BIOL 111 Lab Exercise 1

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Begin Lab Practical 1 Content

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The Discovery Process

Biology: The study of life

Core theories:

Cell Theory
all organisms are made of cells that store hereditary information in DNA
Gene Theory
DNA sequences may be altered by mutation or by crossing over and segregation during meiosis
Heredity
Changes in DNA sequences produce individual, heritable variation. Some of these changes result in individuals with physical characteristics that allow them to leave more offspring to the next generation than do other individuals. These individuals are considered to be "more fit" than those who have fewer offspring that survive to adulthood.
Evolution
Since the variation in genes possessed by more fit individuals are passed in greater numbers to the next generation, over time, this differential reproductive success may result in a population of individuals that has accumulated enough changes in DNA to develop into a new species.
genetic change over time: history can be traced in the fossil record and result can be seen in diversity of life

Scientific Method

  1. Observe and formulate questions
  2. Reflect on implications
  3. Propose hypothesis (regular and null hypotheses)
  4. Test hypothesis and collect data (design experiment with dependent variable [vocab 1] and independent variable [vocab 2]
  5. Analyze results
  6. Support, reject, or modify hypothesis

Parts of Microscopes

Compound Microscope
Dissecting Microscope

(note similar parts and different parts)

Total Magnification: ocular × objective (10 × 40 = 400x magnification)

  • Higher magnification means less field of view
  • Higher magnification means little more resolution

Vocabulary

  1. The dependent variable is the response to a changing factor
  2. The independent variable is the changed factor in an experiment