Welcome to Biology I HonorsBiology Begins!

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2012 1

Science!Packet #1

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 2

Suppose you knew nothing about science. How would you explain how it rains?

Suppose someone did not believe your explanation. Could you prove that it is right?

Why or why not? Since the beginning of time, people have been

trying to explain natural events. Just as you may have ideas to explain that natural event, so have others over the years.

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 3

Science

The goal of science is to understand the world around us.

Science is derived from a Latin verb meaning to know

Science is a way of acquiring knowledge A way of knowing The central theme to this methodology is the testing

of hypotheses--The Scientific Method

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 4

Science II

Biology is the study of life. Describes patterns that we see in the world Identifies a processes or mechanisms.

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 5

Biology

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 6

The scientific method was originated by the Greek philosophers [2600 years ago].  

Thales (ca 590 b.c.) is considered the founder of the scientific method. The prime question they asked was.. "what differentiates living

from non-living".

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 7

Historical Information

The Scientific MethodStep by Step

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 8

Observing and Stating a Problem

Forming a hypothesis Testing the Hypothesis Recording and

analyzing data Forming a conclusion Replicating the work

The problem is a concise, scientific question that can be solved experimentally. Best expressed as an “open-ended question.”

Question answered with a statement and not a yes or no answer

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 9

Problem

A hypothesis is a possible explanation, conclusion, or even a guess about some event in nature.

The hypothesis can reflect past experience and before selecting a final hypothesis, many should be proposed.

Should be in the form of an if-then statement Reflects deductive and inductive reasoning. How is the if-then statement developed?

Via the use of variables

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 10

Hypothesis

There are three types of variables Independent Variable

This is the variable that you purposely change (manipulate) Experiment should have only ONE independent variable

Dependent Variable This is the variable that is being observed and changes in

response to the independent variable Controlled Variable

Variables that cannot be changed

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 11

Hypothesis IIVariables

Remember, the hypothesis should be in an if-then format If the IV does…..then the DV does….

Title of Experiment The Effect of the IV on the DV

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 12

Development of Hypothesis & Title

Remember The controlled variable is the variable that cannot be

changed

A Control is a test in which the independent variable is kept constant in order to measure changes in the dependent variable. The control is used for comparison purposes.

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 13

Controlled Variable vs. The Control

Testing the HypothesisThe Experiment

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 14

Looking for evidence to support your hypothesis and not necessarily to prove it correct The design of the experiment

should be in a way that allows you, or other experimenters, repeat the experiment on multiple occasions.

Record & Analyze Data

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 15

Scientist record their observations and hence create data Charts & Graphs are used

Analysis of Data Most data analysis is done

via statistics

A conclusion is a final proposition, which is arrived at after the consideration of evidence, arguments or premises DNA was discovered by Watson and Crick through the

process of science Today, look at how extensive DNA is used in the world

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 16

Conclusion

Repeat experimental procedures.

04/19/23 10:21 PM© Ryan Barrow 2008 17

Repeat Experiment

Review

04/19/23© Ryan Barrow 2008 18