Biology Concepts Bio 100 Haberkorn Tuesday/Thursday 5:30-6:45 E116

Introductions On a sheet of paper, tell me about your self… Name, where you are from, what is your major, what concerns you have about BIO 100, and anything else you want to tell me about yourself…

Syllabus Best time to talk to me is before or after class. –Or call/ me to set-up an appointment for a time that works for you. Phone:

Book Essential Biology with Physiology –Campbell, Reece, and Simon

Attendance Attendance is required. –No make-up classes –No make-up exams –Let me know as far a head of time as possible if you must be gone.

Grading Final grade = 50% lecture + 50% lab Course is designed for your success –If you turn in your work and take all the exams you will probably get an A, B, or C. –I am here to clarify, re-explain, direct, and answer questions.

Class website –You will want to look at this website frequently for updates and due dates. Everything you need for class will be posted on this website. –Assignments, exam dates, due dates, and powerpoint presentations –Will be posted as needed

Exams 4 exams –Exam will be taken as an individual –Identical exam will be given next class period for groups which I assign. Must take the exam first as an individual and turn in the corresponding assignment to take group exam. Optional final exam

Other stuff Don’t cheat or plagiarize!! If caught you will fail at least that exam, essay… –Don’t help others cheat… Be respectful of instructor and other students

First Quiz September 2 nd –Will only cover the first two lectures

Scientific method

Science Cannot answer all questions Has limitations Moral, political, theological, realms can answer questions science cannot In this class we will focus on science Science is: Physical and Observable

Train exercise A passenger train has lost its breaks and is about to crash, likely killing or injuring all on board On the next set of tracks are several maintenance works. You are the only person near a relay switch that would divert the passenger train onto the open track, saving the passengers but killing the maintenance workers.

Do you throw the switch?

Question 2: Would you push a person onto the tracks to divert the train?

Science can’t tell us which choice is right But can ask the very interesting question, “why do we change our minds between option A and B?”

What do scientists do? Scientists make observations, ask questions about what they observe, and systematically go about answering these questions. Who are scientists? –You are

Scientific Method The scientific method is a process that tests possible answers to questions about nature that have been formulated from careful observations. Answers supported or not supported by the results of these tests are then added to the scientific record.

Attributes of the Method The scientific method is used by scientists to insure that the answers to their questions are based on objective evidence and verifiable. Ideas must be testable and cannot deal with things that are supernatural or non falsifiable, because they are not testable.

Common Elements 1.Observing nature 2.Asking a question 3.Proposing a hypothesis 4.Designing a test 5.Making Predictions 6.Conducting the test 7.Analyzing the results 8.Drawing conclusions

Observing Nature Gathering information using the raw senses or using equipment Keeping careful records of observations Observation=an aspect of a phenomenon that can be witnesses and recorded

What are the differences between A and B? A B

Asking a Question Why does stream A have more algae than stream B? In other words, what causes stream A to have more algae than stream B

Proposing a Hypothesis A hypothesis is a tentative explanation which answers the original question and can be supported or refuted when tested. What caused the algae (similar to aquatic plants) to die off? –?–? –?–? –?–? –?–?

Designing a Test Scientists design experiments to test their hypothesis Experiment=empirical test that provides data to test the validity of a hypothesis Add nutrients (fertilizer) to one stream and add nothing to an other. Then compare amounts of algae.

Making Predictions Often in the form of an “if/then” statement: “If the hypothesis is true, then such-and- such will occur” Draws a specific conclusion from the planed experiment (or test) “The stream with more nutrients will have more algae”

Conducting the Experiment Performing the experiment and collecting data, that will support or refute the hypothesis

Analyzing the Results

Drawing Conclusions The data does/does not support the hypothesis The data acts as additional observations for asking new questions and proposing new hypotheses In this case the Hypothesis was not supported. Added nutrients did not result in more algae

The hypothesis was not supported, so what happens next? Give up? We can re test, maybe we made a mistake with the experiment. Many things can go wrong with experiments and analysis. Test a new hypothesis.

The Relevance of Science Do you have other questions? How do new resistant bacteria come about? Why is it so hard to develop a vaccine for HIV? What is causing Honeybees to disappear? Why is this problem for humans What are the consequences of Global Climate Change?

The Scientific Method The scientific method can be thought of simply as the formalization and application of basic critical thinking skills. It is made up of the actual steps that you routinely go through in any critical thinking process. This is how ALL of science works. Without probably thinking about it consciously, you use the scientific method all of the time.

Assumptions of Science FIRST: It assumes that the Universe is REAL Its not the “Matrix”.

Assumptions of Science SECOND: Science assumes that all phenomena that can be observed reflect the EFFECTS of CAUSES, and that those causes can also be observed and known. Note: this is a very important assumption that prohibits recourse to supernatural powers; it is the critical assumption that sets science distinct from religion

Assumptions of Science Third: it assumes there is unity in nature. In other words, the same set of rules operates (more or less) everywhere in the universe. In other words, the basic "laws" of nature are universal, not ever changing and site specific. So the speed of light in Phoenix is not faster than the speed of light in Tempe

Hypotheses An untested possible explanation to the observations Can have many possible hypotheses Must be testable (experiment)

Theory Tested hypotheses that remain after testing A theory can also be used to predict Not an idea or a guess. A scientific theory is very different from how people talking casually use the word.

Biology: The study of life

Biological science is the application of basic scientific principles to biological questions, applies to all scales Biological Science

Definition of life Intuitive Difficult to define specifically –Different fields of study will define differently Biological definition of life: Self-sustaining biological (chemical) processes

Very ‘small’

Cells

Tissues

Organs and Organ Systems

Organismal

Populations

Communities

Ecosystems

Urban Ecosystems

A Very ‘large’ ecosystem