Introduction to Biology Rozaini Othman 1.

1 The study of Biology Biology : Greek words; `Bios life & `logos study Thus, Biology means the study of life Living things organisms Importance of Biological research : - Understand human body functions - Cure for disease - Save animals & plants species extinction - Manage problems related to environment Fields of study in Biology Zoology study of animals Botany study of plants Microbiology study of microbes Taxonomy classification of living & extinct organisms Ecology relationships between living organisms & their environment; plus how they interact with biotic & abiotic components Biotechnology the application of biological processes and living microorganisms in industry Biochemistry chemistry of living organisms; structure & function Medicine treatment & prevention of diseases Anatomy internal structures & functions Genetics hereditary & genetic variation Physiology physical, biochemical functions & processes of organisms Careers related Medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary, teaching, lecturing 1.2 Scientific Investigation - Studying Biology requires scientific skills - Scientific skills : i) science process skills ii) manipulative skills - Science process skills Critical, analytical & creative thinking to formulate questions & find out answers plus explanations to a phenomenon in a systematic manner - Manipulative skills Psychomotor (movement) to carry out investigations Scientific method? - The process of gathering facts based on an observable event/phenomenon. - Steps in scientific investigation i) Identify a problem ii) Form a hypothesis iii) Plan the experiment iv) Identify & Control variables v) Conduct the experiment vi) Collect data vii) Analyse data viii) Interpret data ix) Draw conclusions x) Write a report

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Identify a problem - Begin with observe the phenomenon - Observation : involved all the 5 senses - Pose a question and identify the problems (problem statement) - Eg. How is the fitness level of students determined? - Then an inference / logical explanation / possible explanation is made based on the observation Form a hypothesis - Hypothesis a general statement about and observed event / early explanation for it - Its not proven yet - Hypothesis can be tested by experiments Plan an investigation - Gather relevant information about an experiment - Determine the apparatus & materials - Identify the variables - Plan the procedures - Determine the observations to be made & measurements to be taken - The correct & safe techniques Identify & control variables - Variables? Factors / Conditions which can influence the outcome of the investigation - 3 types (determined before carrying out an experiment) - Manipulated : Systematically changed Independent; controlled at different values to test the validity of hypothesis - Responding : Dependant Outcome of experiment Results obtained due to changes in MV Can be observed / measured / recorded in data - Constant : Factors that have significant effects on the outcome Must be kept constant Conduct the experiment - Handle the apparatus / materials / specimens correctly & safely - All variables must be determined & all observations must be made correctly - Must include the control experiment (for comparison) MV is kept constant - Quantitative experiment repeat few times; for reliable average readings - Ending : clean all apparatus properly, dispose unwanted materials properly Collect data - Results of experiments : data - Obtained through observation & measurement - Must be accurate & objective Record data - Data presented tables, graphs, charts, diagrams - Tables : column with quantity measured & units - Graphs : relationship between MV & RV - Diagrams : title & labels Analyse & Interpret data - Calculations (if any) - Proper workings - Relationship between MV & RV Conclusions - Whether the results support / refute the hypothesis Write a report - Result is presented in written - A complete report based on findings

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