Ch01 e Finalized

1 Introducing biology
6 Introducing
1 Nutrition in humans
biology
Think about…
1.1 What is biology?
1.2 How can we study biology?
1.3 Nature of science
Recall Think about…
Concept map
2
6 Introducing
biology
Sophia the robot
• A robot equipped with

artificial intelligence
• Able to
 recognize faces
 understand what people say
 give a reply
 walk
3
6 Introducing
biology
Sophia the robot

• Biologists do not consider her a
human or an organism.
Human /
Organism
4
6 Introducing
biology
Which characteristics of organisms

does Sophia have?
5
6 Introducing
biology
Why do biologists not consider

Sophia an organism?
6
6 Introducing
biology 1.1 What is biology?
Biology is the scientific

study of organisms.
7
6 Introducing

Organism’s Organism’s Organism’s
structures life cycles classification
Examples of areas
of study in biology
Organism’s interactions with other

organisms and their environment
8
6 Introducing
A Characteristics of organisms
characteristics of organisms
Organisms carry out vital functions

necessary for maintaining life.
9
6 Introducing
Organism Non-living things
Distinguished based on
characteristics of organisms
10
6 Introducing
1 Reproduce and grow
Reproduction
• produce
offspring
new rice plants

are reproduced
through seeds
11
6 Introducing
1 Reproduce and grow
The offspring grow in size and often
in complexity
offspring will
grow and
reproduce
12
6 Introducing
2 Obtain food and respire
Organisms obtain food in the

process of nutrition.
13
6 Introducing
Plants
make their own food by photosynthesis
(*autotrophic nutrition) 14
6 Introducing
Animals
obtain food by feeding
(*heterotrophic nutrition) 15
6 Introducing
For growth and repair
Food Broken down to release energy

through respiration
for carrying out
vital functions
16
6 Introducing
3 Detect and response to stimuli,
and move detect stimuli
(e.g. a lion sees its prey)
make response
(may involve
movement)
Irritability
(e.g. it runs after its prey)
17
6 Introducing
4 Excrete to maintain a relatively
constant internal environment
• Excretion: removal
of metabolic wastes
from the body
(harmful at high conc.)
carbon
dioxide urea
18
6 Introducing
4 Excrete to maintain a relatively
• the maintenance of a relatively
constant internal environment in an
organism (e.g. body temperature) is
called homeostasis
19
6 Introducing
B Importance of studying
biology
1 Develop appreciation of and respect
for all organisms and the environment
20
6 Introducing
biology
2 Develop our ability to think and solve
problems scientifically
Is it true?
Special lights in our Has any fair test
refrigerator can help been done?
increase the vitamin C
content in vegetables.
21
6 Introducing
biology
3 Better understand health issues,
environmental issues and social issues.
Are electronic cigarettes Should our country parks

less harmful than regular be developed for residential
cigarettes? purposes to ease our
housing problem?
22
6 Introducing
Are viruses organisms?

• Viruses can reproduce after entering
living cells (hosts). But without living
cells, viruses do not show any
characteristics of organisms.
• It is hard to define whether viruses are
living or non-living.
23
6 Introducing
1 Biology is the scientific study of

organisms .
24
6 Introducing
2 Characteristics of organisms:
a Reproduce and grow
b Obtain food and respire
c Detect and respond to stimuli,
and move
d Excrete to maintain a relatively
25
6 Introducing
biology 1.2 How can we study biology?
1.2 How can we study biology?

A Scientific method
Scientists study the natural world
using the scientific method.
26
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
“There is NO single scientific

method, but it usually involves
a few basic steps.”
27
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
Basic steps:
1 Making 2 Asking a 3 Proposing
observations question a hypothesis
Hypothesis is supported
4 Making a 5 Testing the 6 Drawing a

prediction hypothesis conclusion
Proposing a revised
Hypothesis is falsified
or new hypothesis
28
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
1 Making observations
• Bats can fly and

avoid hitting any
objects in the dark.
• Bats have small
eyes and big ears.
Lazzaro Spallanzani (1970)

