2. The Science of Biology What is Science? 1/38

3. 1.1 What is Science? Not a list of facts or unchanging beliefs Not a list of facts or unchanging beliefs = an organized way of gathering & analyzing evidence about our world = an organized way of gathering & analyzing evidence about our world It is an orderly process It is an orderly process It deals only with the natural world It deals only with the natural world Explanations are suggested based on evidence, not belief Explanations are suggested based on evidence, not belief 2/38

4. 1.1 What is Science? Science wants to… Science wants to… 1. explain natural events 1. explain natural events 2. understand patterns 2. understand patterns 3. make predictions 3. make predictions 3/38

5. 1.1 What is Science? A lot of science remains a mystery because science A lot of science remains a mystery because science never stands still never stands still is always improving is always improving rarely ‘proves’ anything absolutely rarely ‘proves’ anything absolutely We never know FOR SURE. We never know FOR SURE. So we need to learn about science to understand what we know and what we do not know So we need to learn about science to understand what we know and what we do not know 4/38

6. 1.1 What is Science? Scientific Method Scientific Method There isn’t one single method There isn’t one single method But there is a general style But there is a general style Observe & Ask Questions Observe & Ask Questions Infer & Form Hypothesis Infer & Form Hypothesis Design Controlled Experiments Design Controlled Experiments Collect & Analyze Data Collect & Analyze Data Draw Conclusions Draw Conclusions 5/38

7. 1.1 What is Science? Scientific Method – Scientific Method – 1. Observe & Ask Questions notice & describe what’s happening in an orderly way notice & describe what’s happening in an orderly way Leads to questions ->how, why, when, where, which… Leads to questions ->how, why, when, where, which… 6/38

8. 1.1 What is Science? Scientific Method – Scientific Method – 2. Infer & Form Hypothesis After questioning, scientists use more observations to make inferences After questioning, scientists use more observations to make inferences = an idea based on what’s already known = an idea based on what’s already known Inference + imagination = hypothesis Inference + imagination = hypothesis A scientific explanation for a set of observations. It can be tested. A scientific explanation for a set of observations. It can be tested. 7/38

9. 1.1 What is Science? Scientific Method – Scientific Method – 3. Design Controlled Experiments 3. Design Controlled Experiments Testing a hypothesis can involve experiments that keep track of variables. Testing a hypothesis can involve experiments that keep track of variables. Variables = the things that can change Variables = the things that can change You should only change one variable at a time You should only change one variable at a time 8/38

10. 1.1 What is Science? Controlling Variables Controlling Variables If >1 variable is changed at the same time, you can’t tell which variable caused the result. If >1 variable is changed at the same time, you can’t tell which variable caused the result. The variable that you change is the independent variable The variable that you change is the independent variable What you observe changed because of the independent variable is the dependent variable What you observe changed because of the independent variable is the dependent variable 9/38

11. 1.1 What is Science Experiments usually have control and experimental groups Experiments usually have control and experimental groups Control group - treated the same as the experimental group except for one independent variable Control group - treated the same as the experimental group except for one independent variable Experiments are often repeated Experiments are often repeated More data is more reliable! More data is more reliable! 10/38

12. 1.1 What is Science? Scientific Method – Scientific Method – 4. Collect & Analyze Data 4. Collect & Analyze Data Scientist keep detailed records = data…there are 2 kinds Scientist keep detailed records = data…there are 2 kinds Quantitative data – numbers Quantitative data – numbers Counted or measured Counted or measured Qualitative data – descriptions Qualitative data – descriptions 11/38

13. 1.1 What is Science? Research Tools Research Tools Meter stick (pretty simple!) Meter stick (pretty simple!) Calculator/Computer Calculator/Computer Robot (more complex!) Robot (more complex!) Charts/Graphs Charts/Graphs Sources of error Sources of error Researchers must be careful -avoid error in data collection/analysis Researchers must be careful -avoid error in data collection/analysis Ex: Use a LARGE sample size Ex: Use a LARGE sample size 12/38

14. 1.1 What is Science? Scientific Method – Scientific Method – 5. Draw Conclusions 5. Draw Conclusions Use the data to support/refute the hypothesis Use the data to support/refute the hypothesis Hypotheses are often not totally right or wrong Hypotheses are often not totally right or wrong Tweek or totally change the hypothesis, make new predictions, and design a new experiment! Tweek or totally change the hypothesis, make new predictions, and design a new experiment! 13/38

