BIO 130 - Evolution and Behavior Study Guide and Vocab List for Exam 1 Unit 1 - Introduction/What Is Science?/What Is Life? What is biology? the study of living things, which is broken down into a variety of specialized disciplines and addresses their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin, and distribution. Why biology is considered a science? Because biology is the study of biological things, which make up a significant portion of the natural world, biology is referred to as a natural science. What is science? The methodical examination of the makeup and dynamics of the physical and biological world through experimentation, observation, and the comparison of hypotheses with the gathered data. What makes a claim scientific? Because evidence and data can be empirically reexamined and retested, whereas beliefs and opinions (no matter how strongly held) cannot, scientific arguments rely on evidence and data rather than belief or opinion to back a claim. What are a couple of examples of falsifiable claims? A claim is considered to be falsifiable if there is some observation (or collection of observations) that could be made to demonstrate its falsity. If we were to make this observation, we would basically have to draw the conclusion that either the assertion in question was untrue or that our observation was flawed. What are a couple of examples of non-falsifiable claims? An argument that is given in a way that makes it impossible to refute it. An unfalsifiable theory is open to qualification and modification. For instance, the adage "faith can move mountains" cannot be refuted; failing to do so only indicates a lack of sufficient faith. What is the difference between falsifiable, falsified, and unfalsifiable? The falsifiability fallacy happens when a claim is made that cannot be refuted. One of the most important criteria for classifying a theory as scientific is its falsifiability, or capacity to be disproven or proven incorrect. How does science progress by trying to prove claims are wrong? They have not produced a preponderance of the proof necessary to prove their case, which is what they should have done. Falsification is appealing because it presents a straightforward and upbeat account of scientific advancement, arguing that by gradually rejecting false hypotheses, we can ultimately arrive at true ones. How does the repetition included in the process of science result in it being a self-correcting process? The repetition principle maintains the mean and standard deviation, allowing sample statistics to accurately reflect the characteristics of the community. The statistical conclusion will be accurate as a result. How do scientists use the word theory differently than we do in everyday language? The term "theory" is frequently used colloquially to refer to an unsupported guess or hunch. A hypothesis, however, has almost the exact opposite connotation for scientists. A well-supported account of a phenomenon in the natural world, including laws, hypotheses, and facts, is called a theory. What are a couple of examples of scientific theories? Evolution, plate tectonics, and the Big Bang are all examples of scientific theories What are the generally agreed upon characteristics of life? The capacity to reproduce, grow and develop, use energy, maintain homeostasis, respond to their environment, and be adaptable are all characteristics shared by all living things. All of these qualities will be present in living objects. Why is life tricky to define? It can be challenging to identify the precise set of characteristics that best defines life because living things possess so many various qualities related to being alive. As a result, various thinkers have created various lists of the characteristics of existence. What is an example of something that some biologists would consider living and some would not? Non-living objects include things like rocks, water, the atmosphere, the climate, and natural occurrences like earthquakes and rock falls. A group of qualities that distinguish living objects from non-living ones include the capacity for procreation, growth, movement, breathing, adaptation, and environmental response. What were Darwin’s interests growing up? Darwin, who was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, in 1809, has always been intrigued by the natural world. He spent a lot of his free time as a child exploring the fields and woods near his house and gathering plants and animals. He was an avid reader of nature literature. What was Charles Darwin’s original plan for a profession? British naturalist Charles Darwin is credited with developing the idea of biological evolution through natural selection. The concept that species change over time, give birth to new species, and share an ancestor was called "descent with modification" by Charles Darwin. After it became clear that the first profession wasn’t going to succeed, what did Charles Darwin’s father want Charles to do for a profession? In 1825, Darwin began attending Edinburgh Medical School because his father wanted him to pursue a career in medicine. What was Darwin’s experience like at sea? Darwin developed his theories about the ocean while on board the Beagle, focusing on coral islets and reefs. Naturalists before him had noted that vast populations of tiny coral animals, which leave behind cup-shaped skeletons over time, are what build reefs. What were some of the major events/observations that led Darwin to his theory of evolution by natural selection? Four discoveries about natural selection were made as a result of Darwin's journey: variation in populations, inherited traits, offspring competition, and survival of the best. Why did Darwin wait so long to publish his theory? Darwin had no qualms about publishing his ground-breaking theory of evolution, according to recent Cambridge study. A Cambridge University academic debunks the long-held belief that Charles Darwin delayed releasing his theory of evolution for 20 years out of fear of the response it would elicit.
