1. The Nature of Science
Chapter 1

2. “Science is built up with facts, as a house is with stones
“Science is built up with facts, as a house is with stones. But a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house”. -Jules Henri Poincare

3. “Science” Scientia – Latin for “to know”
Science may seem like it is a series of facts, or ways to explain the universe. HOWEVER, the basis of all science is not the answers.

4. The basis of all science is the
questions.

5. Goal of science
The goal of science is to understand the world around us and the relationships among the “players”. Art, history, language, music, and philosophy also try to do this.

6. The difference is the approach
used to understand the
relationships.

7. Scientific Method
The process (or system) of questions, tests, observations, deductions, and conclusions.

8. Few true scientists rigidly adhere to this system in an orderly manner
Few true scientists rigidly adhere to this system in an orderly manner. In other words, there is no set pattern to this process.

9. Identify the problem
Gather information
Develop a hypothesis through reasoned inductive or deductive thought
Experiment
Collect data
Draw a conclusion
Verify and report results

10. Scientific Method Regardless, scientists all share 3 characteristics:
1)They have confidence that the natural world is explainable in terms we can understand

11. 2)Descriptions and explanations of the world are based on repeated observations that can be changed, or thrown out, by other observations.
3)Willingness to accept the fact that they could be wrong.

12. Limitations of scientific inquiry
Because science is limited to objective (unbiased), observable, measurable phenomena; it cannot make moral or value judgments.

13. For example, science gave
us the atomic bomb, but
science cannot tell us
whether or not it
is right or moral to use it.

14. Science cannot say whether
a painting is beautiful, but it
can analyze people’s
responses to a painting.

15. Science is progressive, self-
correcting, replicating,
competitive and cooperative.

16. Types of Science Physical science – chemistry , physics, geology
Natural Sciences – biology, physiology, anatomy
Social sciences – psychology, sociology

17. Ways to do science… Pure science – science for the sake of knowledge;
Ex: learning how plants use sunlight to make glucose

18. Applied science – science that uses the knowledge gained in pure science; Ex: using knowledge about photosynthesis to develop plants that make large amounts of glucose using very little sun.

19. Biology Bio – “life”; ology – “study of”
There is a need to study biology because we need to study the relationships within, and between living systems in order to understand them

20. Themes in Biology Energy System and interactions
Unity within diversity
Homeostasis
Evolution
Science as a process

21. Hypothesis vs. Theory Hypothesis – an “educated guess” about
what is likely to occur
in an experiment
Ex. If I add bleach to this bacterial culture, then the bacteria will die because bleach is known to kill most cells

22. Hypothesis vs. Theory
Theory – a hypothesis that is repeatedly tested and is unlikely to be disproved
Ex. Germ Theory of Disease – has been shown that “germs” cause many types of diseases

23. Characteristics of Life
Cells are basic units – all living organisms are made up of 1 or many cells
Response to stimuli – all
living organisms respond
and adapt to the stimuli that is presented to them in their environment

24. Characteristics of Life
Growth and development – all living organisms grow and develop throughout their lifespan
Reproduction – all living organisms must have the capability to reproduce in order to carry on their species; but, not every individual within a species must reproduce

25. Characteristics of Life
Homeostasis – all living organisms must maintain constant internal balance
-ex. Constant body temperature in mammals
Need for energy – all living organisms require energy to survive

26. Characteristics of Life
Made up of a genetic code - DNA