Chapter 1 - The Science of Biology NOTES

     Section 1.1 - What is science? Science is an organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world. One goal of science is to provide natural explanations for events in the natural world.  Science also aims to use these explanations to understand patterns in nature and to make useful predictions about natural events. Scientific methodology involves observing and asking questions, making inferences and forming hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, collecting and analyzing data and drawing conclusions. Scientific investigations begin with observation, the act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way. This observation leads to questions, and using further observations, a scientist can answer the question with an inference (a logical interpretation based on what scientists already know). This inference leads to a hypothesis, a scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested in ways which support or reject it. In a controlled experiment, only one variable should change.  The variable which is changed is called the independent variable.  The variable that is observed is the dependent variable. Typically, an experiment is divided into control and experimental groups.  The control group is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group except for one independent variable. After the experiment, scientists are left with data, which is the results and information gathered in the experiment. There are two main types of data: qualitative and quantitative.  Qualitative is more descriptive data, while quantitative data is obtained by counting or measuring. VocabularyScience: an organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural worldObservation: the act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly wayInference: a logical interpretation based on what scientists already knowHypothesis: a scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested in ways which support or reject it Controlled experiment: an experiment in which only one variable (the independent variable) is changedIndependent variable: variable which is changedDependent variable: variable that is observedControl group: exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group except for one independent variable Data: the results and information gathered in an experiment

Section 1.2 - Science in Context Curiosity, skepticism, open-mindedness and creativity help scientists generate new ideas. Communication and sharing of ideas are vital to modern science. Scientific articles are peer reviewed before they are published. Publishing peer reviewed articles in scientific journals allows researchers to share ideas and to test and evaluate each other's work. Evidence from many scientific studies may support several related hypotheses and inspire researchers to propose a scientific theory. In science, the word 'theory' applies to a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and hypotheses and that enables scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations. Using science involves understanding its context in society and its limitations. The way that science is applied in society can be affected by bias (a particular preference or point of view that is personal, rather than scientific). VocabularyTheory: a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad rage of observations and hypotheses and that enables scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations Bias: a particular preference or point of view that is personal, rather than scientific

Section 1.3 - Studying Life Biology is the study of life. Living things are made up of basic units called cells, are based on a universal genetic code, obtain and use materials and energy, grow and develop, reproduce, respond to their environment, maintain a stable internal environment and change over time. All organisms  store the complex information they need to live, grow and reproduce in a genetic code written in a molecule called DNA. Organisms detect and respond to a stimulus from their environment. Organisms reproduce by sexual reproduction or asexual reproduction. All organisms need to maintain a relatively stable and constant internal environment, a condition called homeostasis. All organisms must take in materials and energy to grow, develop and reproduce in a combination of chemical reactions called metabolism. Every organism has a particular pattern of growth and development. Organisms are composed of cells. Over generations, groups of organisms evolve. The study of biology revolves around several interlocking big ideas: The cellular basis of life; information and hereditary; matter and energy; growth, development and reproduction; homeostasis; evolution; structure and function; unity and diversity of life; independence in nature, and science as a way of knowing. All forms of life on earth are connected into a biosphere, which literally means 'living planet.' Biology includes many overlapping fields that use different tools to study life from the level of molecules to the entire planet. Most scientists use the metric system when collecting data and performing experiments. VocabularyBiology: the study of life DNA: a molecule where an organism stores the complex information they need to live, grow and reproduceStimulus: something that an organism responds toSexual reproduction: a form of reproduction where cells from two parents unite to form the first cell of a new organismAsexual reproduction: a form of reproduction where a single organism produces offspring identical to itselfHomeostasis: an organism's relatively constant and stable internal environmentMetabolism: the combination of chemical reactions through which and organism builds up or breaks down materialsBiosphere: literally means 'living planet'

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