An introduction to Science Andres Soriano Colleges of Bislig Ms.Botik GUESS WHAT THIS IS? TOUGHEST LIVING THING ON EARTH They survive: being boiled, frozen or desiccated extreme pressure and long period in space (vacuum) X rays and gamma rays WHAT? Tardigrades’ minuscule size hides them from predators. For their resilience, the tardigrade is one of nature’s smallest creatures. Barely the size of a poppy seed at less than 1.5 millimetres long, the tardigrade can exist hidden in sediments and seas, unnoticed by potential predators. HOW? WHY? Special disaccharide (sugar) Bonding makes it very stable under extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, dehydration and pH. Protects the organelles, the stuff inside cells which makes it work. WHO? Larinus planus (weevil) • He believed that “chemical phenomena” depended on the action of physical forces which can be determined and measured. • Thus, organic compound can be produced from non organic molecules using the right method. Pierre Eugene Marcellin Berthelot (1827 – 1907) WHAT IS SCIENCE? Latin SCIENTIA To Know Systematic enterprise Build & organize knowledge Testable explanations and predictions about the world “Unveiling nature” Gain KNOWLEDGE Types of knowledge Ms.Botik KNOWLEDGE It is a statement about what you accept as sufficiently “real” to allow you to take action upon and thereby live your life. Examine this statement: “Dragons are real” What does YOUR KNOWLEDGE tell you? Ms.Botik Knowledge about the world is inherent and unique in each human being. It is attained by individual revelation. Is it open to testing, observation or quantification? Ms.Botik Ms.Botik Gathering knowledge is universal. Based on a protocol to allow one to select between alternative observations or hypothesis. What could have been mistaken on dragon? Ms.Botik requires that: All observations be repeatable By more than (and different) observers All hypothesis (guesses) are Falsifiable. Involves natural phenomena. Research knowledge does not claim FACT. It claims logical circumstantial explanation in light of the requirements of the mentioned requirements. Ms.Botik Ancient times --- Where did life come from? Result – several false theorems But: they weren’t stupid, simply limited Do not say “this is true”, rather “this is the most likely explanation in light of existing knowledge”. Ms.Botik sweaty underwear Ancient recipe in making mice. Ms.Botik husks of wheat wait for 21 days Spontaneous generation Living things came forth from nonliving things because the nonliving material contained pneuma, or “vital heat” – Aristotle Libraries be placed facing eastwards to benefit from morning light, but not towards the south of the west as those winds generate bookworms. – Vitruvius, a Roman architect Christian – “Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life” (Genesis 1:20) as discussed by Augustine of Hippo Growing a willow for five years and showing it increased mass while the soil showed a trivial decrease in comparison. Jan Baptist van Helmont Performed a series of experiments on boiled broths. John Needham Ms.Botik CLASSIC CLAW SICK THEORY CHEW RAY BIOLOGIST BUY YOU LOW ZEST MICROORGANISM MIKE CREW ORGAN NIECE SIM SPONTANEOUS SPOON THIN NEWS EXPERIMENT SPHERE RIM MEANT EVOLUTION EVE ALL LAW SHOWN CLASSIC EXPERIMENTS ON THE EVOLUTION OF LIFE Report By: Sheirah Mae T. Oso The Theory of Spontaneous Generation Spontaneous generation states that vital forces or organic matter can create organisms from inanimate objects. Aristotle claimed that some classes of organisms generate spontaneously. The appearance of maggots in meat that was left in the open area was thought to be an example of spontaneous generation Robert Hooke (1635-1703), an English scientist who wrote the book Micrographia (1665), illustrated small organisms such as the fruiting structure of molds. The first person to see bacteria was a Dutch scientist named Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723). He further developed a simple microscope to investigate the natural substances present in microbes. He discovered bacteria while studying a pepper-water in fusion and called these small organisms as “wee animalcules.” Redi’s Experiment Francesco Redi (1626-1697), an Italian scientist. In 1668, Redi designed a scientific experiment to demonstrate that maggots do not just appear spontaneously but are produced from the eggs of flies. For his experiment, Redi used two groups of jars. Three jars were used in each group. For the first group, Redi placed an unknown object in jar 1, a dead fish in jar 2, and a chunk of red meat in jar 3. He covered each jar with fine cheesecloth so that only air can get into them. For the second group, Redi placed the same objects in the three jars. However, he did not cover these jars with cheesecloth. Through this experiment, Redi was able to prove that organisms do not just come to life spontaneously. Needham’s Test In 1750, John Turberville Needham (1713-1781), an English biologist