An organ system is a group of organs that work together to perform specific bodily
functions. The respiratory system, for example, uses the lungs, airways, and respiratory
muscles to inhale oxygen and release carbon dioxide in animals. Physiologists study the
function of parts of the body as they work together. Though physiologists can work at any
level of biological organization, they often answer questions related to organ systems.
An organism is a recognizable, self-contained individual. Organisms can be unicellular
organisms such as bacteria or amoebae, or multi-cellular organisms comprised of organs
and organ systems. A human being is an example of a multi-cellular organism.
A population is a group of multiple organisms of the same species within a specific area.
For example, a pride of lions in Kenya, Africa, is a population.
A community consists of all the different species within a certain area. The population of
lions in Kenya, plus the populations of gazelles, giraffes, elephants, dung beetles, and all
other species in that area, add up to a community.
An ecosystem is made up of all the communities in a certain area, as well as all the nonliving, physical components of the environment. Rocks, water, and dirt are a part of an
ecosystem. Ecologists may study populations, communities, or whole ecosystems.
The biosphere is all the ecosystems on Earth added together. Every animal, plant, bacteria,
rock, and molecule are a part of the Earth's biosphere. Non-biologists, such as
meteorologists and geologists, may join biologists to answer questions at this level of
biology organization.
4. Identify the steps in the scientific method and organize it in a flow chartwith
a brief description in each step.
The Scientific Method
Observations and Questions
Most scientific evaluations begin with someone making observations about something that is
occurring in nature or the world around them. Observations are the first step in the scientific
method, and they set the foundation that the proceeding steps are based on. Once a scientist
has made observations, they are often curious about what they have seen and want to learn
more. At this point, scientists begin to ask questions about their observations, which is the
second step in the scientific method. These questions can be very broad or specific depending
on the topic being investigated.
Hypothesis
After a question has been asked, the next step in the scientific method can occur. The third step
is to formulate a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation that aims to answer the
question formulated, and the hypothesis must be testable through experimentation. The
development of a hypothesis is a very important step in the scientific method because it is what
the remaining steps are based on, and it will be returned to after more steps are completed.
Once the hypothesis is created, scientists make predictions about what should happen if the
hypothesis is found valid, and therefore supported, and also what should happen if the
hypothesis is not valid and is rejected.
Experiment
Conducting an experiment is the fourth step in the scientific method. An experiment is an
activity designed to gather data that will be used to support or reject the hypothesis. An
experiment involves multiple variables, which are specific factors that can be manipulated.
Most experiments include an independent variable, which is the factor that the scientist alters,
and a dependent variable, which is the factor that is being measured. When an experiment
includes these aspects, it is referred to as a controlled experiment because the scientist is in
control of how each variable influences the experiment. This is an important part of the scientific
method because by controlling the variables in the experiment, the scientists can determine
which variable is causing the predicted result.
Interpret results and make conclusions
Once the experiment has been conducted and all of the data has been collected, the next step in
the scientific method is to interpret the results. The interpretation of the results includes
analyzing the data and making conclusions about the hypothesis. First, the data is analyzed
statistically to determine how the data from the experiment relates to the hypothesis and
predictions proposed. After the analysis, conclusions are made by comparing the data with the
hypothesis. If the data are found to not support the hypothesis, then the hypothesis is rejected
and the scientist must return to step three and formulate a new hypothesis. They will then
conduct a new experiment and determine if their new data supports or refutes their new
hypothesis.
5. How important it is to follow the scientific method in solving
environmental problems?
- It is important to follow the scientific method in solving environmental
problems, by using the scientific method, it is possible to investigate
environmental problems in a systematic and reputable manner. In the
case of the yellow grass, the scientific method was a valuable tool in
solving the environmental problem and bringing awareness to the
cause of the issue.
6. Why there was a need to study the impact of human population growth on
the environment?
- Because studying population growth gives scientists insight into how
organisms interact with each other and with their environments. This is
especially meaningful when considering the potential impacts of
climate change and other changes in environmental factors.
7. What does sustainability mean to you?
- Sustainability consists of fulfilling the needs of current generations
without compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring
a balance between economic growth, environmental care, and social
well-being.
8. What are the consequences of unsustainable vs. sustainable living? What
impacts do these have on quality of life do we want for us and future
generations?
- Unsustainable consumption and production are driving the three
planetary crises we are currently facing: climate change, biodiversity
loss, and pollution. While sustainable practices help environment
grow in ways that adapt to the challenges posed by climate change,
which will in turn help to protect important natural resources for ours
and future generations.
9. Think of an environmental problem that requires a global perspective for
a solution. How might this problem be examined from a variety of
environmental justification perspectives?
- Deforestation, there are many ways to examine deforestation in the
world today. For example, researchers can use satellite imagery to
detect changes in forest density and growth around the world, or with
help from LiDAR.
ACTIVITY 1
Introduction to Environmental Sciences
DIRECTION: Please answer the items comprehensively. Write your answers
in your Environmental Science Journal. The journal may be designed
aesthetically like a scrapbook. This will serve as a compilation of your written
outputs, reflections, lectures, and other evidence of learning.
1. What are the chemical and biological molecules of life?
- Chemical: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and
phosphorus.
- Biological: amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins,
polysaccharides, and nucleic acids.
2. What are their important functions in the body of the living organisms?
- They serve as transporters, moving nutrients and other molecules in
and out of cells, and as enzymes and catalysts for most chemical
reactions that take place in living organisms.
3. Make an Organizational Chart of the Biological Organization
thendescribe each level briefly.
The Biological Organization
Molecule are made of atoms, the smallest unit of chemical elements. They can be found
in all matter, living and non-living. Molecules make up the most basic structures of living
beings. Two biological disciplines that focus on this level are biochemistry and molecular
biology.
A cell is the basic unit of life. There are two kinds of cells: plant cells, which have a rigid
cell wall made of cellulose molecules, and animal cells, which have flexible cell
membranes. Cell biologists consider questions such as metabolism and other questions
about structure and function within and between cells.
Tissue is made of cells that work together to perform a certain task. Muscle tissue,
connective tissue, and neural tissue are some types of tissue. Histologists are an example
of biologists who work at this level.
An organ is a system of tissues that work together on a larger scale to do certain jobs
within an animal's body. Examples of organs are the brain, heart and lungs. Anatomy is
an example of a biology specialty concerned with this level.