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Biology
Day 1
Solving Problems Using a Scientific
Approach
 Scientific Method
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Problem
Hypothesis
Experiment
Analysis
Conclusion
Parts of an Experiment
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Variables
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Independent – changed by you
Dependent – changed by to independent
Constant – stay the same
Control – for comparison
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Organisms – Living organisms are diverse but
share certain characteristics
Properties of Life – Seven themes unify the
science of biology
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Cellular Structure and Function
Reproduction
Metabolism
Homeostasis
Heredity
Evolution
Interdependence
Unifying Themes of Biology
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Cellular Structure and Function
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Reproduction
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All living organisms are composed of cells
Living organisms reproduce, producing
offspring similar to themselves
Metabolism
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Living organisms obtain and use energy to
stay alive, grow, and develop
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Homeostasis
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Heredity
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All living things are able to pass on traits to
their offspring through genes that are passed
from parent to offspring each generation
Evolution
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All living organisms respond to their
environment and are able to maintain
homeostasis
Evolution has shaped all of life’s diversity
Interdependence
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All living organisms depend on one another
and their environment
Solving Real World Problems
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Preserving our
Environment
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Pollution of the
atmosphere, extinction
of plants and animals,
and a growing demand
for food are current
environmental
problems caused by
the growing human
population
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Improving the Food
Supply
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Genetic engineering is
used to develop crops
that require fewer
fertilizers and pesticides
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Understanding the
Human Genome
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Scientists are sequencing
every human gene, which
will be an invaluable tool
in medical research
Fighting Disease
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AIDS and Cancer
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Biological research and new technologies will help
scientists battle diseases such as AIDS and cancer
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Emerging Diseases
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The past few years have seen the emergence of new
diseases from other parts of the world such as West
Nile virus
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Gene Therapy
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Gene therapy will help scientists fight genetic
disorders such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy,
and hemophilia
Observation: The Basis of Scientific
Research
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Solving Scientific Puzzles
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All scientists have a certain way
of investigating the world
Observation
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Observation is the act of noting
or perceiving objects or events
using the senses
Stages of Scientific Investigation
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Collecting Observations and Asking Questions
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Scientists add to scientific knowledge by sharing
observations and posing questions about
observations
Forming Hypotheses and Making Predictions
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Forming and testing hypotheses, as well as
making predictions, is important in scientific
investigations
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Confirming Predictions
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In a controlled
experiment, the
independent variable is
varied between the
experimental and control
groups. The measured
variable is the dependent
variable
Drawing Conclusions
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Hypotheses can be
supported or rejected, but
never proven
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Viewing Conclusions in Context
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Many important scientific questions have
more than one answer, such as determining
the causes of the global decline in amphibians
Scientific Explanations
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Constructing a Theory
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A collection of hypotheses that have been
repeatedly tested and are supported by a
great deal of evidence forms a theory