attempted to test the relevance of Redi’s experiment and to prove that spontaneous generation can occur under the right conditions. In his experiment he noticed that a thick solution had formed on the broth and concluded that this was made up of microorganisms that had been generated spontaneously. Spallanzani’s Experiments Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729-1799) was an Italian scholar who sought to verify Needham’s test in 1767. Spallanzani believed that Needham had not heated the broth enough to kill the organism in it. He then repeated that Needham’s experiment by boiling equal amounts of chicken broth in two containers, with one container sealed and the other left open. After a few days, Spallanzani observed that the container that had been left open was teeming with microorganisms while the sealed container remained free of microbial growth. Pasteur’s Test Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) believed that microorganisms present in putrefying materials are present in the air or might have been present on the surface where decaying materials are present. Putrefaction or rotting of organic material is a result of the activities of microorganisms present either in air or in the container. His experiment showed that in the flask that was sterilized and sealed, organisms did not develop. Later on, Pasteur broke the flask slowly became filled with microorganisms. The work of Pasteur proved that the hypothesis of spontaneous generation is not correct. Francisco Redi – one of the pioneers who conducted experiment that disproved SP. Lazzaro Spallanzi – improved the experiment of John Needham. Loius Pasteur – further improved the set up of Spallanzani. Ms.Botik What is the goal of science? UNDERSTANDING Phenomena: things that happen in the world. Identify relationships and characteristics Predict summaries and conclusions Derive knowledge and facts Anchored on the root causes of Science Ms.Botik 1. Problems 2. Needs 3. Curiosity What is then a fact? Ms.Botik What is then a fact? Ms.Botik Ms.Botik What is then a fact? Is it worth spending to learn the facts Ms.Botik What then is a fact? Belief Knowledge • The spirit of the individual who believes. Research Knowledge • The methodology of observation and testing allows one to choose one “fact” over another. Ms.Botik BELIEF vs RESEARCH Knowledge Research Knowledge Belief Knowledge Even when you have tons of evidence, doubt what you see. Ms.Botik Even without a single piece of evidence, believe in what you can’t see. What is then a fact? A mini – hypothesis, subject to testing by repeated observations. Perception of facts varies > > > doesn’t get easily accepted. Some facts become dominant but others are open to testing. Ms.Botik Reaction to Darwin’s theory A hypothesis An explanation for the pattern created by two or more facts. > Based on observations > Has predicative value > Testable Note: NO amount of data will prove a hypothesis to be TRUE! They only fail to disprove it. Accidental discovery of penicillin Ms.Botik The Death of a Hypothesis Data are found which contradict it. Its predictions constantly fail. It is supplanted by a new hypothesis which explains the sane data more elegantly. Ms.Botik Good Science Ms.Botik Why do Science? Individual Perspective Collecting information to test new ideas or to disprove old ones. Discover new things Explains something problem previously not explained, Overturns some previously accepted idea. Get pay checks or promotion Ms.Botik Why does a society devote some of its resources to this business of developing new knowledge about the natural world? What has motivated these scientists to devote their lives to developing this new knowledge? How to spot a scientist? Ms.Botik Why do Science? Societal Perspective They desire to improve people’s lives Society’s desires for economic development Humanity’s increasing control over our planet and its environment. Societies support science because of simple curiosity and because of the satisfaction and enlightenment that come from knowledge of the world around us. Ms.Botik How Research becomes Scientific Knowledge Doing research is not necessarily a contribution to a body of knowledge unless peer reviewed and published. Science becomes knowledge by publication of research results. Ms.Botik Science and Change If scientist are constantly trying to make new discoveries or to develop new concepts and theories, then the body of knowledge produced by science should undergo constant change. Change is progress toward a better understanding of nature (Constant question) Ms.Botik Scientific Knowledge Science does not presently, and probably never can, give statements of absolute eternal truth – it only provides theories. It can be modified. It can be discarded “SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IS IN PERPETUAL EVOLUTION; IT FINDS ITSELF CHANGED FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT.” JEAN PIAGET Ms.Botik Approaches to Research