29
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
2 Asking a question
How can bats avoid

hitting any objects in
the dark?
30
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
3 Proposing a hypothesis
Bats rely on their

sense of hearing to
avoid hitting objects
in the dark.
31
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
4 Making a prediction
If bats lose the sense of

hearing when their ears
are blocked with wax,
then the bats will hit
objects when they fly.
32
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
5 Testing the hypothesis
The bats with the The bats without the

sense of hearing do sense of hearing hit
not hit the wires. the wires.
Experimental group Control group

33
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
Control set-up
identical to experimental
set-up except that the factor
under investigation (i.e. the
sense of hearing) is absent The bats without the
The bats with the
sense of hearing do sense of hearing hit
not hit the wires. the wires.
ensure the result of the

Experimental
experiment is due group
only to Control group
that factor 34
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
Independent Dependent Controlled
variable variable variables
Presence of the
sense of hearing
Factor under
investigation
35
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
Presence of the Whether the
sense of hearing bats hit the
wires and ring
the bells
Factor that is measured
36
6 Introducing
A Scientific method Factors that are

kept the same
Presence of the Whether the Size of the bats,
sense of hearing bats hit the darkness of the
wires and ring room, number
the bells of wires, etc.
37
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
Bats with Bats without
the sense of hearing the sense of hearing
do not hit the wires hit the wires and

ring the bells
Experimental group Control group
38
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
6 Drawing a conclusion
The results support my
hypothesis!
I conclude that bats rely

on their sense of
hearing to avoid hitting
objects in the dark.
39
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
Sometimes the hypothesis

is falsified (not supported
by the result) ≠ wrong
 propose a new or
revised hypothesis
40
6 Introducing
A Scientific method
Hypothesis will be
subject to change with
more new evidence found
(e.g. ultrasound)
 Theory
41
6 Introducing
B Performing a scientific
investigation
Does the
presence of rice
speed up the
ripening of
papayas?
Kelly
Kelly’s mother
42
6 Introducing
Task
Design and carry
out an investigation
to find out the
answer to Kelly’s
question.
43
6 Introducing
1 Designing a scientific investigation

Aim
What is the aim of this investigation?
To study the importance

of rice in speeding up the
ripening of papayas.
44
6 Introducing

Problem to investigate
What is the problem to be investigated?
Does the presence of rice

speed up the ripening of
papayas?
45
6 Introducing

Hypothesis
Propose a hypothesis to the problem.
The presence of rice

speeds up the ripening of
papayas.
46
6 Introducing
Principle behind the design

a How can the hypothesis be tested?
Compare the rates of ripening of two papayas.
unripe
papayas
two identical
rice containers
47
6 Introducing

b Predict the results based on the design
of the investigation.
If a papaya is kept in a container with rice,

the papaya will ripen more quickly
48
6 Introducing

c Identify the variables.
Presence of Rate of Initial degree of
rice ripening of yellowing, size
each papaya of the papayas,
size of the
containers, etc.
49
6 Introducing

Presence of Rate of How to
Initial degree of
rice manipulate this?
ripening of yellowing, size
Put riceofinto
each papaya the papayas,
one ofsize
the of the
containers
containers, etc.
50
6 Introducing

How to
Presence of Rate of Initial degree of
measure this?
rice ripening of yellowing, size
By observing the
each papaya of the papayas,
degree of yellowing
size of the
of each papaya
containers,
every day etc.
51
6 Introducing

d Is it necessary to set up a control?
Why?
Yes.
To ensure that the
presence of rice is
the only variable that
affects the rates of
52
6 Introducing

e What assumptions are made in this
investigation?
• The two papayas are identical.
• The difference in the volume
of air in the containers is
insignificant to the ripening of
papayas.
*assumption ≠ prediction 53
6 Introducing
Procedure
What is the procedure of this
investigation?
Is there any precaution to be taken?
54
6 Introducing
Procedure
1
rice
identical transparent
containers
55
6 Introducing
Procedure
cover
2
unripe papayas
Experimental set-up Control set-up
56
6 Introducing
Procedure
3
Leave for a week…

