338 Biology Essay Topics & Questions

Biology is often called the science of life. From bacteria to whales, biologists study all kinds of organisms. Have you ever wondered why bees dance? Or how can chickens be the closest modern relatives to dinosaurs? The buzzing world is full of complex wonders like these. That’s why it’s so easy to find a biology research topic of your liking.

If you need to craft a biology essay, this article is for you. Here, you can learn about research areas and fields in biology. Besides, you will find 300+ interesting biology essay topics to write about. Read on to refresh your knowledge of microbiology, epidemiology, and more.

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🔝 Top 10 Biology Research Topics

1. Are viruses alive?
2. How do emotions work?
3. What is the role of hormones?
4. Ways to recover endangered species
5. Are allergies a sign of immune disorder?

6. What is the function of chromosomes?
7. Robert Hooke’s contribution to biology
8. The difference between Darwinism and evolution
9. The process of bacterial invasion of the body
10. Ways to strengthen the human immune system

📚 Areas of Research in Biology

Biologists operate on a vast scale. Naturally, there are plenty of research areas. Let’s sort them out:

• Microbiology. Microbiologists examine minute organisms. Many of them, such as viruses, can cause infectious diseases. Because of this, microbiology is strongly linked with immunology.
• Anatomy. Anatomical research focuses on the structure of tissues and organs.
• Cell and molecular biology. Cells are the basis for every living being. The key topic in this area is the molecular organization of cells.
• Environmental biology. Our environment needs support, and environmental biologists provide it. They study ecosystems to find out how humans affect nature. Scientists in this area also observe how organisms react to their surroundings.
• Marine biology. This branch is concerned with life in the deep seas. Oceanography is a crucial part of marine biology.

• Botany. This study is also called plant biology. It studies the properties of organisms that need sun and water to survive. Common categories of plants include trees, shrubs, and flowers.
• Evolutionary biology. All that lives is always evolving. Organisms create, merge, and delete genes. Evolutionary biologists monitor these changes.
• Developmental biology. Research in this area includes studying tissue regeneration and cell growth.
• Epidemiology. Epidemiologists investigate diseases and health conditions. Key questions include: Where does a disease originate from? How does it transmit? What risks are there?

With this overview in mind, you’re ready to choose an interesting biological topic.

⭐ Top 10 Interesting Biology Topics for Essays

11. 4 types of biotechnology
12. Main branches of biochemistry
13. Pros and cons of gene therapy
14. Exobiology vs. astrobiology
15. Biological functions of the DNA
16. Levels of biological organization
17. Properties of the phylogenetic tree
18. Classification of invertebrate animals
19. History of modern light microscopes
20. The early modern period of plant systematics

🍎 Biological Topics for High School

From peas to platypuses: high school biology covers a wide range of topics. In your biology essay, you’ll have the chance to familiarize yourself with any of them. Your options are almost endless! Consult our list of 20 popular ideas to get your research started:

21. Compare the types of cell reproduction.
22. How did Gregor Mendel discover heredity?
23. Cell structure: prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes.
24. Enzymes: what do we need them for?
25. Explain how photosynthesis converts CO2 into O2.
26. How does the human metabolism work?
27. What are the differences between mitosis and meiosis?
28. How do you predict the probability of inheriting a gene?
29. Describe the structure of DNA.
30. What is PCR used for?

31. Biotechnology: the mechanisms behind cloning.
32. Survival of the fittest: what does natural selection mean?
33. Discuss the latest evidence for Darwin’s theory of evolution.
34. The tree of life: how does this concept depict the relationships between species?
35. What kind of strategies do organisms use to get nutrition?
36. Dinosaurs and their modern relatives: what do we know about them?
37. How does our nervous system transport information?
38. Explain the mechanisms behind the carbon cycle.
39. Examine the human impact on biodiversity.
40. What factors regulate population dynamics?

🦠 Microbiology Research Topics for Students

The world of microbiology consists of tiny organisms. Researchers study microbes and other simple life forms such as bacteria and fungi. This way, they aim to solve environmental as well as medical issues.

