Chapter Sections:

1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4

How Does Science Impact the Everyday World?

What is Science?
The Nature of Biology
Special Qualities of Biology

Student Goals:
By the end of this lecture series, students should understand these concepts:
Why it is important to acquire basic knowledge of biology
How science is actually done: Theories, Hypothesis, and applying the
scientific method
The definition of life and hierarchy of living things
The role of evolution as the chief unifying principle of biology.

Chapter 1 Reading Guide

Define all key vocabulary terms listed below:
1. Biology
2. Evolution
3. Hypothesis
4. Life sciences
5. Science
6. Scientific method
7. Theory
8. Variable

1.1 HOW DOES SCIENCE IMPACT EVERY

DAY LIFE?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

How does technology relate to science?

Explain the importance of Bell Labs in 1947.
What is a transistor? How does it relate to computers?
Explain the relationship between CDs and MP3s
Explain Figure 1.1 Then and Now
What scientific discoveries and advances have occurred related to
biotechnology?
Discuss each of these topics:
a. Watson and Crick
b. Genetically engineered medicine
c. Genetically modified organisms(GMOs)
d. DNA/ Fingerprints
e. Stem Cells
7. What does science provide society with?
8. How does society bring issues to science?
9. What does the average person need to be to fully participate in the
workplace/society?

10. Discuss/summarize each of the following topics:

a. How safe are Vaccines?
b. Its Not Just Genetics
c. Mopping up the CO 2 Deluge
d. He Won His Battle With Cancer
e. The Forgotten Plague

1.2 What Is Science?

Science as a Body of Knowledge
11. Describe the characteristics of science in terms of learning, knowledge, and
theories.
12. How is the use of the world theory in science different from its use in
everyday speech?
13. Define theory.
14. Give two examples of accepted theories.
The importance of Theories
15. Explain why theories are important in terms of explanatory power.
Science as a Process: Arriving at Scientific Insights
16. Draw and describe Figure 1.3 Scientific Method
17. Define scientific method
18. Explain the steps of the scientific method:
a. Observation
b. Question
c. Hypothesis
d. Experiment
e. Conclusion
The Scientific Method at Work
19. Draw and describe Figure 1.4 Pasteurs Experiments and the Scientific
Method
Elements in Pasteurs Experiments
20. Define variable
21. Define independent variable and dependent variable.
22. Explain what a control condition is.
When is a Theory Proven? Provisional Assent to Findings: Legitimate Eviden ce
and Hypotheses
23. Explain in detail the concept of provisional assent.
24. Explain the three major scientific principles.

1.3 The Nature of Biology

25. What is biology?
26. List and describe the 8 Characteristics possessed by all living things.
Life is Highly Organized in a Hierarchi cal Manner
27. Draw and describe Figure 1.5 Levels of Organization in Living Things
(pp.10-11)

Levels of Organization in Living Things

28. Define all of the terms related to levels of organization:
a. Atom
b. Molecule
c. Organelle
d. Cell
e. Tissue
f. Organ
g. Organ System
h. Organism
i. Population
j. Community
k. Ecosystem
l. Biosphere

1.4 Special Qualities of Biology

29. What larger category does biology fall under?
30. Define life science.
31. What are some other areas of study that fall under life science?
32. How does Biology differ from Physics?
33. Describe the development of Biology from the 1800s to present.
Evolution: Biologys Chief Unifying Principle
34. What is evolution?
35. Why is evolution so important to the study of biology?
36. How has evolution shaped the living world? Explain in terms of t he examples
provided in Figure 1.6 Evolution Has Shaped the Living World and Figure
1.7 Similar Enough to Yield a Benefit.