Organized way of using evidence to learn

about the natural world.

What is Science?

Goal of science?

Investigate, Explain, and Understand nature

Use explanations to make useful predictions

Observations – gathered by the use of 1 or more

senses

Produces evidence / data

Ex. There are mini-skeletons hanging from the

ceiling

Inference assumption based on

something you already knew or

have observed

Ex: the clouds are gray and dark

when it is raining

Data

Quantitative – data that is measured

using numbers

There are 10 goats eating grass.

Qualitative – characteristics not

countable such as color, texture, smell

His shirt is soft and green.

What are some roles of

biologists?

1. Study the diversity of life

2. Research Diseases

3. Develop Technology

4. Improve Agriculture

5. Preserve the Environment

Theory

A theory is an explanation of observations that have been tested many times and the same result is given. Ex. Theory of evolution

Peer Review

Before research is made public, information

is reviewed by scientists’ peers.

Variables Variables – factors in experiment that change

Control Group- group that doesn’t change

Change only 1 variable in the exp. all others remain constant Independent variable – factor that is deliberately

changed (manipulated variable) Plotted on X-Axis

Dependent variable – factor that is observed and changes in response to the independent variable (responding variable) Plotted on Y-Axis

Scientific Method

State the problem

Hypothesis

Experiment

Collect & Analyze Date

Conclusion

State the problem

Observations

Questions

―What’s the problem?’

Ex. My car won’t start! Why?

Form a hypothesis

Is written If…then statement

Must be testable

Prediction

Ex. If I fill my car up with gas, then it will start.

Experiment

Tests the hypothesis

Using independent & dependent variables

Control variable

Constants

Recording and Analyzing Results Use of charts, tables, graphs

Look for patterns

Qualitative & Quantitative

Draw a conclusion

Was the hypothesis supported or refuted by the

data?

Summarize experiment

Explain results

8 Characteristics

of LIFE

1. Made up of Cells.

*Cells are basic unit of life

Unicellular: one cell

Multicellular: 2 or more

cells

Unicellular

Multicellular

2. Reproduce *Produce offspring

Asexual reproduction: only 1

parent

Sexual reproduction:

requires 2 parents

Asexual

Sexual

3. Organized: ~atoms

~element

~molecule

~cells

~tissue

~organs

~organ systems

~organism

4. Living things Grow and

Develop

*Living things have a lifespan

GROW: increase in size & shape

DEVELOP: mature over timeGrowth

Development

5. Need Energy

*Energy comes from

food

AUTOTROPH: produce

own food

HETEROTROPH: must

consume food

DECOMPOSER: absorbs

nutrients for food

6. Respond to

stimuli

~Stimulus: provoking

agent

~Response: reaction to

stimulus

Ex. I touch a hot stove so

I jerk my hand back in

pain.

7. Living things maintain

homeostasis

a.) HOMEOSTASIS: internal balance

b.) examples: sweating, panting,

shivering, etc.

8. Living things

Evolve

a.) adapt to changes in

environment

b.) change to better

survive in environment

c.) changes take place

over a long period of

time

d.) involve the entire

species

8 characteristics of Life

1.Made of cells

2.Reproduce

3.Evolve

4.Maintain homeostasis

5.Respond to stimulus

6.Metabolism (Use/obtain energy)

7.Grow & develop

8.Based on genetic code (DNA/RNA)

REVIEW OF THE METRICS

&

Tools of science

Tools and Procedures

The Study of Life

Uses Metric System

The metric system uses units with

divisions that are powers of ten.

METRIC PREFIXES

KIL0--thousands

HECTO--hundreds

DEKA—tens

Base unit

deci--tenths 0.1

centi--hundredths 0.01

milli--thousandths 0.001

Measurements

Surface area--square meters m2, cm2

Volume of solid--cubic meters (m3) v=lwh

volume of liquids—(liters) ~view at meniscus

mass– (grams) measured by balance scale

Metric units

Length

1m=100 cm

1m=1000 mm

1m=1million

Length = meters (m)

Mass = grams (g)

Volume = liters (L) or cubic m (m3)

temperature

0o

C= freezing point of water

100o

C= boiling point of water

Microscopes

Microscopes are devices that produce

magnified images of structures that are too

small to see

Two main types of microscopes:

1. Light microscopes

2. Electron microscopes

Light Microscope