The Science of BiologyCh. 1

What is Science?• Science studying the natural

world around us; MUST be open to tests, discussion and CHANGE

• How do we Test things in our world?– We learn through patterns and

connections between different ideas

• Does Science “prove” things?– Most of the time…no. Researchers

find small amounts of information through tests and over time really just increase our understanding of our world

How do we Test the Natural World?• Scientific Methodology:1) Observation- we notice/describe a situation2) Hypothesis- testable scientific explanation for observations based on information3) Controlled Experiment- Find a way to test just one variable in your hypothesis

Independent variable- one that changes in the experiment

Dependent variable- one that changes as result of the independent variableIn an experiment there should always be a group not affected by the independent variable called a control group

How do we Test the Natural World?4) Analyze Data- review the results from the experiment and compare it to the hypothesis

Quantitative data- measured by numbers

Qualitative data- measures by words5) Conclusion- show hypothesis to be correct or invalid6) Adjust hypothesis and repeat process

Example

You Try• Observation: You friend seems to have more energy

during Biology class when he/she drinks coffee before the class.

• Hypothesis?

• Dependent Variables?

• Independent Variables?

• Design an experiment?

• What is your control group?

Discussing Science• What makes a good scientist?– Curious– Skeptic– Open-minded– Creative

• How does technology aid scientific discoveries?– As science allows technology to

upgrade, technology allows science to make further discoveries

– Telescopes, microscopes, computers, etc…

Theories and Laws• Theories– are based on extensive

observations and experiments but can change over time as more information is found

• Laws– are always consistent and do

not change

Problems with Science• What problems can occur with

the scientific method?– Errors mistakes in the data or

the use of the data may give false information

– Bias personal views on issues can alter how you see your results

• Peer Review Publications:– To help stop mistakes in science,

experimental data is published in Peer Review Articles so other scientists can share and retest the results of others

What is Biology• “Bio-” life; living things• “-logy” the study of• Biology is the study of life• What makes a living thing?1) Made of cells2) Genetic Code3) Grow and Develop4) React to their environment 5) Reproduce6) Maintain homeostasis 7) Evolve over time8) Consume material and energy

What is Biology1) Made of Cells cell is the smallest

unit of life and a living thing must be made of at least one cell

2) Genetic Code All living things have their genetic information stored in DNA

3) Grow and Develop all living this have stages of growth and a life cycle

4) React to their Environment all living things react to stimulus from their environment

What is Biology5) Reproduce all living things must reproduce and pass on their DNA in some form6) Maintain Homeostasis all living things must adjust their internal environment as they develop/react to stimulus7) Evolve over time all living things change over time as generations pass on their DNA and reproduce8) Consume Materials/Energy all living things have a metabolism and must use materials/energy to survive

What Do We Study in Biology1) Cellular Life2) Heredity3) Matter and Energy4) Growth, Development,

and Reproduction5) Homeostasis6) Evolution7) Structure and Function8) Diversity of Life9) Interdependence10)Explaining our Knowledge

What Future Do You have in Biology?1) Ecology2) Biotechnology3) Disease4) Evolution5) Genomics6) Molecular Biology

Homework1) Read Ch. 1 and do

vocabulary lists2) Do the “Apply

Vocabulary” for each section in CH. 1 and p. 23-24, #1-15 in your notebook.

3) Read Ch.2

Wow! Biology is SO cool!