Introduction to Biological Science 1.2

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of biology as a science?

  • The study of chemical reactions
  • The study of life forms (correct)
  • The study of minerals and rocks
  • The study of the cosmos

Which of the following methods is NOT typically associated with scientific research?

  • Careful observation
  • Record keeping
  • Religious interpretation (correct)
  • Experimentation

What is considered a significant ability required for effective scientific research?

  • Unquestioning acceptance of results
  • Imitating past experiments
  • Limited imagination
  • Mathematical reasoning (correct)

What differentiates scientific inquiries from questions of morals or aesthetics?

<p>Science is based on experimental evidence (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a hypothesis represent in the scientific method?

<p>A suggested explanation that can be tested (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is science considered a social enterprise?

<p>Because it includes practical applications that affect society (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic that a well-designed scientific experiment possesses?

<p>It is often described as elegant or beautiful (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'science' primarily denote?

<p>Knowledge about the natural world (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a scientific theory?

<p>A thoroughly tested and confirmed explanation for observations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a valid hypothesis?

<p>It must be testable and falsifiable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes scientific laws?

<p>They often use mathematical formulas to describe behavior under specific conditions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What format is typically used for a prediction in scientific research?

<p>If...then... (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way do hypotheses interact with scientific theories?

<p>Hypotheses are developed within the context of existing theories (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of conducting an experiment in the context of testing a hypothesis?

<p>To eliminate or support one or more hypotheses. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario best illustrates the role of a control in an experiment?

<p>Using a salt that does not affect algae as a comparison. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the common goal of all scientific fields?

<p>To acquire knowledge and understand the world (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reasoning does a biologist often use when making observations?

<p>Inductive reasoning (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the relationship between basic science and applied science?

<p>Basic science provides foundational knowledge that can inform applied science. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes deductive reasoning in hypothesis-based science?

<p>It makes predictions based on existing general principles (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when a hypothesis is described as unfalsifiable?

<p>It cannot be disproven by experimental results. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about predictions is correct?

<p>Predictions require a clear hypothesis to be formulated. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the scientific method typically begin with?

<p>An observation or problem to be solved (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a method often employed in descriptive science?

<p>Observing and recording data (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do computer algorithms play in modern scientific research?

<p>They help analyze large data sets for new insights. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are descriptive science and hypothesis-based science related?

<p>They are often blended in scientific endeavors (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might a researcher choose to reject a hypothesis?

<p>Experimental data contradicts it. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a field of natural science?

<p>Psychology (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for a variable in an experiment?

<p>It can change or vary throughout the experiment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of data can scientific observations yield?

<p>Both qualitative and quantitative data (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What misconception might some people have about basic science?

<p>It has no value unless it addresses specific problems. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the scientific method adapt to new findings in research?

<p>It allows for changes in approach based on experimental outcomes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method was first documented by Sir Francis Bacon related to scientific inquiry?

<p>Inductive reasoning (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about scientific laws is correct?

<p>They generally describe non-living matter and can be expressed mathematically (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the misconception about proving hypotheses mentioned in the context?

<p>Hypotheses can be definitively proven. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does curiosity play in the scientific process?

<p>It's a primary driving force for scientific inquiry (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does basic science play in the development of applied science?

<p>It lays the foundational knowledge that allows applied science to address practical problems. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the Human Genome Project's primary goal?

<p>To determine the precise sequence of DNA subunits in the human genome. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant benefit of peer-reviewed articles in scientific research?

<p>They ensure that research meets quality standards through expert evaluation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What unexpected discovery led to the development of penicillin?

<p>A biologist accidentally discovered a mold that killed bacteria. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Percy Lavon Julian contribute to drug production?

<p>He recognized a new substance from a failed experiment that enabled mass production of progesterone. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is communication among scientists essential?

<p>It enhances collaboration and the advancement of scientific knowledge. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential drawback of non-peer-reviewed scientific publications?

<p>They may present unreliable results and should not influence further research. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component is crucial for DNA replication?

<p>Protein enzymes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'serendipity' refer to in scientific discoveries?

<p>The occurrence of fortunate accidents leading to unexpected findings. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does basic research influence applied research?

<p>It provides foundational knowledge necessary for practical application. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of a scientific paper is enhanced through the peer review process?

<p>The originality and significance of the research. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'gene' represent in genetics?

<p>The basic unit of heredity coded by a specific DNA segment. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what context did Alexander Fleming discover penicillin?

<p>While leaving a laboratory unattended, allowing mold to grow on bacteria. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant outcome of the Human Genome Project?

<p>Mapping genetic sequences to aid in disease research. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Biology

The study of life and living organisms.

Scientific Method

A systematic method of research with defined steps including observation and experimentation.

Hypothesis

A suggested explanation for an event that can be tested.

Community of Researchers

A group of scientists working together and individually to advance knowledge.

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Imagination in Science

Creativity required to design experiments and conceptualize phenomena.

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Science vs. Other Knowledge

Science investigates material phenomena but cannot explore moral or spiritual questions.

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Elegance in Experiments

Well-designed experiments are often described as elegant or beautiful.

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Knowledge (Scientia)

Science is defined as knowledge about the natural world derived from specific methods.

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Scientific Theory

A thoroughly tested and confirmed explanation for observations.