57
6 Introducing
Procedure
3
Observe and record the degree of

yellowing of the papayas every day without
taking them out of the containers.
58
6 Introducing
2 Carrying out a scientific

investigation
Results
Degree of yellowing (arbitrary unit)
Container Day Day Day Day Day Day Day
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
with rice 0 1 2 2 3 4 4
without rice 0 1 2 2 3 5 5
# The greater the number, the higher the
degree of yellowing
59
6 Introducing
Conclusion
The presence of rice
does not speed up the
60
6 Introducing
3 Writing a report of a scientific

investigation
Writing a report after the investigation
allows other people to:
• understand what we have found out
• repeat our investigation
61
Writing a report of a scientific

investigation
Aim Results
Introduction Discussion
Materials and Conclusion
apparatus
Procedure
62
Aim
To study the importance of rice in

speeding up the ripening of papayas.
63
Introduction
1 Problem 2 Hypothesis and prediction 3 Principle
64
Introduction
Does the presence of rice speed up the

ripening of papayas?
65
Introduction
The presence of rice speeds up the ripening

of papayas.
The hypothesis explains the problem.
(It is not needed in certain scientific
investigations.)
66
Introduction
If a papaya is kept in a container with rice,

then the papaya will ripen more quickly.
The prediction is based on the design

of the experiment.
67
Introduction
Includes:
a the rationale of the design
b the independent variable and the
way of manipulating it
c the dependent variable and the way
of measuring it
d the controlled variable(s)
e the critical assumptions made
68
a the rationale of the design

In this investigation, the rates of ripening
of two papayas are compared.
Two identical containers are prepared.
One container is half-filled with rice.
One papaya is kept in the container with
rice, and the other is kept in the
container without rice.
69
b the independent variable and

the way of manipulating it
The independent variable is the
presence of rice.
It is manipulated by putting rice into
one of the containers.
70
c the dependent variable and

the way of measuring it
The dependent variable is the rate of
ripening of each papaya.
It is measured by observing the degree
of yellowing of each papaya every day.
71
d the controlled variable(s)

The controlled variables are the initial
degree of yellowing and size of the
papayas, size of the containers, etc.
72
e the critical assumptions made

It is assumed that the two papayas
are identical.
The difference in the volume of air in
the containers is also assumed to be
insignificant to the ripening of papayas.
73
Materials and apparatus
List all the materials and apparatus,

and state the quantity needed.
transparent container 2
unripe papaya 2
rice
74
Procedure
Write each step in the correct order in

past passive voice.
Also explain all precautions taken.
75
Procedure past passive voice

1 Two identical transparent containers
were prepared. One of the containers
was half-filled with rice.
2 An unripe papaya was put into each
container. Then the two containers
were covered.
76
Procedure past passive voice

3 The two containers were left at room
temperature for a week. The degree of
yellowing of the papayas was observed
and recorded every day.
precautions
Observations were made without
taking the papayas out of the containers
to minimize disturbance to the papayas.
77
Results
Should be presented in
appropriate form(s), e.g. tables,
graphs, labelled diagrams,
photographs.
78
Results
Degree of yellowing (arbitrary unit)
Container Day Day Day Day Day Day Day
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
with rice 0 1 2 2 3 4 4
without rice 0 1 2 2 3 5 5
# The greater the number, the higher the degree of
yellowing
79
Discussion
Includes the following (if applicable):
a Interpretation of the results
b Possible sources of error and how
they affect the accuracy of the results
c Any anomalous data and its
significance
80
Discussion
Includes the following (if applicable):
d Validity of assumptions based on
the results
e Limitations of the design of the
investigation
f Suggestions for improvement and
further investigations
81
a Interpretation of the results

(e.g. trend or pattern in data, relationship
between the independent and dependent
variables)
The papaya in the container without rice
(control) ripened slightly faster. (result)
This showed that the presence of rice
did not speed up the ripening of the
papaya. (interpretation)
82
b Possible sources of error and how

they affect the accuracy of the results
The degree of yellowing was not
consistent in different parts of the two
papayas. (error 1)
The judgment of the degree of yellowing
was also subjective. (error 2)
These lowered the accuracy of the results.
83
c Any anomalous data and its

significance
d Validity of assumptions based on
the results
(not applicable in this report)
84
e Limitations of the design of the

investigation
The container in the experimental
set-up was half-filled with rice.
The difference in the volume of air in
the containers might have a significant
effect on the ripening of papayas.
85