41. How do microbes develop resistance?
42. Give an overview of our immune system’s defense mechanisms.
43. Contrast the types of microbiomes.
44. What are the industrial applications for microbiology?
45. How do you degrade soil pollutants using microbes?
46. Investigate examples of agents that kill bacteria.
47. What makes yeast versatile?
48. The differences between virions and viroids.
49. What are acellular agents?
50. Give an overview of the biochemical properties of fungi.
51. What are possible causes for asthma?
52. The relationship between stress and our immune system’s performance.
53. How do vaccines work?
54. Examine the structure of archaeal genes.
55. Why is microbial diversity important?

56. How do microbes contribute to an ecosystem?
57. The role of microbes in food contamination.
58. How do bacteria turn milk into yogurt?
59. Applications of microbial biotechnology.
60. Describe the four groups of protozoa.

💀 Anatomy & Human Biology Topics

Human biology studies people as single organisms and in the context of populations. Two of its essential parts are anatomy and anthropology. The latter studies the evolution of humankind. The former is more concerned with body structure. Combine all three subjects to gain a 360° view of humanity!

61. Describe the functions of the respiratory system.
62. What happens to your body if you’re anemic?
63. Outline the history of the human population.
64. How does medical anthropology help us understand health?
65. Reading bones: what types of information can osteologists gather?
66. Biomechanics: what makes humans move?
67. Compare the proposed effects of various current trends in nutrition.
68. Explore the psychological factors that influence one’s health.
69. How does your brain control your behavior?
70. Synapses: structure and mechanisms.
71. Explain how kidneys filter blood.
72. What regulates muscle contraction?
73. Discuss the new reproductive technologies from an anthropological perspective.
74. Describe the structure of a skeletal muscle fiber.
75. The cerebral cortex: what does it do?
76. Brain, hormones, and emotions.
77. Functions of the sodium-potassium pump.
78. Examine what blood consists of.
79. What happens when your heart skips a beat?
80. Is the growth in the human population out of control?

🔬 Cell & Molecular Biology Research Topics

Your body’s fundamental structure is made up of cells. Their properties are in the center of interest for cell biologists. They investigate a cell’s life cycle and its vital functions. On a molecular level, this includes the role of chemical processes in cell activity.

81. How does cancer affect the body’s cell growth?
82. The protein paradox: what is the right amount of protein?
83. How do cells heal bones?
84. The ethics of stem cell research.
85. Investigate the communication methods between cells.
86. Explore the link between the environment and our DNA.
87. Current trends in molecular biochemistry.
88. Telomerase: will it ever be possible to reverse aging processes?
89. What do we know about axon guidance?
90. Where does our brain keep the memories?
91. Why do cells become sticky?
92. High-resolution microscopy: ways to advance molecular research.
93. How do cilia move cells?

94. Treating glaucoma: is surgery always necessary?
95. The role of microtubules in the nervous system.
96. Diffusion: means of transport within cells.
97. What does the central dogma of molecular biology state?
98. Trace the steps of DNA translation.
99. Why do cells need to eat their dead counterparts?
100. How does protein biosynthesis work?

♻️ Environmental Biology Topics to Research

Environmental biologists ensure our harmonic coexistence with nature. They are also in charge of monitoring wastewater disposal and pollution levels. This branch is closely related to ecology.

101. Discuss the importance of light in different bodies of water.
102. Aftermath of building the Hetch Hetchy valley dam.
103. The devastating impact of deforestation in the Amazon.
104. Analyze the consequences of desertification.
105. How do genetically modified insects influence the environment?
106. What would happen if all the bees die?
107. Compare several methods of wastewater disposal.
108. What were the ecological effects of Indonesia’s Mega Rice Project?
109. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: will we ever get rid of it?
110. How do worms indicate the state of an ecosystem?
111. Why is it important to conserve biodiversity?
112. DDT: how did it affect wildlife in the US?
113. What causes toxic algae bloom?
114. Compare the adverse health effects of common contaminants in the air.
115. The Aral Sea: how did it disappear?
116. How do genetically engineered crops impact the environment?
117. Indoor air pollution: causes and risks.
118. The pros and cons of using natural gas.
119. Trace the ecological footprint of cotton production.
120. What are the ways to ensure food security without harming the environment?

🐬 Marine Biology Topics for a Paper

Fun fact: the vast majority of our oceans are still unobserved. Research in marine biology encompasses all organisms living close to or under water. Do you want to participate in uncovering the mysteries of the deep sea? This section is for you!