Knowledge Ms.Botik FORMAL SCIENCE Formal sciences are both logically and methodologically a priority, for their content and validity are independent of any empirical procedures. Reason or reflection alone is considered evidence for the truth or falsity of some propositions. Ms.Botik EMPIRICAL SCIENCE Deals with objects and observations Source of knowledge acquired by means of the senses, particularly by observation and experimentation. Information that justifies the truth or falsity of a claim Ms.Botik What is good science? Eliminates as many variables while entertaining as many possible alternate interpretations of the observations as possible. Hallmark of good science: DOUBT Ms.Botik What is good science? Studies the material universe Understanding changes overtime Ms.Botik What is good science? There is order in nature and therefore the material universe is knowable. The human mind is capable of knowing this order. Knowable within limits: human mind; culture; technology Ms.Botik What is good science? Has PARADIGMS An interpretation of the Physical world to which scientist subscribe. Changes as anomalies arise and gets replaced as knowledge develops Ms.Botik Spotting Pseudo Science Repeated reference to authority rather than primary observation. Unwillingness to admit ignorance or exceptions. Unwillingness to try to disprove own hypothesis or to seek contradictory examples. Consistent presentation of hypothesis in a simplistic manner Failure to add new arguments and data with time. Ms.Botik The Scientific Method Ms.Botik What means science use NOW? Science use the scientific method It is a set of techniques for investigating phenomena Acquiring knowledge Correcting and integrating previous understanding Ms.Botik What are its STEPS? ? Ms.Botik Make an observation Ask a question ⇆ Form a hypothesis Conduct an experiment Accept hypothesis Reject hypothesis Is the Scientific Method cut out? Science follows a basic method and that is thinking, observing, and experimenting. But there is no strict recipe… Involves serendipity, imagination, dreams and luck… Ms.Botik Is the Scientific Method cut out? How do you scientifically cut a cake? Ms.Botik Sir Francis Galton’s Scientific Cake Cutting Method Ms.Botik Case Study: Mimicry OBSERVATION >>> QUESTION: What is it for? Scarlet King Snake (non venomous) Eastern Coral Snake (venomous) Ms.Botik Case Study: Mimicry QUESTION: What is it for? >>> HYPOTHESIS: Deception Mimicry allows the non-poisonous snake to avoid being eaten because predators avoid its poisonous counterpart. Warning coloration called aposematism Ms.Botik Case Study: Mimicry HYPOTHESIS: Deception >>> EXPERIMENT: Field Test Place coloured king snakes in areas of king snake range and areas where both king snakes and coral snakes are present. Ms.Botik Case Study: Mimicry EXPERIMENT: Field Test >>> Analyze then CONCLUDE Variation in King Snake King Snake Ms.Botik No. of Attacks King Snake King Snake and Area Only Coral Snake 81% 16% Mimicry is only effective in the areas where the geographic range of the poisonous and non poisonous snakes overlap Characteristics of a Good Method Verifiable and repeatable Controlled but unbiased Narrowed but flexible Accurate and Precise Deductive and inductive Useful and Significant Ms.Botik How to spot a scientist Curious about how nature works Stay current with latest news in their field Benefit from advances in other field Integrated work done by others to see the bigger picture Benefit from serendipity Compete for grant of money Police themselves May be suppressed by wealthy corporations Can be brutally competitive Very much like ordinary people Ms.Botik REFERENCES • Moulton, Ed. D. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Biology. Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. 2004 • Who's Who in Evolutionary Theory: A History. Retrived on May 1, 2017 @ http://www.bio.miami.edu/dana/160/160S16_2print.html • Rabago, L Ph. D. et.al. Science and Technology IV. Vival Publishing House. Quezon City. 2006 • Cake cutting. Retrieved on May 2, 2017 @ http://firstwefeast.com/eat/2014/06/mathematically-perfect-way-to-cut-a-round-cake Ms.Botik Ms.Botik MOST PEOPLE SAY THAT IT IS THE INTELLECT WHICH MAKES A GREAT SCIENTIST. THEY ARE WRONG: IT IS THE CHARACTER. Ms.Botik -ALBERT EINSTEIN • SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY: PHILIPPINE HISTORY • ENLIGHTENMENT IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY • SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION BUILDING • HUMAN FLOURISHING • THE HUMAN FLOURISHING IN TERMS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY • THE GOOD LIFE • WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS • WHY DOES THE FUTURE NOT NEED US? • BIODIVERSITY AND HEALTHY SOCIETY • THE INFORMATION AGE • THE NANO WORLD •Ms.Botik GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS AND GENE THERAPY • CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY CRISIS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
