The Science of Biology

Biology

•Bio = Life
•Ology = study of
•Science: Using evidence to
learn about the natural
world
How do we find answers?

• Observations: using one or more of your senses

• Data: evidence collected from observations
• Inference: logical interpretation based on prior
knowledge and experience.
• Hypothesis: Statement on what you think the
outcome of an experiment would be
• Theory: well tested explanation that unifies a
broad range of observations.
Riddle

• A man walks out of his hotel. The stars and the

moon are not out and none of the street lamps
are on. There is no artificial light shining.
Someone has moved his jet black car. How is he
going to see his car?
Investigations

• Designing and experiment

– State the problem
– Form a hypothesis
• Ex: spontaneous generation (Francesco Redi 1668)
• Controlled Experiment
– Only changing one variable
• Independent/Manipulated variable
• Dependent variable
• Control variables
Investigations (cont)

• Record and analyze results

• Draw a conclusion
• Repeat investigations
• Some Times
experiments are not possible
• This is when Theories are developed