1. Chapter One The Science of Biology
Section 1-1 “What is Science”
Section 1-2 “How Scientists Work”
Section 1-3 “Studying Life”
Section 1-4 “Tools and Procedures”

2. 1-1 What is Science?
Science has several features that make it different from other human studies
1. it only deals with the natural world
2. scientists collect & organize info. in a careful, orderly way, looking for patterns & connections.
3. scientists propose explanations that can be tested by examining evidence.

3. Goal of Science To investigate & understand the natural world
To explain events in the natural world
To use those explanations to make useful predictions

4. Thinking Like a Scientist …1
Scientific thinking usually begins with OBSERVATIONS – the process of gathering info. about events or processes in a careful, orderly way.
Generally you use your 5 senses to observe.
What are your 5 senses?

5. Thinking Like a Scientist …2
The info you gather from observations is called DATA.
Two Types of DATA:
1. Quantitative – expressed in numbers, obtained by counting or measuring.
2. Qualitative – description of characteristics that can not be counted or measured.

6. Thinking Like a Scientist ….3
Scientists can use DATA to make INFERENCES
a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge or experience.
Observation vs. Inference Activity

7. Observation vs. Inference
Section 1-1
Statement Observation Inference
Object A is round and orange. X
Object A is a basketball.
Object C is round and black and white.
Object C is larger than Object B.
Object B is smooth.
Object B is a table-tennis ball.
Each object is used in a different sport.
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8. Explaining and Interpreting Evidence
Scientists try to explain events in the natural world by interpreting evidence logically & analytically.
After observations, scientists will propose one or more HYPOTHESES.
A proposed scientific explanation for a set of observations.

9. Forming a Hypothesis…1
Scientists use the following to form a HYPOTHESIS:
Prior Knowledge
Logical Inference
Informed, creative Imagination

10. Forming a Hypothesis …2
Scientific Hypothesis must be formed in a way that enables them to be TESTED.
Ways of Testing Hypotheses:
Controlled Experiments
Gathering more Data
Some will be ruled out & others will be supported and confirmed.

11. Science as a Way of Knowing
Science contains many facts, but it is NOT a set of truths that never change!
Science is an ONGOING PROCESS of:
Asking questions
Observing
Making inferences and
Testing hypotheses

12. Science is Always Changing !!!
Results from new tools, techniques, and discoveries.
Continues to change because of the gaining of better understanding. So …
Concepts you learn in this book may be absolute in years to come

13. What Makes a Good Scientist ?
1. Must be a SKEPTIC. What’s that?
A person who questions both existing ideas & new hypotheses
2. Opened-minded
3. Know that despite the power of science, IT HAS DEFINITE LIMITS !!

14. Scientific Way of Knowing…
Includes the view that the whole physical universe is a SYSTEM, made of many smaller systems
A collection of parts & processes that interact
Basic laws govern all events & objects
Biologists focus on living systems, from invisibly small to planet Earth.

15. Science and Human Values
Contributes info about health & disease
Evaluates relationships between us & the living & nonliving environment
Understanding science & the scientific approach is essential in making intellectual choices and decisions that affect our society
Scientists make recommendations
You and me make the decisions on laws and regulations that affect our health & well being

16. Homework #1 Making a Table - Senses Observations Inference Vision
Wet car
It rained
Hearing
Smell
Taste
Touch

17. Homework #2 Study vocabulary words Science Observation Data Inference
Hypothesis
Qualitative
Quantitative