15. 1.1 What is Science? When experiments aren’t possible When experiments aren’t possible In nature - hypothesis is then developed & tested by observation In nature - hypothesis is then developed & tested by observation If unethical – look for the situation out there If unethical – look for the situation out there Believe a gas gives cancer…can’t force someone to breathe it. Are there people out there who have already been exposed? Believe a gas gives cancer…can’t force someone to breathe it. Are there people out there who have already been exposed? 14/38

16. 1.1 What is Science? 15/38 Click here for Mr Anderson Scientific Method start at 4:50

17. 1.2 Science in Context Good scientists are Good scientists are Curious Curious Question, question, question Question, question, question Skeptical Skeptical Show me proof! Show me proof! Open-minded Open-minded Accepting of new ideas Accepting of new ideas Creative Creative Makes for good experiment design Makes for good experiment design 16/38

18. 1.2 Science in Context Ideas for investigations? Ideas for investigations? When there is a practical problem that needs to be solved. When there is a practical problem that needs to be solved. When discoveries in science lead to new technology. The new technology let scientists ask new questions/gather data in new ways When discoveries in science lead to new technology. The new technology let scientists ask new questions/gather data in new ways 17/38

19. 1.2 Science in Context Communicating Results Communicating Results Peer review Peer review Publishing in sci journals allows researchers to share ideas, test/evaluate each other’s work (look for mistakes/other problems) Publishing in sci journals allows researchers to share ideas, test/evaluate each other’s work (look for mistakes/other problems) Share data and new ideas Share data and new ideas Click here for NIH website Click here for NIH website Click here for NIH website Click here for NIH website 18/38

20. 1.2 Science in Context Scientific Theories Scientific Theories Theory = well-tested explanation accounting for a lot of observations and hypotheses and that lets scientists make good predictions Theory = well-tested explanation accounting for a lot of observations and hypotheses and that lets scientists make good predictions A useful theory is tested/supported in many ways A useful theory is tested/supported in many ways No theory is thought to be absolute truth No theory is thought to be absolute truth 19/38

21. 1.2 Science in Context Science and Society Science and Society Are inter-related Are inter-related Using science involves understanding its context in society and its limitations Using science involves understanding its context in society and its limitations Science does not include ethical or moral views though Science does not include ethical or moral views though Scientists can try to define life but not why life exists or what the meaning of life is Scientists can try to define life but not why life exists or what the meaning of life is 20/38

22. 1.2 Science in Context Science and Society Science and Society Bias = a preference or point of view that is personal rather than scientific Bias = a preference or point of view that is personal rather than scientific Examples: personal taste, liking some things over others Examples: personal taste, liking some things over others Scientists try to avoid bias! Scientists try to avoid bias! 21/38

23. 1.3 Studying Life Biology is the study of life Biology is the study of life But what IS life? But what IS life? No single characteristic makes something living! No single characteristic makes something living! So there is a list… So there is a list… 22/38

24. 1.3 Studying Life Characteristics of living things Characteristics of living things 1. made of cells 1. made of cells 2. based on a universal genetic code 2. based on a universal genetic code 3. obtain and use materials & energy 3. obtain and use materials & energy 4. grow and develop 4. grow and develop 5. reproduce 5. reproduce 6. respond to the environment 6. respond to the environment 7. maintain stable internal environment 7. maintain stable internal environment 8. change over time 8. change over time 23/38

25. 1.3 Studying Life Big Ideas in Biology Big Ideas in Biology All parts of bio are tied together by big ideas All parts of bio are tied together by big ideas We’ll study the ideas in the course We’ll study the ideas in the course Cellular Basis of Life Cellular Basis of Life Info and Heredity Info and Heredity Matter and Energy Matter and Energy Growth, Development, & Reproduction Growth, Development, & Reproduction Homeostasis Homeostasis Evolution Evolution Structure and Function Structure and Function Unity and Diversity of Life Unity and Diversity of Life Interdependence in Nature Interdependence in Nature Science as a Way of Knowing Science as a Way of Knowing 24/38

26. 1.3 Studying Life Big Idea  Cellular Basis of Life Big Idea  Cellular Basis of Life Living things are made of cells Living things are made of cells Some living things are only 1 cell Some living things are only 1 cell = unicellular = unicellular Plants and animals have many cells Plants and animals have many cells = multicellular = multicellular The cells in a multicellular organism show lots of different sizes, shapes, and functions The cells in a multicellular organism show lots of different sizes, shapes, and functions 25/38

27. 1.3 Studying Life Big Idea  Information & Heredity Big Idea  Information & Heredity Living things carry info in their DNA Living things carry info in their DNA DNA is a universal genetic code DNA is a universal genetic code Meaning it is found in ALL living things Meaning it is found in ALL living things The DNA in your cells right now can influence your future The DNA in your cells right now can influence your future Risk of getting cancer, cholesterol level in your blood, etc. Risk of getting cancer, cholesterol level in your blood, etc. 26/38

