BIO 3 – Lecture A: The Nature of Science

32 question-and-answer flashcards covering core concepts from BIO 3 Lecture A on the Nature of Science, including characteristics of life, the scientific method, hypothesis testing, experimental design, levels of biological organization, and the white-nose syndrome bat case study.

What are the seven shared characteristics of living organisms?

(1) Composed of one or more cells, (2) Reproduce using DNA, (3) Obtain energy from their environment, (4) Sense and respond to their environment, (5) Maintain homeostasis, (6) Can evolve as groups, (7) Are considered living by meeting all these criteria.

Which two objects in the lecture’s ‘Is the Powder Alive?’ example meet all characteristics of life?

Fungus and animal.

What is the basic definition of science given in lecture?

A body of knowledge about the natural world and an evidence-based process for acquiring that knowledge.

What three qualities must scientific evidence possess?

It must be repeatable, subject to independent validation, and peer-reviewed.

How does science differ from technology?

Science seeks to understand the natural world; technology applies scientific knowledge to practical problems.

List the four focal steps of the scientific method emphasized in class.

(1) Observation, (2) Hypothesis and prediction, (3) Experimentation, (4) Analysis/Conclusion.

Give one key limitation of science discussed in lecture.

Science can address only observable, measurable phenomena and cannot determine moral or ethical values.

Define an observation in a scientific context.

A description, measurement, or record of any object or phenomenon.

Differentiate qualitative and quantitative observations with examples from white-nose syndrome (WNS).

Qualitative – white fuzz on wings, abnormal waking; Quantitative – depleted fat reserves, 97 % death rate.

What is a scientific hypothesis?

An informed, logical, and plausible explanation for observations of the natural world.

Why must a hypothesis be falsifiable?

So it can be tested with observations/experiments that could show it to be incorrect, ensuring scientific rigor.

Translate a hypothesis into an IF–THEN statement: what follows ‘IF’ and what follows ‘THEN’?

‘IF’ states the independent variable; ‘THEN’ states the predicted change in the dependent variable.

Define independent and dependent variables.

Independent variable – factor the scientist manipulates; Dependent variable – factor that changes in response and is measured.

Why are control and treatment groups necessary in experiments?

They allow researchers to isolate the effect of the independent variable and demonstrate causation.

What distinguishes correlation from causation?

Correlation shows two variables change together; causation shows one variable directly produces the change in the other.

Provide one clear example of correlation from class discussion.

Bat populations with more white nose fungus tend to have higher mortality (a linked pattern but not yet proven cause).

Provide one clear example of causation from class discussion.

Injecting bats with Pseudogymnoascus destructans fungus caused higher death rates, demonstrating the fungus kills bats.

What is peer review and why is it important?

Evaluation of scientific work by experts before publication; it detects flaws, validates methods, and reduces fraud.

Define a scientific fact.

A repeatable observation of the natural world (subject to update if more accurate observations emerge).

Define a scientific theory.

A hypothesis repeatedly confirmed by diverse independent researchers and supported by extensive evidence.

Give the lecture’s example of a scientific fact.

Bats with white noses have been observed in the wild.

Give the lecture’s example of a scientific theory.

The germ theory of disease: specific pathogens directly cause specific diseases.

List the twelve levels of biological organization from smallest to largest.

Atom, Molecule, Organelle, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere.

At which biological level do organs interact to perform functions?

Organ System level.

What impact does WNS have beyond individual bats?

It affects bat populations, communities, entire ecosystems, and even agricultural pest control services.

Provide one real-world service bats supply that is threatened by WNS.

Natural insect control benefiting farms and forests.

In the bat study, what happened to the sham-injected control group?

All 18 bats that received no fungus survived.

What happened to bats injected with North American Pseudogymnoascus destructans?

Most died before the end of the study, confirming pathogenicity.

What type of study is ‘measuring bat weight to look for patterns’ classified as?

Analytical study.

What type of study is ‘injecting fungicide to see if it prevents WNS’ classified as?

Experimental study.

Why did microbiologist David Blehert culture samples at cave temperature?

Lower temperature allowed the cold-loving fungus to grow, revealing the pathogen missed at standard lab temps.

What does self-correction mean in science?

Scientific conclusions can be revised or rejected when new reproducible evidence contradicts previous ideas.