Introduction to Living Environment

A.K.A Biology!

What is BIOLOGY?

The study of life

What is science? An organized way of

using evidence to learn about the natural world

The goal of science is to investigate and understand nature, to explain events of nature, and to use those explanations to make useful predictions.

Group Activity:Group Activity:

Explain why does it rain without Explain why does it rain without using any scientific information.using any scientific information.

OBSERVATION

involves using one or more of the senses to gather information

Example: The object is red. The dish tastes sour.

DATA

evidence Based on observations Example: there are ## students in this

room

QUALITATIVE

characteristics that can not be easily measured or counted

Yes or no Color or texture Example:

The desk top is smooth.

The ball is blue.

QUANTATATIVE

observations that involve numbers Counting or measuring objects Example:

There are 5 computers in this room.

I have 2 eyes.

INFERENCE

conclusion based on observations Example: It is a basketball

Hypothesis

a possible explanation for a set of observations

An educated guess Can be stated as any idea or topic “If …, then….” Statement. Useful only in science if it can be tested Example: Sunflowers grow when they

have daily sunshine. If I water the bean seeds daily, then they

will grow.

Inferences based on Observations!

Observation Inference

Vision It is orange It is a basketball

Hearing It is ticking It is a clock

Smell It smells spicy. It is a burrito.

Taste It is sour. It is a lemon.

Touch It is rough. It is sandpaper.

Making observations: Moldy bread

Observe the following picture and answer the following 3 questions:

1. What do you see?

2. Can you describe in detail what you see?

3. What questions would you as a biologist pose after seeing the mold?

Bread Mold

Observation and Inference

Statement Observation Inference

Object A is round and orange.

Object A is a basketball.

Object C is larger than Object B.

Object B is smooth.

Object B is a table-tennis ball.

Each object is used in a different sport.

•Object A is a basketball.•Object B is a table-tennis ball.•Object C is a soccer ball.

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Each object is used in a different sport.

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Section 1-1

Observation and Inference

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