3. Characteristics of “LIFE” Organization Reproduction Growth & Development Respond to its environment Stimulus Response (Homeostasis – The ability to control its internal environment. Adjustment of water & minerals in an organism to achieve balance.)
4. Observations A scientist uses his senses of sight, touch, hearing, and smell to examine an object in detail. He may use instruments to extend these senses. Qualitative observations DESCRIBE = descriptions such as color, odor, sound, and texture (using the senses). Quantitative observations MEASURE = using an instrument of measurement to measure the amount or number.
5. Observations A scientist improves his skills of observation and his communication skills by practice. Observe the following and describe as much as you can. Accident #1 Accident #2 Accident #3
6. The Scientific MethodOVERVIEW Identify a PROBLEM to solve. Make a HYPOTHESIS. TEST the hypothesis and COLLECTDATA. (a controlled experiment) PUBLISH the results. Draw a CONCLUSION and [perhaps] develop a THEORY.
7. 1. OBSERVATION leads to identifying a problemto solve. “Observing the world around you is the foundation of scientific investigation.”
8. 2. Making a HYPOTHESIS. an EXPLANATION for a question or problem that can be formally TESTED. Not a RANDOM GUESS.
9. 3. Collecting DATA. (numbers) Test the hypothesis in a controlled EXPERIMENT can be used to obtain data to test a HYPOTHESIS.
10. 4. PUBLISH results allows other scientists to repeat the experiment and VERIFY the results.
11. 4. Forming a THEORY. A THEORY is a hypothesis that is supported by a LARGE body of scientific evidence. (not an unproven idea or hunch)
12. Also 6. Developing new HYPOTHESES. 7. Revising the THEORY.
13. The Scientific MethodREVIEW Identify a PROBLEM to solve. Make a HYPOTHESIS. TEST the hypothesis and COLLECTDATA. (a controlled experiment) PUBLISH the results. Draw a CONCLUSION and [perhaps] develop a THEORY.
14. Parts of a Controlled Experiment Control – the STANDARD against which the results of the experiment are COMPARED. INDEPENDENT Variable (I.V.) – the condition that is tested because it affects the outcome of the experiment. DEPENDENT Variable (D.V.) – the condition in an experiment that results from the changes made to the independent variable. CONSTANTS – the conditions that remainthesame in all of the experimental groups.