Can You Match These Words to the Right Branch of Science?

Jennifer Post

Image: MR.Cole_Photographer

About This Quiz

Science is a vast field with countless divisions. One approach breaks science into three main branches, with many types of science within each branch. Physical science is concerned with inanimate natural objects and the laws of the inorganic world. Earth science is, of course, the study of the earth and its physical components. Then there is life science, which studies all forms of living things. Within each of these branches are the sciences that you are probably more familiar with, including chemistry, biology, anatomy and so on.

When you look at them as a whole, these branches cover every aspect of the universe as we know it. And the sciences within each branch have their own subfields, too. For example, we have organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry and biochemistry. Phew. That's a lot of chemistry! The other sciences are like that as well. There is so much to learn and know about the world we live in, about ourselves and about the things we interact with every day, that there is seemingly no end in sight, especially with the discovery of new animals and sea creatures. But one thing is for sure: There are certain words that can be associated with each science. Can you match those words to the right branch of science? Take this quiz to find out!

When you watch the weather, which branch of science are you witnessing?

Meteorology is the study of the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere in relation to understanding and forecasting the weather. It is part of the atmospheric sciences, which also include atmospheric chemistry and physics.

Scientists of this discipline are experts on poison. Which one is it?

Toxicology is the study of the adverse reactions of chemical substances. Toxicologists are experts on poisons and poisonings. They study factors that affect poisoning, such as dosage, route of exposure, species, age, sex and environment.

Well-known scientist Einstein birthed the theory of relativity, which relates to which branch of science?

General relativity is the geometric theory of gravitation as published by Albert Einstein. It falls under the broader category of physics and serves as the current definition of gravitation in modern physics.

Crime shows are all the rage. Which branch of science will you see used on shows such as "CSI"?

Forensic science is widely used to helps solve crimes through the collection of evidence from a crime scene. Forensic scientists don't just gather and examine evidence; they also testify during trials in order to explain the evidence and what it means.

The term "GMO" falls under which branch of engineering?

Genetic modification has been around for a while, but now with the popularity, or lack thereof, of genetically modified foods, it has become incredibly well known. Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism's genes.

Which branch of science is the study of populations?

Demography is the study of populations of human beings. It focuses on the size and structure of populations as well as how populations are distributed. It also takes a look at the way things change over time due to events such as death, birth and aging.

Which branch of health care science heavily relates to the word "disease"?

Epidemiology studies the distribution of health and disease conditions. It is known as the cornerstone of public health and helps to shape policy in the health world. Epidemiologists identify risk factors, preventative care and treatments.

The word "radioactivity" is a foundation for which area of science?

Nuclear physics is the branch of science that studies only the nuclei of atoms. Nuclear power, weapons, medicine and imaging have all been possible thanks to the study of nuclear physics.

What branch of life science focuses on the terms "nanotechnology" and "biology"?

Nanobiotechnology is the convergence of nanotechnology and biology. This field applies nanotechnology tools to the study of biology. Results of these studies are used in areas such as medicine and agriculture.

As far as science goes, where does the word "beer" belong?

Food chemistry studies the chemical processes and interactions of all components of food, including biological substances such as meat, poultry, lettuce, beer and milk. While similar to biochemistry, food chemistry is different in that it includes areas such as water, vitamins and minerals.

Science has a part in everything we do and touch. Which option below is related to computer science?

Artificial intelligence, known as AI, is a field of computer science that looks at machines and their abilities as far as intelligence goes. Machines don't have natural knowledge like humans do; instead, they build knowledge by perceiving their environment.

Which branch of science uses the term "internal combustion"?

Agricultural engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on agricultural processing and production. It uses practices from other areas of engineering, such as mechanical, civil, electrical and chemical.

The term "NAM" is used in which scientific discipline?

The weather phenomenon NAM, or Northern Annular Mode, is studied in climatology, which is concerned with the climate as it relates to weather conditions over a period of time. Climate change falls under this category and is widely studied, though it is still not fully accepted.

Amateur studies are conducted in which type of science?

Citizen science is research conducted by amateur or nonprofessional scientists. It can also be called public participation, and it is expected to grow in popularity thanks to technological advances that are available to laypeople.

"Speculation" often has a negative connotation, but it does belong to a branch of science. Which one is it?

Fringe science tends to not conform to mainstream science. It focuses on questionable applications or approaches that aren't accepted by other branches of science. Fringe scientists may try to prove things that have already been refuted.

