Biology Concepts Bio 100
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Transcript of Biology Concepts Bio 100
Biology ConceptsBio 100Haberkorn
Tuesday/Thursday5:30-6:45
E116
Introductions
• On a sheet of paper, tell me about your self…
• Name, where you are from, what is your major, what concerns you have about BIO 100, and anything else you want to tell me about yourself…
Syllabus
• Best time to talk to me is before or after class.– Or call/e-mail me to set-up an appointment for
a time that works for you.• [email protected]• Phone: 602-285-7109
Book
• Essential Biology with Physiology– Campbell, Reece, and Simon
Attendance
• Attendance is required. – No make-up classes– No make-up exams– Let me know as far a head of time as possible
if you must be gone.
Grading
• Final grade = 50% lecture + 50% lab• Course is designed for your success
– If you turn in your work and take all the exams you will probably get an A, B, or C.
– I am here to clarify, re-explain, direct, and answer questions.
Class website• www.pc.maricopa.edu/Biology/mhaberkorn/100/100.html
– You will want to look at this website frequently for updates and due dates.
• Everything you need for class will be posted on this website.– Assignments, exam dates, due dates, and powerpoint presentations– Will be posted as needed
Exams
• 4 exams– Exam will be taken as an individual– Identical exam will be given next class period
for groups which I assign. • Must take the exam first as an individual and turn
in the corresponding assignment to take group exam.
• Optional final exam
Other stuff
• Don’t cheat or plagiarize!! If caught you will fail at least that exam, essay…– Don’t help others cheat…
• Be respectful of instructor and other students
First Quiz
• September 2nd
– Will only cover the first two lectures
Scientific method
Science
• Cannot answer all questions• Has limitations• Moral, political, theological, realms can
answer questions science cannot• In this class we will focus on science
• Science is: Physical and Observable
Train exercise
• A passenger train has lost its breaks and is about to crash, likely killing or injuring all on board
• On the next set of tracks are several maintenance works.
• You are the only person near a relay switch that would divert the passenger train onto the open track, saving the passengers but killing the maintenance workers.
Do you throw the switch?
Question 2: Would you push a person onto the tracks to divert the
train?
Science can’t tell us which choice is right
• But can ask the very interesting question, “why do we change our minds between option A and B?”
What do scientists do?
• Scientists make observations, ask questions about what they observe, and systematically go about answering these questions.
• Who are scientists?– You are
Scientific Method
• The scientific method is a process that tests possible answers to questions about nature that have been formulated from careful observations.
• Answers supported or not supported by the results of these tests are then added to the scientific record.
Attributes of the Method
• The scientific method is used by scientists to insure that the answers to their questions are based on objective evidence and verifiable.
• Ideas must be testable and cannot deal with things that are supernatural or non falsifiable, because they are not testable.
Common Elements
1. Observing nature2. Asking a question3. Proposing a hypothesis4. Designing a test5. Making Predictions6. Conducting the test7. Analyzing the results8. Drawing conclusions
Observing Nature
• Gathering information using the raw senses or using equipment
• Keeping careful records of observations• Observation=an aspect of a phenomenon
that can be witnesses and recorded
What are the differences between A and B?
A B
Asking a Question
• Why does stream A have more algae than stream B?
• In other words, what causes stream A to have more algae than stream B
Proposing a Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is a tentative explanation which answers the original question and can be supported or refuted when tested.
• What caused the algae (similar to aquatic plants) to die off?– ?– ?– ?– ?
Designing a Test
• Scientists design experiments to test their hypothesis
• Experiment=empirical test that provides data to test the validity of a hypothesis
• Add nutrients (fertilizer) to one stream and add nothing to an other. Then compare amounts of algae.
Making Predictions
• Often in the form of an “if/then” statement: “If the hypothesis is true, then such-and-such will occur”
• Draws a specific conclusion from the planed experiment (or test)
• “The stream with more nutrients will have more algae”
Conducting the Experiment
• Performing the experiment and collecting data, that will support or refute the hypothesis
Analyzing the Results
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Before Fertilization After Fertilization
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Drawing Conclusions• The data does/does not support the hypothesis• The data acts as additional observations for
asking new questions and proposing new hypotheses
• In this case the Hypothesis was not supported. Added nutrients did not result in more algae
The hypothesis was not supported, so what happens next?
• Give up?......
• We can re test, maybe we made a mistake with the experiment. Many things can go wrong with experiments and analysis.
• Test a new hypothesis.
The Relevance of ScienceDo you have other questions?
• How do new resistant bacteria come about?
• Why is it so hard to develop a vaccine for HIV?
• What is causing Honeybees to disappear? Why is this problem for humans
• What are the consequences of Global Climate Change?
The Scientific Method
• The scientific method can be thought of simply as the formalization and application of basic critical thinking skills.
• It is made up of the actual steps that you routinely go through in any critical thinking process.
• This is how ALL of science works. • Without probably thinking about it consciously,
you use the scientific method all of the time.
Assumptions of Science• FIRST: It assumes that the Universe is REAL Its not
the “Matrix”.
Assumptions of Science
• SECOND: Science assumes that all phenomena that can be observed reflect the EFFECTS of CAUSES, and that those causes can also be observed and known.
• Note: this is a very important assumption that prohibits recourse to supernatural powers; it is the critical assumption that sets science distinct from religion
Assumptions of Science• Third: it assumes there is unity in nature. In
other words, the same set of rules operates (more or less) everywhere in the universe.
• In other words, the basic "laws" of nature are universal, not ever changing and site specific.
• So the speed of light in Phoenix is not faster than the speed of light in Tempe
Hypotheses
• An untested possible explanation to the observations
• Can have many possible hypotheses• Must be testable (experiment)
Theory
• Tested hypotheses that remain after testing
• A theory can also be used to predict• Not an idea or a guess. A scientific
theory is very different from how people talking casually use the word.
Biology: The study of life
Biological science is the application of basic scientific principles to biological
questions, applies to all scales
Biological Science
Definition of life
• Intuitive• Difficult to define specifically
– Different fields of study will define differently
Biological definition of life:Self-sustaining biological (chemical) processes
Very ‘small’
Cells
Tissues
Organs and Organ Systems
Organismal
Populations
Communities
Ecosystems
Ecosystems
Urban Ecosystems
A Very ‘large’ ecosystem