The science of biology. Properties and levels of life
Lessons 1–2 · 2 lessons · A. G‘afurov, A. Abdukarimov, J. Tolipova, O. Ishankulov, M. Umaraliyeva, I. Abdurahmonova. Biology, Grade 10, 1st edition. “Sharq” publishing and printing joint-stock company, Tashkent, 2017
1
Biology – the science of life
Textbook: pp. 4–6
GoalKnow what biology studies, its main branches and its research methods, and explain their practical importance.
Biology is the group of sciences that study life and its laws. Its branches differ by the object studied: botany studies plants, zoology animals, microbiology microorganisms, mycology fungi, and ecology the relationships of organisms with one another and with their surroundings. At the borders with other sciences, fields such as biophysics, biochemistry and bionics arose: biochemistry studies the chemical composition of organisms and the reactions in them, while bionics studies how the “solutions” of living nature can be used in technology. Research uses the methods of observation, comparison, historical study, experiment and modelling. Modern biology underlies progress in medicine, agriculture, ecology and biotechnology, and helps solve problems such as food security, hereditary diseases and nature protection.
Worked examples
Counting bird species in the field and noting their behaviour is an example of the observation method; comparing the leaf structure of two plants is an example of the comparison method.
A scientist splits seeds of the same plant into two groups, gives one group more light and the other none, and measures growth: this is the experimental method. Designing a light structure inspired by the strength of a bird’s wing is an example of bionics.
Class activity
“Which method?” Students sort 8 short descriptions of research (e.g. calculating population growth on a computer, comparing fossil bones) into the five methods.
Practice
1
Name the five research methods of biology.
Observation, comparison, historical, experimental and modelling methods.
2
Match to the sciences: plants; animals; fungi; the relationship of organisms with the environment.
Botany; zoology; mycology; ecology.
3
Which method includes computer calculation of how a new epidemic might spread, and why is it useful?
The modelling method. It helps predict phenomena that cannot be tested in real experiments and evaluate decisions in advance.
4
Why can biology today not be limited to observation alone? Give reasons.
Finding cause-and-effect needs controlled experiments, complex processes need models, and understanding evolution needs historical and comparative methods. The methods complement one another.