What is Science? 1.1
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.