CH. 1 BIOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Science is a way of thinking, questioning, and gathering evidence.

EARTH IS HOME TO AN INCREDIBLE DIVERSITY OF LIFE.

The biosphere includes all living things and all the places they are found.

biosphere = everywhere life exists

Biodiversity generally increases from the poles to the equator.

Biodiversity is greater in areas with consistently warm temperatures.

• Biodiversity is the variety of life.

Biodiversity is greater closer to the equator.

ALL ORGANISMS SHARE CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS.

Biology is the scientific study of all forms of life (the study of living things).

I. General Terms:

1. Science – a way of finding out about the physical

world2. Biology –

The study of living things

All need energy for metabolism. (called?)

3. Organism – any living thing

– All are made of one or more cells.

– All respond to their environment.

– All have DNA that they pass on to offspring.

II. Overview of science

V. LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION

III. The Scientific MethodA standardized means of organizing and evaluating information to reach a valid conclusion.

(easy definition- a step by step way to solve a problem)

LIKE ALL SCIENCE, BIOLOGY IS A PROCESS OF INQUIRY.

Scientists make careful and systematic observations.

• Scientists test their hypotheses and analyze their data.

• Scientists form a hypothesis as a possible answer to a     question.

• Scientists record observations as data.

Stop use doc. Cam

Atom – element – compound – molecule – cell – tissue – organ – organ system – organism – population – community – ecosystem – biosphere

GENERAL STEPS FOR THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. Observe2. Define a problem3. Hypothesis4. Experiment5. Collect , Analyze and Record Data6. Form a Conclusion7. Scientific Theory………8. Scientific Law

Terms expanded:Hypothesis – an idea that explains your observationsA valid hypothesis has three characteristics1. Testable2. Unbiased3. Repeatable

If a hypothesis satisfies these criteria it can be accepted as a Scientific Theory

A THEORY EXPLAINS A WIDE RANGE OF OBSERVATIONS.

Theories explain a wide range of observations and experimental results.

A theory is supported by a wide range of scientific evidence.

Theories can change based on new evidence.

IV. OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENCE

1. Objective

2. Subjective

3. Quantitative

4. Qualitative

5. Variable

6. Independent variable

7. Dependent variable

8. Control

5. Dependant – the variable that changes because of what happens in the experiment. Graphed on the y axis

6. Independent – the variable that the experimenter changes – the one we are testing. Graphed on the x axis

7. Variable – a changeable factor ex. Temperature, time, food etc.

8. Control – a group that does not get tested. It is used as a “means” of comparison

V. REVIEW OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. Prefixes for the metric system

VI. CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS – SEE NEXT PPT. – THE NEXT SLIDES ARE JUST “TALKING” POINTS FOR IN CLASS

ORGANISMS MUST MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS TO SURVIVE IN DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS.

Homeostasis is the maintenance of constant internal conditions.

Homeostasis is usually maintained through negative feedback.

Negative feedback systems return a condition to its normal (set) point.

• Homeostasis is the maintenance of constant internal conditions.

Behaviors and adaptations can help maintain homeostasis.

EVOLUTION EXPLAINS THE UNITY AND DIVERSITY OF LIFE.

Evolution is the change in living things over time. The genetic makeup of a population of a species

changes. Evolution can occur through natural selection of

adaptations. Adaptations are beneficial inherited traits that are

passed to future generations.

Evolution accounts for both the diversity and the unity of life.