1. The Nature of Life
Ch. 1

2. What is Science?
The goal of science is to investigate and understand nature, to explain events in nature, and to use those explanations to make useful predictions.
Science – an organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world.
Observation – involves using one or more of the senses – sight, hearing, touch, smell, and sometimes taste to gather information.
Data – the information gathered from observations
Inference – a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience.
Hypothesis – a possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer to a scientific question.

5. When a hypothesis has been tested many times and has never been disproven, it becomes a Theory.

6. Controlled Experiments
Experimental Variables
Manipulated (Independent) vs. Responding (Dependent)

7. Jack wants to find out which laundry detergent cleans the best
Jack wants to find out which laundry detergent cleans the best. So, he takes a cotton sheet and cuts it up into equal squares. He stains four squares with chocolate, and four with grape juice. He washes one of each of the squares in each of the 3 detergents. One from each set of squares is washed in water alone. For each wash load, he used: the same amount of water, the same amount of detergent, and the same water temperature.
Independent Variable:
Dependent Variable:
Control(s):
Constants:
Hypothesis:

8. Characteristics of Living Things
Are made of Cells (a collection of living matter enclosed by a barrier)
Reproduce either by sexual or asexual reproduction
Are based on a universal genetic code
Grow and Develop
Obtain and use materials and energy (metabolism)
Respond to their environment
Maintain a stable internal environment (homeostasis)
Change over time (evolve)