Suggestion 1
To increase the reliability of the results,
more papayas should be used.
Averaged data should also be used for
analysis.
86

Suggestion 2
The degree of yellowing of papayas
should be observed by more than one
person to minimize subjectivity.
87

Suggestion 3
Cards showing different degree of yellow
should also be used as a reference.
88

Suggestion 4
An equal volume of plastic beads should
be put in the container in the control.
plastic
rice
beads
89

Suggestion 4
This ensures that the volume of air in the
two containers is the same.
plastic
rice
beads
90
Conclusion
• Relate the conclusion to the
hypothesis.
• Do not introduce new information nor
make generalizations.
The presence of rice does not speed up

the ripening of papayas.
91
6 Introducing
1.1
Simulation
Design an investigation of the effect of 1.1
fresh pineapple on the setting of jelly

Why did the I think fresh pineapple contains
jelly not set? something that prevents the jelly
from setting.
Peter Mary
92
6 Introducing
1.1
Mary’s hypothesis:
The fresh pineapple contained something that
had prevented the jelly from setting.
jelly solution fresh

pineapple
93
6 Introducing
1.1
Task
Design and carry out an investigation to test
Mary’s hypothesis. Write a full report of
your investigation.
94
6 Introducing
biology 1.3 Nature of science
1.3 Nature of science

Nature of science
• about what science is and how science
works
• various aspects of nature of science can
be illustrated in the history of the
development of biological knowledge
95
6 Introducing
Example
Do organisms arise from

non-living things?
Francesco Redi
96
6 Introducing
For thousands of years, people believed that

organisms could arise from non-living things
by spontaneous generation.
meat maggots
Maggots arise from meat.

97
6 Introducing
For thousands of years, people believed that

organisms could arise from non-living things
by spontaneous generation.
non-living organisms
meat maggots
thing
Organisms arise from non-living things.

98
6 Introducing
In 1668, Francesco Redi observed that

maggots appeared a few days after flies
moved around a piece of meat.
flies
maggots
99
6 Introducing
He hypothesized that maggots were

produced by flies.
100
6 Introducing
Science advances through

reasonable skepticism
Redi questioned a long-held belief,
spontaneous generation. This attitude
drove him to investigate and later
spontaneous generation was disproved.
101
6 Introducing
Based on his hypothesis, Redi predicted:
If flies were kept away from

meat, maggots would not
appear.
102
6 Introducing
Redi’s experiment
gauze
jars
meat
(jar not covered) (jar covered)
103
6 Introducing
Doing science requires creativity

and imagination
Redi kept flies away from the meat

using a piece of gauze.
104
6 Introducing
A good scientific experiment

must include carefully designed
controls
Redi did a controlled experiment.
105
6 Introducing
(P.1-15) What are the independent, dependent

and controlled variables in Redi’s experiment?
Independent variable: Whether flies are
allowed to reach the meat
Dependent variable: Whether maggots appear
on the meat
Controlled variables: Size of the meat, size of

the jars, temperature
106
6 Introducing
A few days later…
maggots no
appeared maggots
appeared

107
6 Introducing
A few days later…
The result supported

Redi’s hypothesis
maggots no
appeared maggots
appeared

108
6 Introducing
A few days later…
But the belief about spontaneous

generation continued.
maggots no
The discovery
appeared of microorganisms
maggots
(from nowhere) also strengthened
appeared
the belief of spontaneous generation.
109
6 Introducing
John Needham’s experiment (1745)
boiling stopper microorganisms

the broth the flask appeared
110
6 Introducing
John Needham’s experiment (1745)
Needham’s conclusion:
The microorganisms did arise
spontaneously.
stopper microorganisms
boiling
the flask appeared
111
6 Introducing
Lazzaro Spallanzani’s experiment

