This document introduces biology by explaining why it is an important field of study. It covers several key areas: biology studies life through examining the structure, function, and evolution of organisms; it has improved society through advances in medicine, public health, and conservation; and it helps us understand our own history and appreciate all forms of life. The document then explains the scientific method as a logical process used by scientists involving asking questions, forming hypotheses, experimentation, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. It provides examples of how to state a problem, form a hypothesis, design an experiment, and analyze results. Finally, it discusses how scientific theories develop from hypotheses that gain strong experimental support.

1. Introduction to Biology

2. Why is Biology Important?
For the improvement of society
◦Medicine
Surgery, medicines, veterinary care
◦Public Health
Immunizations, clean water
◦Conservation
Saving endangered wildlife and their habitats

3. Why is Biology Important?
To learn about our history
◦Evolution
No, I’m not talking about us coming from
monkeys!
◦Genetics
Understanding of physical traits
Gene therapy

4. Why is Biology Important?
◦To help us appreciate all forms of
life
Microbiology
Zoology
Botany

5. What is Biology?
Bio = life
...ology = the study of
Biology is the science that studies
life
Biologists study the structure,
function, growth, origin, evolution
and distribution of living
organisms.

6. The Scientific Method
A logical, stepwise approach used by
scientists to find answers to questions.
Steps:
State the problem (Ask a question)
Form a hypothesis
Conduct an experiment
Analyze data (Show results)
Draw conclusions

7. The Scientific Method:
State the Problem
Scientists asks questions about things
they are curious about, or events they
observe.
These observations lead to a
question. This is the statement of the
problem.
Always state your problem as a
question.
◦ How does this happen?
◦ What causes it to happen?
◦ Why does this happen?
◦ Etc.

8. The Scientific Method:
Form a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is:
◦ a possible explanation for the
observation or problem.
Hypotheses must:
◦ be logical
◦ take all current information into account
◦ be testable

9. Testing Hypotheses
Hypotheses need to be tested to see if
they are supported or disproved.
◦ Disproved hypotheses are rejected
◦ Hypotheses can be supported but not
proven
Ways to test a hypothesis:
◦ Make additional observations from the
natural world
◦ Experimentation

10. The Scientific Method:
Conduct an Experiment
An experiment:
◦ tests whether or not the hypothesis can
be supported or rejected
◦ tests the validity of the hypothesis
validity = accuracy, or correctness

11. The Scientific Method:
Analyze Data
Data is the information that is
gathered from the experiment
◦ your results must be accurately shown
can be shown in a table, graph, or chart

12. The Scientific Method:
Draw Conclusions
Based upon the results of your
experiment, conclusions can be made
about the validity of your hypothesis.

13. Activity Time!
Take out a piece of paper and write
the following:
◦ 1. State the Question
◦ 2. Form a Hypothesis
◦ 3. Design an Experiment
◦ 4. Analyze Data
◦ 5. Draw Conclusions
Leave three lines between each
number!
Write your name at the top of the
page.

14. Experimental Design
All experiments must be controlled
◦ this means that all aspects except for one
variable must be kept the same
Independent variable = variable that is changed
Dependent variable = variable that is measured
IV  affects  DV
The IV should be the only part of the
experiment that changes
The factors that do not change in an experiment are
called constants

15. A Scientific Theory
If a hypothesis is supported by lots of
experiments and consistent data, it
leads to a theory.
◦ A theory is a proposed explanation for a
wide range of observations and
experimental results that is supported by
a wide range of evidence
◦ In other words…
A theory is a widely accepted, general
statement about a fundamental concept in
science
For example: natural selection