Biology Ch. 1
qualitative data
descriptive and involve characteristics that cannot usually be counted
data
detailed records of experimental observations, gathering information
new technologies
discoveries in one field of science may lead to
biology includes many overlapping fields that use different tools to study life from the level of molecules to the entire planet
how do different fields of biology differ in their approach to studying life?
most scientists use the metric system when collecting data and performing experiments
how is the metric system important in science?
true; rather, new data may indicate that the researchers have the right general idea but are wrong about a few particulars. In that case, the original hypothesis is reevaluated and revised; new predictions are made, and new experiments are designed
hypotheses are often not fully supported or refuted by one set of experiments
practical problems
ideas for scientific investigations sometimes arise from
true; in some of these cases, researchers devise hypotheses that can be tested by observations
it is not always possible to test a hypothesis with an experiment
true; in some of these cases, researchers devise hypotheses that can be tested by observations
it is not always possible to test a hypothesis with an experiment: true or false
true, some examples are vitamins, antibiotics, and hormones
it is possible to mass-produce complex substances
true, some examples are vitamins, antibiotics, and hormones
it is possible to mass-produce complex substances: true or false
curiosity
leads to new questions
true
life requires matter that serves as nutrients to build body structures, and energy that fuels life's processes: true or false
true
living things are made up of cells: true or false
homeostasis
living things maintain a relatively stable internal environment in a process known as?
creativity
needed to design experiments that yield accurate data
quantitative data
numbers obtained by counting or measuring
what does the scientific methodolgy involve?
observing and asking questions, making inferences and forming hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions
inference
a logical interpretation based on what scientists already know
bias
a particular preference or point of view that is personal, rather than scientific
hypothesis
a scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested in ways that support or reject it
micropipettes
can be used to measure and transfer small volumes of liquid
skepticism
questioning existing ideas and hypotheses, and they refuse to accept explanations without evidence
true
science is a way of not knowing: true or false
true
science is neither a list of facts nor a collection of unchanging beliefs
true
science is neither a list of facts nor a collection of unchanging beliefs: true or false
false, science is constantly changing
science never changes
false, science is constantly changing
science never changes: true or false
false, scientific endeavors never concern supernatural phenomenas of any kind
scientific endeavors usually concern supernatural phenomenas
false, scientific endeavors never concern supernatural phenomenas of any kind
scientific endeavors usually concern supernatural phenomenas: true or false
true
scientists choose appropriate tools for collecting and analyzing data
true
scientists choose appropriate tools for collecting and analyzing data: true or false
false, scientists propose explanations that are based on evidence, not belief
scientists propose explanations that are based on belief
false, scientists propose explanations that are based on evidence, not belief
scientists propose explanations that are based on belief: true or false
false, technological advances have big impacts on daily life
technological advances have no impacts on daily life
false, technological advances have big impacts on daily life
technological advances have no impacts on daily life: true or false
true
technology, science, and society are closely linked
true
technology, science, and society are closely linked: true or false
false, the DNA inside your cells right now CAN influence your future—your risk of getting cancer, the amount of cholesterol in your blood, and the color of your children's hair
the DNA inside your cells right now cannot influence your future: true or false
observation
the act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way
the cellular basis of life; information and heredity; matter and energy; growth, development, and reproduction; homeostasis; evolution; structure and function; unity and diversity of life; interdependence in nature; and science as a way of knowing
what are the central themes of biology?
living things are made up of basic units called cells, are based on a universal genetic code, obtain and use materials and energy, grow and develop, reproduce, respond to their environment, maintain a stable internal environment, and change over time
what characteristics do all living things share?
to provide natural explanations for events in the natural world
what is one goal of science?
using science involves understanding its context in society and its limitations
what is the relationship between science and society?
curiosity, skepticism, open-mindedness, and creativity
what scientific attitudes help generate new ideas?
publishing peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals allows researchers to share ideas and to test and evaluate each other's work
why is peer review important?
open-mindedness
willing to accept different ideas that may not agree with their hypothesis
dependent variable
The variable that is observed and that changes in response to the independent variable
true, biosphere literally means "living planet"
all forms of life on Earth are connected into a biosphere: true or false
true
all organisms are composed of a common set of carbon-based molecules, store information in a common genetic code, and use proteins to build their structures and carry out their functions: true or false
independent variable
also called the manipulated variable
dependent variable
also called the responding variable
controlled experiment
an experiment where a hypothesis should be tested by an experiment in which only one variable is changed; all other variables should be kept unchanged, or controlled
science
an organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world
false, any breakdown of homeostasis may have serious or even fatal consequences
any breakdown of homeostasis has no consequences: true or false
evolutionary theory
the central organizing principle of all biological and biomedical sciences
biology
the study of life
independent variable
the variable that is deliberately changed
scientists use experimental data as evidence to support, refute, or revise the hypothesis being tested, and to draw a valid conclusion
what do scientists use experimental data as?
to understand patterns in nature and to make useful predictions about natural events
what does science use its explanations for?
observing and asking questions, making inferences and forming hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions
what does the scientific methodolgy involve?
the word theory applies to a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and hypotheses and that enables scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations
what is a scientific theory?