C1: Scientific Method

Botany

Botany

The study of plants

Biochemistry

The study of the chemistry of organisms

Bioinformatics

The collection and analysis of biological information using computers

Biotechnology

The use of micro-organisms or enzymes to make useful products, e.g. the use of bacteria to make antibiotics

Ecology

The study of organisms and their environment

Genetics

The study of inheritance

Microbiology

The study of tiny microscopic organisms such as bacteria

Mycology

The study of fungi

Zoology

Study of animals

What’s Scientific Method

A step by step process that leads to knowledge

Order of Scientific Method

1. Observation

2. Question

3. Hypothesis

4. Experiment

5. Collect and interpret datA

6. Form conclusion

7. Replicate

8. If correct publish findings

9. If incorrect find another solution

What’s a Hypothesis

An educated guess based on an observation

What’s a experiment

Series of steps carried out to test hypothesis

What’s data

Measurements, observations and information gathered from experiment

What’s a replicate

Repeat of experiment

Why is replicate important

To ensure results are accurate, valid, reliable and repeatable (to prevent jumping to conclusions on based on single set of results)

What’s a theory

A hypothesis supported by numerous experiments

What’s a law / principle

A proven theory

Features of a good experiment

1. Safety in mind

2. 1 variable

3. Using a control

4. Free from bias (prejudice)

Where can you publish your findings

1. Scientific journals / websites (pubmed)

2. Newspaper

3. Radio/ news station

Why is publishing results important

1. Peer review

2. Others can learn or improve on your theory

3. Others need to verify results

What is a control

A standard in which you compare your results (Comparison)

What is an independent variable

The thing I change

What’s a dependent variable

The thing you measure

What is freedom of bias

When scientists don’t come to experiment believing they already know the outcome

What methods can you use to avoid bias

1. Use large sample size

2. Random selection

3. Double - blind testing

4. Carrying out replicates

What is large sample size

Using large enough samples so that the effect of individual differences do not matter

Random selection

When carrying out experiment, select different genders and wide range of age groups

What’s double blind testing

When the tester nor the person being tested know if they’re receiving the placebo or the treatment with active agents

What’s a placebo

A harmless identical pill to the one being tested

What are the limitations to the scientific method

1. The extent of our basic knowledge

2. The basis of investigation

3. Our ability to interpret results

4. The constantly changing of nature

5. Accidental discovery

Definition: the extent of our basic knowledge

Our understanding is limited by what we currently know about the world around us and by what questions we ask.

Example of the extent of our knowledge

Before the electron microscope was invented we knew nothing about the cell

Definition: The basis of investigation

1. Some hypothesis’ can’t be verifiable and repeated so the scientific method doesn’t work on everything

2. Lack of accuracy in the instruments we use.

Example of basis of investigation

1. No experiment can test the existence of supernatural beings or life on other planets.

2. Before scales that weigh tiny matter were invented, it was impossible to determine the effects of a tiny amounts of chemical or material

Definition: ever changing natural world

The world is constantly changing so assumptions we make will have to be changed/ altered as the world changes

Example of the natural changing world

Antibiotics used to be known as “magic bullets” because they cured deadly diseases. Then we learnt that disease causing bacteria can adapt and become immune so many of the life saving antibiotics no longer work.

Definition of our ability to interpret results

Sometimes scientists make mistakes when interpreting results. This might be because certain instruments make it difficult to interpret data

Example of our ability to interpret results

In early days of using microscopes different stains were used to view cells. At the time some scientists thought they identified a new structure in a cell but it turned out to be just the stain and not the structure at all

Definition of accidental discovery

A scientist can discover something while they are carrying out an experiment that wasn’t to do with their original hypothesis in the first place. Or they can discover something by chance.

Example of accidental discovery

1. Cholera

   • In 1848, Dr John Snow found the cause of cholera.

   • One day by chance, he realised that everyone sick with cholera had one thing in common.

   • They got their water from the same water pump. It was found there was a leak in the pump from a nearby sewer.

   • He went on to prove the germs contained in the water caused cholera.

2. Penicillin

   • In 1928, Dr Alexander Fleming returned from a holiday to find petri dish of staphylococcus bacteria with mold growing on it.

   • The mold seemed to be preventing the bacteria from growing.

   • He soon identified that mold produced a self-defence chemical that could kill bacteria.

Definition of ethics

Whether something is right or wrong

Example of ethics

Is ________ ethical

1. Cloning animals

2. Animal testing

3. Using stem cells from human embryos to create tissue and organs

4. Testing DNA to see if you genetically carry Huntingtons disease which is a serious non-treatable disease

5. Abortion