Questions and Answers
What are the goals of science?
One goal of science is to provide natural explanations for events in the natural world. Science also aims to use those explanations to understand patterns in nature and to make useful predictions about natural events.
What procedures are at the core of scientific methodology?
Scientific methodology involves observing and asking questions, making inferences and forming hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.
What is observation?
The act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way.
What is an inference?
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What is a hypothesis?
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What is a controlled experiment?
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What is an independent variable?
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What is a dependent variable?
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What is a control group?
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What are data?
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What is quantitative data?
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What is qualitative data?
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What scientific attitudes help generate new ideas?
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Why is peer review so important?
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What is a scientific theory?
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What is the relationship between science and society?
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What is bias?
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What characteristics do all living things share?
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What is biology?
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What is DNA?
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What is a stimulus?
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What is sexual reproduction?
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What is asexual reproduction?
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What is homeostasis?
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What is metabolism?
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What are the central themes of biology?
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What is the biosphere?
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How do different fields of biology differ in their approach to studying life?
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How is the metric system important in science?
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What is the basic unit of length?
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What is the basic unit of mass?
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What is the basic unit of volume?
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What is the basic unit of temperature?
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Study Notes
Goals of Science
- Provides natural explanations for events in the natural world.
- Understands patterns in nature and makes predictions about natural events.
Definition of Science
- An organized method for gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural environment.
Core of Scientific Methodology
- Involves observing, questioning, forming hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.
Key Terms in Biology
- Observation: Noticing and describing events systematically.
- Inference: Logical interpretation based on existing knowledge.
- Hypothesis: Testable scientific explanation for observations.
- Controlled Experiment: Only one variable is changed; others are kept constant.
Experiment Variables
- Independent Variable: Deliberately changed in an experiment.
- Dependent Variable: Observed and altered in response to the independent variable.
- Control Group: Exposed to all conditions of the experimental group except one independent variable.
Data Types
- Data: Detailed experimental observations.
- Quantitative Data: Numbers from counting or measuring.
- Qualitative Data: Descriptive characteristics that cannot be easily counted.
Scientific Attitudes
- Curiosity, skepticism, open-mindedness, and creativity are essential for generating new ideas in science.
Importance of Peer Review
- Ensures the quality and validity of scientific research by allowing ideas and work to be evaluated by other researchers.
Definition of a Scientific Theory
- A well-tested explanation bringing together a broad range of observations and hypotheses, allowing predictions of new situations.
Relationship Between Science and Society
- Science must be understood within its social context and limitations.
Bias in Science
- A personal preference or viewpoint that can affect scientific interpretation.
Characteristics of Living Things
- Composed of cells, based on genetic code, obtain energy, grow and develop, reproduce, respond to stimuli, maintain homeostasis, and evolve over time.
Definition of Biology
- The scientific study of life.
DNA
- The molecule containing the genetic code necessary for an organism's growth, reproduction, and function.
Reproduction Types
- Sexual Reproduction: Offspring form from the union of cells from two parents.
- Asexual Reproduction: Organism produces identical offspring.
Homeostasis
- The effort by organisms to maintain stable internal conditions regardless of external changes.
Metabolism
- The total of all chemical reactions enabling organisms to build up or break down materials.
Central Themes of Biology
- Includes cellular basis of life, heredity, growth and reproduction, homeostasis, evolution, structure and function, unity and diversity of life, interdependence, and the methodology of science.
Biosphere
- The global ecological system integrating all forms of life on Earth.
Fields of Biology
- Encompasses various fields that study life from molecular levels to ecosystems.
Metric System in Science
- Predominantly utilized by scientists for data collection and experimentation.
Basic Units in the Metric System
- Length: Meter (m)
- Mass: Gram (g)
- Volume: Liter (L)
- Temperature: Degrees Celsius (°C)
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Description
Explore the fundamental goals and processes of science with these flashcards from Chapter 1 of Biology. Learn how science seeks to explain, analyze, and predict natural events through organized methodologies. Perfect for a quick review of key concepts.