BIOL 115 #1: Biology and the Nature of Science

Theory

An explanation of phenomena that is supported by a wide body of evidence.

Hypothesis

A proposed or testable statement for observations made

Experiment

Ways of testing the observed phenomena

Prediction

What is believed to happen in the experiment

Scientific Method

A step-by-step process for experiments

Hypothesis testing

Deciding if the results of a hypothesis apply to a particular theory

Null Hypothesis

A hypothesis where there is no significance between variables

Cells-from-cells

All cells come from other cells

What is the difference between a scientific theory and a colloquial theory?

Scientific theory is a theory with evidence, and colloquial is a guess or hunch.