Introduction to Life Science Notes

LIFE SCIENCE is a field of science that studies living things and how they interact with each other and the world around them. Sometimes life science is called BIOLOGY. Scientists who study biology are called BIOLOGISTS.

Science begins with a PROBLEM to solve or a QUESTION to be answered! In the space below, brainstorm some problems or questions BIOLOGISTS might be trying to ask/solve today?

STEP 1 State the PROBLEMIn question form, state the problem that will be investigated inthe experiment.

Example: What is the effect of different temperatures on the number of shrimp eggs that hatch?

In this box, describe or draw a diagram to show how you would do this experiment:

STEP 2 Background Information/Research

Collect information about what you already know or what has already been investigated about the problem

For the problem:

What is the effect of different temperatures on the number of shrimp eggs that hatch?

You could find information from:

* library search* internet search* shrimp farmer* fish store

STEP 3 Form a HYPOTHESIS

A possible answer to a scientific problem; a prediction about what may happen

Example: If shrimp eggs are placed in 40 degree Celsius salt water, then more eggs willhatch than the eggs in colder temperatures.

STEP 4 EXPERIMENT

Test the hypothesis

20 C 40 C 60 C

Variables:

1. INDEPENDENT variable: _________________Changed by the experimenter (what you are doing differently to each group)

2. DEPENDENT variable: __________________ What is measured during/after experiment.

3. CONTROLLED variables: ________________________ ________________________________________________ Kept the same between all experimental groups

STEP 5 OBSERVATIONS

Describe, draw, or measure what is happening during the experiment

Forms: Drawings, data tables, descriptions, graphs

Example: Effects of Temperature on Shrimp Egg Hatching

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 520 degrees C 0 5 6 9 940 degrees C 7 13 23 39 5760 degrees C 0 0 0 2 2

TotalNumber ofHatched Eggs

Temperature (degrees C)

0 20 40 60

60

50

40

30

20

10

STEP 6 CONCLUSIONUsing the observations gathered during the experiment, state the relationship between the INDEPENDENT and DEPENDENT variables.

Also, make a statement to tell whether or not the results SUPPORT or REFUTE (go against) the hypothesis, using the DATA to support your statement.

May also include a discussion about possible errors in the experiment and suggestions for future experiments.

In the box below, write a conclusion for the shrimpexperiment.

Tips to remember when doing/analyzing an experiment:

CControl group:

Group that does not get the experimental treatment or gets the normal treatment

Controlled variables:

Kept the same for all experimental groups

VVariables:

INDEPENDENT: Changed by the experimenter

DEPENDENT: Measured during the experiment

SSample Size: Were there enough test

subjects for a valid result?

Significant Difference: Were the differences

in the results large enough tomake a valid conclusion?