Chapter 1

Introduction to Biology
 1.1 The study of biology
Biology is the scientific study of life.
The word Biology is derived from the Greek words:
bios - life and logos - study.
The importance of Biology is to enable us to:
understand living organisms and their life processes
understand the structures of living organisms and its
functions
understand the interaction between living organisms and
its environment and its interaction with other organisms
appreciate the diversity of living things
 Fields of study in Biology
Microbiology the study of microorganisms
Biochemistry the study of the chemistry of life
Anatomy the study of the structure and organisation of organisms

Biotechnology applied biology in industry

Genetics the study of heredity and variation
Medicine the study and treatment of diseases
Zoology the study of animals
Botany The study of plants
Ecology The study of relationship between living things and their
environment
Taxonomy The study of identifying, classifying and naming living things
 Careers in Biology
Medicine Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Dentists
Veterinarians, Scientists
Biotechnology Biotechnologists, Food technologists
Agriculture Botanists, Fishery officers, Research officers, Agriculture officers

Industry Nutritionists, Dieticians, Scientists

 The various ways of studying Biology:

a) The study of Biology requires scientific skills,

scientific methods and good scientific attitudes
and noble values.

b) Scientific skills are divided into two components:

Science process skills which involves creative, critical
and analytical thinking skills that scientists use.
Manipulative skills which are psychomotor skills that
scientists use to carry out an investigation.
 Scientific methods are used to discover the
phenomena of life. It is the process of
gathering facts based on an observable
phenomenon.
Scientific methods involve scientific
investigation to find the causes of a
phenomenon.
 1.2 Scientific investigation
Scientific investigation involves the following steps.
Identifying a problem
Forming a hypothesis
Planning an experiment
Identifying and controlling variables
Conducting an experiment
Collecting data
Recording data
Analysing and interpreting data
Making conclusion
Writing a report
 1. Identifying a problem
The problem to be solved is determined by
observing the phenomenon.
The variables are identified.
The problem is stated in the form of a
question which is known as a problem
statement.
 2. Forming a hypothesis
A hypothesis is a statement about an observed
event.
It includes the variables and their relationship
to each other.
The hypothesis is tested by conducting an
experiment.
 3. Planning an experiment
This involves collecting relevant information
about an experiment, determining the
apparatus and materials needed.
It includes planning the procedures of the
experiment.
4. Identifying and controlling variables

Variables are factors or conditions that

influence the outcome of an investigation.
They can be controlled, changed and
measured during an experiment.
There are three types of variables:
(i) Manipulated variable
(ii) Responding/ dependent variable
(iii) Fixed variables (kept constant)
 5. Conducting an experiment
The experiment is carried out as planned.
 6. Collecting data
Be honest and accurate in recording and
verifying data.
 7. Recording data
Record in a table the time taken for
experiment.
The table should show both the manipulated
variable and responding variable.
8. Analysing and interpreting data
Analyse the results (data) and try to explain
them.
Think critically to determine where there is a
difference in the time taken for certain result.
 9. Making conclusion
Decide whether to accept or reject the
hypothesis.
The hypothesis is accepted if the result
support the hypothesis and rejected if the
results do not support the hypothesis.
 10. Writing a report
A report on the experiment is written based
on the steps in the scientific method after the
experiment has been carried out.