Biology: The Study of Life

What is Science?? “knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method “ -Merriam Webster Dictionary Latin – scire = to know; sciens = having knowledge

What is NOT science? Science is based on facts and empirical evidence Scientific knowledge is based on conclusions from using scientific method THEREFORE, anything that can not be tested using the scientific method is NOT science –Opinion –Abstract thoughts/ideas –Religion –Non-repetitive events/historical events

What are the Sciences? Biology Zoology Botany Ecology Astronomy Geology Archaeology Paleontology Meteorology Chemistry Physics Physiology Paleobotany Geophysics ….and so many more!!!!!

Biology The study of living things “bio” – Greek (bios) for “life” “logy” – Greek (logos) for “study” Not just animals Other branches within biology –Ecology – interaction of living things with the environment and each other –Botany – study of plants –Zoology – study of animals –Entomology – study of insects –Herpetology – study of reptiles –Ornithology – study of birds –Pathology – study of diseases –Virology – study of viruses –List goes on and on and on and on and on!!!!!

The Reasons for Science Observations of the world Natural inquisitiveness Innate desire for knowledge Satiate curiosity Improve life Solve/prevent problems Make predictions

The Reasons for Biology Life is all around us We interact with living things Living things interact with us Understand the “why’s” and “how’s” of life Make predictions Prevent/solve problems Inspire

Some Famous Scientists Archimedes Aristotle Hippocrates Galileo Sir Isaac Newton Leonardo Da Vinci Charles Darwin Albert Einstein Robert Hooke Watson & Crick Ben Franklin Thomas Edison Gregor Mendel John Audubon Marie Curie Rosalind Franklin

How is science done? Scientific Method: –Observe –State a problem/ask question –Collect background information –Formulate hypothesis –Test the hypothesis – experiment –Draw conclusion –Repeat testing of the hypothesis –Publish

Observations How do we observe?? –Sight –Sound –Touch/Feel –Smell –Taste

What’s a Hypothesis? NOT AN EDUCATED GUESS!!! Possible solution to the problem or question that is testable

A Controlled Experiment An experiment where only one variable is manipulated/changed Variable – factor that affects the outcome of the experiment Manipulated variable – factor that is changed (aka – independent variable) Responding variable – outcome of the experiment as a direct result of the manipulated variable (aka – dependent variable)

Control The control is the part of an experiment where the variable is not changed The control is necessary for comparison purposes Without a control, one would not know if the independent variable influenced the result of the experiment

Types of Observations/Data Quantitative – specific information that involves measurements –250 kg –30 cars Qualitative – information that describes characteristics such as color, relative size, texture... etc. –Heavy –Many cars

How is Data Analyzed? Use graphs –Bar –Line –Scatter plot –Histograms Use charts –Pie charts –Tables

Quantitative Data & Analysis Date Reg Super Premium 7/6/2011 $ 3.51 $ 3.61 $ /7/2011 $ 3.59 $ 3.69 $ /11/2011 $ 3.59 $ 3.69 $ /12/2011 $ 3.63 $ 3.73 $ /13/2011 $ 3.63 $ 3.73 $ /14/2011 $ 3.65 $ 3.75 $ /18/2011 $ 3.67 $ 3.77 $ /19/2011 $ 3.67 $ 3.77 $ /20/2011 $ 3.67 $ 3.79 $ /25/2011 $ 3.67 $ 3.79 $ /26/2011 $ 3.72 $ 3.82 $ /27/2011 $ 3.71 $ 3.80 $ /28/2011 $ 3.71 $ 3.81 $ /1/2011 $ 3.69 $ 3.79 $ /2/2011 $ 3.69 $ 3.79 $ /3/2011 $ 3.69 $ 3.79 $ /29/2011 $ 3.53 $ 3.63 $ /30/2011 $ 3.53 $ 3.63 $ /31/2011 $ 3.53 $ 3.63 $ 3.73

Conclusion After analyzing and interpreting the data, a conclusion must be made regarding the hypothesis Data can either support the hypothesis or refute the hypothesis Experiment is often repeated –Getting the same result increases confidence –Reduces the chance of a fluke or coincidence –Allows time for further thought and analysis of procedures

Publish The conclusion is often published so others can learn from your experience. Others can proofread…look for errors and information you overlooked. Others can improve your experiment. If others try and get the same result, it makes your conclusion even stronger. Prevents “reinventing the wheel”

Science is Dynamic! Information or facts in science is changing! –New discoveries –Better technology –More information Information must be continuously monitored and tested…kept updated. Examples: –Pluto –Dinosaurs

Now That’s Just WRONG!!! Sometimes hypotheses can not be tested using experiments because of ethics. Ethics – the belief of right vs. wrong Examples: –Animal testing –Human experimentation –Stem cell research (embryonic vs. adult) –Cloning The alternative: find a different method such as computer simulations