Biology
Chapter 1: Introducing biology

Biology is the scientific study of organisms / the study of all organisms / living things..
Branch of biology
解剖學
Anatomy
The scientific study of …
the structure of organisms
Cytology
細胞學
cells
Ecology
生態學
interactions between organisms and their environment
Genetics
遺傳學
in ways which characteristics of organisms are passed on from
one generation to the next
Physiology
生理學
how organisms’ bodies function
Taxonomy
分類學
the classification of organisms
 Characteristics of organisms (MRS GREN)
Movement
Different organisms have different abilities of movements
 Animals – move freely for place to place
 Plants – shoots 芽 grow (or move) towards a light source.
Respiration
The process of organisms break down food to release stored energy
Sensitivity
(or irritability)
The ability of organisms detect changes in their environment and makes
responses
Growth
The process by which organisms increase in size and in complexity 複雜.
Reproduction
The process of organisms produce new individuals (offspring).
Excretion
The process of organisms remove waste products produced from chemical
reactions in their bodies
Nutrition
The process of organisms obtain food for energy, growth & maintaining health
 Importance of studying biology
1.
2.
Develop a sense of wonder about the living world
Develop scientific thinking skills (logical thinking)
3.
Understand how biological knowledge is applied to daily life
(e.g. food preservation 保存 & prevention of diseases)
4.
Better understand biology-related social issues
(e.g. pollution problems & food safety)
1
 The scientific method
1. Making observations
2. Asking a question
3. Proposing a hypothesis
 Statements
 testable 可測試的 tentative 暫時的 explanation of natural phenomena 現象/


suggested possible answer to a question
It should be proposed after asking a proper question.
4. Making a prediction
5. Doing experiments


There are usually many factors called variables affecting the result of an experiment.
To ensure an experiment is a fair test, scientists only change the factor under investigation
and keep all the other factors the same.
Independent variable
(what is changed)
Dependent variable
(what is measured)
Controlled variable
(what are kept the same)

The control set-up is identical to the experimental set-up, except that the factor under

investigation is absent.
It aims to ensure the result of the experiment is due only to the factor under investigation.
6. Drawing a conclusion
 Assignment questions
List two ways that biological knowledge may improve our life. (2 marks)
 Some food (e.g. cheese and yogurt) are made with the help of microorganisms.
 Vaccines 疫苗 give us protection against certain diseases.
State one characteristic in the development in scientific knowledge. (2 marks)
 Scientific knowledge is tentative and subject to change 可調整的. OR

Science is affected by the technology and equipment available at the time.
2