Introduction To Biology

Introduction to
Biology
Importance of studying
Biology
Societal
Philosophical
Personal
Societal
Medicine
Public Health
Worldwide water crisis
Philosophical
Evolution
Genetics
Personal
To be informed
Support your cause
Make it your life work
[bahy-ol-uh-jee]
Bio = Life
ology = study
Biology is the science that
studies life.
How do we acquire
knowledge?
Scientific Method in
Action
Observation
An observation is a thoughtful and

careful recognition of an event or a
fact.
The careful observation of a
phenomenon leads to a question.
How does this happen?
What causes it to occur?
Hypothesis
Hypothesizing
question an observation
propose possible solutions to questions based
on what is already understood about the
phenomenon
Hypotheses must:
be logical
account for all current information
make the least possible assumptions
be testable
Testing Hypotheses
Hypotheses need to be tested to see if they are

supported or disproved.
Disproved hypotheses are rejected
Hypotheses can be supported but not proven
Ways to test a hypothesis:

Gathering relevant historical information
Retrospective Studies
Make additional observations from the natural world

Experimentation
Experimentation
Experiments
rigorous tests to determine if the solutions are
supported
Experiments attempt to recreation an occurrence

tests whether or not the hypothesis can be supported
or rejected
There are many types of experiments

laboratory, clinical trials, surveys, statistical analyses
Experimental Design
All experiments have key elements in

common:
Experiments must be controlled
this means that all aspects except for one
variable must be kept constant
usually include any two groups.
Experiments use models to recreate

occurrences, but in a controlled setting
model organisms, cohorts
Experimental Design
Experiments must:
use large numbers of subjects and/or must be
repeated several times (replication)
be independently reproducible
The validity of experimental results must:

be tested statistically
chi-squared test for statistical significance
be scrutinized by other scientists
peer reviewed
Theory
If the hypothesis is supported by ample

experimental data, it leads to a theory.
A theory may be defined as a widely accepted,
plausible general statement about a
fundamental concept in science.
The germ theory states that infectious
diseases are caused by microorganisms.
Theories continue to be tested
Exceptions identified
Modifications made
Scientific Law
A scientific law is a uniform and constant fact of

nature that describes what happens in nature.
An example: All living things come from preexisting living things.
Scientific laws promote the process of

generalization.
Inductive reasoning
Once a theory becomes established, it can be

used to predict specific facts.
Deductive reasoning
Scientific
Communication
Data is shared with the

scientific community through
research articles published in
scientific journals.
peer review
Scientists present preliminary

data at conferences.
Scientists collaborate directly
by phone and
e-mail.
Chapter 1
The Science of Biology
Science of Life
Biology unifies much of natural life

Biology attempts to define life
Biology Living reveals a
hierarchical organization of living
systems
Properties of Life
Living organisms:
are composed of cells (Cellular
Organization)
are complex and ordered (Ordered
Complexity)
respond to their environment
(Sensitivity)
Properties of Life
can Grow, Develop and

Reproduce
obtain and use energy (Energy
Utilization)
maintain internal balance
(Homeostasis)
allow for Evolutionary Adaptation
Ponder on this:
The definitions of life are adapting

with the field
Where do viruses fit in?
Level of Organization
1. Cellular Level
Atoms
cells
molecules
organelles
2. Organismal Level
Tissues
organs
organ systems
3. Population Level
Population
community
species
biological
Level of Organization
4. Ecosystem Level
Biological community + physical habitat (soil,

water,
atmosphere)
5. The Biosphere
The entire planet thought of as an ecosystem
Cellular Level
Cells basic unit of

life
Atoms
Basic unit of life.
Molecules
Organelles
Cells
Organismal level
Tissue
Organs
Organ system
Organism
Population Level
Population
Species
Community
Ecosystem
Biosphere
Level of organization
Each level of organization builds on the level

below it but often demonstrates new features
Emergent properties: new properties present

at one level that are not seen in the previous
level
New properties emerging may be greater

than the sum of the parts

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Introduction to

An observation is a thoughtful and

Hypotheses need to be tested to see if they are

Ways to test a hypothesis:

Make additional observations from the natural world

Experiments attempt to recreation an occurrence

There are many types of experiments

All experiments have key elements in

Experiments use models to recreate

The validity of experimental results must:

chi-squared test for statistical significance

be scrutinized by other scientists

If the hypothesis is supported by ample

A scientific law is a uniform and constant fact of

Scientific laws promote the process of

Once a theory becomes established, it can be

Data is shared with the

Scientists present preliminary

The Science of Biology

Biology unifies much of natural life

can Grow, Develop and

The definitions of life are adapting

Biological community + physical habitat (soil,

The entire planet thought of as an ecosystem

Cells basic unit of

Each level of organization builds on the level

Emergent properties: new properties present

New properties emerging may be greater

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