(1775)
• did not agree with Needham for the
spontaneous generation of
microorganisms
• suspected that the time for boiling the
broth was not long enough to kill all
the microorganisms
112
6 Introducing

(1775) after a few
days
Experimental
set-up
boiling for a no sealing microorganisms
longer time of flask appeared
after a few
days
Control
set-up
boiling for a seal no microorganisms
longer time the flask appeared
113
6 Introducing

(1775) after a few
days
Experimental
These results
set-up showed that
microorganisms
boiling for a did not appear
no sealing microorganisms
in boiled broth when theafter flask
a few
was sealed. days
Control
set-up
boiling for a seal no microorganisms
114
6 Introducing
Science is a process of ongoing

inquiries
After the work of Redi, biologists

continued to investigate whether
spontaneous generation happened.
115
6 Introducing
Scientists have to explore using

different techniques and
methods to find out a good
solution to a problem
Spallanzani modified Needham’s
experiment.
116
6 Introducing

(1775) after a few
days
However, many
Experimental people were not
set-up
convinced.
boiling for a no sealing microorganisms
The belief of spontaneous after
generation
a few
was not falsified until almostdays
a
Control
century later by Louis Pasteur.
set-up
(P.1-20) Reading
boiling for a seal tomicroorganisms
no learn
117
6 Introducing
The nature of science is about what

science is and how science works.
118
6 Introducing
Some aspects of the nature of science:

a Science advances through
reasonable skepticism.
b Doing science requires creativity
and imagination.
c A good scientific experiment must
include carefully designed controls.
119
6 Introducing
Some aspects of the nature of science:

d Science is a process of ongoing
inquiries.
e Scientists have to explore using
different techniques and methods to
find out a good solution to a problem.
f Scientists build on the work of other
scientists.
120
6 Introducing
biology
1 Which characteristics of organisms does

Sophia have?
Sophia can detect and respond to
stimuli, and move.
121
6 Introducing
biology
2 Why do biologists not consider Sophia

an organism?
Sophia does not reproduce and grow,

obtain food and respire, etc.
122
6 Introducing
biology
Biology
studied by
the scientific scientific

study of method
part of
organisms
nature of
science
123
6 Introducing
biology
organisms
characteristics
detect and respond to

reproduce stimuli, and move
and grow
excrete to maintain
obtain food a relatively constant
and respire internal environment
124

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1 Introducing biology

Sophia the robot

• A robot equipped with

Sophia the robot

Which characteristics of organisms

Why do biologists not consider

1.1 What is biology?

Biology is the scientific

1.1 What is biology?

Organism’s interactions with other

Organisms carry out vital functions

new rice plants

Organisms obtain food in the

Food Broken down to release energy

Are electronic cigarettes Should our country parks

Are viruses organisms?

1 Biology is the scientific study of

1.2 How can we study biology?

“There is NO single scientific

4 Making a 5 Testing the 6 Drawing a

• Bats can fly and

Lazzaro Spallanzani (1970)

How can bats avoid

Bats rely on their

If bats lose the sense of

The bats with the The bats without the

Experimental group Control group

ensure the result of the

A Scientific method Factors that are

do not hit the wires hit the wires and

I conclude that bats rely

Sometimes the hypothesis

1 Designing a scientific investigation

To study the importance

1 Designing a scientific investigation

What is the problem to be investigated?

Does the presence of rice

1 Designing a scientific investigation

The presence of rice

Principle behind the design

Principle behind the design

If a papaya is kept in a container with rice,

Principle behind the design

Principle behind the design

Principle behind the design

Principle behind the design

Principle behind the design

Is there any precaution to be taken?

Leave for a week…

Experimental set-up Control set-up

Observe and record the degree of

2 Carrying out a scientific

3 Writing a report of a scientific

Writing a report of a scientific

To study the importance of rice in

Does the presence of rice speed up the

The presence of rice speeds up the ripening

If a papaya is kept in a container with rice,

The prediction is based on the design

a the rationale of the design

b the independent variable and

c the dependent variable and

d the controlled variable(s)