Chapter 1 What is Life Science? Chapter Preview 1.1 Thinking Like a Scientist 1.2 The Study of Life...

Chapter 1 What is Life Science?

Chapter Preview

1.1 Thinking Like a Scientist

1.2 The Study of Life

1.3 Scientific Inquiry

1.4 Safety in the Laboratory

Table of Contents


Chapter Preview Questions

1. In science, a testable question is called a(n)

a. conclusion.

b. variable.

c. hypothesis.

d. experiment.



2. Scientific progress is made by

a. doing one experiment that supports a hypothesis.

b. drawing conclusions from one data set.

c. changing many variables in the same experiment.

d. asking questions and trying to answer them.



3. Which of these skills could be used to carry out any scientific investigation?

a. observing

b. inferring

c. predicting

d. all of the above



4. One of the most important steps in any scientific investigation is

a. communicating the results.

b. changing the hypothesis during the experiment.

c. changing several variables at a time.

d. quickly carrying out the investigation once or twice.


Which of the following questions can be answered by scientific investigation? Explain your reasoning.

a. How does the type of soil affect plant growth?

b. What kind of music should I listen to?

c. Do wool sweaters keep you warmer than cotton sweaters?

d. Is life science more interesting than Earth science?

How do scientists make progress in understanding the natural world?


High-Use Academic Words

Word Definition Example Sentence

conceptn. An idea or thought,especially a general idea or understanding

Each section in this textbook contains key concepts, which are the section’s most important ideas.




processn. A series of actions orevents; a particular wayof doing things

Science is an ongoing process of discovery.




evidence n. Facts, figures, or signsto show that somethingexists or is true

Scientists propose explanations based on evidence they gather.




research n. Careful study of a subject to discover new facts or test new ideas

Research into the causes of cancer may lead to a cure.


Apply It!

Choose the word that best completes each sentence.

1. Laboratory safety is an important ____ in this chapter.

concept

2. Jane Goodall conducted ____ on the behavior of chimpanzees.

research

3. Scientists do research and gather ____ to test their ideas.

evidence


End of Chapter Preview


Section 1: Thinking Like a Scientist

What skills do scientists use to learn about the world?


Thinking Like a Scientist

Inferring When you explain or interpret your observations, you are making an inference.

Observing By patiently observing chimpanzees, Jane Goodall learned many things about chimpanzee behavior.

Prediction Predictions are forecasts of what will happen next.

Classifying Field notes like these contain many details about a chimp’s daily activities.


Chimp Food

This graph shows the diet of chimps at Gombe National Park during May of one year.


Fruit, seeds, leaves, meat, insects, blossoms, and other foods

Chimp FoodReading Graphs:

According to the graph, what foods do chimps eat?


Chimp Food

Seeds

Interpreting Data:

Did chimps feed more on seeds or leaves during this month?


Chimp Food

95%

Calculating:

What percentage of the diet did blossoms, seeds, leaves, and fruit make up?


Chimp Food

Insects will constitute a much greater portion of the chimps diet, with other food diminishing proportionately.

Predicting:

Suppose you learn that November is the main termite-fishing season, when chimps spend a large part of their time eating termites. Predict how the chimp diet might change in November.


Making Models

Making models involves creating representations of complex objects or processes. This model traces a chimp’s journey through the forest.


More on Scientific Thinking

Click the PHSchool.com button for an activity aboutscientific thinking.


End of Section: Thinking Like

a Scientist


Section 2: The Study of Life

How are the branches of life science related?

What are some big ideas in life science?


Branches of Life Science

Though life science can be divided into branches,

the different fields of study often overlap.


Links on Careers in Life Science

Click the SciLinks button for links on careers in life science.


End of Section: The Study of Life


Section 3: Scientific Inquiry

What is scientific inquiry?

What makes a hypothesis testable?


Collecting and Interpreting DataA data table helps you organize the information you collect in an experiment. Graphing the data may reveal any patterns in your data.


The Nature of Inquiry

There is no set path that a scientific inquiry must follow.

Pose Questions

Communicate

Draw Conclusions

Form a Hypothesis

Design an Experiment

Collect and Interpret Data


The Nature of Inquiry Activity

Click the Active Art button to open a browser window and access Active Art about the nature of inquiry.


End of Section: Scientific Inquiry


Section 4: Safety in the Laboratory

Why is preparation important when carrying out scientific investigations in the lab and in the field?

What should you do if an accident occurs?


Safety in the Lab

These safety symbols remind you to work carefully when performing labs in this textbook series. Make sure you are familiar with each safety symbol and what it means.


In Case of an Accident

When any accident occurs, no matter how minor, notify your teacher immediately. Then listen to your teacher’s directions and carry them out quickly.


Links on Laboratory Safety

Click the SciLinks button for links on laboratory safety.


End of Section: Safety in the Laboratory


QuickTake Quiz

Click to start quiz.

Chapter 1 What is Life Science? Chapter Preview 1.1 Thinking Like a Scientist 1.2 The Study of Life...

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