1.1 The Science of Biology
3 min read•june 14, 2024
is all about figuring out how the world works. It's like being a detective, using clues and evidence to solve mysteries in nature. Scientists follow a step-by-step process to ask questions, make guesses, and test their ideas.
is a big part of science that looks at living things. It covers everything from tiny cells to whole . Understanding biology helps us make sense of life and how all the pieces fit together in nature's puzzle.
The Nature of Science
Characteristics of natural sciences
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- Study the physical and natural world (biology, , , Earth science)
- Rely on empirical evidence obtained through observation and experimentation
- Data gathered through senses or scientific instruments
- Utilize to investigate phenomena and acquire knowledge
- Systematic approach to research
- Aim to develop theories and laws that explain natural phenomena
- Theories are well-supported explanations for wide range of observations (, )
- Laws are concise descriptions of relationships between variables in nature ()
- Require objectivity and reproducibility in research
- Objectivity minimizes bias and personal opinions
- Reproducibility allows other scientists to verify by repeating experiments
Steps of scientific method
- Observation and question formulation
- Observe phenomenon and ask questions (Why do objects fall towards Earth?)
- Identify gaps in current knowledge and guide research
- development
- Propose tentative explanation for observed phenomenon
- Must be testable and (Objects fall due to )
- Experiment design and data collection
- Plan and conduct experiments to test hypothesis
- Collect data through observations and measurements (measure acceleration of falling objects)
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Analyze collected data using statistical methods
- Interpret results to determine if they support or refute hypothesis
- and communication
- Draw conclusions based on evidence
- Communicate findings to scientific community through publications and presentations
- Provides systematic and unbiased approach to research
- Ensures conclusions are based on empirical evidence
- Allows for refinement and expansion of scientific knowledge over time
Inductive vs deductive reasoning
- draws general conclusions from specific observations
- Moves from specific instances to broad generalizations
- Observing all studied birds lay eggs and concluding all birds lay eggs
- uses general principles to predict specific outcomes
- Moves from broad generalizations to specific instances
- Using principle all mammals have hair to predict newly discovered mammal species will have hair
- Both types of reasoning are important in scientific inquiry
- helps generate hypotheses based on observations
- allows for testing hypotheses using existing knowledge
Basic vs applied science
- (pure science) aims to expand knowledge and understanding of natural world
- Driven by curiosity and desire to understand fundamental principles
- May not have immediate practical applications
- Research on structure of atoms or evolution of species
- focuses on solving specific problems or developing new technologies
- Builds upon knowledge gained from
- Has direct practical applications (medicine, engineering, agriculture)
- Developing new vaccines or creating more efficient solar panels
- Basic science provides foundation for applied science
- Discoveries in basic science often lead to practical applications in applied science
- Applied science can generate new questions and challenges for basic science to address
Fundamental principles of biology
- : all living organisms are composed of cells, and cells are the basic unit of life
- : living organisms maintain internal stability to survive in changing environments
- : process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring
- : study of heredity and variation in living organisms
- : chemical processes that occur within living organisms to maintain life
- Ecosystems: communities of living organisms interacting with their physical environment
Key Terms to Review (47)
(macroevolution): Macroevolution is the large-scale evolutionary changes that occur over long periods, leading to the emergence of new species and higher taxonomic groups. It contrasts with microevolution, which involves smaller evolutionary changes within a species.
Abstract: An abstract is a brief summary of the key points of a scientific paper or study. It provides an overview of the research objectives, methods, results, and conclusions to help readers quickly understand the main findings.
Applied science: Applied science is the practical application of scientific knowledge and principles to solve real-world problems and improve processes. It connects theoretical concepts from pure science to tangible outcomes, driving innovation and advancements across various fields such as medicine, engineering, and environmental science.
Atomic theory: Atomic theory is the scientific concept that all matter is composed of small, indivisible particles called atoms. This theory has evolved over time, with various scientists contributing to our understanding of the structure and behavior of atoms, emphasizing their role as the fundamental building blocks of matter in biological systems.
