Chapter 1 A View of Life
How would you define biology?
Biology is the study of life and their interactions with one another and
their environments.
Biology includes the study of all living organisms
• Plants
• Animals
• Bacteria
• Fungi
• Protists
• Viruses
The Process of Science
Science is based on facts
To prove or disprove ideas, there must be a set of guidelines to follow so
there can be reproducible results (proof)
The guidelines are called the scientific method
The Scientific Method
1-Observation / 2- Research question or problem / 3-Hypotheses
4-Testable predictions / 5-Experiments / 6-Analyze data / 7-Conclusions
, Hypotheses
A tentative explanation for observations or phenomena
• Consistent with facts
Can be tested
• Tests can be repeated by others
Can be rejected
• Is falsifiable
A Theory
A tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena
• It is the generally accepted explanation
• Theories do not have to be accepted by everyone to be considered
valid (universal agreement also does not invalidate a theory)
Scientific Discipline
Natural Science – fields of science related to the physical world
Life Science – the study of living things
• Biology
Physical Science – the study of nonliving matter
• Physics, Astronomy, Geology, Chemistry
2
How would you define biology?
Biology is the study of life and their interactions with one another and
their environments.
Biology includes the study of all living organisms
• Plants
• Animals
• Bacteria
• Fungi
• Protists
• Viruses
The Process of Science
Science is based on facts
To prove or disprove ideas, there must be a set of guidelines to follow so
there can be reproducible results (proof)
The guidelines are called the scientific method
The Scientific Method
1-Observation / 2- Research question or problem / 3-Hypotheses
4-Testable predictions / 5-Experiments / 6-Analyze data / 7-Conclusions
, Hypotheses
A tentative explanation for observations or phenomena
• Consistent with facts
Can be tested
• Tests can be repeated by others
Can be rejected
• Is falsifiable
A Theory
A tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena
• It is the generally accepted explanation
• Theories do not have to be accepted by everyone to be considered
valid (universal agreement also does not invalidate a theory)
Scientific Discipline
Natural Science – fields of science related to the physical world
Life Science – the study of living things
• Biology
Physical Science – the study of nonliving matter
• Physics, Astronomy, Geology, Chemistry
2
