The Science of Biology Chapter 1

What is Science?  Think about it……..  Long ago someone looked around and wondered, how did all this come to be?  Science is

What Science Is and Is Not.  Science is a way of knowing. It refers to the body of knowledge that scientific studies have gathered over the years.  Science  Scientists  Scientists

The Goals of Science  To provide natural explanations for events in the natural world.  Science also

Science, Change and Uncertainty  Over the centuries, scientists have gathered an enormous amount of information about the natural world.  This knowledge helps us cure diseases, place satellites in orbit and send instantaneous electronic communications.  Despite all this and much more, nature still tends to be a mystery to us. It is always changing and we are always trying to keep up.

Science, Change and Uncertainty  Nearly every scientific discovery and innovations leads to more questions than answers.  Research yields surprises that points scientists in unexpected directions.  This does not mean science fails, it shows that science continues to constantly advance! It is never stagnant.

Scientific Methodology  Scientific methodology involves observing and asking questions, making inferences and forming hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

Observing and Asking Questions.  Scientific investigations begin with

Inferring and Forming a Hypothesis  After posing questions, scientists use further observations to make inferences.  An ___________ is a logical interpretation based on what scientists already know.  A __________ is a scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested in ways that support or reject it.

Designing Controlled Experiments  Testing a scientific hypothesis involves designing an experiment that keeps track of various factors.  A hypothesis should be tested by an experiment in which only one variable is changed.  This is called a ___________________.

Controlling Variables  If several variables are changed in one experiment, researchers can not easily tell which variable is responsible for the results.  The variable that is deliberately changes is called the ________________.  The variable that is observed and that changes in response to the independent variable is called the ________________.

Control and Experiments Groups  Typically an experiment is divided into control and experimental groups.  The _____________ is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group except for one independent variable.

Collecting and Analyzing Data  Scientists make detailed records of experimental observations, gathering information called data.  Quantitative data  Qualitative data

Drawing Conclusions  Scientists use experimental data as evidence to support, refute or revise the hypothesis being tested, and to draw a valid conclusion.

When Experiments are not Possible  Sometimes ______ prevents certain types of experiments. Especially on humans!  Bioethics is a fascinating and disturbing world at times!