1. The Science Of Marine Biology
Chapter 1

2. Introduction
Marine Biology is the scientific study of the organisms that live in the sea.
Some valuable things that the ocean offers us…Food, Medicine, Raw Materials, Recreation, Tourism, Problems caused by marine organisms.

3. Introduction Why Study Marine Biology
To make full and wise use of the sea’s living resources
To solve problems that marine organisms create
To predict the effect of human activities on the life of the sea
To learn about the past as well as about ourselves

4. The Science of Marine Biology
Part 1 of 2

5. The Science of Marine Biology
Marine biology is a general science of biology applied to the sea.
It is very similar to biological oceanography, there is no real clear cut difference between them, so scientists often use the terms synonymously
Some of the vague differences between the two are…

6. The Science of Marine Biology
Marine biologists usually study organisms near the shore
Marine biologists study organisms from the organism’s point of view
Biological oceanographers often study organisms that are found in the deep ocean.
Biological oceanographers study organisms from the ocean’s point of view

7. The History of Marine Biology
Your first project will be based on the history of marine biology. You must make a timeline and a summary of the timeline. Project directions were given out yesterday.

8. Marine Biology Today
Oceanographic ships and shore-based laboratories are used by marine biologists. Many Universities also operate research vessels.
Many research vessels were built for other uses and were modified for research. More and more vessels are being made specifically for research.

9. Marine Biology Today ROV – Remotely operated vehicles
AUV – Autonomous underwater vehicles
Marine animals can also be used by attaching sensors, oceanographic data can be collected throughout their life.
Automated instruments that stay put for long periods of time.

10. Figure 1.09

11. Marine Biology Today
Marine laboratories have come along way such as underwater laboratories that scientists can live in for weeks at a time.
New technology offers exciting opportunities for the study of the sea (computers and satalites)
Remote sensing technology is the technology used to study the earth and oceans from afar.

12. Figure 1.11

13. Marine Biology Today
Marine biologists use every available tool in their studies. However the ocean still remains a mystery.

14. The Scientific Method
Part 2 of 2

15. The Scientific Method
Science works. It has changed the world. Science continues to progress through the use of the scientific method (set of procedures that scientists use to learn about the world).

16. Observation: The Currency of Science
Senses are used to learn about the outside world – senses may be magnified (microscope, etc.)
Without objective observation science could not exist as it does today.

17. Two Ways of Thinking
Most of what is known about marine life has been learned through observation.
Induction:
Make observations (With no goal or preconception about the outcome)
These observations suggest a general conclusion
Observations – shellfish, shark, sailfish all have gills, they are also all fish.
Conclusion – all fish have gills
Why must scientists be careful when using induction?

18. Two Ways of Thinking Deduction
General Statement about nature and predict what the specific consequences would be if this statement were true. Suppose induction were used to make the general “All marine animals have gills”. One could then reason that if all marine animals have gills and whales are marine animals, then whales have gills. This can be easily tested by observing a whale.

19. Figure 1.21

20. Testing Ideas
Both inductive and deductive reasoning lead scientists to make statements that might be true (hypothesis).
A critical part of the scientific method is that all hypothesis are testable.

21. Testing Ideas Constructing the hypothesis
Hypothesis must be constructed in a way in which it can be tested. See figure 1.21 on the next slide.
Poor hypothesis:
Somewhere in the ocean there are mermaids. Can not be proved false. It is NOT testable!

22. Testing Ideas Nature of Scientific Proof
No hypothesis can ever be proved true. In science there are no absolute truths.
When a hypothesis withstands many tests, it is accepted to be true (scientists do NOT prove hypothesis, they accept them)
The bottom line in science is observation NOT human ideas or beliefs.

23. Testing Ideas Testing the Hypothesis
Scientists can not prove a hypothesis so they attempt to disprove it.
Most of the time it hypothesis are continually refined, modified or rejected, and alternative hypothesis are proposed as more observations are made. These observations are often based on experiments.

24. Testing Ideas
Suppose a marine biologist wanted to study the effect of temperature on growth of muscles.
Describe in detail what this marine biologist could do to test the hypothesis that muscles grow faster in warm water. Be sure to use a variable in your controlled experiment.
See figure 1.22

25. Figure 1.22a

26. Figure 1.22b

27. Testing Ideas Scientific theory
A theory has past so many tests that it is generally accepted as true. Any theory may be overturned by new evidence.

28. Limitations to the Scientific Method
No one is completely objective personal beliefs may skew observations in the laboratory.
Science can not decide what is beautiful.
Science can not tell humanity how to use the knowledge and technology that it produces.
These things depend on values, feelings, and beliefs which are beyond the scope of science.