Serendipity

Definition

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.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Serendipity has played a crucial role in many significant biological discoveries, such as the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming.
2. In biology, serendipitous findings can lead to breakthroughs that were not the initial focus of an experiment or study.
3. Serendipity requires an open-minded approach to observations and anomalies during experiments.
4. Many Nobel Prize-winning discoveries in biology have been attributed to serendipitous events.
5. While serendipity involves chance, it also depends on the readiness and knowledge of the researcher to recognize its significance.

Review Questions

• How can serendipity impact scientific research in biology?
• Give an example of a biological discovery that was made through serendipity.
• Why is an open-minded approach important for benefiting from serendipitous events in science?

Related terms

Observation: The act of noting and recording something with instruments or senses.

Hypothesis: A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, based on limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

Experimental Design: The process of planning an experiment to ensure that it can adequately test a hypothesis.