1. Characteristics of Living Things
Ch. 1-3 pg.15

2. Biology – study of living things
All living things share the following characteristics

3. Living things…
Are made up of cells

4. reproduce

5. Based on a universal genetic code (DNA or RNA)

6. Grow and develop

7. Obtain and use materials and energy

8. Respond to their environment

9. Maintain a stable internal environment (homeostasis)

10. Change over time

11. Is this living?

12. Is this living?

13. Organization of living things
Cells → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism

14. Major Body Systems Word Bank: Circulatory system Integumentary system
Reproductive System
Digestive system
Lymphatic System
Respiratory system
Endocrine system
Muscular system
Skeletal system
Excretory System
Nervous System

15. Scientific Method The Scientific Method is a model, or a guide to
solve problems.
STEPS:
1. Make an observation / Ask a question
Decide: What are you trying to find out?
2. Make a Hypothesis
Educated guess about what you predict might happen.
This is your proposed solution to the problem.

16. Scientific Method Steps
3. Design an Experiment to test your hypothesis.
Write a step-by-step, detailed list of procedures you will follow.
Decide on your variables:
--What are you testing?
--What conditions must remain
constant?

17. Factors in a Controlled Experiment
Control Group: The standard by which the data will be compared.
Experimental Group: what you are testing. Contains the independent variable.
Independent Variable: condition chosen by the researcher in an experiment
Dependent variable: condition being studied and measured in an experiment; what is changed

18. Control – stays the same; conditions present during original observation.
4. Collect Data
--data is information
--this information can be learned by making observations, taking measurements, and sometimes by using your five senses.

19. 5. Record Data
-- data that is not written down
does not mean anything!
--choose an appropriate way to
report your results
--Tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, and drawings
are some examples of ways scientists organize data.
6. Analyze Data
-- Examine your results:
--What do the results mean? / Any patterns or
trends?
--Does the data support your hypothesis?
--Do you still need more information?

20. 7. Make a Conclusion (based on your data)
--Data should either support your
hypothesis or lead you to make another
hypothesis
--A well-written conclusion basically
restates the hypothesis in either a
positive or a negative way.
--A conclusion must address what happened as well as why you believe it happened.

21. Theory – an explanation (hypothesis) that is supported by large amounts of scientific evidence from many experiments.
2 Kinds of Information Gathered by Scientists:
1. Quantitative information: numerical data
QUANTITY (how many!)
2. Qualitative information: observational data
QUALITY (description!)

22. SI System of Measurement
Base Unit
Unit Symbol
Length
Meter
m (cm, mm, km)
Mass
Grams
g (kg)
Temperature
Kelvin, Celsius
K, C
Time
Seconds s
Volume
Liters
L (mL)