The Scientific Method and Intro to Biology

What is Science? Discuss with a partner!

? Scientific Method 2. Question or Problem Note: Observations are also important when doing experiments…   1.    Observation of phenomenon leads to… 2. Question or Problem             A question you want to answer… 3.      Hypothesis – a possible answer to the question that can be tested; educated guess “If… then…” format     ?

Exit Questions Why is observation important to the scientific method? What is a problem? What is a hypothesis?

  4. Experiment – a reproducible procedure done to test the hypothesis             *Experimental Group – Group where only one variable is changed *Control Group- Group used as a comparison to the experimental group *Variables = factors that affect the experiment Controlled variables are kept constant between the control and experimental groups.             Independent variable – the condition that you manipulate (choose to change)            Dependent variable – the effect that occurs because of the independent variable. This is the measured variable.

Exit Questions Explain why experiments have two groups (the experimental group and the control group). What are controlled variables and why are they important? Distinguish between independent and dependent variables and give an example of each in the context of an imaginary experiment.

5.     Data Collection             Data is the information gathered from an experiment             Qualitative – description of events and actions             Quantitative – information in number form 6. Data Analysis: What does the data mean? *Graphing is often an important part of data analysis. 7. Conclusion: Explanation of the experiment and its meaning and significance. Often generates more questions to research!

Scientific Method continued… Theories and Laws… Theory – an explanation that has been supported by a lot of evidence and by many experiments/ investigations. (Note: much stronger than the common use of the word!) Ex. Cell theory Law – the experimentally reproducible “fact” about a natural phenomenon. Generally known to be true. Ex. Law of gravity (an apple falls to the ground)

Exit Questions Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative data. Explain how you will remember the difference. Explain the difference between a theory and a hypothesis. Write out a biological question that you are curious about. Then answer the following: What is your hypothesis? Explain the experiment you will use to test your hypothesis. What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable? What variables should be controlled in your experiment?

Cancer Warrior We will watch this video and answer questions about how the scientific method is being used. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/cancer-warrior.html

Cancer Warrior Questions What observations about cancer cells did Dr. Folkman make while studying hemoglobin for the navy? What questions did this observation generate? What was Dr. Folkman’s hypothesis about tumors? Explain the experiment done with the rabbit cornea and the conclusion drawn from the experiment. After finding a molecule that caused angiogenesis, what was Dr. Folkman’s next question?

Cancer Warrior Questions Explain 2 of the experiments that were done in the search for angiogenesis inhibitors and the conclusions drawn for each of them. Describe how the scientific method was used to discover endostatin, and how it is still being used to learn more about this drug.

LIFE! (What are the Characteristics of living things?)

Characteristics of LIFE Listen up! Characteristics of LIFE 1.      Organization – the basic unit of organization is the cell 2.      Homeostasis – regulation of an organism’s internal environment to maintain conditions suitable for survival 3.      Reproduction – living organisms make new living organisms like themselves             Species – a group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring 4.      Growth and development –             Growth – increase in the amount of living mass & formation of new structures.             Development- Changes that occur during the life of an organism 5.      Respond to their environment             Stimulus – a change in the environment that cause an organism to adjust             Response – A reaction to a change in the environment 6.      Adapt and evolve             Adaptations – any structure, behavior, or internal process that enables an organism to better survive in an environment             Evolution – the accumulation of adaptations over time

Exit Question Explain why a rock is NOT alive but a fish is alive, using at least 4 of the characteristics of life as evidence!