Florida Biology

The NATURE of SCIENCE

METRIC SYSTEM

Welcome to BIOLOGY
 SC.912.N.1.1
 Define a problem based on a specific body of knowledge, for example:
biology, chemistry, physics, and earth/space science, and do the
following:
 pose questions about the natural world;
 conduct systematic observations;
 examine books and other sources of information to see what is already known;
 review what is known in light of empirical evidence;
 plan investigations;
 use tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data (this includes the use of
measurement in metric and other systems, and also the generation and
interpretation of graphical representations of data, including data tables and
graphs);
 pose answers, explanations, or descriptions of events;
 generate explanations that explicate or describe natural phenomena
(inferences);
 use appropriate evidence and reasoning to justify these explanations to others;
 communicate results of scientific investigations; and
 evaluate the merits of the explanations produced by others.
 Other Benchmarks Included
 SC.912.L.14.4: Compare and contrast structure and function of various types of
microscopes.

 SC.912.N.1.3: Recognize that the strength or usefulness of a scientific claim is

evaluated through scientific argumentation, which depends on critical and logical
thinking, and the active consideration of alternative scientific explanations to
explain the data presented.
 SC.912.N.1.4: Identify sources of information and assess their reliability according to
the strict standards of scientific investigation.
 SC.912.N.1.6: Describe how scientific inferences are drawn from scientific
observations and provide examples from the content being studied.
 SC.912.N.2.1: Identify what is science, what clearly is not science, and what
superficially resembles science (but fails to meet the criteria for science).
 SC.912.N.2.2: Identify which questions can answered through science and which
questions are outside the boundaries of scientific investigation, such as questions
addressed by other ways of knowing, such as art, philosophy, and religion.
 SC.912.N.2.4: Explain that scientific knowledge is both durable and robust and
open to change. Scientific knowledge can change because it is often examined
and re-examined by new investigations and scientific argumentation. Because of
these frequent examinations, scientific knowledge becomes stronger, leading to its
durability.
Learning Goal

Students will be able to:

Understand the practice of science,
including what is science and how
scientific inferences are drawn

Sample Essential Questions

• What is the study of science, and how do I
differentiate science from pseudoscience?
• Why are safety and proper procedures an important
aspect of all science courses?
• How do I use the scientific method?
VOCABULARY

scientific method (all components)

observations, hypothesis, conclusion, data analysis, graphs,
data tables graph
Science dependent variable
Pseudoscience independent variable
Predictions theory
Inferences law
Validity biotic
Reliability abiotic
Quantitative homeostasis
Qualitative cell
Meter unity
Liter diversity
Gram domain
 SC.912.L.14.4: Compare and contrast
structure and function of various types of
microscopes.
Dissecting light microscope = light passes through two light sources
to give a low magnification 3D view of an object

Compound light microscope = light passes through lens to maginfy

object

TEM/ transmission electron microscope =electrons bounce off

internal structures for a 2D high magnification of an object

SEM /scanning electron microscope = electrons bounce off to give

a 3D high magnification image of an object

click this link for a quick microscope comparison interactive

MORE TO FOLLOW WITH CELLS
What is science?
Science is the systematic method of explaining
what/when/where/why/how natural phenomena occur
What is not science?
Human endeavors that do not involve the above
OR if they do attempt to explain natural phenomena,
they do not provide supporting evidence
What is PSEUDOSCIENCE?
A method of attempting to explain natural
phenomena without supporting evidence

How do you know the difference?

Scientific explanations for natural phenomena
REQUIRE evidence and the ability to retest that
evidence following a methodical process
In general, this will involve observations, numbers and data analysis
How do you identify legitimate sources of information?
This may seem challenging in the 21st century thanks to technology.
The ONLY sources of legitimate scientific information are .gov
or sources with peer reviewed publications.
 Scientific Method
Before you can begin the Scientific method of investigation, you must:

• Identify a problem
What do you want to know?

What question do you want to answer?

What problem do you want to solve?

