1. The Nature of Biology SECTION 1-3 (p.19-23)

2. The Nature of Biology  What are some ways to describe our class? Good students vs. Bad students # girls vs. # boys # freshman vs. # non-freshman  So what’s the purpose…. Trying to get information

3. Kinds of Information  Quantitative Numerical data Represented by graphs or tables

4. System of Measurements  SI system Metric system of reporting scientific information Also called International System of Measurements Advantages:  Few base units for most measurements  Based on a decimal system Most common in biology:  Length (m)  Mass (g)  Volume (l)  Time (s)  Temperature (C)

6. Kinds of Information  Qualitative Observational data Typically expressed by words

7. Society and Science  No matter what methods scientists use to find information, the information often provides society with important, practical uses Can’t always blame scientists for bad things that could happen  Ethics The moral principles and values held by humans

8. Can Science answer all questions?  NO ! Some questions can be answered…some can not Can’t always set up an experiment to answer the questions  Example - Luck

9. Can Technology solve all problems?  Technology The application of scientific research to society’s needs and problems Concerned with making improvements in human life and in the world around us

10. The Good vs. The Bad!  Benefits of Technology: Increased food production Increased food production Reduced manual labor in farming Reduced manual labor in farming Reduced wastes and pollution Reduced wastes and pollution  Problems of Technology: Excess burning of fossil fuels Excess burning of fossil fuels Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming Chemical runoffs Chemical runoffs WMD WMD