Biology:

The Study of LIFE

What do these have in common?

They are biology!!! Biology is They are biology!!! Biology is the study of life!the study of life!

What is a Biologist?Someone who studies biology

(living things)When you are in this class you are studying living things…YOU ARE A BIOLOGIST!

What makes a living thing living?

Characteristics of Living Things…1. orderly structure are

organized and made of at least one cell

2. reproduce produce offspring3. grow increase in the amount

of living material and develop all of the changes that take place during the life of an organism

Characteristics of Living Things… 4. adjust to changes in the

environment maintain homeostasisexample- shivering to stay warm

5. adapt (any inherited structure, behavior, or internal process that enables an organism to respond to environmental factors and live to produce offspring) and evolve (the gradual change in a species through adaptations over time)

Characteristics of Living Things… In order for something to be living it

must demonstrate allall of the characteristics of living things…An organism is a living thing

So…is it living, nonliving, or dead?

So, is it living, nonliving, or dead?Living (biotic)- Demonstrates all five characteristics of living things

So, is it living, nonliving, or dead?

Nonliving (abiotic)- Does not demonstrate ALL five of the characteristics of living things (may demonstrate some of them)

So, is it living, nonliving, or dead?

characteristics of living things at one time, but… does not currently do so.

Scientific Method

Common steps scientists use to gather information and answer questions.

There are no set order to the steps

Usually begins with asking a question or solving a problem

Hypothesize:Make a prediction in the form of “if…then…because…”

Experimenting…investigating

A controlThe part of an experiment that is the standard against which results are compared

Experimenting…investigating

Independent variableThe condition in the experiment that is being changed

Experimenting…investigating

Dependent variableThe condition that is being observed/measured during the experiment

AnalyzeOrganize data into a chart or

graph

Report the results

Conclusion

Observing… Gathering DataTwo types of data

QualitativeDescriptions such as color, behavior, etc

QuantitativeNumerical measurements such as time, height, mass, etc.

Theory vs. Law

A theory is an explanation of a natural phenomenon that is supported by a large body of scientific evidence obtained from many different investigations and observations.Ex. Big bang theory

Theory vs. Law

A law is a natural phenomenon that is generally known to be true.Ex. gravity

Science and Ethics Ethics- moral principles and values held

by humans

Science cannot answer all questions Good vs. evil Ugly vs. beautiful

Technology is the application of scientific research to society’s needs and problems