Th 08/29 F 08/30Journal #1 What are the
characteristics of Living Organisms?
Th 08/29 F 08/30Journal #1 What are the
characteristics of Living Organisms?
• Made of Cells• Organized• Reproduce • Grow and Develop• Use energy• Respond and adjust to a stimulus• Homeostasis
Check question
• Are viruses considered living?
The Methods of Biology
The Scientific Method
1. Observation
2. Hypothesis
3. Design an Experiment
4. Collect Data
5. Conclusion
6. Present the Results
Hypothesis
• An explanation for a question or a problem that can be tested.
• It is NOT a random guess!!!
• Question: How does sunlight affect plant growth?
• Example Hypothesis: An increase in sunlight will improve plant growth.
ExperimentCollecting information under controlled
conditions
• Control: part of an experiment that is a standard against which results are compared.– Receives no experimental treatment. – Plant #1 Receives the regular 9 hours of sunlight
in the greenhouse
• Independent Variable: the condition that is tested (controlled change by the scientist)– Amount of Sunlight will be changed– All other conditions must remain the same
• Dependent variable: the condition that the changed factor effects– Plant growth (height)
• Collect Data
• Quantitative Data: numerical– Measurements of time, temperature,
height, mass, area, etc.
• Qualitative Data: descriptions– Examples: wilted or turgid, healthy or dying
Conclusion
• Was the hypothesis supported by the results of the experiment?
• Is more data needed?– Experiment need to be repeated several
times with similar results – Experiments need to be reviewed by other
scientists
Journal #2: List the Steps of the
Scientific Method
Identify the…Control GroupIndependent Variable- condition that is testedDependent Variable- the condition that changed
Mr. Jones thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Mr. Jones counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.
Identify the…Control Group: Group BIndependent Variable: Juice Dependent Variable: Amount of Stacks of paper
Mr. Jones thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Mr. Jones counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.
Reporting Results
• Results and conclusions of scientific experiments are reported in scientific journals.
• This sharing of information allows other scientists to verify results as well as relate the information to their own work.
Theories
• Theory: An explanation of a natural phenomenon that is supported by a large amount of scientific evidence
• Law: statements that describe, predict, and sometimes explain why an aspect of the world behaves as it does. They are based on many different experiments and a vast range of data.
Next: Scientific Methods Lab
Over the 3 day weekend…
Study, Study, Study!!!!