciences investigate the organisms that live in a specific environment. Marine biology, for instance, studies the plants and animals of the sea.