Biology 9 Study Guide
Introduction to Human Biology and the Process of Science
Readings:
• Goodenough et al., “Biology of Humans”, Chapter 1
• See handouts/readings posted at the course website
Key Terms:
anatomy domain organ theory
biology epidemiology organ system tissue
biosphere experimental group organism variable
cell homeostasis physiology vertebrate
clinical trial hypothesis primate statistically significant
control group kingdom science correlation
controlled experiment mammal scientific method confidence interval
Study Objectives
• Define science, biology, anatomy, and physiology.
• What are the seven characteristics of life?
• What is the basic structural unit of all living things?
• Define homeostasis and give examples of conditions within the body that are maintained within narrow limits.
• How do we know that we are related to all living things?
• Know the three domains and the four kingdoms of Eukarya. In which domain and kingdom are humans placed?
• What are two characteristics of vertebrates? What are some characteristics of mammals?
• What characteristics do humans share with other primates? What features distinguish humans?
• Describe the levels of organization from the atom to the biosphere.
• Define science. Be able to distinguish between observation or descriptive science and the scientific method.
• What are the steps of the scientific method? Be able to identify these steps.
• Be able to identify the control group, experimental group, and variable being tested in an experiment?
• Understand why a hypothesis can only be disproved not proven and how this leads to uncertainty in science? Be
able to recognize when an individual or group is taking advantage of uncertainty in science.
• How is a theory defined in science? How does this definition differ from its common usage?
• What are characteristics of "good" science?
• Describe the peer review process. Why is it important?
• What are some questions to ask when evaluating scientific claims?
• Give recent examples of scientific misconduct and political interference in science.
• Form a hypothesis based on each of these questions:
o How many hours will I need to study in order to get an A in BIO9?
o Who will be the next president of the United States?
o Can lip balm be addictive?
o Do microwaves cause cancer?
o Do cucumbers relieve puffy eyes?
o How many poppy seeds can make you test positive for heroin?
o How many centimeters do ears continue to grow after age 18?
o Will using a cell phone give you a brain tumor?
• Be able to distinguish which of the above questions are “testable” using the scientific method. “Testable” means
that you can design an experiment or protocol, execute the experiment and collect data, and draw a conclusion
based on the data.
• How do epidemiological studies look at human health? How are these studies different than clinical trials?
• Understand the difference between causation and correlation.
• What is statistics and what is a statistically significant result?
• Discuss difficulties encountered when conducting studies using humans.