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Scientific Laws

Concise descriptions of nature's behavior under specific conditions, often mathematical.

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Natural Sciences

Fields of science that study physical world phenomena.

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Life Sciences

Disciplines that study living organisms.

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Physical Sciences

Disciplines that study nonliving matter.

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Inductive Reasoning

Logical thinking that uses observations to arrive at general conclusions.

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Deductive Reasoning

Logical thinking that uses general principles to predict specific outcomes.

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Descriptive Science

Science aimed at observing and discovering phenomena.

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Hypothesis-Based Science

Science that begins with a specific question and tests possible answers.

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Observation

The act of noticing and describing phenomena.

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Inferencing

Drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning.

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Curiosity and Inquiry

Driving forces behind scientific research and discovery.

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Interdisciplinary Science

Fields that integrate knowledge from two or more disciplines.

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Prediction

A forecast about what will happen if the hypothesis is true.

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Testable Hypothesis

A hypothesis that can be supported or refuted by experimentation.

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Falsifiable Hypothesis

A hypothesis that can be proven false through evidence.

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Variable

Any part of an experiment that can change.

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Control

The part of the experiment that does not change.

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Data Research

Using algorithms and statistical analyses on data for hypothesis testing.

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Basic Science

Research conducted to increase fundamental knowledge.

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Applied Science

Research aimed at solving practical problems.

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Linearity in Science

The belief that scientific progress occurs in a straight path.

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Support for Hypothesis

Evidence that strengthens the validity of a hypothesis.

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Rejecting Hypothesis

The process of disproving a hypothesis based on experimental data.

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Scientific Community Debate

Discussions among scientists about the value of different types of science.

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Experimental Results

Outcomes obtained from conducting a scientific experiment.

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DNA Structure

The arrangement of nucleotides in DNA that dictates genetic information.

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DNA Replication

The process of copying DNA to make new strands before cell division.

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Genetic Diseases

Disorders caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes.

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Human Genome Project

A project aimed at mapping and understanding all the genes of the human species.

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Gene

A segment of DNA that codes for a functional molecule, typically a protein.

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Serendipity in Science

The occurrence of unexpected discoveries made by chance.

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Penicillin Discovery

The antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming from mold contaminating bacteria.

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Peer Review

The process where scientific work is evaluated by other experts before publication.

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Scientific Communication

The dissemination of scientific findings to expand knowledge within the field.

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Open-Access Journals

Journals that provide research articles for free, sometimes with varying peer-review quality.

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Grant Proposals

Requests for funding to support scientific research, subject to peer review.

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Stigmasterol

A compound derived from soybeans, important for making hormones like progesterone.

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Communication in Science

The exchange of findings and ideas between scientists to enhance research.

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Study Notes

Biology as a Science

  • Biology is the study of life, part of the natural sciences (along with geology, physics, and chemistry).
  • Biology, and all sciences, are social enterprises, relying on collaboration and shared methods.
  • Scientific methods include observation, record-keeping, logical reasoning, experimentation, and scrutiny by others.
  • Imagination and creativity are vital to scientific problem-solving.
  • Science has practical applications (e.g., disease prevention) and also pursues knowledge for its own sake (curiosity-driven).

Defining Science

  • Science is knowledge about the natural world, a specific way of understanding it.
  • Scientific methods have proven very powerful for understanding the world, particularly in the last 500 years.
  • Science has limitations; it cannot address purely moral, aesthetic, or spiritual questions.

The Scientific Method

  • The scientific method is a structured approach to research using experimentation and observation.
  • A hypothesis is a testable explanation for an event.
  • A scientific theory is a well-tested explanation for a set of observations or phenomena.
  • Scientific laws describe predictable natural phenomena through mathematical formulas.

Types of Science

  • A museum of natural sciences would contain diverse exhibits on many subjects from the natural world, like animals, plants, the human brain, astronomy, geological features, and even minerals.
  • Natural sciences are divided into life sciences (biology, etc.) and physical sciences (astronomy, physics, chemistry, etc.).
  • Some sciences (like biophysics and biochemistry) are interdisciplinary, merging two disciplines.

Scientific Reasoning

  • Scientists use inductive and deductive reasoning.
  • Inductive reasoning builds general conclusions from observations.
  • Deductive reasoning uses general principles to make specific predictions from those principles.
  • Both descriptive and hypothesis-based science are used. Descriptive science aims to observe and explore, while hypothesis-based science proposes specific testable hypotheses.

The Scientific Process

  • The scientific method typically begins with an observation, leading to a question, then proposing a hypothesis and a prediction, followed by experiments to test the hypothesis and analyze the results.
  • A hypothesis must be testable and potentially falsifiable.
  • Experiments involve variables (elements that change) and controls (elements that remain constant)
  • No hypothesis can be "proven," only supported or refuted.

Basic vs. Applied Science

  • Basic science ("pure science") expands knowledge without immediate practical applications.
  • Applied science aims to solve real-world problems using scientific knowledge.
  • Basic science is often foundational for applied science, with many valuable applications stemming from curiosity-driven research.

Scientific Communication

  • Scientists share findings through peer-reviewed publications.
  • Peer review helps ensure the quality and validity of scientific research.
  • Scientists present at conferences, and publication in peer-reviewed journals are vital for the propagation of scientific knowledge.

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