Module 1: Introduction to
Biology and Cells; the
Fundamental Units of Life
Module 1 Introduction to Biology and Cells; the Fundamental Units of Life 1
, Lecture 1A: The Nature of
Biology and Life
Part 1: The Practice of Science @Mar 9, 2021
Topic: What is Science?
Recall Notes
What is scientific Systematic inquiry—through observation and
inquiry? experiment—into the origins, structure, and
behaviour of living and nonliving environments
What are the Events have natural causes
three principles Laws do not change over time or distance
of scientific
Findings are “value neutral”; independent of bias
theory?
Biologists test Two types of situations are established
hypotheses using Control
controlled
Baseline
experiments
All possible variables are held at a constant
Experimental
One variable is manipulated
Often compared using statistics
Why is a control to provide a comparison with the experimental results
needed in an obtained when changing the variable
experiment?
Lecture 1A The Nature of Biology and Life 1
, What is scientific General and reliable explanation of important natural
theory? phenomena
Developed through extensive and reproducible
observations and experiments
New scientific evidence may prompt radical revision
of existing theory
A scientific theory is best described as a natural law,
a basic principle derived from the study of nature
that has never been disproven by scientific inquiry
Experiments
Be repeatable, even by others
must:
Include replicates
Then science is useless unless communicated.
Important tool of scientific inquiry; six interrelated
The scientific
elements
method:
Observation
Question
Hypothesis
Prediction
Experiment
Conclusion
Mnemonic: “Our Questions Have Power, Experimental,
Control!”
Lecture 1A The Nature of Biology and Life 2
, What is cell
theory?
All organisms are composed of cell(s)
The cell is the basic unit of structure and
organization in organisms
Cells arise from pre existing cells (not spontaneous
generation)
Q. What is a A fact that will never change
scientific theory?
An educated guess
A general and reliable explanation of important
natural phenomena that has been developed through
extensive and reproducible observations and
experiments
Information that all scientists believe to be true
beyond a reasonable doubt
Q. A scientist
Yes. She illustrated in her conclusion that she
finds the cure for
accepted her hypothesis based on her data.
cancer. She has
done the Yes. Her data supported her expectations.
experiment once.
No. Her experiment must be repeated by
Does this prove
herself and other scientists to see if they get
she has the cure?
the same results.
No. It will not be possible to cure cancer.
Lecture 1A The Nature of Biology and Life 3
Biology and Cells; the
Fundamental Units of Life
Module 1 Introduction to Biology and Cells; the Fundamental Units of Life 1
, Lecture 1A: The Nature of
Biology and Life
Part 1: The Practice of Science @Mar 9, 2021
Topic: What is Science?
Recall Notes
What is scientific Systematic inquiry—through observation and
inquiry? experiment—into the origins, structure, and
behaviour of living and nonliving environments
What are the Events have natural causes
three principles Laws do not change over time or distance
of scientific
Findings are “value neutral”; independent of bias
theory?
Biologists test Two types of situations are established
hypotheses using Control
controlled
Baseline
experiments
All possible variables are held at a constant
Experimental
One variable is manipulated
Often compared using statistics
Why is a control to provide a comparison with the experimental results
needed in an obtained when changing the variable
experiment?
Lecture 1A The Nature of Biology and Life 1
, What is scientific General and reliable explanation of important natural
theory? phenomena
Developed through extensive and reproducible
observations and experiments
New scientific evidence may prompt radical revision
of existing theory
A scientific theory is best described as a natural law,
a basic principle derived from the study of nature
that has never been disproven by scientific inquiry
Experiments
Be repeatable, even by others
must:
Include replicates
Then science is useless unless communicated.
Important tool of scientific inquiry; six interrelated
The scientific
elements
method:
Observation
Question
Hypothesis
Prediction
Experiment
Conclusion
Mnemonic: “Our Questions Have Power, Experimental,
Control!”
Lecture 1A The Nature of Biology and Life 2
, What is cell
theory?
All organisms are composed of cell(s)
The cell is the basic unit of structure and
organization in organisms
Cells arise from pre existing cells (not spontaneous
generation)
Q. What is a A fact that will never change
scientific theory?
An educated guess
A general and reliable explanation of important
natural phenomena that has been developed through
extensive and reproducible observations and
experiments
Information that all scientists believe to be true
beyond a reasonable doubt
Q. A scientist
Yes. She illustrated in her conclusion that she
finds the cure for
accepted her hypothesis based on her data.
cancer. She has
done the Yes. Her data supported her expectations.
experiment once.
No. Her experiment must be repeated by
Does this prove
herself and other scientists to see if they get
she has the cure?
the same results.
No. It will not be possible to cure cancer.
Lecture 1A The Nature of Biology and Life 3
