Chapter 1

Unit 1

Asking about life science

 It all starts with a question

Scientists observe living organisms and come up with questions to investigate.
You can ask many questions: how does it obtain food, where does it live, why
does it behave a certain way. Etc.
Questions are easy to find everywhere.

 If it starts with a question then we look for answers:

o Who: scientists. Anyone can be a scientist if you study or look for answers
to questions about living things.
o Where? Not only in lab can we observe living things, but everywhere,
farms, forests, in your backyard, oceans outer space.
o What? It is determined by the curiosity of the scientist. They specialize in
many areas of life science.

 Why ask why? What is the point. Is it important? Absolutely. Scientists see how
life science affects you and the living things around you. Examples:
o Combating disease: Polio was eradicated by studying disease and how to
fight it. This helps us with every disease we know and new ones that are
being discovered.
o Inherited disease: Some genetic information is passed down from parent
to children. Scientist study the human genome to understand how we
inherit traits and other information.

 Protecting the environment: The list is long. Many mistakes are made by
incorrect use or disposal of natural resources. Understanding how we affect the
world is the first step to finding solutions. That is why life science is so important
to us and to future generations that have to figure out how to live life better in this
world.

In notebook, answer questions in review pg. 9