In this lesson, we will explore the biological method, which is a way scientists study living things. Science is about gathering knowledge through careful observations and experiments to learn how nature works. Different scientists, like chemists, biologists, and physicists, all use a similar approach to test their ideas. To make this clear, we will look at malaria as an example to understand each step of the biological method in detail.
2.1 Biological Method
In this section, we will learn about the biological method, which is how scientists solve questions related to living things. This method has been important for scientific research for nearly 500 years, helping us make advancements in medicine, ecology, and technology.
Steps in the Biological Method
- Recognition of the Biological Problem: Scientists begin by identifying a problem or question about living organisms. This could be a question they have or one posed by others.
- Observations: The next step is to gather information through observations. Scientists use their senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—to make both qualitative (descriptive) and quantitative (measurable) observations. For example, they might note that water freezes at 0°C (qualitative) and that a liter of water weighs 1,000 grams (quantitative).
- Formulation of Hypotheses: After making observations, scientists organize their findings and create a hypothesis, which is a possible answer to the problem. A good hypothesis should be general, tentative, and based on existing knowledge.
- Deductions: From the hypothesis, scientists can make logical deductions. For example, if they hypothesize that all plant cells have a nucleus, they can deduce that if they examine a grass blade, its cells will also have a nucleus.
- Experimentation: Scientists then design experiments to test their hypotheses and gather more data.
- Summarization of Results: After experiments, the results are summarized using tables and graphs for clarity.
- Reporting the Results: Finally, scientists share their findings with others to contribute to the growing body of scientific knowledge.
By following these steps, biologists can systematically explore and understand the complexities of living organisms.
2. Theory, Law, and Principle
When a hypothesis is repeatedly tested through experiments and consistently holds true, scientists gain more confidence in it. A well-supported hypothesis can then lead to the development of new hypotheses, which are also tested. If a hypothesis remains valid over time and is never disproven, it becomes a theory. A theory is backed by substantial evidence and can generate new hypotheses for further testing. Many scientists challenge existing theories, striving to prove them wrong. If a theory continues to withstand these challenges, it solidifies its status in the scientific community.
2. Data Organization and Data Analysis
Data organization and analysis are key steps in the biological method. Data refers to the information collected from observations and experiments, such as names, dates, or numerical values.
Data Organization
Before conducting an experiment, scientists must describe how they will collect data to ensure the experiment’s quality. Data can be organized in various formats, including tables, graphs, flow charts, maps, and diagrams.
Data Analysis
Data analysis is crucial for testing hypotheses. It often involves statistical methods, such as ratios and proportions. A ratio compares two numbers, like saying there are 50 malaria patients for every 150 healthy individuals, which can be expressed as a ratio of 1:3. Proportion connects two equal ratios, like a:b = c:d. When three values in a proportion are known, the fourth can be calculated.
For instance, if a biologist observes that 14 out of 20 sparrows get malaria after being bitten by infected mosquitoes, they can use this information to predict how many out of 100 healthy sparrows might also become infected.
Mathematics: An Integral Part of the Scientific Process
The biological method relies on applied mathematics to address various biological issues. Key areas where mathematical knowledge is essential include gene identification, understanding protein structures, and studying interactions between proteins. Bioinformatics is a field that combines computational and statistical techniques to analyze biological data, helping scientists make sense of complex information. This integration of mathematics enhances our ability to solve biological problems and advance our understanding of life sciences.