1.1 SHARED FEATURES OF LIFE 1.5 CRITICAL THINKING IN SCIENCE
1.2 OUR PLACE IN THE NATURAL AND LIFE
WORLD Evaluate the source of information
Humans have evolved over time Evaluate the content of information
Humans are related to all other living 1.6 SCIENCE IN PERSPECTIVE
things—but we have some It is important to understand what the
distinctive characteristics word theory means in science
1.3 LIFE’S ORGANIZATION Science has limits
Nature is organized on many levels 1.7 CONNECTIONS: HOMEOSTASIS
Organisms are connected through the 1.8 FOCUS ON HEALTH: LIVING IN A
flow of energy and cycling of WORLD OF DISEASE THREATS
materials
EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN
1.4 USING SCIENCE TO EXPLAIN SUMMARY
NATURAL EVENTS
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Scientific studies are systematic
SELF-QUIZ
Doing experiments is a common way to CRITICAL THINKING
test a scientific prediction
YOUR FUTURE
In science, logic rules!
Objectives
1.1 Describe five basic characteristics of life.
1.2 Describe the evolution of human beings over the years.
1.2.1 Describe how humans fit into the natural world.
1.2.2 Explain how humans are related to all other living things.
Learning About Human Biology
,1.3 Explain how nature is organized.
1.3.1 Describe the eleven levels into which nature has been organized.
1.3.2 Describe how all parts of the living world are connected.
1.4 Describe how scientists study the natural world.
1.4.1 Identify the five steps used in the scientific method.
1.4.2 Explain how experiments are used to test scientific predictions.
1.4.3 Explain the relationship between science and logic.
1.5 Discuss the importance of critical thinking in science and everyday life.
1.5.1 Identify two strategies for assessing the sources of information.
1.5.2 Describe how the content of information can be evaluated.
1.6 Discuss the strengths and limits of scientific study.
1.6.1 Explain the significance of the word “theory” in science.
1.6.2 Explain why science has its own limits.
1.7 Explain the importance of homeostasis.
1.8 Identify three causes of emerging diseases.
Key Terms
cell control group
homeostasis sampling error
primates critical thinking
vertebrates fact
biosphere opinion
scientific method scientific theory
hypothesis emerging diseases
experiment antibiotic
variable
Lecture Outline
A. Current world events seem chaotic.
1. Infectious diseases such as “bird flu” pose global threats.
2. Natural disasters cause widespread devastation.
3. Human activities greatly affect our environment.
B. Despite the chaos, we have tools available to help us meet these challenges.
1. Systematic observation allows us to ask questions and find answers.
2. Scientific investigation helps us to understand our place in the world.
1.1 Shared Features of Life
A. Several basic characteristics allow us to distinguish between living things and
nonliving objects.
1. Living things consist of one or more cells.
2. Living things take in and use energy and materials.
3. Living things sense and respond to changes in their environment.
Chapter One
, 4. Living things maintain homeostasis.
5. Living things reproduce and grow.
1.2 Our Place in the Natural World
A. Humans have evolved over time.
1. Human beings are a part of biological “evolution”—the change in organisms
through the generations.
2. Humans are mammals belonging to the animal kingdom, one of the four
kingdoms of life in the domain Eukarya.
B. Humans are related to all other living things—but we have some distinctive features.
1. Humans share characteristics with our closest primate relatives.
2. Humans also have distinctive features: increased dexterity, large brain, analytical
skills, sophisticated communication, and culture.
1.3 Life’s Organization
A. Nature is organized on many levels.
1. Atoms and molecules are nonliving materials from which all of nature is built.
2. Cells are organized into increasingly complex levels: tissues >>> organs >>> organ
systems >>> organisms.
3. Organisms, in turn, form populations >>> communities >>> ecosystems >>>
biosphere.
B. Organisms are connected through the flow of energy and the cycling of materials.
1. Energy flows from the sun.
a. Plants (“producers”) trap this energy by photosynthesis.
b. Animals (“consumers”) feed on the stored energy in plants, using cellular
respiration.
c. Bacteria and fungi (“decomposers”) break down the biological molecules of
other organisms in order to recycle raw materials.
2. All organisms are part of networks that depend on one another for energy and
raw materials.
1.4 Using Science to Explain Natural Events
A. Scientific studies are systematic
1. Biology, like all science, pursues a methodical search for information that reveals
the secrets of the natural world.
2. Explanations are sought using an approach known as the “scientific method”:
a. Observe some natural phenomenon.
b. Identify a question or a problem to explore.
c. Develop a scientifically testable hypothesis.
d. Make a specific prediction.
e. Test the prediction.
f. Repeat the tests or develop new ones.
g. Analyze and report the tests and conclusions.
B. Doing experiments is a common way to test a scientific prediction
Learning About Human Biology
, 1. Experiments involve tests in which conditions are carefully controlled.
a. Control groups are used to identify side effects during a test that involves an
experimental group.
b. The experimental group experiences all of the same conditions as the control
except for the variable being studied.
2. The sample size must be large enough to be representative of the whole, that is, to
avoid sampling error.
C. In science, logic rules!
1. Single experiments rarely provide concrete answers.
2. Conclusions must be adapted to reflect all findings.
1.5 Critical Thinking in Science and Life
A. Evaluate the source of the information.
B. Evaluate the content of the information.
1. Be able to distinguish between cause and correlation.
2. Separate facts from opinions.
1.6 Science in Perspective
A. It is important to understand what the word "theory" means in science.
1. A scientific theory is a related set of hypotheses that form a broad-ranging
explanation of many phenomena.
2. Theories are accepted or rejected on the basis of tests and are subject to revision.
3. Scientists must be content with relative certainty, which becomes stronger as more
repetitions are made.
4. Scientists must be prepared to change their minds in light of new evidence.
B. Science has limits.
1. Science is limited to questions that can be tested; subjective questions do not
readily lend themselves to scientific analysis or experiments.
2. Science has the potential to be used for controversial endeavors, which means that
all of society must commit to responsible use of scientific knowledge.
1.7 Connections: Homeostasis
A. Homeostasis is the chemical and physical stability essential for life.
B. All organ systems contribute to homeostasis.
1.8 Living in a World of Disease Threats
A. Illness is a sign of disrupted homeostasis.
B. Emerging diseases
1. Diseases that until recently did not affect humans
2. Due to increased human population, global travel, and overuse of antibiotics
Chapter One
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