Scientific Method and Characteristics of Life

  • The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence.

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  • The steps are outlined below: 

1. Problem/Question

2. Observation/Research

3. Formulate a Hypothesis

4. Experiment

5. Collect and Analyze Results

6. Discussion & Conclusion

7. Communicate the Results (Lab report, Poster, powerpoint presentations, etc.

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  • Inductive reasoning draws conclusions through the logical process of induction

 \n Deductive reasoning uses general premises to make specific predictions

In science, a hypothesis is an explanation, based on observations and assumptions, that leads to a testable prediction…or an “educated guess”

  • An experiment is a scientific test, carried out under controlled conditions
  • During your experimental design, you must determine:

1. Independent variable: what the scientist changes

2. Dependent variable: changes in response to the independent variable, is measurable

3. Constants: things that remain the same throughout the experiment.

4. Control: the “untreated” group against which data will be compared…sets the baseline. 

5. Experimental groups: the “treated groups”, or what the experimenter changes.

  • In a controlled experiment, an experimental group (the non-camouflaged mice in this case) is compared with a control group (the camouflaged mice)

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  • Experimental variables are features or quantities that vary in an experiment

 \n The independent variable is the one that is changed by the researcher, while the dependent variable is the one predicted to be affected in response, and is measurable.

  1. Have cells- All living things are made up of cells, or the basic unit of structure and function in living things.
  2. Respire/ respiration- Breathing is the the act of exchanging gases (air) with the external environment.

   Cellular respiration is a series of chemical processes that add the oxygen taken in from the air to an energy source so useful energy can be formed.     * Some microbes that live in environments with extreme temperatures/conditions do not  take in oxygen.

  1. Maintain Homeostasis- All living things maintain homeostasis, or internal stability. Some examples include body temperature, levels of water, blood pH etc.
  2. Require a source of energy- All livings need energy to carry out daily activities. Energy can either be consumed (via food) or produced (i.e. converting sun energy by photosynthesis in plants).
  3. Reproduce- Through reproduction (or procreation) living things create new living things. This characteristic is essential for the maintenance of the species but not to maintain the life of an  individual member.
  4. GROW and over time may DEVELOP (become  different beyond getting bigger)
  5. Respond to external environment- All living things respond detect changes in and can respond to their external environment. For example, when its cold, you shiver to get warmer, which causes the body to get warmer, is also an example of homeostasis. When you bump your little toe on a hard object, you feel pain or cry. When the light at an intersection goes to WALK, you cross the street. 
  6. DIE: Living things have a lifespan, which is the time from birth to death.
  7. CAN ADAPT/EVOLVE: To adapt means in some way respond to a change in the environment and to evolve means to change from generation to generation. To  evolve the adaptation must be able to be inherited by offspring. 

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