Biology Bio = life ology = the study of Biology is the study of life. Biology is the study of life. More specifically, it is the scientific study of life.

BiologyBiology

Bio = lifeBio = life

ology = the study of ology = the study of Biology is the study of life.Biology is the study of life.More specifically, it is the More specifically, it is the scientific scientific study of life (i.e., life study of life (i.e., life science). science). Before we define life, let’s lookBefore we define life, let’s look

at at science.science.

The Nature of ScienceScientific information is a changing body of knowledge. Many “facts” of the past are now known to be false.For example: The Earth was flat The sun revolved around the Earth.

Disease was caused by Disease was caused by evil spiritsevil spirits..

Science is not a collection of Science is not a collection of eternal eternal truths.truths. Some of what you learn this year Some of what you learn this year

will have to be will have to be changed one changed one dayday. . Yet this does not mean that Yet this does not mean that science science has failed. has failed. It means that science continues to It means that science continues to

succeed in succeed in advancingadvancing our our understanding of the natural world.understanding of the natural world.

The goal of science is to The goal of science is to understandunderstand the world around us.the world around us.

In the attempt to achieve that goal, In the attempt to achieve that goal, scientists use the scientists use the Scientific MethodScientific Method..

The Scientific Method is a The Scientific Method is a systematic approach to systematic approach to problem problem

solvingsolving

The 6 steps of the Scientific The 6 steps of the Scientific MethodMethod

1. Observing, questioning, 1. Observing, questioning, and/or and/or stating a problemstating a problem

2. Forming a 2. Forming a hypothesishypothesis- which is a possible explanation or an - which is a possible explanation or an

educated educated guess about some event in guess about some event in naturenature

The 6 steps of the Scientific The 6 steps of the Scientific MethodMethod

3.3. TestingTesting the hypothesisthe hypothesis: :

- develop a controlled experiment which - develop a controlled experiment which contains contains both an experimental set up both an experimental set up (which has only one (which has only one experimental experimental variable--- the thing being tested) and a variable--- the thing being tested) and a control control set up (which is identical to the experimental set up (which is identical to the experimental set up but does not contain the variable)set up but does not contain the variable)

With this type of set up any questions concerning the With this type of set up any questions concerning the results of the experiment can be attributed to the results of the experiment can be attributed to the one one variablevariable

4. Recording and 4. Recording and analyzing analyzing datadata - Careful records of observations and - Careful records of observations and information are information are kept. The data is usually kept. The data is usually presented in the form of presented in the form of tables and graphstables and graphs..

5. Forming a 5. Forming a conclusionconclusion- This is based on the results of the - This is based on the results of the

experiment. If the experiment. If the experiment confirms the experiment confirms the hypothesis, then the hypothesis, then the hypothesis gains hypothesis gains credibility as to how nature works. credibility as to how nature works. If the results If the results disagree with the hypothesis then either disagree with the hypothesis then either the the experiment needs to be modified or a new experiment needs to be modified or a new hypothesis needs to be generatedhypothesis needs to be generated

6. Replicating 6. Replicating the workthe work

- It must be possible for either the original - It must be possible for either the original experimenter or other researchers to experimenter or other researchers to

duplicate, duplicate, or reproduce, the or reproduce, the experimental results.experimental results.

If a hypothesis is confirmed enough that If a hypothesis is confirmed enough that it is unlikely to be disproved by future it is unlikely to be disproved by future tests, it may become worthy of being tests, it may become worthy of being called a called a theorytheory.. A theory is a time- A theory is a time-tested concept that makes useful and tested concept that makes useful and dependable predictions about the dependable predictions about the natural worldnatural world..

To the true scientist, however, the To the true scientist, however, the scientific method is more a frame of scientific method is more a frame of mind that involves curiosity, creativity, mind that involves curiosity, creativity, and and skepticismskepticism. . Skepticism is a refusal to accept an Skepticism is a refusal to accept an explanation without explanation without evidence or proofevidence or proof. . This “prove it” attitude encourages This “prove it” attitude encourages scientists to investigate phenomena and scientists to investigate phenomena and to develop new explanations and to develop new explanations and ideasideas..

Universal Language: The Metric SystemUniversal Language: The Metric System

So scientists can understand each other’s So scientists can understand each other’s research, they use a research, they use a universal system of universal system of measurementmeasurement called the metric system. called the metric system.

It is also known as the It is also known as the International International System of Units, or SI.System of Units, or SI.It is used to measure length, volume, It is used to measure length, volume, mass, and temperature.mass, and temperature.

The metric system is a decimal system The metric system is a decimal system based on multiples of 10.based on multiples of 10.

Each unit is Each unit is ten times larger or ten ten times larger or ten times smallertimes smaller than the next unit. than the next unit.

PREFIXESPREFIXES

centi = centi = one hundredth (1/100)one hundredth (1/100)

milli = milli = one thousandth (1/1000)one thousandth (1/1000)

micro = micro = one millionth (1/1,000,000)one millionth (1/1,000,000)

nano = nano = one billionth (1/1,000,000,000)one billionth (1/1,000,000,000)

kilo = kilo = one thousand (1000)one thousand (1000)

LengthLength The The distance from one distance from one point point to anotherto another

meter (m) A meter meter (m) A meter (39.4 inches)(39.4 inches) is is slightly longer slightly longer than a yard.than a yard.1 meter = 1 meter = 100 centimeters (cm)100 centimeters (cm)

1 meter = 1 meter = 1000 millimeters 1000 millimeters (mm)(mm)

1 meter = 1 meter = 1,000,000 1,000,000 micrometers (um)micrometers (um)

1 meter = 1 meter = 1,000,000,000 1,000,000,000 nanometers nanometers (nm)(nm)

1000 meters = 1000 meters = 1 kilometer (km)1 kilometer (km)

VolumeVolume The The amount of space amount of space an an object takes up.object takes up.LiquidsLiquidsLiter (L) Liter (L) A liter (A liter (1.06 quarts1.06 quarts) is ) is

slightly more than slightly more than a a quart.quart.

1 liter=1 liter=1000 1000 milliliters (milliliters (mL)mL)

SolidsSolids(cc or cm(cc or cm33)) Cubic centimeter is the volume Cubic centimeter is the volume of a of a

solid that measures solid that measures 1 cm by 1 cm by 1 cm by 1 cm by

1cm1cm..

1 milliliter is equal in volume to 1 milliliter is equal in volume to 1 cubic centimeter or 1mL = 1 cubic centimeter or 1mL = 1cc1cc

MassMass The The amount of matter amount of matter in an in an objectobjectGram (g)Gram (g) A gram has a mass equal A gram has a mass equal to to about one paper clip.about one paper clip.

1000 grams = 1000 grams = 1 1 kilogram (kg)kilogram (kg)

Weight is a measure of the Weight is a measure of the pull of pull of gravity on mass.gravity on mass. In outer space, weight may vary In outer space, weight may vary with position but its with position but its mass always mass always remains the same. remains the same.

TemperatureTemperature The The measure of measure of hotness or hotness or

coldnesscoldness

DegreesDegrees 0°C = 0°C = freezing freezing pointpoint Celsius (°C)Celsius (°C) of of waterwater

100°C = 100°C = boiling boiling point point of waterof water

METRIC - ENGLISH EQUIVALENTSMETRIC - ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS

2.54 centimeters (cm) = 2.54 centimeters (cm) = 1 inch 1 inch (in.)(in.) 1 meter (m) = 1 meter (m) = 39.4 inches 39.4 inches (in.) or (in.) or 1.09 yards1.09 yards1 kilometer (km) = 1 kilometer (km) = 0.62 miles 0.62 miles (mi)(mi) 1 liter (L) = 1 liter (L) = 1.06 quarts (qt)1.06 quarts (qt)

METRIC - ENGLISH METRIC - ENGLISH EQUIVALENTSEQUIVALENTS

250 milliliters (mL) = 250 milliliters (mL) = 1 cup1 cup 1 kilogram (kg) = 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds 2.2 pounds (lb)(lb)28.3 grams (g) = 28.3 grams (g) = 1 ounce (oz)1 ounce (oz)°C = °C = 5/9 x (°F-32)5/9 x (°F-32)