BIOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION
 Science
- from the Latin words:
scire “to know”
scientia “knowledge”
- a systematized body of knowledge derived from
scientific methods
 Science attempts to:
- answer questions
- explain phenomena (sing. phenomenon)
- establish theories and create laws
- seek relationship between things
- discover things
 Limitations of science:
- cannot answer all questions
- requires time; cannot be rushed
- lacks absolute certainty
- cannot make moral or value judgements
 Divisions of Science
 Physical science
-deals with matter and energy
 Biological science
-deals with living things
 Divisions of Science
 Pure science
- answers questions for the sake of knowledge
itself
- Basic research
 Applied science
- uses knowledge in basic research to solve
practical problems
- Technology
 gypsy moth
- the larvae attack trees and shrubs
- females produce pheromones that can be
detected miles away by males
- sex attractant is used in traps
- pest population is controlled
 Scientific method
- a precise and orderly process by which
information is obtained
- logical way to solve a problem or answer a
question
 Steps in the Scientific Method
1. Define the problem
2. Observe and collect data
3. Form a hypothesis
4. Experiment
5. Record and interpret data
6. Draw conclusion
7. Publish results
 Steps in the Scientific Method
1. Define the problem
- curiosity drives scientific inquiry
- includes questioning
- delimit the problem
2. Observe and collect data
- observation involves the use of the senses
- facts, figures, and other evidence gained
through observation are called data
- data can be from scientific papers, journals,
books, consultation from experts, etc.
- inference is a logical interpretation based on
observation or prior knowledge
3. Form a hypothesis (hypotheses pl.)
- a trial answer to the problem
- must be testable
- can be accepted or rejected
4. Experiment
- will either support or disprove the
hypothesis
- all the factors that can change are called
variables
- variables: manipulated or responding
- all other variables must be controlled to
show the changes
 Variables
 Manipulated or independent
- the variable that is changed
 Responding or dependent
- the variable that is expected to change
- the variable being measured
5. Record and interpret data Mammalogy mammals
- data are often organized in tables or graphs Conchology shells
- data can be qualitative or quantitative Parasitology parasites
6. Draw conclusion Herpetology reptiles
- a conclusion states whether the data supported Mycology fungi
the hypothesis or showed it to be false
- if other experiments continue to support the  Contributors to Biological Knowledge
hypothesis, it becomes a theory
- a scientific law is a statement describing a Aristotle – the father of modern biology
general truth Galen – systematized the science of anatomy
7. Publish results Andreas Vesalius – study of human anatomy
- accurate report of research methods, results, William Harvey – showed that blood circulates
and conclusions Anton van Leewenhoek – observed organisms
- an obligation of a researcher with a microscope
- exchange of information speeds up scientific Carolus Linnaeus – developed a system of
progress taxonomy
Louis Pasteur – developed vaccine for rabies
 Branches of Biology and anthrax
Botany plants Gregor Mendel – laid the foundation of genetics
Zoology animals Charles Darwin – established the concept of
Anatomy structure (animals) natural selection
Taxonomy classification Alexander Fleming – discovered penicillin
Cytology cells Thomas Hunt Morgan – established the gene
Genetics heredity theory
Physiology function James Watson and Francis Crick – developed a
Microbiology microorganism model of the DNA
Ecology relationships
Embryology development  Importance of Biology

 Branches of Biology - health and well being

Evolution origin of species - medicine
Paleontology fossils - agriculture
Morphology form and structure - production of materials
Biochemistry chemistry of life - forensics
Biogeography distribution - environmental stewardship
Cryology low temperature - sports and leisure
Ethology animal behavior - aesthetics
Virology virus - warfare and defense
Pathology diseases
Pharmacology drugs

 According to the Kind of Organism Studied:

Entomology insects
Helminthology worms
Ichthyology fish
Ornithology birds