FIS 1074 BIOLOGI 1Teaching-learning and assessment

strategy

Formative

Written examination 25%

40%Quiz 5%

Individual Assignment 5%

Group Assignment 5%

Summative Written examination 60% 60%

TOTAL 100%

UNIT 1: THE SCIENCE OF BIOLOGY

1.1 Definition1.2 Biology and its branches1.3 Historical breakthroughs – Darwin and evolution1.4 Scope of biology and career options

Syed Mohd Fauzi Said Hussin

FIS 1074 Biology I

1.1 Definition Biology (bios, life; logos, knowledge) is a science devoted to the

study of living organisms. The study of life extends from the microscopic scale of the

molecules and cells that make up organisms to the global scale of the entire living planet.

But what is life? We recognize life by what living things do – reproduction, growth and development, response to the environment (sensitivity), evolutionary adaptation, homeostasis, energy processing, feeding, movement, breathing or respiration, excretion.

The aim of biology must ultimately be to explain the living world in terms of scientific principles, although appreciating that organisms behave in ways which often seem beyond the capabilities of their component parts.

Posing questions about the living world and seeking science-based answers are the central activities of biology.

1.1 Definition (cont’d)

Biology is an ongoing scientific inquiry (how scientists raise and attempt to answer questions) about the nature of life.

Biology is a subject of enormous scope and biological knowledge is expanding at an ever-increasing rate – memorizing the factual details of this huge subject is not a reasonable option.

Science has progressed by breaking down complex subjects of study into their component parts so that today there are numerous branches of biology.

Reductionism – the reduction of complex systems to simpler components that are more manageable to study is a powerful strategy in biology.

This approach to study seeks fundamental understanding by looking at parts rather than the whole.

SCIENCE: A WAY OF KNOWINGScienceScience is about a different question: is about a different question:

“What are the facts?”It advances by

research,

producing evidence

And no-oneno-one’s opinion matters!

(only the evidence)Scientific inquiries always have a Scientific inquiries always have a correctcorrect and and incorrectincorrect answer, answer, even if we don’t know it yeteven if we don’t know it yet

SCIENTIFIC METHOD COMPONENTS Scientific method begins with observation. Ability to observe is extended by using instruments, e.g. microscope enables microbiologists

to see objects that could never be seen by the naked eye. Understanding is expanded further by taking advantage of the knowledge and experiences of

other scientists. E.g. look up past studies on the Internet, library (journals, books, etc.) or write and speak to other researchers.

Following observation is inductive reasoning – using creative/critical thinking to combine isolated facts into cohesive whole.

Testable statement is formulated. A possible explanation for a natural event is called hypothesis. Hypothesis is based on existing knowledge (much more informed than a mere guess).

Only hypotheses that can be tested by experiments or further observations should be considered. The results of an experiment are referred to as the data.

Data is analyzed by means of statistical analysis to detect relationships in the data that may not be obvious on the surface.

Data must be analyzed in order to reach a conclusion about whether a hypothesis is supported or not.

Conclusions from many different but related experiments may lead to the development of a scientific theory – which are accepted explanations for how the world works.

Observation>inductive reasoning>hypothesis>experiments>statistical analysis>conclusion>scientific theory

SCIENTIFIC METHOD COMPONENTSWhat if the hypothesis is rejected?

In this way, scientists are skeptics who always pressure one another to keep investigating.

START AGAIN.START AGAIN.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD COMPONENTSThe skeptic is the seeker of the truth

The route of Galileo:(perspective of a true skeptic)

Test theory objectively

↓↓Find hard evidence

↓↓Convince the scientific

community

Galileo Galilei made original contributions to the Scientific Revolution through innovative experiment – which

cuts to the heart of what science is.

QUESTION TIMETASK:

Use the components of

scientific method

(as explained in the previous slides)

to create a

“Flow Diagram”

of a controlled study.

1.2 Biology and its branchesMolecular Level of Organization

BIOCHEMISTRY Study of chemical substances occurring in living organisms and their

reactions BIOENERGETICS

Biology of energy transformation and exchanges within and between living things and their environment

GENETICS Study of hereditary factors from parents to offspring in living organisms

GENETIC ENGINEERING The deliberate changing of the genetic makeup of living cells by

transferring a fragment of DNA from one organism to another MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Deals with the ultimate physicochemical organization of living matter, especially with the molecular basis of inheritance and protein synthesis.

1.2 Biology and its branchesCellular Level of Organization

BACTERIOLOGY Study of bacteria and their effect on organisms.

MICROBIOLOGY Concerned with microorganisms such as protists,

bacteria, viruses and parasites. CYTOLOGY

Study of cells and their processes

1.2 Biology and its branchesTissues, Organs and Systems

ANATOMY Deals with the structure of living things and the interrelationship of

parts. EMBRYOLOGY

Concerned with the early stages in the development of an animal form.

HISTOLOGY Microscopic study of tissue structure.

MORPHOLOGY Investigation of external anatomical structures or form.

PHYSIOLOGY Deals with functions and life processes in organisms.

1.2 Biology and its branchesOrganisms and Population

ETHOLOGY Study of animal behavior.

MYCOLOGY Study of fungi.

PARASITOLOGY Study of organisms that live on or within other plants or animals.

BOTANY The study of plants.

ZOOLOGY Study of animals.

ENTOMOLOGY Study of insects and their life cycles.

ORNITHOLOGY Study of birds and their behaviour, economic importance.

