Ch 2 The Science of Biology
 2.1 Discovery Science Emphasizes
inquiry and observation
 2.2 Hypothesis- based science is a
search for explanations
 2.3 Understanding science will help
you in many areas
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2.1 Discovery Science Emphasizes inquiry and
observation
-Describe the nature of scientific inquiry.
-Compare quantitative and qualitative
data.
-Summarize the nature of discovery
science.
-Distinguish between observations and
inferences.
-Explain the term generalization
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2.1 Discovery Science Emphasizes inquiry and observation
-Describe
the nature of scientific inquiry

Science as Inquiry
Biology is defined as the scientific study of
life.

What is science? Science is a way to
answer questions about the natural world.

At the heart of science is inquiry— asking
questions about what people observe in
nature
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2.1 Discovery Science Emphasizes inquiry and observation
-Describe
the nature of scientific inquiry
Inquiry
 Starts with curiosity
 Ex: A plant’s leaves turn to the sun
 Asks questions
 Your observations lead to questions:
 Ex: What if the plant was put in the dark?
 Actively seeks answers
 Ex: Experiment with two plants- one in the
dark and one in the light
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2.1 Discovery Science Emphasizes inquiry and observation
-Describe
the nature of scientific inquiry

Experiments give us Data
Recorded observations are called data

quantitative data – numbers (How many)

qualitative data- descriptions (color)

Data must be clearly recorded and reliable
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2.1 Discovery Science Emphasizes inquiry and observation
-Describe
the nature of scientific inquiry
What Is Discovery Science?
-Inferences -logical conclusions based on
observations (Fig 2.6)
 Generalizations -many specific observations to

reach a general conclusion (cell theory)
Figure 2-8
A graph is a visual way to uncover
general patterns in data.
 For example, a generalization
here is that girls stop growing,
on average, before boys do.

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2.1 Discovery Science Emphasizes inquiry and observation
-Describe
the nature of scientific inquiry
Jane Goodall's research on chimpanzees is
an example of discovery science (also called
descriptive science).
 Discovery science describes natural
structures or processes as accurately as
possible through careful observation and data
collection.

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www.wic.org www.iskcon.net.au
2.2 Hypothesis based science is a
search for explanations
-Outline the generalized steps of hypothesis-based science.
-Trace the process of hypothesis-based science through a
case study.


Discovering something interesting
inspires curious minds to seek an
explanation.
And that's when hypothesis-based
science comes into play
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2.2 Hypothesis based science is a search
for explanations
-Outline the generalized steps of hypothesis-based science
Figure 2-10
 Science
rarely matches
this step-by-step
process exactly,
inquiry often
includes
hypotheses

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2.2 Hypothesis based science is a search
for explanations
-Outline the generalized steps of hypothesis-based science
A hypothesis
(plural, hypotheses)
is a suggested answer
to a scientific question—
an explanation on trial.

Applying hypothesis-based science to the
problem of a failed flashlight leads to a
test in the form of an experiment.
If the results of the test do not support the
hypothesis, other hypotheses can be
suggested and tested.
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A Case Study of HypothesisBased Science
(click for link)
Eastern
Coral-BAD
Scarlet
KingsnakeGOOD
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2.2 Hypothesis based science is a search for explanations
.
-Trace the process of hypothesis-based science through a case study.
Researchers David and Karin Pfennig
Experiment
The story begins with some key
observations:
Many poisonous animals are brightly
colored, with distinctive patterns in
some species
The question that follows from these
observations is:
What is the function of such mimicry?
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2.2 Hypothesis based science is a search for explanations
.
-Trace the process of hypothesis-based science through a case study.
Figure 2-16
Results of Pfennig
mimicry
experiments
show a
difference in the
frequency of attacks
on plain brown snakes
Compared to
snakes
with colored rings

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2.3 Understanding science will help
you in many areas
 State
how the terms evidence,
hypothesis, and theory are used in
science.
 Explain how scientific models are
useful in understanding ideas.
 Describe the importance of
communication in science.
 Distinguish between the roles of
science and technology in society
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2.3 State how the terms evidence,
hypothesis, and theory are used in science
In
science, evidence
consists of a collected data
from observations
and experiments repeated
multiple times with similar
results
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2.3 State how the terms evidence,
hypothesis, and theory are used in science
Scientists test a hypothesis many
times and in different ways.
A hypothesis may be revised or even
rejected.
One way such change occurs is when
new tools make new kinds of
observations and experiments
possible.
Pluto
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2.3 State how the terms evidence,
hypothesis, and theory are used in science
 The
Limitations of Science
Scientific knowledge is built from
confirmed observations and testable
hypotheses
 Which questions can science answer?
 Is there a Bigfoot in the universe?
 Is there a Bigfoot in this room?
 Are there angels?
 How did the universe/ life begin?
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2.3 State how the terms evidence,
hypothesis, and theory are used in science


a theory is a well-tested explanation that makes
sense of a great variety of scientific observations
Compared to a hypothesis, a theory is much
broader in scope.
This is a hypothesis: "Mimicking
poisonous snakes is an adaptation that
protects nonpoisonous snakes from
predators."
 But this is a theory: "Adaptations such as
mimicry evolve by natural selection."

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Explain how scientific models are useful in
understanding ideas
 Have
you ever drawn a simple map
for a friend who needed directions to
your home? If so, you created a
model.
 Models are physical, mental, or
mathematical representations of how
people understand a process or an
idea
19
Describe the importance of
communication in science
Communication in Science
Cartoons and movies sometimes portray
scientists as loners working in isolated
laboratories. In reality, science is an intensely
social activity.
 Most scientists work in teams and must be
good communicators.
 Researchers share their findings by publishing
articles in journals and by giving talks or
presenting posters at meetings.
 The Internet has become an important way for
scientists to exchange ideas and data with
colleagues all over the world.

20
Distinguish between the roles of science and
technology in society
Science, Technology, and Society
The strong link between science and
society becomes clear when you add
technology to the picture.
 James Watson and Francis Crick
discovered the structure of DNA
 Their discovery led to a variety of DNA
technologies.
 genetic engineering is producing a new
generation of medicines.

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Distinguish between the roles of science and
technology in society
The goal of science is to understand
nature through observation
 The goal of technology is to apply
scientific for some specific purpose.
 Scientists speak of
"discoveries."
 Technologists speak
of "inventions.“
velcro

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