BIO 11.1 Investigative Biology Laboratory Exercise 1 PDF

Institute of Biological Sciences College of Arts and Sciences University of the Philippines Los Baños BIO 11.1: Investigative Biology La...

Institute of Biological Sciences College of Arts and Sciences University of the Philippines Los Baños BIO 11.1: Investigative Biology Laboratory Exercise 1 MAKING AND RECORDING OBSERVATIONS Observation is the act of gathering information on an activity, process or even just a structure. It is mostly direct or visual but all five senses may be used in observation, depending on the nature and extent of an event, object or phenomenon to be observed. All scientific research begins and ends with observation. It is the bedrock of scientific work from Astronomy to Anatomy to Molecular Biology. Indirect observation occurs when instruments of live or recorded events are used. Throughout this course, you will be exposed to different degrees and levels of observations. The starting point for the scientific method (i.e. recognition of the existence of a problem) relies heavily on accurate observation. Raw data from nature or natural phenomena can be obtained and allowed people to deduce how a system or a process operates. By observing natural and physical phenomena even without proper instrumentation, early scientists were able to formulate hypotheses about nature that eventually contributed to development of a theory. In the past, well established theories like Ptolemy’s geocentric view of the universe as well as theories on spontaneous generation on the origin of life were held to be true for centuries. Books and articles were published on these and were accepted by the general public and scientists because they were products of “observed events”. However, those were later proven to be false by more reliable and repeated observations, calculations, and experimentations. A scientific “truth’ may never be final and could be modified or even discarded. Observations are transformed into descriptions which may either be qualitative or quantitative. Both may be used at the same time depending on the objective of the exercise or experiment. Qualitative descriptions involve words or terms to indicate color, smell or shape. When counts or measurements are done resulting in numerical values, quantitative descriptions ensue and these may require some instruments (eg. counting device) for precision. Examples of observations are found in the following link: http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-observation.html. Written descriptions made after observations may follow a logical sequence (e.g. outer to inner parts of a plant stem cross section) or it may be random (e.g. observing various persons crossing a pedestrian lane or observing your classmates’ reactions and behavior as they dissect a frog). Observation can be developed by extensive practice and may be directed Copyright © 2021. This course material is intended solely for the personal use of the student enrolled in BIO 11.1. No part of this course material can be reproduced, reposted, or replicated without permission from the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, CAS, UPLB.  Exercise 1 : Making and Recording Observations BIO 11.1 Investigative Biology Laboratory towards a desired outcome or objective. Observations and corresponding descriptions must be relevant, repeatable and accurate. Observations may be recorded first, then described, interpreted, and analyzed later. Recording initial observations or experimental results may be done directly through written paragraphs or may be stored with the use of a camera. A video recording is often used to capture the details of a fast action sequence (e.g. in making nature documentaries). A flash or a sound of a camera may cause significant disturbance if one is capturing images or behavior of animals in the wild. Sometimes, the presence of an observer may distract the precise movement of the live animal being observed. In laboratory exercises, observations are recorded through morphological or anatomical drawings that may lead to a diagram where complete and proper labels are required. One can also make scientific, careful observations of a process or a reaction. These may provide insights on the physiology and biochemical transformations in the cell since most experiments are done in vitro. You may also transform your observations into charts, tables and graphs. All of these aim to develop and sharpen your observational skills leading to the formulation of questions and hypotheses that trigger the scientific method. In this exercise, you will make an empirical observation of fish in a container and a plant. The main goal is for you to practice making accurate observations and paying particular attention to details. Another challenge is for you to convert these observations in complete, clear-cut sentences and well written paragraphs using correct grammar, devoid of bias and imagined interpretation. LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the exercise, you should be able to: 1. differentiate qualitative from quantitative descriptions; 2. synthesize observations into accurate descriptions; and 3. assess factors that may lead to biased or subjective descriptions. READING RESOURCES: Scientific Observation: https://explorable.com/scientific-observation The Role of