Unit 1
Introduction to Biology
The science of life and the God of life
Intro to Biology
A.
Biology Today
1. Problems of the world
a. Drought, famine, natural disasters, illness, climate changes, pollution, drug resistance…
b. It is clear our problems are worsening
c. People are turning to science to find the solutions to our problems
Intro to Biology
2.
Definition of Science
a. “Man’s attempt to observe and describe the natural processes God established to govern the universe.”
b. “The body of facts that man has gathered by observing the physical universe.”
1. Fact – something that is true 2. What is truth?
a. God is truth (John 14:6)
Intro to Biology
c. The Bible is a spiritual handbook, not a scientific textbook. It does not reveal all possible
knowledge about creation. Man needs God to tell him about spiritual things since he cannot
examine and experiment with them. But God gives man the senses and mind to observe and work with the physical truths of nature. This,
then, is the realm of science: man’s observations of the physical world.”
Intro to Biology
3.
Definition of Biology
a. The study of life
b. “Bios” – Greek for life/living
c. “Logos” – Greek for word, meaning
Intro to Biology
B.
The Scientific Method
1.
An organized, logical way of solving
a problem or choosing an answer to
a question
2.
Steps:
a. Making an observation
1. Using senses when curious about how the world works
b. Forming a hypothesis
Intro to Biology
c. Testing the hypothesis
1. Test the hypothesis to check its validity 2. Variable and control
a. Control – “normal” condition
b. Variable – changed condition
1. Independent variable – the condition that is
manipulated or changed by the scientist (usually only 1)
Intro to Biology
3. Examples:
Experiment 1: A scientist conducts an experiment to test the theory that a vitamin could extend a person’s life
expectancy.
Independent Variable – the vitamin Dependent Variable – the life span
Experiment 2: A scientist studies the impact of a drug on cancer
Intro to Biology
d. Observing and recording of results
1. Charts, graphs, etc
e. Drawing a conclusion
Intro to Biology
C.
Scientific Theory
1. When a hypothesis explains many observations that are supported by evidence, then it becomes a theory a. Theory – an idea that is widely accepted as a correct
explanation
b. Not fact, there could always be future evidence to change the theory
2. “Failed experiments” a. Vaccine link to autism
b. Saccharine
3. Bias
Intro to Biology
D.
The Attributes of Life
1.
Exhibits movement
a. Internal movement
b. Locomotion – moving from place to place
2.
Achieves growth
a. Growth by assimilation
1. The assembling of the component parts that make up their living material
3.
Reproduces
Intro to Biology
4.
Comes from similar preexisting life
a. Variations – genetic differences from generation to generation
5.
Has similar chemical makeup
a. Organic vs. inorganic 6.
Is composed of cells
a. Every living thing is made up of 1 or many cells 7.
Exhibits irritability
a. The capacity of an organism to respond to stimuli 8.
Requires energy
Intro to Biology
9. Maintains a high level of organization
a. The organization of molecules forms the structure of living things
b. Energy is required to maintain this organization
10.Faces death
a. All living things will eventually die
E.
The definition of life
1. “The highly organized cellular condition that is
derived from preexisting life; that requires
Intro to Biology
F.
Measurements
Prefixes:
Mega
1,000,000
Kilo
1,000
Deci
.1
Centi
.01
Milli
.001
Intro to Biology
Base Units:
Length meter m
Mass
kilogram kg
Time
second s
Intro to Biology
Conversions:
1 meter = 10 dm
1 meter = 100 cm
Intro to Biology
G.
Microscopes
1.
Compound light microscopes
a. One set of lenses that magnify
b. Second set of lenses acts as a telescope to further enlarge the image
Intro to Biology
2.
Electron microscopes
a. Uses a beam of accelerated electrons instead of light to illuminate the object
Intro to Biology
H.
How do scientists study life?
1. Levels of organization of matterBiosphere – The part of the Earth inhabited by living
organisms; includes both the living and nonliving components
Ecosystem – A community together with its nonliving surroundings
Intro to Biology
Population – Members of one species inhabiting the same area
Species – very similar, potentially interbreeding organisms
Multicellular organism – an individual living thing composed of many cells
Organ system – two or more organs working together in the execution of a specific body function
Intro to Biology
Tissue – a group of similar cells that perform a specific function
Cell – the smallest unit of life
Molecule – a combination of atoms
