2. Biology Bio = life ology = the study of Biology is the study of life. Biology is the study of life. More specifically, it is the scientific study of life (i.e., life science). More specifically, it is the scientific study of life (i.e., life science). Before we define life, let’s look at science. Before we define life, let’s look at science.

3. The Nature of Science Scientific information is a changing body of knowledge. Many “facts” of the past are now known to be false. For example: The Earth was flat The sun revolved around the Earth. Disease was caused by evil spirits. Disease was caused by evil spirits.

4. Science is not a collection of eternal truths. Science is not a collection of eternal truths. Some of what you learn this year will have to be changed one day. Some of what you learn this year will have to be changed one day. Yet this does not mean that science has failed. Yet this does not mean that science has failed. It means that science continues to succeed in advancing our understanding of the natural world. It means that science continues to succeed in advancing our understanding of the natural world.

5. The goal of science is to understand the world around us. The goal of science is to understand the world around us. In the attempt to achieve that goal, scientists use the Scientific Method. In the attempt to achieve that goal, scientists use the Scientific Method. The Scientific Method is a systematic approach to problem solving The Scientific Method is a systematic approach to problem solving

6. The 6 steps of the Scientific Method 1. Observing, questioning, and/or stating a problem 2. Forming a hypothesis - which is a possible explanation or an educated guess about some event in nature

7. The 6 steps of the Scientific Method 3. Testing the hypothesis : - develop a controlled experiment which contains both an experimental set up (which has only one experimental variable--- the thing being tested) and a control set up (which is identical to the experimental set up but does not contain the variable) With this type of set up any questions concerning the results of the experiment can be attributed to the one variable

8. 4. Recording and analyzing data - Careful records of observations and information are kept. The data is usually presented in the form of tables and graphs. - Careful records of observations and information are kept. The data is usually presented in the form of tables and graphs. 5. Forming a conclusion - This is based on the results of the experiment. If the experiment confirms the hypothesis, then the hypothesis gains credibility as to how nature works. If the results disagree with the hypothesis then either the experiment needs to be modified or a new hypothesis needs to be generated

9. 6. Replicating the work - It must be possible for either the original experimenter or other researchers to duplicate, or reproduce, the experimental results.

10. If a hypothesis is confirmed enough that it is unlikely to be disproved by future tests, it may become worthy of being called a theory. A theory is a time-tested concept that makes useful and dependable predictions about the natural world. If a hypothesis is confirmed enough that it is unlikely to be disproved by future tests, it may become worthy of being called a theory. A theory is a time-tested concept that makes useful and dependable predictions about the natural world.

11. To the true scientist, however, the scientific method is more a frame of mind that involves curiosity, creativity, and skepticism. To the true scientist, however, the scientific method is more a frame of mind that involves curiosity, creativity, and skepticism. Skepticism is a refusal to accept an explanation without evidence or proof. Skepticism is a refusal to accept an explanation without evidence or proof. This “prove it” attitude encourages scientists to investigate phenomena and to develop new explanations and ideas. This “prove it” attitude encourages scientists to investigate phenomena and to develop new explanations and ideas.

12. Universal Language: The Metric System

13. So scientists can understand each other’s research, they use a universal system of measurement called the metric system. So scientists can understand each other’s research, they use a universal system of measurement called the metric system. It is also known as the International System of Units, or SI. It is also known as the International System of Units, or SI. It is used to measure length, volume, mass, and temperature. It is used to measure length, volume, mass, and temperature. The metric system is a decimal system based on multiples of 10. The metric system is a decimal system based on multiples of 10. Each unit is ten times larger or ten times smaller than the next unit. Each unit is ten times larger or ten times smaller than the next unit.

14. PREFIXES PREFIXES centi = one hundredth (1/100) centi = one hundredth (1/100) milli = one thousandth (1/1000) milli = one thousandth (1/1000) micro = one millionth (1/1,000,000) micro = one millionth (1/1,000,000) nano = one billionth (1/1,000,000,000) nano = one billionth (1/1,000,000,000) kilo = one thousand (1000) kilo = one thousand (1000)

15. Length The distance from one point to another meter (m) A meter (39.4 inches) is slightly longer than a yard. 1 meter = 100 centimeters (cm) 1 meter = 1000 millimeters (mm) 1 meter = 1,000,000 micrometers (um) 1 meter = 1,000,000,000 nanometers (nm) 1000 meters = 1 kilometer (km)

16. VolumeThe amount of space an object takes up. Liquids Liter (L) A liter ( 1.06 quarts ) is slightly more than a quart. 1 liter= 1000 milliliters ( mL)

17. Solids (cc or cm 3 ) Cubic centimeter is the volume of a solid that measures 1 cm by 1 cm by 1cm. 1 milliliter is equal in volume to 1 cubic centimeter or 1mL = 1cc Solids (cc or cm 3 ) Cubic centimeter is the volume of a solid that measures 1 cm by 1 cm by 1cm. 1 milliliter is equal in volume to 1 cubic centimeter or 1mL = 1cc

18. MassThe amount of matter in an object Gram (g)A gram has a mass equal to about one paper clip. 1000 grams = 1 kilogram (kg) Weight is a measure of the pull of gravity on mass. In outer space, weight may vary with position but its mass always remains the same.

19. TemperatureThe measure of hotness or coldness Degrees0°C = freezing point Celsius (°C) of water 100°C = boiling point of water

20. METRIC - ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS METRIC - ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS 2.54 centimeters (cm) = 1 inch (in.) 2.54 centimeters (cm) = 1 inch (in.) 1 meter (m) = 39.4 inches (in.) or 1.09 yards 1 meter (m) = 39.4 inches (in.) or 1.09 yards 1 kilometer (km) = 0.62 miles (mi) 1 kilometer (km) = 0.62 miles (mi) 1 liter (L) = 1.06 quarts (qt) 1 liter (L) = 1.06 quarts (qt)

21. METRIC - ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS METRIC - ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS 250 milliliters (mL) = 1 cup 250 milliliters (mL) = 1 cup 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb) 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb) 28.3 grams (g) = 1 ounce (oz) 28.3 grams (g) = 1 ounce (oz) °C = 5/9 x (°F-32) °C = 5/9 x (°F-32)