Lecture Outline - Introduction

I.1 Biologically Speaking (p. 2)
	1. 	Who Are We? (p. 2, Table I.1)
		a.	Human beings are highly organized. All other living things are made up of cells. Cells are organized into tissues, organs, and organ systems, all of which contribute to homeostasis.
		b.	Human beings reproduce and grow.
		c.	Humans have a cultural heritage that makes them unique. 
	2.	How Do We Fit In? (p. 2, Figs. I.2, I.3)
		a.	Humans are the product of evolution. 
		b.	Humans are a part of the biosphere. Humans interact within their own populations and within the larger community of organisms. 
	3.	Humans Threaten the Biosphere (p. 4, Fig. I.4)
		a.	Humans alter ecosystems to suit their own needs, disregarding consequences. As human populations increase in size, more ecosystems are threatened. 
		b.	Biodiversity is rapidly declining. Loss of biodiversity threatens the stability of the entire biosphere.
			ECOLOGY FOCUS: Tropical Rain Forests: Can We Live Without Them? (p. 7, Figs. IA, IB)
			i.	Millions of the yet undiscovered species of organisms likely live in tropical rain forests.
			ii.	Destruction of tropical rain forest results from social, economic, and political pressures, and is expected to alter world climate.
			iii.	These forests can be preserved using sustained yield techniques.
I.2 The Process of Science (p. 8, Fig. I.5) 
	1.	The Scientific Method Has Steps (p. 8)
		The process of science involves the scientific method, which includes observation, hypotheses, controlled experiments, and reformulation of hypotheses. Theories are formed after extensive supportive evidence.
	2.	Scientists Use Controlled Experiments (p. 9)
		Controlled experiments use test groups and control groups (Fig. I.6). 
I.3 Science and Social Responsibility (p. 10)
	1.	Science is objective. It can only examine things that can be observed objectively, not supernatural or religious beliefs.
	2.	Science has improved our lives.
	3.	Science can produce potentially disastrous technologies. Ethical and moral use of scientific findings is the social responsibility of all people.