121. How does luminescence in marine vertebrae work?
122. Dolphins: how do they communicate?
123. The impact of military sonar on whales.
124. What makes the Galapagos Islands so unique?
125. Compare different camouflage techniques of marine animals.
126. How do aquatic organisms live together in coral reefs?
127. Causes of high mercury concentrations in fish.
128. Investigate the impact of overfishing in China.
129. Explain how rising sea temperatures affect marine life.
130. Contrast the survival strategies of various penguin species.
131. The ethics of seafood farms.
132. Examine bacteria’s contribution to biological processes in the sea.
133. What are the types of invasive species?
134. The contribution of birds to a stable marine ecosystem.
135. Identify the biggest threats to marine biodiversity.
136. Inspect the predatory behavior of starfish.
137. How do corals form?
138. The importance of phyto- and zooplankton to ponds.
139. Whales: how did they evolve?
140. What are the four types of oceanography?

🌻 Plant Biology Research Topics

Plant biology, you guessed it, investigates plants. These green organisms are incredibly versatile. From redwood trees to algae, plants come in all sizes and shapes. Scientists use botanical knowledge to improve our food and medicine supplies. They also help to conserve forests, parks, and wilderness areas.

141. What causes diseases in plants?
142. What are the benefits of studying algae?
143. Recently, scientists engineered a plant to glow by itself. How does it work?
144. What makes some plants toxic?

145. Compare various defense mechanisms of flowers.
146. Deciduous trees: what are the advantages of leaf loss?
147. How do Butterworts acquire nutrition?
148. Carnivorous plants: methods of luring prey.
149. Types of negative feedback in plants.
150. Give examples of thigmotropism. How does it work?
151. What problems are associated with the definition of kingdoms?
152. Investigate the anatomical structure of plant roots.
153. Phytohormones: how do they influence plant growth?
154. Plants and music: does sound have any measurable effects on plant development?
155. How do plants produce starch?
156. Why do weeds grow excessively?
157. Investigate plant disease management and intervention.
158. Industrial applications of synthesized plant mechanisms.
159. Cacti: how do they survive in the desert?
160. Examine the biological properties of medicinal herbs.

🧬 Evolutionary Biology Essay Topics

Evolutionary biologists observe change in all living organisms. If you want to know why life on Earth is so versatile, evolutionary biology has the answer. Research areas cover ecology and genetics, as well as paleontology.

161. How does stabilizing selection ensure the same phenotype for a species during evolution?
162. Discuss Tinbergen’s four questions.
163. What are the benefits of sexual reproduction?
164. Cancer: why does it persist?
165. Society and evolution: are they connected?
166. Southeast Asia and the limited occurrence of the alcohol dehydrogenase gene.
167. Is there a scientific reason to divide humans into races?
168. Track the evolution of aging throughout human history.
169. How does speciation work?
170. Genetic drift and its effects on variation.
171. Describe problems concerning the Modern Synthesis.
172. Selective sweeps: how likely are they to cause disease?
173. What does the Red Queen hypothesis state?
174. How do you determine age in herbaceous plants?
175. Life history theory: how does a species’ life history influence its evolution?
176. What are the ways for a species to achieve its maximum fitness?
177. How did the bees learn to communicate information by dancing?
178. Investigate the evolution of stamina in animal locomotion.
179. How does an animal’s physiology adapt to its geographic range?
180. Compare the evolutionary process of endotherms and ectotherms.

👶🧑 Developmental Biology Research Topics

When animals and plants grow, their features change. It’s no surprise: every living being starts as a single cell. It’s a long way from there to a fully formed organism! Developmental biologists track this process at different levels.

181. Why are men more likely to be colorblind than women?
182. What is phylogenetic niche conservatism?
183. Identify origins of congenital disorders.
184. What causes birds to become territorial?
185. Explain the two types of developmental mechanisms.
186. Why does getting older make humans more susceptible to cancer?
187. Homeotic genes: how do they influence the development of body structures?
188. Describe the advantages of apoptosis.
189. What causes polycephaly?
190. How do stem cells differentiate?
191. Investigate regeneration in hydra.
192. Mechanisms of metamorphosis in frogs.
193. What happened during the Cambrian explosion?
194. How do plants produce new structures?
195. Examine the process of neurulation in fish.
196. What are the types of deformations found in plants?
197. Describe the ABC model of flower development.
198. Why are zebrafish good model systems for developmental studies?
199. Search for the origins of the vertebrate body plan.
200. What does the concept of morphogen gradient say about the fate of cells?

