Chapter 1 - The Science of Biology
What is Science?
Science is a body of knowledge that explains the natural world.
The Goal of Science
1) provide natural and testable explanations
2) to understand patterns in nature
3) to make useful predictions
Scientific Method:
Science begins with observations
Hypothesis - an explanation that can be tested
Testing the Hypothesis
- perform experiments
- make further observations
- gather evidence`
- make predictions
Scientific Method Overview
1) Make observations
2) Ask questions
3) Form a hypothesis
4) Test the hypothesis
5) Draw conclusions
6) Communicate results
Designing Experiments
Manipulated variable - the variable that is deliberately changed (independent variable)
Responding variable is variable that is observed ( aka dependent variable)Data - the information gathered from observations
quantitative data = numbers
qualitative data = descriptiveUse bar graphs or line graphs to display data
Laws and Theories
A theory combines observations and experiment into a general explation for a scientific phenomenon. Theories explain WHY.
Example: Theory of Evolution
Laws are statemts that predict, or tell us WHAT we expect to happen.
Example: Law of Thermodynamics
Scientific Reasoning - CER
Claim - a proposed answer or explanation
Evidence - data or observations that support the claim
Reasoning - connecting the evidence and the claim, or applying scientific models or theories
Student Activities on the Scientific Method
Controls and Variable with the Simpsons
Independent and Dependent Variables