1. Biology: The Study of LIFE

2. What do these have in common? They are biology!!! Biology is the study of life!

3. What is a Biologist? Someone who studies biology (living things)  When you are in this class you are studying living things…YOU ARE A BIOLOGIST! What makes a living thing living?

4. Characteristics of Living Things…  1. orderly structure are organized and made of at least one cell  2. reproduce produce offspring  3. grow increase in the amount of living material and develop all of the changes that take place during the life of an organism

5. Characteristics of Living Things…  4. adjust to changes in the environment maintain homeostasis example- shivering to stay warm  5. adapt (any inherited structure, behavior, or internal process that enables an organism to respond to environmental factors and live to produce offspring) and evolve (the gradual change in a species through adaptations over time)

6. Characteristics of Living Things… all  In order for something to be living it must demonstrate all of the characteristics of living things… An organism is a living thing

7. So…is it living, nonliving, or dead?

8. So, is it living, nonliving, or dead?  Living (biotic)- Demonstrates all five characteristics of living things

9. So, is it living, nonliving, or dead?  Nonliving (abiotic)- Does not demonstrate ALL five of the characteristics of living things (may demonstrate some of them)

10. So, is it living, nonliving, or dead?  characteristics of living things at one time, but… does not currently do so.

11. Scientific Method  Common steps scientists use to gather information and answer questions.  There are no set order to the steps  Usually begins with asking a question or solving a problem

12.  Hypothesize: Make a prediction in the form of “if…then…because…”

13. Experimenting…investigating  A control The part of an experiment that is the standard against which results are compared

14. Experimenting…investigating  Independent variable The condition in the experiment that is being changed

15. Experimenting…investigating  Dependent variable The condition that is being observed/measured during the experiment

16. Analyze  Organize data into a chart or graph  Report the results Conclusion

17. Observing… Gathering Data  Two types of data Qualitative  Descriptions such as color, behavior, etc Quantitative  Numerical measurements such as time, height, mass, etc.

18. Theory vs. Law  A theory is an explanation of a natural phenomenon that is supported by a large body of scientific evidence obtained from many different investigations and observations. Ex. Big bang theory

19. Theory vs. Law  A law is a natural phenomenon that is generally known to be true. Ex. gravity

20. Science and Ethics  Ethics- moral principles and values held by humans  Science cannot answer all questions Good vs. evil Ugly vs. beautiful  Technology is the application of scientific research to society’s needs and problems