Transcript Biology Concepts Bio 100

Biology Concepts
Bio 100
Haberkorn
Tuesday/Thursday
5:30-6:45
E116
Introductions
• On a sheet of paper, tell me about your
self…
• Name, where you are from, what is your major,
what concerns you have about BIO 100, and
anything else you want to tell me about yourself…
Syllabus
• Best time to talk to me is before or after
class.
– Or call/e-mail me to set-up an appointment for
a time that works for you.
• [email protected]
• Phone: 602-285-7109
Book
• Essential Biology with Physiology
– Campbell, Reece, and Simon
Attendance
• Attendance is required.
– No make-up classes
– No make-up exams
– Let me know as far a head of time as possible
if you must be gone.
Grading
• Final grade = 50% lecture + 50% lab
• Course is designed for your success
– If you turn in your work and take all the exams
you will probably get an A, B, or C.
– I am here to clarify, re-explain, direct, and
answer questions.
Class website
• www.pc.maricopa.edu/Biology/mhaberkorn/100/100.html
– You will want to look at this website frequently for updates and
due dates.
• Everything you need for class will be posted on this website.
– Assignments, exam dates, due dates, and powerpoint presentations
– Will be posted as needed
Exams
• 4 exams
– Exam will be taken as an individual
– Identical exam will be given next class period
for groups which I assign.
• Must take the exam first as an individual and turn
in the corresponding assignment to take group
exam.
• Optional final exam
Other stuff
• Don’t cheat or plagiarize!! If caught you
will fail at least that exam, essay…
– Don’t help others cheat…
• Be respectful of instructor and other
students
First Quiz
• September 2nd
– Will only cover the first two lectures
Scientific method
Science
• Cannot answer all questions
• Has limitations
• Moral, political, theological, realms can
answer questions science cannot
• In this class we will focus on science
• Science is: Physical and Observable
Train exercise
• A passenger train has lost its breaks and is
about to crash, likely killing or injuring all on
board
• On the next set of tracks are several
maintenance works.
• You are the only person near a relay switch that
would divert the passenger train onto the open
track, saving the passengers but killing the
maintenance workers.
Do you throw the switch?
Question 2: Would you push a
person onto the tracks to divert the
train?
Science can’t tell us which choice is
right
• But can ask the very interesting question, “why
do we change our minds between option A and
B?”
What do scientists do?
• Scientists make observations, ask
questions about what they observe, and
systematically go about answering these
questions.
• Who are scientists?
– You are
Scientific Method
• The scientific method is a process that
tests possible answers to questions
about nature that have been formulated
from careful observations.
• Answers supported or not supported by
the results of these tests are then added
to the scientific record.
Attributes of the Method
• The scientific method is used by
scientists to insure that the answers to
their questions are based on objective
evidence and verifiable.
• Ideas must be testable and cannot deal
with things that are supernatural or non
falsifiable, because they are not testable.
Common Elements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Observing nature
Asking a question
Proposing a hypothesis
Designing a test
Making Predictions
Conducting the test
Analyzing the results
Drawing conclusions
Observing Nature
• Gathering information using the raw
senses or using equipment
• Keeping careful records of observations
• Observation=an aspect of a phenomenon
that can be witnesses and recorded
What are the differences between A
and B?
A
B
Asking a Question
• Why does stream A have more algae than
stream B?
• In other words, what causes stream A to
have more algae than stream B
Proposing a Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is a tentative explanation
which answers the original question and
can be supported or refuted when tested.
• What caused the algae (similar to aquatic
plants) to die off?
–?
–?
–?
–?
Designing a Test
• Scientists design experiments to test their
hypothesis
• Experiment=empirical test that provides
data to test the validity of a hypothesis
• Add nutrients (fertilizer) to one stream and
add nothing to an other. Then compare
amounts of algae.
Making Predictions
• Often in the form of an “if/then” statement:
“If the hypothesis is true, then such-andsuch will occur”
• Draws a specific conclusion from the
planed experiment (or test)
• “The stream with more nutrients will have
more algae”
Conducting the Experiment
• Performing the
experiment and
collecting data, that
will support or refute
the hypothesis
Analyzing the Results
35
30
grams algae/l
25
20
15
10
5
0
Before Fertilization
After Fertilization
Drawing Conclusions
• The data does/does not support the
hypothesis
• The data acts as additional observations
for asking new questions and proposing
new hypotheses
• In this case the Hypothesis was not
supported. Added nutrients did not result
in more algae
The hypothesis was not supported,
so what happens next?
• Give up?......
• We can re test, maybe we made a mistake
with the experiment. Many things can go
wrong with experiments and analysis.
• Test a new hypothesis.
The Relevance of Science
Do you have other questions?
• How do new resistant bacteria come
about?
• Why is it so hard to develop a vaccine for
HIV?
• What is causing Honeybees to
disappear? Why is this problem for
humans
• What are the consequences of Global
Climate Change?
The Scientific Method
• The scientific method can be thought of
simply as the formalization and application of
basic critical thinking skills.
• It is made up of the actual steps that you
routinely go through in any critical thinking
process.
• This is how ALL of science works.
• Without probably thinking about it
consciously, you use the scientific method all
of the time.
Assumptions of Science
• FIRST: It assumes that the Universe is REAL Its not
the “Matrix”.
Assumptions of Science
• SECOND: Science assumes that all
phenomena that can be observed reflect the
EFFECTS of CAUSES, and that those causes
can also be observed and known.
• Note: this is a very important assumption that
prohibits recourse to supernatural powers; it
is the critical assumption that sets science
distinct from religion
Assumptions of Science
• Third: it assumes there is unity in nature. In
other words, the same set of rules operates
(more or less) everywhere in the universe.
• In other words, the basic "laws" of nature are
universal, not ever changing and site specific.
• So the speed of light in Phoenix is not faster
than the speed of light in Tempe
Hypotheses
• An untested possible explanation to the
observations
• Can have many possible hypotheses
• Must be testable (experiment)
Theory
• Tested hypotheses that remain after
testing
• A theory can also be used to predict
• Not an idea or a guess. A scientific
theory is very different from how people
talking casually use the word.
Biology:
The study of life
Biological Science
Biological science is the application of
basic scientific principles to biological
questions, applies to all scales
Definition of life
• Intuitive
• Difficult to define specifically
– Different fields of study will define differently
Biological definition of life:
Self-sustaining biological (chemical) processes
Very ‘small’
Cells
Tissues
Organs and Organ Systems
Organismal
Populations
Communities
Ecosystems
Ecosystems
Urban Ecosystems
A Very ‘large’ ecosystem