Word Roots and Scientific Method The Science of Biology

Word Roots Word roots are usually based in Greek or Latin They are the backbone of many words we use If you know word roots they can be valuable You can break a word down to determine it’s meaning

Word Root Meaning a or an not or non endo inner, inside aero needing oxygen or air anti against aqua water arthro joint auto self bi two, twice, double bio life, living chloro green cyto cell genesis origin, beginning herba plants hetero different homo alike, similar hydro

Word Root Meaning hemo blood intra within, inside logy study of mono one, single micro small macro large multi many phobia dislike, fear philia like photo light poly sub lesser, below troph eat, consume tri three zoo, zoa animal Inter between

What is Science? Science--organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world Goals: Investigate and understand natural world to explain events. Use explanations to make useful predictions

Studying Life Biology is the study of living things “Bio” – life; “ology” – study Is it Alive? What were some characteristics you determined from the video?

Characteristics of Living Things Nonliving things share some characteristics with living things, but not all 5 characteristics of living things 1. Made up of cells 2. Reproduce 3. Based on genetic code (i.e. DNA)

Characteristics of Living Things 4. Metabolism—use energy to build up and break down materials for life Eating Growing Producing waste 5. Homeostasis—maintain stable internal conditions Respond to environment i.e. maintain body temperature MUST have ALL 5 characteristics to be considered a LIVING thing

Scientist Specialization Biologists Ecologists Population biologists Zoologists Cellular biologists Molecular biologists

Scientific Method An organized way of solving problems 1.Observations and questions 2.Hypothesis 3.Experimental procedure 4.Record results 5.Draw conclusions

1. Observations and Questions What you see Inferences are your logical interpretations of what you see. Questions then arise……. Why should I care? Observe that plants near my neighbors yard grow bigger than the others in my yard.

2. Hypothesis “If……then……” Hypothesis-scientific and testable explanation for observations “If……then……” If I put fertilizer on my plants, then they will grow bigger

3. Experimental Procedure Experimental procedure- designed to test hypothesis Split subjects you are testing into groups: #1 Experimental Group-given the experimental factor or changed in some way #2 Control Group:-NOT changed Experimental Group Fertilizer Control Group No Fertilizer

Variable-factor in experiment that is subject to change. Independent variable- factor in experiment that’s changed purposely and independently—fertilizer Dependent variable —factor that a scientist observes and that depends on what they scientist did in the procedure—plant height and ? Only test ONE independent variable while having many constants.

Must be a controlled, reproducible procedure Testing effects of only ONE manipulated Independent variable while having MANY constants!!! Other scientists need to be able to reproduce it and find same results.

EXPERIMENT EXPERIMENTAL GROUP Difference is the independent variable CONTROL GROUP Compare the dependent variable Check the results in time Check the results in time

4. Results Record data Qualitative data -physical traits (qualities) that can be described Quantitative data -measurements (quantities) that can be taken Pictures, tables, graphs Trends noticed

Qualitative? Quantitative? Experimental Group Control Group fertilizer no fertilizer

Science has a common measurement system Metric system or (SI)- a measurement system used worldwide by scientists based on multiples of 10 Mass-grams (g) Volume-liters (L) Distance-meters (m) Temperature- Kelvin (K) or Celsius (OC)

5. Drawing Conclusions Hypothesis is either supported or rejected. NEVER “PROVEN!” If supported further testing If rejected hypothesis changed and tested again Can be partly true Findings always useful!!! Conclusion?

Overview State the Question or Problem Draw a Conclusion Section 1-2 State the Question or Problem Draw a Conclusion Form a Hypothesis Publish Results Set Up a Controlled Experiment Record Results

Limitations When experiments are not possible Animals in natural habitat Ethical concerns Current lack of technology needed

Scientific Theory Theory-a well-supported explanation of some aspect of the natural world It’s the closest you can get to scientific fact It’s a hypothesis than has been tested and supported many times Used to make future predictions Not “a hunch” like it means in everyday language If contradictory evidence found, theory revised There is no evidence against them A hypothesis is a POSSIBLE explanation, whereas a theory IS an explanation