Intro to Biology

Goals Come up with a class definition of the term “science” Explain the difference between scientific theory and law Identify and understand the guidelines of science

Vocabulary Hypothesis – Statement or predictions that can be tested Scientific theory – A well tested explanation of natural events Scientific law – An observation that happens every time under a set of conditions Applied science- the practical use of scientific information to improve human life Pure science – The gathering of new information or the discovery of a new relationship or fact for sake of knowledge Natural phenomena – An observable event that is not man-made; something that occurs in nature

What is science? Here are some definitions from the web: “a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws” “systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation” “systematized knowledge in general” “knowledge, as of facts or principles; knowledge gained by systematic study” What do these definitions have in common? C C C C C C C C

What is Science? What will our definition be? Science has a system or process Science is knowledge What will our definition be?

Something to consider Why do you think that is? Science does not deal with the supernatural in any way Supernatural: “attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature” Limited to natural explanations of how the world works Why do you think that is?

Guidelines of science Scientific explanations come from: Observations Evidence Testing Hypothesis must be testable: Observation Background knowledge Logic Science can change when new data is introduced Scientific data and findings must always have gone through peer review and verification before being accepted. Must be able to reproduce results

Characteristics of Life

Goals To identify and explain the characteristics of life

How are all living things alike?

Characteristics Living things… Are made up of units called cells Reproduce Are based on a universal genetic code Grow and develop Obtain and use materials and energy Respond to their environment Maintain a stable internal temperature

1. Cells-Smallest unit of life Unicellular=1 cell Multicellular=many cells

2. Reproduce Sexual=2 different parents Asexual=single parent (cloning, budding)

3. Genetic Code Directions for inheritance (DNA)

4. Growth and Development Growth=getting larger Development=changing shape and structure Differentiation=cells look different and perform different functions

5. Use Energy Metabolism=chemical reactions in the body Animals eat to obtain energy Plants photosynthesize

6. Response to Environment Stimulus=signal Response=reaction

7. Stable internal environment Homeostasis-maintaining constant internal conditions (sameness)

8. Evolution Changing over time

Viruses

Goals Compare and contrast the structures and characteristics of viruses with living and non-living things

What is a virus? A microorganism Can only reproduce by infecting a living cell Enter the cell and use the machinery of the infected cell to produce more virus Surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid

Characteristic Virus “Living things” Structure Capsid Cell Reproduction Only with host cell Asexual or Sexual Genetic Code DNA or RNA DNA Growth and Development No Yes Obtain and Use Energy Responds to Environment Change over time (evolve)