Chapter 1

Summary		Questions		Media Resources
1.1 Biology is the science of life.
• Living things are highly organized, whether as single cells or as multicellular organisms, with several hierarchical levels.		1.  What are the characteristics of living things?		•Biological Organization A •Biological Organization B
1.2 Scientists form generalizations from observations.
• Science is the determination of general principles from observation and experimentation. • Scientists select the best hypotheses by using controlled experiments to eliminate alternative hypotheses that are inconsistent with observations. • A group of related hypotheses supported by a large body of evidence is called a theory. In science, a theory represents what we are most sure about. However, there are no absolute truths in science, and even theories are accepted only conditionally. • Scientists conduct basic research, designed to gain information about natural phenomena in order to contribute to our overall body of knowledge, and applied research, devoted to solving specific problems with practical applications.		2.  What is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning? What is a hypothesis? 3.  What are variables? How are control experiments used in testing hypotheses? 4.  How does a hypothesis become a theory? At what point does a theory become accepted as an absolute truth, no longer subject to any uncertainty? 5.  What is the difference between basic and applied research?		•Why Paleontology? •The Eighth Day of Creation by Judson •Probability and Hypothesis Testing in Biology (Appendix) •Scientific Method
1.3 Darwin's theory of evolution illustrates how science works.
• One of the central theories of biology is Darwin's theory that evolution occurs by natural selection. It states that certain individuals have heritable traits that allow them to produce more offspring in a given kind of environment than other individuals lacking those traits. Consequently, those traits will increase in frequency through time. • Because environments differ in their requirements and opportunities, the traits favored by natural selection will vary in different environments. • This theory is supported by a wealth of evidence acquired over more than a century of testing and questioning.		6.  Describe the evidence that led Darwin to propose that evolution occurs by means of natural selection. What evidence gathered since the publication of Darwin's theory has lent further support to the theory? 7.  What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures? Give an example of each.		• Introduction to Evolution •  Before Darwin •  Voyage of the Beagle •  Natural Selection •  The Process of Natural Selection •  Evidence for Evolution •The Search for Medicinal Plants •Darwin's Ghost by Jones •Charles Darwin Voyaging by Browne •140 Years Without Darwin Are Enough •Bird-killing Cats: Nature's Way of Making Better Birds •  Geometric and Arithmetic Progressions
1.4 This book is organized to help you learn biology.
• Biological diversity is the result of a long history of evolutionary change. For this reason evolution is the core of the science of biology. • Considered in terms of levels-of-organization, the science of biology can be said to consist of subdisciplines focusing on particular levels. Thus one speaks of molecular biology, cell biology, organismal biology, population biology, and community biology.		8.  Can you think of any alternatives to levels-of-organization as ways of organizing the mass of information in biology?

•  Scientists on Science •  How Scientists Think •  Student Papers

•  Bioethics Case Studies •  General Biology Weblinks

• Essential Study Partner

• Multiple Choice Quiz