Science 11: Introduction to Living Systems

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Questions and Answers

What traditional science disciplines are included in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Science?

biology, ecology, geology, chemistry

What fueled machines beyond biological sources like human and animal power?

Coal

Petroleum

Electricity

All of the above (correct)

Reductionist science focuses on analyzing parts of living systems to understand the whole.

True

Unit 4 of the course discusses issues and challenges on Health and Wellness through the concept of ecosystem __________.

services Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the course Living Systems: Concepts and Dynamics in Science 11?

To study how energy and matter from the environment become part of molecules in cells and how cells organize into tissues, organs, and organisms. Signup and view all the answers

How are biological concepts traditionally transmitted in indigenous communities?

Through storytelling, music, and visual arts Signup and view all the answers

In literate cultures, knowledge was primarily transmitted through oral means.

False Signup and view all the answers

The ____________ were responsible for interpreting the desires of the gods in early societies.

Priestly Class Signup and view all the answers

Match the following time periods with corresponding knowledge about living systems:

Sumerians (4500-1750 BCE) = Clay tablets with medical knowledge Greek Philosophers (800-300 BCE) = Abstract scientific thought Signup and view all the answers

What did Aristotle define as a species?

A group of animals that can breed with one another Signup and view all the answers

Aristotle concluded that species were mutable and subject to change.

False Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Aristotle credit with the creation of species in the beginning?

God Signup and view all the answers

In Medieval Europe, knowledge and its interpretation were prescribed by the ruling class such as Monarchies and the ___________.

Church Signup and view all the answers

Match the following advancements with their corresponding time period:

Theory of evolution published by Darwin = 19th century Establishment of ecology = Late 19th century Emergence of ecosystems concept = Mid-20th century Systems ecology development = 1960s to 1970s Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Living Systems

The course, Science 11, explores the concept of living systems and their interconnectedness
The course aims to provide an understanding of living systems from the perspective of a biologist and promote mindful and meaningful living
The course will review high school biology concepts with a new twist: a complex systems perspective

Learning Outcomes

Explore biocultural expressions of knowledge on living systems
Appreciate the changing paradigms about living systems from antiquity to the Renaissance
Review high school biology concepts in the context of the history of biology
Gain a substantive introduction to Science 11

Living Systems in Oral Traditions

In oral traditions, knowledge about living systems was passed down through stories, myths, and legends
This knowledge was holistic, comprehensive, and interconnected, and included an understanding of the natural world, morals, and responsibility
Indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSPs) were developed through careful observation and testing over thousands of years
IKSPs include knowledge of geography, climate, astronomy, agriculture, and medicine, among others

Living Systems from Antiquity to the Renaissance

Early civilizations, such as the Sumerians, used written records to keep track of knowledge, including medical lore, astronomy, and agriculture
The Sumerians believed in a mix of empirical and magical explanations for natural phenomena
Greek philosophers, such as Aristotle, developed abstract scientific thought and wrote treatises on their observations, hypotheses, and conclusions
Aristotle's work included the study of living systems, including the distinction between specialists and generalists, systematics, reproduction, and embryology

Sumerians and their Knowledge of Biology

The Sumerians recorded medical lore, including the treatment of disease, the use of herbs and animal material, and dentistry
The Sumerians believed in demon possession as a cause of disease, but also developed a scientific approach to understanding the natural world

Greek Philosophers and their Theories

Aristotle's work was influential in the development of Western philosophy and science
Aristotle's methods of studying the natural world, including observation and experimentation, are still used today
Aristotle's theories, including the concept of species, are still studied and debated today

Medieval Europe and the Golden Age of the Islamic Civilization

In medieval Europe, knowledge was controlled by the Church and the ruling class
The Church had great power and influence, and individuals who did not conform to the Church's view of truth were seen as heretics
The Islamic Golden Age, from the 12th century onwards, saw a transmission of knowledge from Arabic, Byzantine, Persian, and Indian cultural traditions
This contact led to the development of new fields of mathematics, such as algebra and trigonometry, and the refinement of Aristotelian ideas

The European Enlightenment

The Enlightenment saw a resurgence of interest in gaining knowledge and the development of centers of learning outside of monasteries
The hypothetico-deductive method, developed by Descartes, became a cornerstone of scientific inquiry
The Enlightenment also saw a democratization of knowledge, with the emergence of universities and the questioning of traditional authority### Evolution of Understanding of Living Systems
The evolution of understanding of living systems is based on the idea that species change as individuals interact with their environment.
The development of the hypothetico-deductive method as the Scientific Method led to the growth of biology as a field of study.
The reductionist approach, which breaks down systems into smaller parts, allowed for the development of specialized equipment and more powerful means of analysis.

Development of Biology as a Field of Study

Biology branched into sub-disciplines including anatomy, microbiology, genetics, taxonomy, cell biology, embryology, biochemistry, physiology, and molecular biology.
The development of chemistry and X-ray crystallography enabled the study of the chemical composition of cells.
The unit of analysis shifted from organism to organ to tissue to cell, and eventually to macromolecules and smaller molecules.

Exploration and Colonization

The increase in exposure to different environments and knowledge during the 16th to 17th centuries led to the growth of interest in collecting, cataloging, and studying different kinds of organisms.
Scientific expeditions were conducted by trained naturalists during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Ecology was established by the late 19th century, and the concept of ecosystems emerged in the mid-20th century.

Limitations of Reductionist Paradigms

The reductionist approach has led to many unforeseen consequences to the environment and human societies.
The singular focus on desired outcomes has led to a lack of safeguards that maintain balance and ensure sustainability.
The Cartesian framework, which uses analytical power to control conditions, has been criticized for its limited perspective on understanding complex systems.

Shift towards Systems Science

Systems science shows that living systems cannot be understood by analyzing their parts alone.
The study of living systems now seeks to predict and mitigate the current environmental crisis.
A new perspective and new tools are needed to make sense of the whole system.

Overview of Science 11 Course

The course is divided into four units: Attributes and Properties of Living Systems, Biodiversity, Resource Conservation and Management, and Health and Wellness through Ecosystem Services.
The course aims to provide a complex systems perspective on understanding living systems.

Historical Context of Human Perception of Nature

Human perception of nature has shifted from indigenous and traditional ways of viewing nature to the analytically powerful Western Enlightenment paradigms, and now to the complex systems perspective.
The creation of written documents changed the way knowledge was compiled and transmitted.
The development of technology and mechanical means to extend human senses led to changes in paradigms and ways of perceiving nature.

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Description

Embark on a journey to explore the concept of life, from energy and matter to the organization of cells into tissues. This course covers the basics of living systems in Science 11.