1. THE SCIENCE OF BIOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE

3. UNIT OBJECTIVES Define the concept of science as a process.
List the steps of the scientific method
Determine type of variables in a scientific process.
Take an agricultural problem and solve it by applying the scientific method.
List and describe characteristics of living organisms.

4. A Few Questions . . . . What is science? What is biology?
What is agriculture?
What are some components of agriculture?
Why is science important in agriculture?
What is life?
What makes something alive?

5. Science
A process through which nature is studied, discovered, and understood.
All areas of science involve posing inquiries (questions) about nature.

6. Processes of Science Observing Hypothesizing Experimenting Measuring
Collecting data
Organizing data
Analyzing data
Communicating

7. Terms and Definitions
Theory – The most probable explanation based on the best available evidence.
Example: Cell Theory, Theory of Evolution

8. Terms and Definitions
Facts – Data or evidence that can be observed repeatedly
Example: The sun rises in the East and sets in the West

9. Terms and Definitions
Inference – A conclusion drawn on the basis of facts
Example: Your agricultural teacher knows everything

10. Terms and Definitions
Hypothesis – An educated guess – a testable statement
Example: The sidewalk is wet because the sprinklers came on

11. Terms and Definitions
Law – A general statement that describes or explains a wide variety of phenomenon
Example: Law of Thermodynamics, Law of Gravity

12. Terms and Definitions
Superstition – A belief that is not based on evidence
Example: It is considered bad luck to open an umbrella indoors.

13. What are the steps of the scientific method?

14. Scientific Method 1. Stating a problem
Something is considered a problem if its solution is not obvious. Some crucial information is missing. Solving the problem involves finding this missing information.

15. Scientific Method 2. Collecting information on the problem
The more you know about the problem the more precisely you can state the problem and the less time you will waste looking for solutions.

16. Scientific Method 3. Making a hypothesis
a. Use what you know about the problem to predict a solution and try it.
b. Look for patterns that will help you make predictions about the problem.

17. Scientific Method 3. Making a hypothesis
c. Make a model, or a representation, of what you’re working with.
d. Break the problem down into smaller, simpler problems.

18. Scientific Method 4. Performing an experiment
Design an experiment that will provide a means for you to make a solid conclusion about your hypothesis.

19. Scientific Method 5. Make a conclusion
A solid conclusion is related to the hypothesis and based on the results of a well designed experiment.

20. Experimental Design Concepts

21. Experimental Design Concepts
A science experiment is designed so that only one variable is being tested at a time.

22. Experimental Design Concepts
A variable is something that is changed to study how this change affects the thing being studied.

23. Experimental Design Concepts
By changing only one variable, when you make your conclusion you can be assured that it is only that one variable that is causing the effect.

24. Experimental Design Concepts
Independent variable (IV) – The variable that is purposely changed by the experimenter.

25. Experimental Design Concepts
Dependent variable (DV) – The variable that responds and is the variable measured.

26. Experimental Design Concepts
Constant (C) – All factors that are kept the same during the experiment.

27. Experimental Design Concepts
Control – The standard to compare the experimental effect against.

28. Experimental Design Concepts
Repeated Trials (T) – The number of objects/organisms undergoing treatment for each value of the independent variable, or the number of times the experiment is repeated.

29. Solve agricultural problems by applying the scientific method

30. Scenario #1

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35. Scenario #2

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40. Scenario #3

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44. Scenario #3

45. Using your resources answer the following questions in your notes:
What is biology?
What are some sciences that relate to biology? (Name at least five.)
What are some signs of life?
What is homeostasis?
Provide an example of something that moves but is not alive.
What is the difference between multi-cellular and unicellular?
What is a stimulus?
What are the eight levels of organization of life?