Th 08/29 F 08/30Journal #1 What are the

characteristics of Living Organisms?

Th 08/29 F 08/30Journal #1 What are the

characteristics of Living Organisms?

• Made of Cells• Organized• Reproduce • Grow and Develop• Use energy• Respond and adjust to a stimulus• Homeostasis

Check question

• Are viruses considered living?

The Methods of Biology

The Scientific Method

1. Observation

2. Hypothesis

3. Design an Experiment

4. Collect Data

5. Conclusion

6. Present the Results

Hypothesis

• An explanation for a question or a problem that can be tested.

• It is NOT a random guess!!!

• Question: How does sunlight affect plant growth?

• Example Hypothesis: An increase in sunlight will improve plant growth.

ExperimentCollecting information under controlled

conditions

• Control: part of an experiment that is a standard against which results are compared.– Receives no experimental treatment. – Plant #1 Receives the regular 9 hours of sunlight

in the greenhouse

• Independent Variable: the condition that is tested (controlled change by the scientist)– Amount of Sunlight will be changed– All other conditions must remain the same

• Dependent variable: the condition that the changed factor effects– Plant growth (height)

• Collect Data

• Quantitative Data: numerical– Measurements of time, temperature,

height, mass, area, etc.

• Qualitative Data: descriptions– Examples: wilted or turgid, healthy or dying

Conclusion

• Was the hypothesis supported by the results of the experiment?

• Is more data needed?– Experiment need to be repeated several

times with similar results – Experiments need to be reviewed by other

scientists

Journal #2: List the Steps of the

Scientific Method

Identify the…Control GroupIndependent Variable- condition that is testedDependent Variable- the condition that changed

Mr. Jones thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Mr. Jones counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.

Identify the…Control Group: Group BIndependent Variable: Juice Dependent Variable: Amount of Stacks of paper

Mr. Jones thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Mr. Jones counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.

Reporting Results

• Results and conclusions of scientific experiments are reported in scientific journals.

• This sharing of information allows other scientists to verify results as well as relate the information to their own work.

Theories

• Theory: An explanation of a natural phenomenon that is supported by a large amount of scientific evidence

• Law: statements that describe, predict, and sometimes explain why an aspect of the world behaves as it does. They are based on many different experiments and a vast range of data.

Next: Scientific Methods Lab

Over the 3 day weekend…

Study, Study, Study!!!!