Biology (Chapter 1: Learning About Life) Exam Class Notes

(Chapter 1: Learning About Life) Exam Class Notes

The Process of Science

 Science is the study of the natural world. Biology is the study of life

 Hypothesis – A tentative explanation for some specific phenomena that can be tested

with an experiment. Scientists submit their work for publication after peer review.

 A theory is an explanation for a major phenomenon. It is the result of testing many

hypotheses with many experiments.

 Controlled experiments are performed to help scientists make sure that everything in an

experiment is working as it should. Scientists know what the result of a controlled

experiment should be and use it to compare to the results of the actual experiment.

Themes in Biology

 Living things display certain properties – order, growth, evolution, etc. Non-living things

display some of these properties.

 Structure is related to function

 Information flows within living things

 Life involved transformations between energy and matter. * Energy flows through and

ecosystem (or organism) but matter (nutrients) are recycled.

 There is a hierarchy of interactions in living things, from the biosphere down to atoms

and molecules.

 Living things evolve. Living things pass on information to the next generation. If there

are any changes (mistakes) in that information, that is evolution.