CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY

1.1THE STUDY OF BIOLOGY

-Biology (Greek) – `Bios’ = Life + - `logos’ = Study
=>Biology = Study of life

Importance of Biology
1. Improved understanding on functions of organisms
2. Improved understanding on causes of disease
3. Finding treatment for diseases
4. Improved understanding on ecology
5. Better management on environmental problems
6. Improved quality and production of food

Fields of biological research

Fields Study of....
Anatomy Internal parts of living things
Botany Plants
Biotechnology Applied biology in industry
Biochemistry Structure & function of chemical component in
living organism
Ecology Relationship between living things and the
environment
Genetics Heredity and variation
Medicine The study and treatment of diseases
Microbiology Microorganisms
Physiology Mechanical , physical and biochemical functions
of living things
Taxonomy Identifying , classifying and naming living things
Zoology Animals

Approaches to study Biology

By understanding... 1) The basic needs of a cell or an organism
2) Obstacles faced by a cell or an organism
3) The strategies of a cell or an organism to
overcome the
Obstacles

1.1THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

-Learning Biology requires the use of scientific skills
Scientific skills ÷ – Science process skills = Critical ,Analytical &
Creative thinking
- Manipulative skills = Psychomotor skills
-Scientific Method = A process of obtaining facts about a phenomenon
using a
method recognised by the scientific community
Steps involved in scientific investigation
No Steps
1 Identifying a Problem -Observing a specific phenomenon and
2 Forming a Hypothesis Hypothesis
3 Planning the
Experiment
4 Identifying &
Controlling Variables
5 Conducting the
Experiment
6 Collecting Data
7 Analysing Data
8 Interpreting Data
Explaination
questioning
-General statement based on an
observed event / preliminary
explaination
-Validity must be tested by conducting
an
Experiment
-Link Manipulative & Responding
variables
-Collecting relevant information on
experiment
-Determine apparatus & materials
-Planning procedures of experiment
a)Manipulated variable
-Independent , set at different
values to test a
hypothesis
b)Responding variable
-Dependent , outcome of an
experiment due
to changes in manipulated variable
c)Constant variable
-Factors that can affect the outcome
of an
experiment and must be kept
constant
throughout the experiment
-can be repeated to get precise and
reliable
results
-Data obtained from observation and
Measurement
-Data can be presented in a form of...
a)Table : with quantity measured &
units
b)Graph : at least 5 readings relating
manipulated & responding
variables
c)Diagrams with labels & title
-may include calculations (if any)
-Relationship between manipulated &
responding variable is determined
9 Drawing conclusion -Short & Simple
-State whether the result support or
refute the
Hypothesis
-If experiment failed, give proper
reasons
10 Writing a Report (Refer to framework given: PEKA)