What is the scientific study of life referred to as?

The scientific study of life is referred to as biology. This field encompasses a broad range of topics including the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living organisms. Biology examines both individual cells and whole ecosystems, making it foundational for understanding life in all its forms.

Other options focus on specific branches within biology. Ecology, for instance, is the study of interactions between organisms and their environments, while botany concentrates specifically on plants, and zoology focuses on animals. Although these fields are essential and contribute significantly to our understanding of life, they are specialized areas within the broader discipline of biology. Thus, biology is the overarching term that encompasses the study of all living organisms and their interactions.