Chapter 1: The

Science of Biology

1.1 What is Science?

Science: organized evidence to study natural world

Way of knowing natural world

Goal: To gather info-look for pattern

Ever changing ex: technology

Scientific Methodology

1. Observation: use senses to gather info

2. Inference: logical interpretation based

on prior knowledge

3. Hypothesis: testable educated

explanantion

4. Controlled Experiment: hypothesis

tested using only 1 changing variable Independent Variable (IV): changed variable

Dependent Variable (DV): respond to IV, usually

a measurement ex: mm

Control group: exposed to same conditions

WITHOUT the IV

5. Data: recorded observations

Quantitative: numbers usually measured

Qualitative: descriptive characteristics not

counted

6. Conclusion

Either support, refute (not support), or cause revisions of hypothesis

1.2 Science in Context

1. Where Science ideas come from:

Scientific Attitude: curiosity,

skepticism, open-mindedness,

creativity

Practical Problems: observed

issues lead to questions=

experimentation

Technology: gather data in new ways

2. Communicating Results:

Peer Review: Lab reports are shared, tested

evaluated by peers

Sharing New Information: peer reviews generate

new ideas

3. Scientific Theory

Theory: ties several related hypotheses

together

Thoroughly tested

Dominant view

May be revised with new evidence

4. Science and Society: influences and is

influenced by society!

Ethics and Morality: not included in pure science

(Fetal alcohol experimentation)

Bias: a personal, not scientific, viewpoint

1.3 Studying Life

Key Terms

Biology: Study of life/living world

Biologist: Person using scientific method to study living things

Characteristics of Living

things

Have cells

Universal Genetic Code—DNA

Obtain/use materials & energy: metabolism

Grow & develop

Reproduce—most important

Respond to environment (stimulus)

Maintain stable internal env’t (homeostasis—balanced)

Group can change over time (evolve)

Big Idea Description

Cellular basis of life Living things are made of cells.

Information and heredity DNA is the universal code

Matter and Energy Life requires matter that provides raw materials,

nutrients, and energy.

Growth, development, and reproduction All living things reproduce

Homeostasis Living things maintain a relatively stable internal

environment.

Evolution Living things change over time

Structure and Function

Each major group of organisms has evolved

structures that make particular functions

possible.

Unity and Diversity of Life All living things are fundamentally similar at the

molecular level.

Interdependence of Nature All forms of life on Earth are connected into a

biosphere—a living planet.

Science as a way of knowing Through observations, questions and experimentation

Fields of Biology:

Based on type of organism

Different levels of organization molecules—cells—group of cells—

organism—population—community—ecosystem--biosphere