Delta College 04/18/23

#1 #1 Survival skill in a changing Survival skill in a changing

worldworld

Flexibility

Delta College 04/18/23

#2 #2 Survival skill in a changing Survival skill in a changing

worldworld

Communication

Delta College 04/18/23

#3#3Survival skill in a changing Survival skill in a changing

worldworld

Ability to ask criticalor insightful questions

Delta College 04/18/23

# 4# 4Survival skill in a changing Survival skill in a changing

worldworld

hooks pigeon holes

themes & schemes

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WHAT IS SCIENCE?

Science is

a way of knowing a way of knowing and understanding the world

around us

Figure 1.1 Biologists study life on many different scales of size and time

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THE SCIENTIFIC WAY OF KNOWING

Begins with observations

Is inquiry based

Must be testable

Is tentative – there is no proof in science

Progressive & self correcting

Involves measurement and probability

Limited - cannot address all life’s questions

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A typical scientist is......

a healthy skeptic who needs evidence to draw conclusions

Figure 1.1x Geneticist Mary-Claire King

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Figure 1.23x1 Biotechnology laboratory

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Little Known Facts About Science

There is no proof» We disprove the null hypothesis» We support with evidence» We accumulate evidence that is

consistent with our current way of thinking or paradigm

»There are very few theories in biology Why?

Figure 1.22 Science as a social process

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SCIENCE IS ...

not a collection of facts but a search for

them.

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The Scientific Method

Logical problem solving

Not the only method» Experiments» Models» Synthesis

Discovery » inspiration or

serendipity

Figure 1.20 Applying hypothetico-deductive reasoning to a problem

Figure 1.19 Idealized version of the scientific method

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Figure 1.x1 David Reznick conducting field experiments on guppy evolution in Trinidad

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Figure 1.21 Controlled experiments to test the hypothesis that selective predation affects the evolution of guppy populations

Scientific ResearchScientific Research

Delta College 04/18/23

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Ectrodactyly

Delta College 04/18/23

ExencephalyExencephaly

Vental Wall DefectVental Wall Defect

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Scientific Writing

Scientific paper – how scientist spread the news

Common style or format» Specific title» Abstract» Intro» Materials & Methods/Procedures» Results» Discussion/Conclusion» References