BIO 1120 Week 1

biology is the study of life

science is the knowledge of certain truths or general laws, usually discovered through the scientific method

the scientific method is a step-by-step method to experiment, observe, and draw conclusions

a hypothesis is a predicted and reasonable explanation for what may (or may not) happen, and it must be testable and falsifiable

a theory is tested and a confirmed expanation for observation or phenomena

natural sciences pertain to the world, phenomena, and processes

life sciences can be broken down into the studies of living things such as biology, astronomy, chemistry, and physics

hard science relies on the use of numerical data

inductive reasoning is the process of using observations to draw a logical conclusion, using either qualitative or quantitative

deductive reasoning uses existing principles or laws to predict what the results will yield, therefore, as long as the principles and laws are correct, the results are likely to be true

descriptive science usually utilizes inductive reasoning and hypothesis-based science usually utilizes deductive reasoning and begins with a question and potential answer

a variable is a factor within the experiment that can be changed, either intentionally or unintentionally

a control group is a group identical to the experimental group, but without the variable that is being tested.

basic/pure science aims to expand knowledge even if it will soon be replaced with more accurate information

applied science uses science to solve real-world problems

serendipity refers to discoveries that were made due to accident or surprise (such as penicillin!)

peer-reviewed manuscripts are scientific papers that other scientists within the same field review

abstracts appear at the beginning of a research paper and is very brief summary of the paper

the introduction usually gives a background as to what information is already present regarding the topic being discussed

plagiarism is the act of using another person’s work/ideas without credit in the form of proper citation

results usually summarize the findings of the experiment

the discussion is where the scientist will describe the findings, variable relationships, and explain observations

the conclusion explains the importance of the results

scientists must make sure to not do harm to people, animals, and/or the environment

cases of unethical scientific studies include the tuskegee syphilis study and the case of henrietta lacks

characteristics of living organisms:

organisms are made out of cell(s)

atom → molecule → macromolecule → organelles → cell (prokaryote/eukaryote) → tissue → organ → organ system → organism → population → community → ecosystem

tissues are groups of cells that serve a similar function

organs are groups of tissues to perform a common function

organ systems contain organs that are functionally related to one another

population refers to all of the same organism in one area

communities are populations within one area

an ecosystem consists of all things within one area including biotic factors and abiotic factors.

the biosphere encompasses all ecosystems

evolution is the process of gradual changes overtime

phylogenies are graphs that show how evolution has impacted life on Earth and their relationships to one another

biochemistry and molecular biology is the study of biological processes at the chemical level (DNA, RNA, and protein regulation and interactions)

microbiology studies microorganisms and how unicellular organisms function

neurobiology studies the nervous system

paleontology studies fossils to discover more about life history

zoology and botany study animals and plants

characteristics of life include

organization is meant by organelles → cells → tissues → organs and organ systems → organisms → ecosystems → biosphere

examples of response to stimuli include barred owl calling, firefly flashing light, bumblebees stop buzzing

viruses require a host cell to replicate, they do not reproduce. parasites are similar, but they reproduce by themselves

adaptation examples found in deep sea fish include bioluminescence, no swim bladder, specialized eyes, and enhanced dentition

homeostasis is the ability to maintain bodily functions and adjust appropriately including blood sugar regulation or temperature

hierarchy of biological classification order:

deductive reasoning is logical thinking that uses principles or laws to come up with a conclusion (top down)

inductive reasoning uses observation to come up with a conclusion (bottom up) and are not always accurate

scientific method was discovered by francis bacon in 1961

basic science aims to advance knowledge

applied science aims to solve a problem

scientific process and peer review steps: