Introduction to Living Environment A.K.A Biology!

What is BIOLOGY?  The study of life

What is science?  An organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world  The goal of science is to investigate and understand nature, to explain events of nature, and to use those explanations to make useful predictions.

Group Activity:  Explain why does it rain without using any scientific information.

OBSERVATION  involves using one or more of the senses to gather information  Example: The object is red. The dish tastes sour.

DATA  evidence  Based on observations  Example: there are ## students in this room

QUALITATIVE ccharacteristics that can not be easily measured or counted YYes or no CColor or texture EExample: The desk top is smooth. The ball is blue.

QUANTATATIVE  observations that involve numbers  Counting or measuring objects  Example: There are 5 computers in this room. I have 2 eyes.

INFERENCE  conclusion based on observations  Example: It is a basketball

Hypothesis  a possible explanation for a set of observations  An educated guess  Can be stated as any idea or topic  “If …, then….” Statement.  Useful only in science if it can be tested  Example: Sunflowers grow when they have daily sunshine.  If I water the bean seeds daily, then they will grow.

Inferences based on Observations! ObservationInference Vision It is orangeIt is a basketball Hearing It is tickingIt is a clock Smell It smells spicy.It is a burrito. Taste It is sour.It is a lemon. Touch It is rough.It is sandpaper.

Making observations: Moldy bread  Observe the following picture and answer the following 3 questions: 1. What do you see? 2. Can you describe in detail what you see? 3. What questions would you as a biologist pose after seeing the mold?

Bread Mold

Observation and Inference StatementObservation Inference Object A is round and orange. Object A is a basketball. Object C is larger than Object B. Object B is smooth. Object B is a table-tennis ball. Each object is used in a different sport. Object A is a basketball. Object B is a table-tennis ball. Object C is a soccer ball. Section 1-1 Go to Section: Each object is used in a different sport. X X X X X X X X Section 1-1 Observation and Inference Go to Section: