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?