Chapter 1 Biology as a Science Esta foto de Autor desconocido está bajo licencia CC BY BUT… WHAT IS SCIENCE? Science: an organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world. What science is and is not… The goal of science is to investigate and understand the natural world, to explain events in the natural world, and to use those explanations to make useful predictions Investigate Explain Make predictions 1. Three features of science: In the context of the natural world. 2. Data collection is organized (look for patterns/connections). 3. Must be testable by looking at evidence. Thinking like a scientist Scientific thinking: Def: Observation—use of senses to gather information (data) in an orderly fashion Data: * Quantitative—expresses as numbers (counting/measuring) * Qualitative—descriptive characteristics (cannot be counted) What are some examples of quantitative vs. qualitative? Scientists use data to make inferences. Def: Inference—logical interpretation based on prior knowledge or experience (ex. water in reservoir) Explaining and Interpreting Evidence After initial observations of the natural world, researches will propose a Def: Hypothesis—proposed scientific explanation for a set of observations Hypotheses rise from: Prior knowledge Logical inference Informed, creative imagination Must be testable. Can be ruled out or supported/confirmed. So… How Biology is considered as a Science? Because Biology applies the Scientific Method on… … STUDYING LIFE!!! Characteristics of living things Def: Biology—The science that employs the scientific method to study living things KeyC#1: Living things share the following characteristics… 1. Made up of units called cells 2. Reproduce 3. Based on a universal genetic code 4. Grow and develop 5. Obtains and use materials and energy 6. Respond to their environment 7. Maintain a stable internal environment 8. Change over time Big Ideas in Biology: Timeline of our learning… Science as a way of knowing Interdependence in nature Matter and energy Cellular basis of life Information and Heredity Unity and diversity of life Evolution Structure and Function Homeostasis Science, Technology, and Society What idea are you most excited about learning? Branches of Biology KeyC#2: Some of the levels at which life can be studied include: Molecules Cells Groups of cells Organisms Populations Communities Ecosystems Biosphere Complete your flowchart! Hole punch and keep in your handouts divider! Biology is a part of your every day life! (p. 22) Tools and procedures USED TO WORK SCIENTIFICALLY…! A Common Measurement System Most scientists use the metric system when collecting data and performing experiments. Metric System Decimal system Based on physical standards Scaled on multiples of 10 Let’s look at figure 1-21 (p. 24) How do scientists collect data?? What is the purpose of a graph or table? Microscopes Microscopes—devices that produce magnified images of structures that are too small to see with the unaided eye Light microscopes produce magnified images by focusing visible light rays. Electron microscopes produce magnified images by focusing beams of electrons. Light Microscopes: View living things 1000x magnified Electron Microscopes: View smaller non-living or dead samples with more detail than light micro. TEM: inside of cells SEM: surface of cells MODERN ELECTRONIC MICROSCOPE Laboratory Techniques Cell culturing: growing a single cell into many cells (cell culture) Cell fractionation: separate cell parts (blend & centrifuge)