When you see the word "engineer," which type of science do you think of?

Applied sciences take scientific knowledge and put it into daily use in the physical world. This can include testing theories, running medical trials, or solving problems using trial and error based on equations and information from other branches of science.

The word "education" is associated with which category of social science?

Pedagogy is concerned with how knowledge and skills relate in an educational context. It's the ultimate study of the sharing of ideas and interactions between people during a learning experience.

Information science falls under which greater umbrella of science?

Applied science is any science that takes research, knowledge and experience and puts them into real life situations. Technology and inventions are categories of knowledge that are applied to other areas of study within applied science.

The word "acceleration" doesn't just relate to cars. It also relates to which branch of science?

Acceleration is the rate of increase of speed or the rate of change of velocity. So while it indirectly relates to cars, it has a much broader application. It is a part of physics, which is the study of how matter moves and behaves.

In which way does the word "hydrosphere" relate to a branch of science?

Geography is the study of not just where people and things are but also how they evolve and come to be over time. Physical geography studies things such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere.

Where does the subject of anthropology fit into the sciences?

The social sciences study society, as the name suggests. It is the umbrella term for many disciplines, such as anthropology, criminology, political science, psychology, archaeology and more.

Does the word "mathematics" actually fit into any branches of science?

Formal sciences deal with formal languages and processes, which mathematics certainly falls under. Logic, statistics and robotics also fit within this branch of science. The formal sciences aid the natural and social sciences by providing vital information.

Which branch of science studies chemicals such as oxygen?

Organic chemistry studies the structure, properties and reactions of organic compounds and materials. Chemicals studied in this concentration range from oxygen to phosphorus, as well as transition metals such as zinc and nickel.

The Big Bang is studied in which branch of science?

Cosmology is a branch of astronomy that deals with the evolution of the universe. Studies start with the Big Bang and go all the way up to this exact moment, and even into the future.

Arachnology is real, and it's a branch of which science?

Arachnology is the study of arachnids, such as spiders. It is part of the greater science of zoology. Arachnologists are responsible for classifying arachnids and studying aspects of their biology.

Which field of science is concerned with a body's balance?

Balance is a body's sense of movement as it relates to gravity, but the science of it goes back to neuroscience. That is because balance is actually determined by the ear -- or inner ear, to be more exact -- and that falls under the umbrella of neuroscience.

Bacteriology is a branch under which other scientific category?

Microbiology is the study of micro-organisms such as bacteria. Bacteriology is the part of microbiology that looks at bacteria's morphology, ecology, genetics, biochemistry and related aspects.

If you're studying the sun and other stars, you're studying what?

Astronomy is a branch of science that focuses on the study of celestial objects and their phenomena. Astronomers apply subjects such as math and chemistry in order to explain the evolution and activities of objects such as planets, moons and galaxies.

Plate tectonics are studied within which branch of science?

Oceanography covers everything from the waves and currents of the ocean to the activity of plate tectonics on the ocean floor. Oceanographers use processes from astronomy, biology, chemistry and hydrology, to name just a few.

In which category of science would you put the term "DNA"?

Molecular biology studies the regulation of DNA, RNA and proteins and how they interact with each other. This type of biology falls under the broader umbrella of biochemistry, along with genetics, immunology and other specialties.

Which of these branches of science does the word "chondrite" correspond to?

This type of meteorite is formed from molten fragments and does not contain chondrules. Achondrites are studied at great length within geology and the planetary sciences because of the interesting transformations they go through during their life span.

"Buccal cavity" might sound gross, but which common area of science is it related to?

The buccal cavity really just refers to your mouth. It is the start of the alimentary canal, which leads to the pharynx and esophagus. It contains your tongue, teeth, gums and other structures of the palate.

Look carefully at the word "agar." Aside from being used in creative cooking, which branch of science does it belong to?

Botany is the study of plants, such as the algae from which agar is derived. It may seem simple, but there are so many variations in how plants grow, eat and survive, that they deserve their own category of science. Botany is also one of the oldest sciences.

To know them is to love them. Where in science do carbohydrates fall?

Food science, to be more exact. Food science is a branch of chemistry that studies the makeup of food, including carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Carbohydrates are the main sources of energy for animals and come in many shapes, sizes and forms, such as sugar.

Environmental science falls under which other branch of science?

Interdisciplinary sciences are those that involve two or more academic disciplines and turn them into one activity. Knowledge can be drawn from several other parts of science and be used to create one cohesive branch all on its own.

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