biology scientific process :: essays research papers

Biology The in checkigence of Our LivesBiology liter whollyy means "the study of life". Biology is much(prenominal) a broad field, covering the minute workings of chemical machines at heart our cells, to broad scale concepts of ecosystems and global climate change. Biologists study intimate exposit of the human brain, the composition of our genes, and even the functioning of our reproductive system. Biologists recently all precisely completed the deciphering of the human genome, the sequence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) bases that may make much of our innate capabilities and predispositions to certain forms of behavior and illnesses. DNA sequences have play major roles in criminal cases (O.J. Simpson, as well as the regress of death penalties for many wrongfully convicted individuals), as well as the impeachment of hot seat Clinton (the stain at least did not lie). We ar bombarded with headlines more or less contingent health risks from favorite foods (Chinese, Mexi plenty, hamburgers, etc.) as well as the potential benefits of eating other foods such as cooked tomatoes. Informercials tout the benefits of metabolism-adjusting drugs for weight loss. Many Americans are turning to herbal remedies to ease arthritis pain, improve memory, as well as improve our moods. Can a biology book give you the answers to these questions? No, but it will enable you learn how to sift through the biases of investigators, the press, and others in a quest to critically evaluate the question. To be h wizardst, five years after(prenominal) you are through with this class it is doubtful you would remember all the lucubrate of meatbolism. However, you will know where to look and maybe a little about the process of skill that will allow you to make an informed decision. ordain you be a scientist? Yes, in a way. You may not be formally trained as a science major, but you can think critically, solve problems, and have some idea about what science can and cannoit do. I hope you will be able to tell the shoe from the shinola. The Scientific ProcessScientists make progress by exploitation the scientific method, a process of checking conclusions against nature. After observing something, a scientist tries to beg off what has been seen. The explanation is called a hypothesis. There is always at least one alternative hypothesis. A part of nature is tested in a "controlled experiment" to see if the explanation matches reality. A controlled experiment is one in which all treatments are identical except that some are overt to the hypothetical cause and some are not.