BIOL 1201 Lecture : BIOS Content Lectures
Document Summary
An approach to understanding nature (use scientific method) The use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process - nat"l academy of sciences and institute of medicine. Assume that the future is like the past. Holistic approach: focus on multiple factors, how they affect an organism, and how it affects their environment. Models can be anything (mathematical, visual) to explain observations. Hypotheses are usually narrow in scope; theories have broad explanatory power. Theory- been repeatedly tested and shown to be a good explanation. Organization, use energy from the environment, go through a development process, Reductionist approach: focus on one thing first, and then figure out how it fits in. Theories have been repeatedly tested neither are proven to be true. Smallest unit of matter separated by normal chemical means. That retains all of the properties of that element (which tell us what it will react with, etc. )