Ch 1.1 What is Biology

• Things a biologist might study-

“Genetic Analysis Finds Greater Threat In Frog-killing Fungus”Source:University of California – Berkeley Date:August 11, 2007

“First Detailed View Of Molecular Structure May Usher In New Class Of Cancer Drugs” Source:Yale UniversityDate:August 8, 2007

“Anthrax Bacterium's Deadly Secrets Probed” Source: Research Councils UKDate:August 9, 2007

• Can sense its environment.

• Can manipulate things in its environment.

• Has some degree of intelligence, or ability to make choices based on the environment, or automatic control.

• Can move with one or more axes of rotation.

• Can make coordinated movements.

Ch 1.1 What is Biology

• Characteristics of Living Things– Organization– Reproduction– Growth and development– Adjust to surroundings

• Homeostasis

– Adapt

www.hps.com/.../madikwe/giraffe/giraffe1.jpg

Ch 1.2 Methods of Biology

• Scientific methods– Observations– Identify a problem– Research– Hypothesize– Experiment

– Collect Data– Analyze data– Hypothesis supported?? – Peer Review/Publish– Verification

www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/overview_sci...

Identify a problem…• What causes __________?

Why do Mexican poppies flower in the spring? (Their favorite time of year?) Turns into: What causes Mexican poppies to flower in the spring?

• Which ____ is best for _____? Why do plants use nitrogen? (Very tough question!)Turns into: Which amount of nitrogen is best for plant growth?

• Is it true that______ ?Why did I find isopods in dark places? (Who really knows?)Turns into: Is it true that isopods prefer to be in dark places?

Which _____ is/does _____ ?Why do animals visit desert marigold flowers? (For the bouquet?)Turns into: Which animal visits the desert marigold flowers the most?Why do hummingbirds eat flower nectar?Turns into: Which sugar concentration do hummingbirds prefer?

1.2 The Methods of Biology

• Hypothesis must be an if...then statement.– “Ultra violet light may cause skin cancer. “– “If skin cancer is related to ultraviolet light ,

then people with a high exposure to UV light will have a higher frequency of skin cancer.”

• Experiment– Control– Independent variable– Dependent variable– Test only one variable at a time!

1.2 The Methods of Biology

• Data– Quantitative– Qualitative

• Theory vs. Law

1.3 The Nature of Biology

• Graphing– Must always have

• Title• Independent variable on X-axis• Dependent variable on Y-axis• Lables

– Line– Bar– Circle/Pie

nces.ed.gov/.../user_guide/graph/images/line.jpg

nces.ed.gov/.../user_guide/graph/images/line.jpg

nces.ed.gov/.../user_guide/graph/images/line.jpg

1.3 The Nature of Biology• SI Units (International System of Units)

– Length– Time– Mass– Volume– Temperature

Factor Name  Symbol

106 mega M

103 kilo k

102 hecto h

101 deka da

 

10-1 deci d

10-2 centi c

10-3 milli m

10-6 micro µ

10-9 nano n

1.3 The Nature of Biology• Science = knowledge

• Technology = practical uses of science

• Ethics = What to do the technology

Dolly and Bonnie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolly_the_sheep