Chapter test scheduled for 26 September.
Class Notes and Practice Quizzes
A. Read pages 3-14 and answer Questions pages 31-32: 1, 6, 7, and these Questions. Due 12 September.
Terms & Concepts: Be sure you understand what science is and is not. In particular, be sure that you can distinguish between a scientific question and a non-scientific question. Appreciate that the basic tool in all science is the Scientific Method that is rooted in the idea of using observations to generate data to test hypotheses. Know the steps of the scientific method and understand the function of each step of the process. Keep in mind that scientists are people too and their biases influence their choice of questions and their conclusions. Be clear on the difference between a manipulated (or independent) variable and a responding (or dependent) variable. Also, appreciate the important role of control groups in any experiment. Be able to describe the experiments of Redi, Needham, Spallanzani, and Pasteur in terms of their clarification of the concept of spontaneous generation and as examples of the scientific method. Be able to explain the differences among the terms hypothesis, theory, and natural law and understand how these terms are used when discussing scientific knowledge. A nice animation of the Redi and Pasteur experiments can be found here.
B. Read pages 15-23 and answer Questions pages 31-32: 8, 9, and these Questions. Due 15 September.
Terms & Concepts: Since biology is the study of life, you must understand the characteristics that are associated with living organisms. These characteristics in turn lead to the major themes that focus biological research and form the major themes of our course this year. Be able to name and describe the characteristics of living things listed on pages 16-17 and be able to give specific examples. In addition, be able to discuss the "Big Ideas" outlined on pages 18-19 and give specific examples. You will find that we come back to these concepts throughout the year. Appreciate that no one scientist can study all of the biological details of a question. Scientists must focus their attention to a few levels of organization as outlined on page 21. Know these levels of organization and be able to give specific examples of each.
C. Internet lesson, Asthma and the Scientific Method. Due 19 September.
Go to the internet lesson, Scientific Method: Asthma, read the instructions, answer the questions, and email your answers as MS Word or RTF attachments.
D. Read page 24-28 and answer Questions pages 31-32: 28, 31 and these Questions. Due 22 September.
Terms & Concepts: Recall the SI (or Metric) system used as the common method of making measurements in scientific research. Appreciate why a common method of measurement is important. Review the SI units for length, mass, volume, density, energy, etc. You will be expected to be able to use the SI system in your calculations and lab work. Also review your graphing skills; especially bar and line graphs. We will be using light microscopes in lab, but understand that there other types of microscopes such as the electron microscope. Be able to describe the differences between a light microscope and an electron microscope. Also understand the differences between a transmission and scanning electron microscope. There are a number of important lab techniques that we will discuss in the course of the year. Be familiar with the techniques of cell culture, cell fractionation, and centrifugation.
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