Exploring Life ScienceChapter 1

The Nature of ScienceScientific MethodMetric SystemScientific Tools

Science is not just for Scientists:

The goal of science is to understand the world around us. We make observations, gather facts, and perform experiments.

Develop a theory; the most logical explanation for events that occur in nature.

If a hypothesis survives many test it can become a law. A law summarizes observed experimental facts.

Branches of Life Science:

ZoologyThe study of animals.

BotanyThe study of plants.

EcologyThe study of the relationships

of living organisms andtheir environment.

MicrobiologyThe study of Microorganisms.

Life ScienceLiving things and their relationship to each other and their environment.

The Scientific Method

The systematic approach to problem solving.1. Stating the Problem: What do you want to know?2. Gathering Information on the Problem: research!3. Forming a Hypothesis: an educated guess.4. Performing Experiments: test the hypothesis.5. Recording and Analyzing Data.6. Stating a Conclusion.

The Metric System:

The standard system used by all scientists.It is a decimal system: based on multiples of 10.Length: Meter Volume: LiterMass: KilogramWeight: NewtonTemperature: Celsius

Length:1 Meter (m) = 39.4 inches

1 Meter = 100 Centimeters (cm)

1 Meter = 1000 Millimeters (mm)

1 Kilometer (km) = 1000 meters

1 Meter = 1,000,000 Micrometers (um)

1 Meter = 1,000,000,000 Nanometers (nm)

1 Meter = 10,000,000,000 Angstroms (A)

ALL MULTIPLES OF 10!

Volume:

1 Liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (ml) 1 Liter = 1000 cubic centimeters (cm3)

Mass

1 Kilogram (kg)= 1000 grams (g)

1 gram (g) = 1000 milligrams (mg)

1000 kilograms = 1 metric ton (t)

Temperature:0 degrees C = Freezing point of water100 degrees C = Boiling point of water

Tools of a Life Scientist:

MicroscopesLooking Inside!LasersComputers

Microscopes:

Compound Light MicroscopeMagnifies up to 1000 times.

More than one lens.Uses light to magnify.

Electron MicroscopeMagnifies 100,000's of times.

Uses a beam of electronsto magnify.

SEMScanning Electron Microscope

Produces 3 demensionalimages.

Microscopes

Looking inside:

X-Ray: Invisible radiation, takes pictures of bones.

CT Scan (Computed Tomography): Takes cross-sectional pictures of objects.

MRI ( Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Uses Magnetism and radio waves to produce images.

Lasers

A laser is a tool that produces a narrow, intense beam of light.

Used as a scalpel in surgery.

Computers:

Computers are used by scientists for: Researching and collecting data.Display data.Store data.Doctors use them to diagnose diseases.

The End

By Mrs. ScibelliExploring Life Science