1.2 Biology and its branchesCommunities and Ecosystems

ECOLOGY Deals with organisms and their relationships with each

other and the environment. MARINE BIOLOGY

Study of the oceans and ecosystems within them. SYNECOLOGY

Structure, distribution, development of ecological communities.

LIMNOLOGY Study of the freshwater ecosystem.

1.2 Biology and its branchesApplied Biology

AGRICULTURE Utilizes principles of botany in growing food plants/crops.

FORESTRY Establishment and conservation of trees and shrubs, the forest

ecosystem. TAXONOMY

Science of identifying and classifying organisms. VETERINARY MEDICINE

Involved with animal care and feeding, prevention and cure of animal diseases.

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Deals with the conservation and maintenance of wildlife resources.

1.2 Biology and its branchesInterdisciplinary Studies

ANTHROPOLOGY Study of man in relation to distribution, origin, classification and

relationships of races, physical character, environment and social relations and culture.

BIOENGINEERING Application of biology/medical science in engineering principles or

equipment (i.e. artificial organ). BIOPHYSICS

Applied physical principles and methods in biological problems. BIOTECHNOLOGY

Application of biology in other fields such as engineering systems and processes.

QUESTION TIMETASK:

Choose an area of Biology that interests you (please choose one field only) and

device a career plan on how you will

pursue your ambition in that field.

1.3 Historical breakthroughs – Darwin and evolution

Pioneers of evolutionary theory:

Charles Darwin, 1809 – 1882 (top)

and Alfred Russel Walace, 1823 –

1913 (below) independently

discovered the mechanism of

natural selection.

1.3 Historical breakthroughs – Darwin and evolution (cont’d)

Charles Darwin deserves primary credit for the theory of evolution.

He developed existing ideas about descent with modification while providing much evidence in support of them.

He was also the first to perceive natural selection as the primary process that drives evolution.

Darwin’s insights were inspired by the research he carried out during a 5-year voyage he took around the world on the ship HMS Beagle, beginning in 1831.

English naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace is the co-discoverer of natural selection as the principal process underlying evolution.

1.3 Historical breakthroughs – Darwin and evolution (cont’d)

Two principles lie at the core of the Theory of Evolution:

1. Common descent with modification• Particular groups or species of living things can

undergo modification in successive generations• All living things on Earth ultimately are descended

from a single, ancient ancestor2. Natural selection

• Traits that confer a reproductive advantage to individual organisms grow more common in populations of organisms over successive generations

1.4 Scope of biology and career options

Interactionsof

Organisms

Classification of

Life

Diversity and

Evolution of Organisms

Physiology of

Organisms

The Structure

of Life

SCOPE OF

BIOLOGY

Fig 1.2 Scope of biology

1.4 Scope of biology and career options (cont’d)

The Structure of Life

Molecular biology : the study of biology at a molecular level and concerns with understanding the interactions between systems of a cell, overlaps with other areas of biology i.e. genetics and biochemistry

Cell biology: studies the physiological properties of cells i.e. behaviors, interactions, environment

Genetics: the science of genes, heredity and variation of organisms, provides important tools in the investigation of the function of gene

Developmental biology: studies the process by which organisms grow and develop

Physiology of Organisms

Studies the mechanical, physical and biochemical processes of living organisms by attempting to understand how all the structure function as a wholeAnatomy is an important part of physiology and considers how organ systems function and interact

Diversity and Evolution of Organisms

Evolutionary biology: origin and descent of species, as well as their change over timeBotany and zoology are the two major traditionally taxonomically-orientated disciplines included in evolutionary biologyAlso includes paleontologists who use fossils to answer questions about the mode and tempo of evolution as well as theoreticians in population genetics and evolutionary theory

1.4 Scope of biology and career options (cont’d)

Classification of Life

The dominant classification system is called Linnaean taxonomy – includes ranks and binomial nomenclature

How organisms are named is governed by international agreements such as: International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria (ICNB) International Code of Virus Classification and Nomenclature (ICVCN)

Interactions of Organisms

Ecology: studies the distribution and abundance of living organisms and the interactions between organisms and their environment

Ethology: studies animal behaviour and is particularly concerned with the evolution of behaviour and the understanding of behaviour in terms of the theory of natural selection

Standardized by BioCode

1.4 Scope of biology and career options (cont’d)

Biomedical Research, Cancer Research, Cell/Molecular Biology, Genetics, Developmental Biology

Neuroscience Ecology, Evolutionary Biology Applied Ecology, Environmental Management, Forestry Clinical Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Veterinary

Medicine Pharmacy Nursing Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy

Occupational titles related to Biology Oceanographer Bioethicist, Wildlife Biologist,

Ecologist Agronomist Biostatistician Information Resource Analyst Food Bacteriological Technician Fish and Wildlife Officer Horticulturalist Pollution Control Inspector Medical Laboratory Supervisor Intellectual Property Lawyer

Studying Biology teaches you to ask questions, judge evidence and solve problems – skills that will be of use in whatever career you choose in the future.

Occupational titles related to Biology (cont’d) Bacteriology Professor

Scientific Consultant Health Policy Research

Analyst Medical Librarian Journalist – Science

Magazine/Newspaper Botanical Garden Interpreter Pharmaceutical Sales

Representative Research Scientist Higher Education Lecturer

Remember, that your scientific, communication and organizational skills are important – that’s what get you a job!

Thank you