Chapter 1 – The Study of Life Flushing High School Biology Skills Ms. Ferris

Chapter 1 Learning Targets I can explain the characteristics of science I can compare something that is scientific with something that is pseudoscientific I can describe the importance of the metric system and SI I can describe the difference between an observation and an inference I can differentiate among control, independent variable, and dependent variable I can identify the scientific methods a biologist uses for research

Chapter 1 - Vocabulary Science = A body of knowledge based on the study of nature Theory = Explanation of a natural occurrence based on many observations and investigations over time Peer Review = A process that ensures that other scientists can repeat one another’s experiments and evaluate the results Metric System = A measurement system used by scientists around the world. It is based on divisions of ten SI = Abbreviation for the International System of Units that scientists use: meters (m); grams (g); volume (L) Forensics = The field of study that applies science to matters of legal interest and other areas such as archaeology Ethics = A set of values – helps to distinguish right from wrong Observation = Orderly and direct way of gathering information about a natural occurrence Inference = Assumption based on prior experience Scientific Method = A procedure that helps to solve problems through observations, forming a hypothesis, experimenting, gathering and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions Hypothesis = A testable explanation of a situation Serendipity = Occurrence of accidental or unexpected but fortunate outcomes Experiment = Procedure performed in a controlled setting to test a hypothesis and collect data Control Group = The group not getting the factor (thing) being tested Experimental Group = The group getting the factor (thing) being tested Independent Variable = The one factor (thing) that can be changed in an experiment – its what’s being tested and affects the experiment outcome Dependent Variable = The factor (thing) being measured in an experiment Constant = A factor (thing) that remains fixed during an experiment Data = Information gained from scientific investigation Qualitative Data = Descriptive information such as color or behavior Quantitative Data = Information described using numbers Safety Symbol = A picture representing a specific danger that may be present in a lab activity

What is Science? Science is a body of knowledge based on the study of nature. Biology is one kind of science – what are some others? Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science…

Directions: Fill in the boxes with these titles Put glue on the back of “Characteristics of Science” DO NOT GLUE THE WHOLE THING DOWN!!! Match the descriptions shown and glue in behind the flaps.

Asks new questions Welcomes research Relies on data and observations Tests claims Glue on back of here. Does not ask new questions Does not welcome more research Ignores observations and data that do not match beliefs Makes claims that cannot be tested Claims are often mixtures of fact and opinion

five senses observation educated guess forecast will happen future Eyes: Sight Tongue: Taste Nose: Smell Ears: Hearing Sound Touch observation educated guess forecast will happen future evidence While inferences are attempts to explain what is happening or what has already happened, predictions are attempts to determine what will happen in the future.

answer universal hypothesis experience If ….. Then…. patterns exception supported nature true true wrong disproven

The variables that the scientist wants to remain constant and controlled in the experiment so he/she can better observe the dependent variable (what’s being measured). This group is used for comparison. A factor or part of an experiment that differs by amount. Experiments often have three variables: controlled, independent, and dependent. The variable changed by the scientist. A good experiment has only ONE independent variable. As the scientist changes the independent variable, he or she makes observations about what happens and collects data. The variable you measure in the experiment. It responds to or “depends” on the independent variable.