Basic science: Basic science, also known as pure science, focuses on understanding fundamental aspects of phenomena without immediate practical applications. It aims to advance knowledge and provide the foundation for applied sciences.
Basic science: Basic science, also known as fundamental or pure science, refers to the systematic study of the natural world aimed at increasing our understanding of fundamental principles without immediate practical applications. It forms the foundation of scientific knowledge and is essential for developing new theories, concepts, and technologies in various fields, including biology.
Bioethics: Bioethics is the study of ethical issues emerging from advances in biology and medicine. It deals with the moral implications of biological research and applications, especially in healthcare.
Biology: Biology is the scientific study of living organisms, their interactions with each other and their environments, and the processes that sustain life. It encompasses various fields like genetics, ecology, evolution, and physiology, making it a comprehensive discipline that helps us understand the complexity of life on Earth.
Cell Theory: Cell theory is a fundamental concept in biology that states that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells. This theory underpins much of our understanding of biological processes and the organization of living things, emphasizing the importance of cells as the building blocks of life.
Chemistry: Chemistry is the branch of science that studies the composition, structure, properties, and changes of matter. It connects closely to biology as it helps explain how substances interact within living organisms, influencing processes such as metabolism and cellular function.
Conclusion: A conclusion is a final decision or judgment reached after considering evidence and reasoning. It summarizes the findings of an experiment or study.
Control group: A control group is a group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment being tested, serving as a baseline to compare the effects of the treatment. It helps researchers determine if changes in the experimental group are due to the treatment or other factors.
Deductive reasoning: Deductive reasoning involves starting with a general principle and reaching a specific conclusion. It is often used to test hypotheses in scientific research by applying known facts or theories to new situations.
Deductive reasoning: Deductive reasoning is a logical process where conclusions are drawn from general principles or premises to arrive at specific instances. This method starts with a general statement or hypothesis and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion. It plays a critical role in the scientific method, helping researchers formulate hypotheses and test them against observations.
Descriptive (or discovery) science: Descriptive science involves observing, recording, describing, and classifying phenomena. It is foundational to biological research as it provides the necessary data for hypothesis-driven science.
Discussion: A discussion is a structured exchange of ideas on a specific topic, often involving multiple participants. It aims to deepen understanding and explore different perspectives through dialogue.
Ecosystems: An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, functioning together as a unit. This includes both biotic components, such as plants and animals, and abiotic components, like water, soil, and climate. Ecosystems are essential for understanding the interactions between living organisms and their surroundings, highlighting the balance and complexity of life.
Evolution: Evolution is the process by which different kinds of living organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms over time through changes in heritable traits. This concept is central to understanding the diversity of life on Earth, explaining how species adapt to their environments, and providing a framework for studying the relationships among organisms.
Falsifiable: Falsifiable means that a hypothesis or theory can be proven false through observation or experiment. It is a key criterion for scientific hypotheses, distinguishing them from non-scientific claims.
Genetics: Genetics is the branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms, focusing on how traits and characteristics are transmitted from one generation to the next through genes. This field explores the molecular mechanisms of inheritance, the structure and function of genes, and the role they play in evolution and diversity among living things.
Gravitational force: Gravitational force is the attractive force that exists between any two objects with mass, proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This fundamental force is crucial in biology as it influences various biological processes, including fluid movement in organisms and the stability of ecosystems on Earth.
Homeostasis: Homeostasis is the process by which biological systems maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. This dynamic equilibrium is essential for the survival of organisms, as it regulates factors like temperature, pH, and the concentration of ions and nutrients. It connects to various aspects of biology, including how organisms interact with their environment and the physiological processes that sustain life.
Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a testable statement or prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. It serves as the foundation for scientific investigation, guiding the research process by proposing explanations that can be confirmed or refuted through experimentation and observation.
Hypothesis-based science: Hypothesis-based science involves making a prediction or hypothesis and then conducting experiments to test its validity. It relies on deductive reasoning to draw specific conclusions from general premises.