An OBSERVATION leads to a QUESTION

what / when / where / why / how
 Scientific Method
Make observations: gather observed information

Collect data: gather quantitative information

Research previous knowledge

Form an EDUCATED explanation/answer to the question

there is no “guessing” involved in a hypothesis

Educated explanation/answer = Hypothesis

Scenario:

• You have recently noticed quite a few fish turning up dead at your favorite
lake.
• The temperature doesn’t seem unusually cold or hot.
• The color of the water seems to be changing.
• You notice a new subdivision being built on the opposite side of the lake.
• You notice some run off from the subdivision into the lake,=.
• You decide to check the pH level of the lake (#1) and the pH level of
another lake (#2) you frequently visit.
• The pH of your favorite lake (#1) is significantly lower than the pH of the
other lake (#2).

Based on your observations/available data you ASK the

QUESTION:
Is the LOWER pH in Lake #1
having an impact on fish survival?
 Scientific Method
:
TEST the hypothesis

Conduct an Experiment
Develop a way to TEST your hypothesis
IF __________ then __________

If the pH of water is lower than _____, then fish will die.

INDEPENDENT DEPENDANT
VARIABLE VARIABLE
 Your TESTABLE hypothesis must
provide an answer to your question
The independent variable (IV) = what I (the scientist) manipulate

The dependent variable (DV) = what changes based on the IV

All other variables must be controlled to insure your

results reflect YOUR HYPOTHESIS and are not because
of any other variable
What are the INDEPENDENT VARIABLES above?

What are the DEPENDANT VARIABLES above?

 Experiments will Generate DATA
that can be interpreted and will either
support or reject your hypothesis

Validity
The results must accurately provide a measured result.
Quantitative analysis: measured results involving numeric
values
Qualitative analysis: measured results involving
positive/negative or yes/no results

Reliability
The experiment must produce the same valid results
with repeated testing, anytime, by anyone
You must be able to duplicate
 Scientific Method
Conclusion
Interpret the DATA collected

Was your hypothesis correct?

Was your hypothesis incorrect?

Correct what went wrong
Rerun experiment with corrections

Can your data be used to PREDICT an outcome?

What will happen to global temperatures in 2050
if CO2 levels continue to rise
 Scientific Method

Theory
A THEORY is a HYPOTHESIS
that has been tested many times
by many people over time with the same results

A THEORY: can NEVER be proved

A THEORY CAN be disproved with the

discovery of new information

LAW = WHAT happens

THEORY = WHY it happens
 Based on this experiment, which of the following should be inferred
about cells with semi-permeable membranes?
 A. Substances other than water may also cross the cell membrane.
 B. Substances other than water may block pores in the cell
membrane.
 C. Water enters the cell when placed in environments of high water
concentration.
 D. Water leaves the cell when placed in environments with a low
concentration of solutes.
1. An experiment that generates data that
indicates positive/negative results is considered
____________ analysis.

2. An experiment that generates data that

indicates measurable results is considered
__________________ analysis.

3. A reasonable explanation/answer to a
problem/question is referred to as a _________.

4. When designing an experiment, your hypothesis

should testable as an IF……..THEN statement.

5. When designing and experiment, you can test more

than one variable at a time.
RECOMMENDED VIDEOS
Making graphs Bozeman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BkbYeTC6Mo

analyzing data doing science 1 Bozeman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NkT-oYPkOA

scientific method doing science 1 Bozeman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJJoKxDsyoQ

Experimantal design doing science 3 Bozeman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTfcyGlVVWo

Data analysis / Graphing

Choose ONE activity from the link:
data analysis online practice
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/bio_12_fl/page_build.htm?id=resourc
es/jsp/data_analysis/data_analysis
Watch the animation:
Experimental Design
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/bio_12_fl/resources/htmls/animated_bio
logy/unit1/bio_ch01_0029_ab_expdes.html
 Metric system

Length measured in METERS

Volume measured in LITERS

Mass measured in GRAMS

Temperature measured in CELSIUS or KELVIN

 Prefixes

µ = micro = 1/1,000,000 centi- = 1/100

µg = microgram cg = centigram
µl = microliter cL = centiliter
µm = micrometer cm = centimeter

Milli = 1/1000 Deci = 1/10

mg = milligram dg = decigram
mL = milliliter dL = deciliter
mm = millimeter dm = decimeter
 prefixes

Deca = X 10
Decagram
Decaliter
decameter
Hecta = X 100
Hectragram
Hectaliter Kilo = X 1000
hectameter Kilogram
Kiloliter
kilometer
Meters and liters

METER measures length

1 m is approximately 1 yard
1 km is 0.6 miles ( 1 km = 1000 m )
2.54 cm = 1 inch ( 100cm = 1 m )
LITER measure volume
1 L is approximately 1 quart
500 mL = 2 cups (1000 mL = 1 L )
250 mL = 1 cup ( 250 mL = ¼ liter )
Grams and temperature
GRAMS measure mass
1 kg = 2.2 pounds ( 1 kg = 1000 g )
454 g = 1 lb
CELSIUS and KELVIN measure temperature
K = ºC + 273
Kelvin measures kinetic energy (movement)
Absolute 0 = NO MOVEMENT
0ºC = water freezing point 100 ºC = water boiling point
37 ºC = human body temperature (98.6 ºF)
24 ºC = ambient temperature ( room temp approx 74 ºF )
 Metric relationships

1 g H2O = 1 mL = 1 cm 3

1 calorie equals the amount of energy required

to raise 1 gram (= 1mL = 1cm3) 1 ºC

1 Calorie = 1000 calories

 Biology

Bio = life ology = study of Biology = study of life

Biotic factors = ALL LIVING things in an environment

Trees, cats, fish, bacteria, etc.
Abiotic factors = ALL NONLIVING things
Air, rocks, water, rivers, etc
Living things depend on abiotic factors to live
Abiotic factors recycled
Matter cannot be created or destroyed
 Characteristics of living things

ALL living things MUST HAVE the following characteristics

1. Be complex and organized

2. Use energy (to maintain homeostasis)

3. Grow (and develop)

4. reproduce

5. Respond and adapt

 Overview
Natural tendency is for universe and matter to move towards
an increasing state of disorder
This involves a LOSS of usable energy
40% of energy produced in human metabolism is lost as heat
Organisms have developed a complex/organized system that allows
Them to maintain homeostasis (same state)
System requires energy to do work
Because organisms maintain homeostasis, they are
able to grow and reproduce

Successful growth and reproduction depends on an organisms ability

to adapt and respond to the environment (immediately and over time
 Heirarchy Levels of organization

Atom  molecule  CELL  tissue  organ  organ system 

Organism  population  community  ecosystem  biosphere
complex and organized
complex and organized
Use energy to maintain homeostasis
Life captures energy from the sun
and converts that energy into
NUTRIENTS.
(photosynthesis).

NUTRIENTS are broken down and

converted into usable ENERGY.
(cellular respiration)

ENERGY is used to maintain

HOMEOSTASIS.

Nutrients are RECYCLED

complex and organized

The CELL is the smallest unit that exhibits all the

characteristics of living things

Organisms may be single celled (unicellular) or multicellular

complex and organized

UNITY
ALL organisms contain

Deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA)
DNA is inherited

DNA determines the pattern

of growth and development
Grow and develop Reproduce

DIVERSITY
DNA  RNA (transcription)
RNA  protein (translation

While all organism are unified in possessing DNA,

differences in DNA arrangement makes all organisms DIFFERENT
complex and organized Grow and develop Reproduce

Classification and Evolution

Organisms are CLASSIFIED in a HEIRARCHY
based on GENETIC (inherited DNA )differences.

The THREE DOMAINS

Because DNA is INHERITED, classification by genetic differences

provides evidence for EVOLUTION
Adapt and Respond

ADAPT and RESPOND

Organisms that are NOT able to ADAPT and RESPOND
to a constantly changing environment
WILL NOT SURVIVE

Failure to survive = failure to reproduce

Failure to reproduce = loss of genetic information (DNA)

And EXTINCTION

Extinction is PERMANENT
Recommended VIDEOS
Making graphs Bozeman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BkbYeTC6Mo

analyzing data doing science 1 Bozeman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NkT-oYPkOA

scientific method doing science 1 Bozeman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJJoKxDsyoQ

Experimantal design doing science 3 Bozeman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTfcyGlVVWo

The Scientific Method

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKGtkzgKfkc&nohtml5=False

The Times and Troubles of the Scientific Method

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8wi0QnYN6s&nohtml5=False

Characteristics of Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nKKoxnmTEA&nohtml5=False

What is Biology?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibhnP5suqK8&nohtml5=False

Is She a Witch? (SM and The Holy Grail)