Observation in Science: https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/8-the-role- of-observation-in-science LABORATORY ACTIVITY In your notebook or scratch paper, try doing these activities. These might help you in writing your description for the fish and the plant: A. draw the external anatomy of a typical bony fish and “makahiya” plant B. Label all parts. Copyright © 2021. This course material is intended solely for the personal use of the student enrolled in BIO 11.1. No part of this course material can be reproduced, reposted, or replicated without permission from the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, CAS, UPLB. Exercise 1 : Making and Recording Observations BIO 11.1 Investigative Biology Laboratory C. List down some verbs that you expect to be associated with fish behavior when swimming. Do the same for humans. Are there any similarities? Underline these common verbs. Activity 1. Observation of fish in its environment A video showing fish in an aquarium or container is provided. Observe and describe the behavior of fish in these four scenarios: a. Undisturbed b. Few pebbles are dropped c. Fish food are dropped d. Tank is tapped on one side As an alternative, you may watch an internet video of a fish in a contraption. Take note of the appearance (behavior) of the fish and everything you can see in the container. On a small piece of paper, make a preliminary record of all possible qualitative and quantitative descriptions. *Some questions to ponder: What behavioral verbs do fish and humans have in common? How is swimming different in fish and humans? From your previous experience (even if you do not know how to swim), can you describe how a person swims? What happens first? What other behavior do fish and humans have in common? Activity 2. Observation of “makahiya” plant A video showing the “makahiya” plant will be given. Describe the “makahiya” plant and its reaction to stimuli. Record all preliminary qualitative and quantitative observations on a spare piece of paper. Organize your observations and write them in paragraphs to form a cohesive description. List down at least two scientific questions with regard to the appearance and behavior of the plants and the fish, respectively. As an optional work, you may research on the mechanism why and how the “makahiya” plant closes/ opens its leaflets. *Some questions to ponder: Identify some characteristics of life as evident in your observations on the fish and the plant. What characteristics of life are not directly shown by the fish and “makahiya” behavior? Copyright © 2021. This course material is intended solely for the personal use of the student enrolled in BIO 11.1. No part of this course material can be reproduced, reposted, or replicated without permission from the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, CAS, UPLB. Exercise 1 : Making and Recording Observations BIO 11.1 Investigative Biology Laboratory Note: The instructor may give additional exercises to make and record observations (eg. morphological drawings). Link to your video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VY6vs3UZmU&feature=youtu.be SUGGESTED OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES You may use the following link on “how to increase your powers of observation”: http://ideas.time.com/2012/05/02/how-to-incease-your-powers-of-observation/. Name: Date Submitted: Lab Section: Laboratory Instructor: Copyright © 2021. This course material is intended solely for the personal use of the student enrolled in BIO 11.1. No part of this course material can be reproduced, reposted, or replicated without permission from the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, CAS, UPLB. Exercise 1 : Making and Recording Observations BIO 11.1 Investigative Biology Laboratory Exercise 1 MAKING AND RECORDING OBSERVATIONS ACTIVITY SHEET Activity 1. Observation of fish in its environment Copyright © 2021. This course material is intended solely for the personal use of the student enrolled in BIO 11.1. No part of this course material can be reproduced, reposted, or replicated without permission from the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, CAS, UPLB. Exercise 1 : Making and Recording Observations BIO 11.1 Investigative Biology Laboratory Activity 2. Observation of “makahiya” plant Copyright © 2021. This course material is intended solely for the personal use of the student enrolled in BIO 11.1. No part of this course material can be reproduced, reposted, or replicated without permission from the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, CAS, UPLB. Exercise 1 : Making and Recording Observations BIO 11.1 Investigative Biology Laboratory Scientific questions formulated from observation: a. Observation of fish in its environment i. _____________________________________________________________ ii. _____________________________________________________________ b. Observation of “makahiya” plant i. _____________________________________________________________ ii. _____________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2021. This course material is intended solely for the personal use of the student enrolled in BIO 11.1. No part of this course material can be reproduced, reposted, or replicated without permission from the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, CAS, UPLB.