The Science of Biology Chapter 1

Ch 1.1-What is Science? - An organized way of gathering evidence about the natural world - Goals: Provide natural explanations for events in the natural world Use those explanations to understand patterns in nature Make useful predictions about natural events How does science play out in our every day lives?

“Think something that nobody has thought yet, while looking at something that everybody sees”—Arthur Schopenhauer

Scientific Methodology 1. Make an Observation 2. Ask a Question Types of Observations: Qualitative: using your senses (sight, smell, sound, touch, taste) Quantitative: using instruments and tools (rulers, beakers, graduated cylinders, etc) Types of questions on white board

Scientific Methodology 1. Make an Observation 2. Ask a Question 3. Make an Inference 4. Form a Hypothesis Inference: A logical interpretation based on what scientists already know (General) Hypothesis: A scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested in ways that support or reject it (More specific)

Inferences and Hypotheses Observation: Larger species of barnacles are found lower in the intertidal than the larger species of barnacles Question: Why are barnacle species that are different sizes found in different areas? Inference: There is something that influences where a species of barnacles lives Hypothesis: Barnacle location is influenced by predation (or many other factors)

Scientific Methodology 1. Make an Observation 2. Ask a Question 3. Make an Inference 4. Form a Hypothesis 5. Test the Hypothesis with Controlled Experiments

Controlled Experiments - Keep track of factors, or variables, that naturally change - Examples: temperature, light, time, etc Independent Variable: the variable that is deliberately changed (manipulated variable; the variable that will produce an effect) Dependent Variable: the variable that is observed and changes in response to the independent variable (responding variable; the variable that depends on the manipulation of the other variable) Control Group: the group that is not treated with the independent variable but is exposed to all other conditions Go through grass and nitrogen levels experiment on board

Scientific Methodology 1. Make an Observation 2. Ask a Question 3. Make an Inference 4. Form a Hypothesis 5. Test the Hypothesis with Controlled Experiments 6. Collect and Analyze Data

Data Collection-Tools

Data Collection-Graphs Line Graph Bar Graph Qualitative vs Quantitative Data Scatter Plot Pie Chart

Scientific Methodology 1. Make an Observation 2. Ask a Question 3. Make an Inference 4. Form a Hypothesis 5. Test the Hypothesis with Controlled Experiments 6. Collect and Analyze Data 7. Develop Conclusions

Ch 1.2: Science in Context

Asking the right kinds of questions Curiosity Skepticism Open-Mindedness Creativity Identifying practical problems Using advances in technology

Communicating Results - Peer Review - Scientific Journals - New Ideas and Questions - Replication of Results

Scientific Theories Well-tested explanations that unify many observations and hypotheses Enable scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations Examples: Gravitational Theory Evolutionary Theory Cell Theory

Science and Society How does science relate to us? Make a list of any current scientific issues that directly influence you - We cannot study science without understanding its role in society

What is science and what isn’t? Ethics and Morality How life works Applying scientific knowledge Bias: a particular preference or point of view that is personal, rather than scientific

Who makes decisions about laws and public policy?

Ch 1.3 Studying Life

Is it alive?

8 Characteristics of Living Things Living things are based on a universal genetic code. Living things reproduce. Living things grow and develop. Living things respond to their environment.

8 Characteristics of Living Things Living things maintain a stable internal environment. Living things obtain and use material and energy. Living things evolve. Living things are made of cells.