😷 Epidemiology & Population Topics in Biology

Investigating health-related events is a part of epidemiologic research. The goal is to find out what causes diseases in a specific population. Epidemiology analyzes other health issues such as natural disasters and injuries. Population biology focuses on the interaction between populations and their environment.

201. How does evolutionary game theory describe the development of a population?
202. When is a strategy evolutionarily stable?
203. How does phenotypic variety in plants help manage disease?
204. What diseases are caused by heavy metal pollution?

205. How did the Coronavirus pandemic contribute to a rise in cases of domestic violence?
206. Reasons for an increased rate of congenital disabilities in a specific area.
207. Asian carp: a harmful disruption of the marine population in American rivers.
208. Compare the three kinds of population distribution.
209. Examine the consequences of the 1783 Laki eruption.
210. Examine various policies to moderate population growth.
211. How do predator-prey dynamics work?
212. Avoidance mechanisms of resource competition.
213. Describe the three types of symbiotic relationships.
214. How does a species regulate its abundance?
215. What happens if the equilibrium state of a community is disturbed?
216. Factors that encourage human population growth.
217. Contrast the survivorship curves of humans, birds, and trees.
218. Obesity: causes and solutions.
219. Depression: how does it affect society?
220. The role of causal inference in epidemiological studies.

📜 History of Biology Topics to Write About

Even before the emergence of scientific studies, humans had basic biological understanding. They were able to spot edible plants and domesticate animals. Assyrians and Babylonians were the first to implement biological knowledge. If you’re looking for a theoretical research project, this is the right research area for you.

221. Explore the medical knowledge available in ancient China.
222. The history of agriculture in India.
223. How did the Greek philosophers theorize about the origin of life?
224. Investigate the theory of the four humors.
225. Aristotle’s classification of animals.
226. Give an overview of discoveries in Galen’s medical writings.
227. What caused the stagnation in scientific progress during the Middle Ages?
228. Al-Jahiz’ discovery of the relationships between organisms.
229. Albertus Magnus: what was his contribution to botany?
230. How did Italy become the center for biological studies?
231. What factors impacted the development of biology during the Renaissance?
232. Trace the origins of modern anatomy.
233. What led to the establishment of the cell theory?
234. Jump starting biological progress: the invention of the microscope.
235. Louis Pasteur and the dismissal of spontaneous generation.
236. How did the discovery of heredity influence modern biology?
237. What led to the discovery of blood circulation?
238. How did the Royal Society of London impact scientific development in Europe?
239. What technology helped advance biological research in the 20th century?
240. The rise of bioinformatics: boosting progress in genetic data analysis.

🌱 Interesting Biology Topics for Project

Looking for engaging ideas for your project on biology? Have a look at our fantastic topics that you can use to understand complex biological processes:

241. Grow a butterfly at home and describe your observations.
242. 3D visualization of COVID-19 effects on human cells.
243. Compare the fingerprint patterns of your classmates.
244. The working model of the human heart.
245. Find differences in human blood groups.
246. Create a bioluminescent lamp.
247. Find out how cigarette smoke affects plant growth.
248. Make a paper model of the human respiratory system.
249. Model the life cycle of a frog.
250. Investigate the role of plankton in marine life.
251. Conduct a “5-second rule” experiment.
252. Compare animal and plant cells in biology classes.
253. Analyze the human tongue’s taste buds.
254. Grow your first avocado plant.
255. Create a model of the water cycle.
256. Search for cell mitosis in an onion.
257. Test bacteria living on your hands.
258. The study of the structure and functions of DNA.
259. Find hidden sugar in your favorite food.
260. Make a heartbeat clock from improvised materials.

