biology scientific process :: essays research papers

biological science The Science of Our LivesBiology liter eithery means "the study of life". Biology is such a colossal field, covering the minute workings of chemical machines inside our cells, to broad scale concepts of ecosystems and global climate change. Biologists study intimate details of the gentleman brain, the composition of our genes, and even the functioning of our reproductive system. Biologists recently all merely completed the deciphering of the human genome, the sequence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) bases that may determine a good deal of our innate capabilities and predispositions to certain forms of behavior and illnesses. DNA sequences have played major(ip) roles in criminal cases (O.J. Simpson, as well as the reversal of expiration penalties for many wrongfully convicted individuals), as well as the impeachment of President Clinton (the scratch at least did not lie). We are bombarded with headlines about possible wellness risks from favorite food s (Chinese, Mexi quite a little, hamburgers, etc.) as well as the potential benefits of eating early(a) foods such as cooked tomatoes. Informercials tout the benefits of metabolism-adjusting drugs for weight loss. Many Americans are bout to herbal remedies to ease arthritis pain, change memory, as well as improve our moods. Can a biology book give you the answers to these prosecutionions? No, but it impart 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 honest, five years after you are through with this class it is doubtful you would remember all the details of meatbolism. However, you go forth know where to look and maybe a little about the surgical process of science that will allow you to make an informed decision. Will you be a scientist? Yes, in a way. You may not be officially trained as a science major, but you can cipher critically, solve problems, and have some idea about w hat science can and cannoit do. I hope you will be able to tell the garb from the shinola. The Scientific ProcessScientists make progress by using the scientific method, a process of checking conclusions against nature. After observing something, a scientist tries to explain what has been seen. The rendering is called a hypothesis. There is always at least one pick hypothesis. A part of nature is tested in a "controlled experimentation" to see if the explanation matches reality. A controlled experiment is one in which all treatments are identical except that some are exposed to the conjectural cause and some are not.