Lesson 1 Flashcards
What is science
-Science aims to understand the natural world through observation and reasoning
-Science is both descriptive and hypothesis driven
-science is in a constant state of change as new data, methods, and ideas arise
Deductive reasoning
General principles to make specific predictions
(Natural selection used to explain changes in population)
Broad to specific
Inductive reasoning
Specific observations to develop general conclusions
(Fossils show that life has changed on the earth over time)
Descriptive science
Sciences begins with observations
(Classifying and describing life in a given habitat)
Hypothesis driven science
A systematic approach to understanding the natural world
“Scientific method”
Scientific method
- Observation
- Question
- Hypothesis
- Prediction
- Conclusion
Experiment
-test the hypothesis
-must be carefully designed to test only one variable at a time
-consists of a control and a test experiment
Experiment
-test the hypothesis
-must be carefully designed to test only one variable at a time
-consists of a control and a test experiment
Control experiment
Independent variable is unaltered
Test experiment
Independent variable is changed
Pseudeoscience
Describes claims, beliefs, or practices that purport to be sciences
Do not use accepted scientific methods to draw conclusions
Claims or beliefs often cannot be tested
(Astrology)
Reductionism
Breaks a complex process down to its component parts
Has advanced understanding in many areas of biology
Systems biology
Focuses on how components work together
Relies heavily on modeling of biological processes
May allow prediction of emergent properties
Scientific theory
Supported by substantial direct observation, experimental evidence, and scientific reasoning
Expresses ideas of which we are most certain
Is not guess or conjecture
Scientific theory
Supported by substantial direct observation, experimental evidence, and scientific reasoning
Expresses ideas of which we are most certain
Is not guess or conjecture