❓ Biology Essay Questions

Biology is a fascinating field that motivates us to learn more about the world around us. Here are biology essay questions that you may find interesting:

261. Do people who are blind have visual dreams?
262. Why do we have eyebrows?
263. Why do women tend to live longer than men?
264. How are fingerprints formed?
265. Does the human body contain minerals?
266. How much water can a camel store in its hump?
267. Why do some sounds make your skin crawl?
268. How do trees produce oxygen on the Earth?
269. What is a brain freeze?
270. How do plants get the nutrients they need to grow?
271. What happens if you eat a watermelon seed?
272. What is the distinction between bacteria and viruses?
273. How do plants “talk” to each other?
274. Why do mosquito bites itch?
275. How do vaccines work to protect us from diseases?
276. What happens when lightning strikes a person?
277. Do all living things need water to survive?
278. How does DNA determine our physical characteristics?
279. Can animals actually “understand” us talk?
280. What causes your eyes to get red when a camera flashes?

🦕 Biology Research Questions

If you still cannot find a suitable topic in biology, check out some research questions listed below:

281. What potential do stem cells have in regenerative medicine?
282. What is the effect of recreational fishing on marine ecosystems?
283. Why is genetic diversity vital for the survival of a population?
284. Why does neurobiological degeneration occur?
285. How does evolution impact the formation of various ecological strategies?
286. What role do decomposers play in the environment?
287. How does the human body’s immune system work?
288. For what reasons is sleep essential for all living organisms?
289. What is the role and purpose of astrobiology?
290. How do engineered nanomaterials influence our cells?
291. In what way does biotechnology contribute to the food industry?
292. What factors affect mutations in the genome?
293. How do humans give rise to consciousness and thought?
294. Does social behavior have evolutionary benefits in the animal kingdom?
295. How does the reproductive system work in plants?
296. What are the genes that drive antagonistic coevolution?
297. Are marine reserves effective in promoting biodiversity?
298. What effects does radiation have on DNA?
299. How do bacteria interact with the human body?
300. What are the potential risks surrounding CRISPR use?

🧮 Interesting Biology Topics for Presentation

Learning more about all aspects of biology is much easier with presentations. If you need to prepare one, check out the topics below:

301. How can microbes change the health of our environment?
302. Different types of parasitic relationships.
303. How was the human race created?
304. The peculiarities of animal communication.
305. Top 5 common myths about snakes.
306. What does human DNA look like?
307. Explain resistance mechanisms in plants.
308. Explore the origin of weird biological terms.
309. Why do animals move the way they do?
310. The concept of biotechnology and its various applications.
311. What animals have the best regeneration ability?
312. Investigate the peculiarities of bird dances.
313. The art of camouflage in the animal world.
314. When can biology come in handy in everyday life?
315. Why are sharks the guardians of our oceans?
316. The complex structure of the viruses.
317. The use of biological forms in design.
318. How does our microbiome affect our mood?
319. The basic principles of genetic engineering.
320. Synthetic biology and its ethical implications.

Simple Biology Topics for Presentation

Do you want to be even more inspired? Here are some more presentation topics on biology that can come in handy:

321. The brain’s role in various cognitive functions.
322. Factors and causes of animal extinction.
323. Discuss the history of biology.
324. Classification of insects: the key types.
325. The similarities between male and female hormones.
326. Explore the latest developments and discoveries in biology.
327. The anatomy of the reproductive system.
328. DNA vs. RNA: similarities and differences.
329. Career options with a biology degree.
330. What are the main steps of photosynthesis?
331. Diaphragm and its role in facilitating breathing mechanics.
332. Plant anatomy: roots, stems, and leaves.
333. The beneficial effects of microorganisms on human health.
334. How has the climate changed over the past ten years?
335. Skeleton system in humans vs. animals.
336. Explain the biological basis of memory formation.
337. How does the carbon cycle occur?
338. The difference between normal cells and cancer cells.

We hope our article gave you some useful ideas for your biology paper. Good luck with your assignment!

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🔍 References

1. What is Biology?: NTNU
2. High School Biology: Khan Academy
3. Microbiology: University of Pittsburgh
4. Human Biology: University at Albany
5. Explore Topics Related to Cells: NIH
6. What Is Marine Biology?: MarineBio Conservation Society
7. Developmental Biology: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
8. Introduction to Epidemiology: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
9. The History of Biology: Encyclopedia Britannica