Foundations of Biology: History and Scientific Inquiry

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on the foundations of biology, including definitions, distinctions between science and pseudoscience, and aspects of the scientific method.

What is the definition of science?

Science is the systematic study of the natural world that relies on observation, testing, and evidence.

What distinguishes pseudoscience from science?

Pseudoscience imitates science without rigorous testing, while science relies on peer review and reproducibility.

What are the red flags of pseudoscience?

1. Appeal to authority 2. Ancient wisdom 3. Confirmation seeking bias 4. Correlation vs causation 5. Red herring 6. All natural 7. Suppression by authorities 8. Mystical energy 9. Ideological support 10. Proof by verbosity.

What is a scientific theory?

A scientific theory is an explanation supported by extensive evidence that is used to make predictions.

What is the importance of science as a body of knowledge?

Science produces organized explanations called theories that unify many observations and experiments.

What are standardized variables in an experiment?

Standardized variables are factors kept the same throughout the experiment to ensure fair comparisons.

What is the difference between the independent and dependent variable?

The independent variable is the factor that is changed (e.g., amount of caffeine), while the dependent variable is the factor measured to see the effect (e.g., heart rate).

What does a null hypothesis state?

The null hypothesis states that there is no effect or difference, which scientists then attempt to reject.

What are the characteristics of life?

Life is made of cells, uses energy, maintains homeostasis, responds to the environment, reproduces and passes genetic information, and populations evolve over time.

What is biology?

Biology is the scientific study of life, examining structure, function, interactions, and evolution.