Unit 1: The Study of Life

1.1 What is Biology? Pages 1-4

Biology is the study of Life. (Bio- means “life”, and ology means “the study of”)

Name three things that are alive or biotic? Abiotic?

1. a tree

2. lemur

3. lady bug

1. rock

2. toothbrush

3. tuba

What are some of the other natural sciences?

1. chemistry- the study of matter

2. physics- the study of motion and energy

3. astronomy- the study of space

4. geology- the study of Earth, rocks and ground

5. biochemistry- the study of body chemistry

6. astrophysics- the study of motion in space

7. biophysics- the study of body movements

8. environmental science- the study of the ecosystems

Branches of Biology

1. Botany- the study of plants

2. Zoology- the study of animals

3. Ecology- the study of ecosystems or environment.

4. Anatomy- the study of body structures

5. Physiology- the study of how the body moves

6. Genetics- the study of DNA, and heredity

7. Microbiology- the study of micro-organisms like bacteria

8. Taxonomy- the study of classification of living things

Technology- the use of science to solve everyday problems.

1. automobile- getting places

2. television- communication

3. artificial limbs- to replace lost parts of the body

Biotechnology- the use of biology to solve everyday problems.

1. medicine- pacemaker, CAT scans, insulin pumps, x-rays, drugs and vaccines

2. agriculture- heartier plants, bigger animals both equal more food!

3. industry- bacteria in yogurt; yeast in bread, muffins, bagels, beer, wine, booze, cakes; bacteria are used in the breakdown of oil spills.

The Scientific Method:

1. Identify and state the problem in question form.

2. Gather Information

3. State a Hypothesis – an educated guess or solution to the problem in a statement form.

4. Design an experiment (to test the hypothesis). Variables are things that can cause changes in an experiment. Controls are used for comparison.

5. Make observations and collect data (measurements, numbers, etc.)

6. Organize and Analyze Data (graphs, charts, tables, and diagrams)

7. State conclusions- this may lead to new questions or problems. (or in this case back to number 1).

Think and Discuss (p. 6) #1-3

Vocabulary List- Big Bold Black-line words from the textbook

Review Sheet 1-1

1.2 Scientific Methods and Skills P. 7-11

Scientific Method- or Process is a model or guide that scientists use to approach problems.

Science Skills (p 10-11)

1). Measuring

- (size, mass, temperature, etc.)

2). Inferring

- form a conclusion based upon current facts.

3). Classifying

- group by similar characteristics

4). Predicting

-guessing on how, why and when something will happen

5). Modeling

- making a copy or an imitation

6). Researching and Communicating

- gather information and sharing it

Think and Discuss P.11 #4-7

Review Sheet 1-2

Vocabulary

1-3 Scientific Measurements P. 12-14

System International- (S.I.) means all scientists use the same standard units.

- size of the units are shown by prefixes (ex. mm is smaller than km).

Some common SI prefixes

Prefix

Symbol

Meaning

kilo-

hector-

deka-

1000

100

deci-

centi-

milli-

0.1

0.01

0.001

Mass- the amount of matter an object contains. The basic unit is the kilogram (kg)

Weight- is the measure of the pull of gravity on an object. Note: you have the same mass on the Earth and the moon, but NOT the same weight.

Length- is the distance between two points. The basic unit is the meter (m).

Volume- the amount of space an object takes up. The basic unit is the liter (L).

Temperature- this is the measure of how much heat (thermal) energy an object contains. The basic unit in the United States is Fahrenheit (^oF), in Canada it is Celsius (^oC) and in science it is Kelvin (K).

Comparing Temperature on three Scales

Kelvin (K)

Celsius (^oC)

Fahrenheit (^oF)

Absolute zero

Freezing point of pure water

Room temperature

Human body temperature

Boiling point of Pure water

273

295

310

373

-273

100

-459

98.6

212

Think and Discuss P. 14 #9-11

Review Sheet 1-3

Vocabulary

1-4 Tools of the Biologist P. 14-18

Biologists use tools to make measurements and to make observations.

Magnification- the number of times larger the object appears in the magnified image. Total magnification is written with an “X” (ex. 400X).

Total Magnification = ocular lens times the objective lens

Ex. If the ocular lens is 10X and the objective lens is 10X then the total magnification is 10 times 10 = 100X

Copy and Complete

Total Magnification	Objective Lens	Ocular Lens
350X		10X
250X	10X
160X	40X
	4X	10X
120X		30X
	15X	15X

Resolution- how clear the image is. This is called the resolving power.

Image- what you see (upside down, reversed, and enlarged)

Field of View- area you see (usually round)

Low Power Medium Power High Power

Microscopes are instruments that make things appear larger than they really are. There are several types:

1). Light Microscopes (they use light)

a). simple microscope- one lens

ex. magnifying glass or hand lens

b). compound microscope- two or more lens in series. Image can go to about 2000 X bigger.

(ocular lens and objective lens)

2). Electron Microscopes- uses “electrons” to bounce off the object and create an image.

- Can magnify up to 300,000X.

- cost a lot of money (about 1 million for a basic model)

-two types, both are useful

- a very large microscope

a). Transmission Electron Microscope or TEM

-passes electrons through the object

-the specimen is dead at the time

-produces black and white images

b). Scanning Electron Microscope or SEM

-specimen coated with gold

-electrons reflect off the surface of the object

-gives a 3D image in black and white

-the computer can add colors

-specimen can be observed alive for a while

3). Computers- many uses

-calculators

-simulations

-data analysis and storage

Think and Discuss P. 18 #12-16

Review Sheet 1-4

Vocabulary

Chapter 1 Vocabulary Review

Chapter Review P. 20-21

-matching #1-10

-identifying relationships #1-10

-completion #1-9

-concept review #1-5

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