Students will learn that cells are the basic structures of all living things. Students will identify specialized parts of cells and the specific functions they perform. Students will spend at least 40% of the instructional time conducting field, laboratory, or computer-simulated investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices. Students will use the scientific method during field, laboratory, or computer-simulated investigations. Students will use critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions.

Section 1: Objectives

Students will:

1. Identify parts of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (both plant and animal).
2. Determine the role of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in the secretion of proteins.
3. Explain how eukaryotic cells are given shape and internal organization by a cytoskeleton or cell wall or both.
4. Demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations.
5. Make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials.
6. Plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypothesis, and selection equipment and technology.
7. Collect data and make measurements with precision.
8. Organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from data and communicate valid conclusions.
9. Analyze, review and critique scientific explanations, including hypothesis and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information.
10. Evaluate impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment.
11. Describe the connection between biology and careers.
12. Research and describe the history of biology and the contribution of scientists.

Topic 1 - Scientific Method

Science is a way of investigating the world in order to form general rules about what causes things to happen. A scientist is an observer who searches for solutions to problems. Biology is the study of living things. Biology has a tremendous impact upon our daily lives.

Biology and Medicine

Every day scientists are discovering ways to improve health and health care. Scientists continue to search for cures for diseases like cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, and AIDS.

Biology and the Environment

Because of the growing human population, we are consuming more resources and producing more wastes than ever before. Scientists seek to find new ways to produce food to feed this ever-growing population. New varieties of plants are being developed. Scientists are looking for ways to increase productivity, improve nutritional quality, and increase resistance to pests in the foods we will eat in the future.

Getting rid of wastes is an increasingly serious problem. Everyday we discard plastic, paper, glass, and metal. The methods of disposing of these wastes that we have used in the past will soon become obsolete. Landfills, incineration, and recycling no longer can keep up with our production of wastes. Recycling programs are inadequate and many people fail to participate in such programs. Landfills and incineration create pollution problems that outweigh their value as waste disposal methods. Scientists are currently working on alternative programs for waste disposal.

ASSIGNMENT:  Write a paragraph summarizing the article.

The Search for Knowledge

During this course you will spend approximately 40% of your time conducting controlled experiments either in the lab, in the field, or in computer-simulated situations. All controlled experiments should be conducted using the scientific method. All activities in the lab should be supervised by your Redcomet Contact person.

What is the scientific method?

The scientific method is a systematic study of a problem or a question. A scientist follows a series of steps to complete the study.

Step 1: Observation
First, the scientist observes a problem or proposes a question.

Example:  In 1897, Ronald Ross observed that in open wards in a hospital where he worked, patients were more likely to develop malaria than patients in wards with closed windows or screens. Ross wanted to discover why patients in the open wards developed malaria more readily than other patients.

Step 2: Hypothesis
Second, the scientist suggests an hypothesis, a testable explanation for the observation.

Example:  Ross decided that mosquitoes could be spreading malaria. He formed the hypothesis that mosquitoes that had bitten infected patients carried the parasite that caused the disease. Later, when the mosquito bit another patient, it passed on the disease.

Step 3: Prediction
Third, the scientist suggests what will happen if the hypothesis is accurate.

Example:  Ross predicted that if mosquitoes were spreading malaria, then the mosquitoes that had bitten malaria patents would carry the parasite that caused the disease.

Step 4: Testing
Next, the scientist must perform experiments to test the hypothesis. An experiment is a controlled test of an hypothesis. First you must determine the variables (factors that can change). There are two types of variables:

1. Independent variables are factors such as temperature, moisture, light, etc. that you can change. In an experiment, only one variable should change. The others should remain constant (not allowed to change).
2. Dependent variables, such as increase or decrease in size, change in response to the independent variable. Every experiment must have a control, a standard against which the test group can be compared. In a controlled experiment, two test groups are required. The first group, or experimental group, is exposed to the variable. The second group, or control group, is not exposed to the variable.

Example:  Ross compared mosquitoes that had been exposed to malaria patients to a control group of mosquitoes that had not been exposed to malaria patients. He discovered that only the group of mosquitoes that had been exposed to the malaria patients carried the malaria parasite. His hypothesis was confirmed.

Step 5: Theory
A theory is a unifying explanation for a broad range of observations. Theories can have a major affect upon science.

Example:  Other scientists tested and confirmed Ross's hypothesis. As a result of these tests, Ross's hypothesis about the way that malaria was spread became a theory. As a result of his theory, efforts were made to reduce the mosquito population. This led to almost eliminating the disease malaria.

Scientists reject any hypothesis that is not supported by observation and the results of controlled experiments. Other scientists will retest hypotheses to ensure they are valid. An experiment is successful when it shows that one or more hypotheses are inconsistent with observations. In other words, an experiment, which proves a hypothesis untrue, is considered a successful experiment. Scientists usually perform a series of experiments that eliminate a wide variety of hypotheses before they eventually find a hypothesis that is proven true. Eliminating hypothesis is valuable to scientific progress.

      Topic Study Guide      

On a sheet of paper, answer each question. When you have finished, review your work with your Red Comet Contact Person.

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