Inductive reasoning: Inductive reasoning involves making generalizations based on specific observations. It's a fundamental method in scientific research used to formulate hypotheses and theories.
Inductive reasoning: Inductive reasoning is a logical process where generalizations are made based on specific observations or examples. This type of reasoning allows scientists to form hypotheses and theories from patterns and trends seen in data, leading to broader conclusions. It's essential in the scientific method as it helps build a framework for understanding biological phenomena.
Introduction: Introduction in biology is the initial section that provides an overview of the concepts, scope, and significance of the study of life. It sets the stage for understanding complex biological ideas and processes.
Lacks: Lacks in the context of biology commonly refers to Henrietta Lacks, whose cancer cells (HeLa cells) were the first human cells successfully cloned and have been used extensively in scientific research. Her cells have made significant contributions to medical advancements.
Life sciences: Life sciences are branches of science that focus on the study of living organisms and life processes. They encompass a wide range of fields including biology, botany, zoology, microbiology, and ecology.
Materials and methods: Materials and Methods describe the specific tools, substances, and procedures used in an experiment. They ensure reproducibility and allow other scientists to replicate the study.
Metabolism: Metabolism refers to the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms that convert food into energy and building blocks for growth, repair, and maintenance. It encompasses two main processes: catabolism, which breaks down molecules to release energy, and anabolism, which uses that energy to construct components of cells such as proteins and nucleic acids. Understanding metabolism is crucial for grasping how energy flows through living systems, the role of nutrition in supporting metabolic functions, and the physiological mechanisms behind digestion.
Natural sciences: Natural sciences are branches of science that seek to understand the rules and phenomena of the natural world through empirical evidence and scientific methods. Subfields include biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences.
Natural selection: Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. Over time, this leads to the evolution of species as advantageous traits become more common in a population.
Natural selection: Natural selection is the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population based on their impact on the survival and reproduction of individuals. It serves as a key mechanism of evolution, driving adaptation and influencing the genetic makeup of populations over time.
Newton's laws of motion: Newton's laws of motion are three fundamental principles formulated by Sir Isaac Newton that describe the relationship between a body and the forces acting upon it, as well as the body's motion in response to those forces. These laws lay the groundwork for classical mechanics and help explain how organisms interact with their environment, contributing to our understanding of biological systems and their physical dynamics.
Peer-reviewed manuscripts: Peer-reviewed manuscripts are scholarly papers that have been evaluated and critiqued by experts in the same field before publication. This process ensures the validity, quality, and originality of the research presented.
Physical sciences: Physical sciences are branches of natural science that study non-living systems, in contrast to life sciences. They include fields such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, and earth sciences.
Physics: Physics is the branch of science that studies the fundamental principles governing matter, energy, and the interactions between them. It lays the groundwork for understanding biological processes by explaining phenomena like energy transfer, motion, and the forces at work in living systems.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution, presenting them as one's own. It is considered a serious academic offense and can result in severe consequences for students.
Results: Results are the outcomes or data obtained from an experiment or observation. They are used to support or refute a hypothesis in scientific studies.
Review articles: Review articles are scholarly papers that summarize and synthesize existing research on a particular topic. They provide a comprehensive overview without presenting new experimental data.
Science: Science is the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation. It aims to build knowledge based on testable explanations and predictions.
Scientific method: The scientific method is a systematic approach to inquiry that involves making observations, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions based on empirical evidence. This method is essential in biology as it helps researchers investigate natural phenomena, test ideas, and develop theories that explain the workings of living organisms.
Serendipity: Serendipity is the occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. In scientific research, it often refers to unexpected discoveries made through keen observation and curiosity.
Theory: A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of evidence and repeatedly tested through observation and experimentation. Theories are broader in scope than hypotheses and can generate new hypotheses.
Unified cell theory: Unified Cell Theory states that all living organisms are composed of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells. This theory forms the foundation for understanding cell structure and function.
Variable: A variable is a factor or condition that can change in an experiment. It is essential for testing hypotheses and observing biological phenomena under different conditions.