What is Science? : Science is an organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world

Goals of Science

• To provide natural explanations for events in the natural world

• To use those explanations to understand patterns in nature and to make useful predictions about natural events

• To provide solutions to problems

Scientific Methodology

Scientific methodology involves observing and asking questions, making inferences and forming hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

The scientific method

Initial observation > Hypothesis > experiment > observation and analysis of data > Interpretation > final hypothesis supported

Variables

Independent variable : The thing you change

Dependent variable : The data you collect

Control Variable : The thing you keep the same

Living things

What are the characteristics of life?

Living things:

• evolve and adapt

• have homeostasis

• grow and develop

• have DNA

• Made up of cells

• React to stimuli

• reproduce

Key Terminology

Biotic : Living things

Abiotic : Non-living things

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid (Universal Genetic Code)

Homeostasis : a self-regulating process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.