Biology Notebook: 01.01 Exploring Life
Objectives:
 Explain what can be considered science and how science is practiced
 Identify science vs. pseudoscience
 Identify what types of questions can be answered by science
 Apply the scientific method to a variety of scenarios
 Explain the different between a law and theory
Key Questions and Terms
It’s difficult to define science. We do have a
set of characteristics that we can use to
describe science though. List the five
characteristics:
Notes
Science Checklist
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Give an example of a testable question that
could be investigated:
Give an example of a non-testable question:
What is pseudoscience?
Give an example of pseudoscience.
It is so important in our everyday lives to be
able to evaluate if a claim is truly scientifically
reliable or not. Often, advertisements will
claim to have “proven results”. Can you
evaluate if this advertisement is a reliable
claim or not?
Give an example of 3 questions you can ask
yourself to determine if a claim is scientifically
reliable or not:
1.
2.
3.
What are the steps of the scientific method?
Define the following terms:
PurposeResearch-
PurposeResearchAvoiding BiasHypothesisExperimentIndependent VariableDependent VariableControlAnalysisConclusion-
Avoiding BiasHypothesisExperimentIndependent VariableDependent VariableControlAnalysisConclusion-
What are the 3 of variables of an experiment?
Out of hypothesis, theory and law, which
occurs BEFORE the experiment is completed?
What is a scientific theory?
What is a scientific law?
Remember that a theory does not become a law
because by definition, a theory can always be
altered whereas a law is fact and does not
change.
Give an example of a theory in science:
Give an example of a scientific law.
Sample questions:
A scientist was studying the stars and their influence on the personalities of 100 people over a
four year time period. Through his investigation he determined that people that were born during
August were more strong willed and driven than individuals born in October. People born in
October were more relaxed and could better handle stress. Is the scientist’s research considered
science?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Yes, because the scientist conducted his research for an extended period of time.
Yes, because the scientist followed the scientific method.
No, because the scientist conducted his research with 100 people
No, because the scientist followed personalities which is pseudoscience.
Joe is conducting an experiment to determine which liquid will cause bean plants to grow faster.
He watered the plants with equal amounts of liquid and measured their height every other day.
The plants are in the same pots with different soils and placed in the same location. Will Joe be
able to obtain reliable data to write a supported conclusion?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Yes, because he is only observing the height of the plant.
Yes, because he consistent with watering the plants.
No, because he used different soils.
No, because he use only one type of plant.
Tina is getting ready to plan her science fair project. She is interested in doing something with
tomato plants. Which of the following could be tested through scientific experimentation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Which variety of tomato plant produces the tomatoes that taste the best?
Which variety of tomato plant will look the most attractive in her garden?
Which variety of tomato plant will produce the greatest yield in her garden?
Which type of fertilizer will produce the tastiest tomatoes?
Which statement is true about scientific theories and laws?
A. A theory can never become a law
B. If enough evidence is found for theory, it will become a law
C. Theories have more proof than laws
D. Only laws are widely accepted by the scientific community