The Science of Biology

What is Biology? Biology is the study of living organisms and their interactions with each other and their environment.

It includes general truths or laws It applies the scientific method It is considered a “natural science” Relies on quantitative data

Scientific Reasoning Inductive Uses related observations to arrive at a conclusion May be quantitative or qualitative Scientist infers based on evidence (induction) Used in descriptive science (discovery) Goes from specific to general

Deductive Hypothesis based Uses a general principle or law to predict results Begins with a question or problem and a potential answer that can be tested Goes from general to specific

What is the next number in the sequence 6, 13, 20, 27,… All math teachers are over 7 feet tall. Mr. D. is a math teacher. Therefore, Mr. D is over 7 feet tall.

Basic vs. Applied Science Basic is pure science, it is designed to gain knowledge whether or not it may be useful. Applied science tries to use science to solve a problem…. technology

The Scientific Method Start with a question or problem about an observation Propose a hypothesis-an explanation that can be tested Should be falsifiable (disproven) Science doesn’t prove things are true because we are always learning more and understanding changes

Experiment Designed to eliminate the hypothesis Variable-part of the experiment that changes Control group remains the same in all ways-does not contain the variable being tested

The Diversity of Life Evolution is the source of the diversity of life on our planet. Gradual changes form new species from old ones. This means living things show relationships to each other. Shown in phylogenetic tree

Branches of Biology Molecular / biochemical biology studies processes at those levels (DNA, RNA, Proteins)

Microbiology studies single celled organisms

Zoology-animals (ornithology, primatology, ichthyology)

Botany-plants

Human-specializes in specific systems such as neurobiology, anatomy, developmental, immunology, genetics