28. 1.3 Studying Life Big Idea  Matter and Energy Big Idea  Matter and Energy Life needs nutrients (matter) to build body parts Life needs nutrients (matter) to build body parts Life needs energy to fuel the body Life needs energy to fuel the body Some living things get energy from the sun & take up nutrients from the air, water, soil Some living things get energy from the sun & take up nutrients from the air, water, soil Other living things eat to get both nutrients and energy Other living things eat to get both nutrients and energy The need for matter/energy ties all living things together The need for matter/energy ties all living things together 27/38

29. 1.3 Studying Life Big Idea  Growth, Development, and Reproduction Big Idea  Growth, Development, and Reproduction All living things reproduce All living things reproduce Offspring are usually smaller than adults so they have to grow & dev Offspring are usually smaller than adults so they have to grow & dev Generalized cells become more different and specialized for a particular function Generalized cells become more different and specialized for a particular function 28/38

30. 1.3 Studying Life Big Idea  Homeostasis Big Idea  Homeostasis Living things keep a fairly stable internal environment Living things keep a fairly stable internal environment For most organisms, homeostasis problems lead to serious or deadly health issues For most organisms, homeostasis problems lead to serious or deadly health issues 29/38

31. 1.3 Studying Life Big Idea  Evolution Big Idea  Evolution Evolutionary change ties ALL life to a common ancestor more than 3.5 billion years ago. Evolutionary change ties ALL life to a common ancestor more than 3.5 billion years ago. Evidence? Evidence? Fossils Fossils Physical structures Physical structures Protein structure Protein structure DNA sequences DNA sequences 30/38

32. 1.3 Studying Life Big Idea  Structure & Function Big Idea  Structure & Function Each major group of living things has evolved its own set of body parts which make certain functions possible Each major group of living things has evolved its own set of body parts which make certain functions possible 31/38

33. 1.3 Studying Life Big Idea  Unity & Diversity of Life Big Idea  Unity & Diversity of Life All living things are similar at the molecular level All living things are similar at the molecular level Common set of carbon based molecules Common set of carbon based molecules Have DNA Have DNA Use protein to build body parts and carry out functions Use protein to build body parts and carry out functions 32/38

34. 1.3 Studying Life Big Idea  Interdependence in Nature Big Idea  Interdependence in Nature All living things are part of the biosphere All living things are part of the biosphere Living things are linked to each other & to the land, water, air Living things are linked to each other & to the land, water, air Relationships b/w living things and their environment depend on the cycling of matter and flow of energy Relationships b/w living things and their environment depend on the cycling of matter and flow of energy Human life depends on nature! Human life depends on nature! 33/38

35. 1.3 Studying Life Big Idea  Science as a Way of Knowing Big Idea  Science as a Way of Knowing Science is not a list of facts Science is not a list of facts Science uses observation, questions, and experiments to explain the natural world Science uses observation, questions, and experiments to explain the natural world 34/38

36. 1.3 Studying Life Fields of Biology Fields of Biology Global Ecology Global Ecology Using satellites & computers, we can learn about people’s global impact which affects all life Using satellites & computers, we can learn about people’s global impact which affects all life Biotechnology Biotechnology Based on the ability to read, write, and edit the genetic code Based on the ability to read, write, and edit the genetic code Maybe we can correct or replace genes that cause disease Maybe we can correct or replace genes that cause disease Bio tech raises lots of ethical, legal, and social questions Bio tech raises lots of ethical, legal, and social questions 35/38

37. 1.3 Studying Life Fields of Biology Fields of Biology Ecology & Evolution of Diseases Ecology & Evolution of Diseases Knowing how pathogens change and react to their environment is important for keeping people healthy Knowing how pathogens change and react to their environment is important for keeping people healthy Genomics and Molecular Biology Genomics and Molecular Biology Analyze DNA to learn about growth, development, and history of life Analyze DNA to learn about growth, development, and history of life 36/38

38. 1.3 Studying Life Fields of Biology Fields of Biology Biology is made up of many over lapping fields that use different tools to study life from the level of molecules to the whole planet. Biology is made up of many over lapping fields that use different tools to study life from the level of molecules to the whole planet. 37/38

39. 1.3 Studying Life Running Experiments Running Experiments Metric System is usually used Metric System is usually used Geophysical and King Henry Geophysical and King Henry Write down the basic metric units Write down the basic metric units Work safely Work safely Goggles Goggles Gloves Gloves Follow all instructions! Follow all instructions! 38/38

40. So, we are gonna do some engineering…