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Science (Life and Its Characteristics)

The document provides an overview of basic science, defining it as the study of the physical world through observation, experimentation, and analysis. It outlines the scientific method with an example of growing a money plant, and describes the branches of science, including natural, social, formal, and applied sciences. Additionally, it details the characteristics of life, such as order, sensitivity, reproduction, growth, homeostasis, metabolism, and adaptation.

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20 views3 pages

Science (Life and Its Characteristics)

The document provides an overview of basic science, defining it as the study of the physical world through observation, experimentation, and analysis. It outlines the scientific method with an example of growing a money plant, and describes the branches of science, including natural, social, formal, and applied sciences. Additionally, it details the characteristics of life, such as order, sensitivity, reproduction, growth, homeostasis, metabolism, and adaptation.

Uploaded by

samiurrehman30177
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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BASIC SCIENCE (NOTES)

What is Science?
Study of structure and behavior of physical world, especially by watching, measuring and
doing experiments.
 Explains how things work in real world using evidence and logics

How does science work?


Observations
Scientists observe natural events to understand what cause them and make hypothesis
(tentative explanation that can be tested to see if it’s true or not)

Experimentation:
Scientists design and conduct experiments to test ideas and hypothesis

Analysis:
Scientists analyze evidence to explain how and why the natural events occur

Logic:
Scientists use logic to explain how things work

Scientific Method Example


Growing a money plant:
1. Observation and Question: We want to find out how the environment affects the
growth of a money plant in a time frame of five weeks.
2. Hypothesis: The hypothesis would be that money plants can grow anywhere
regardless of the environment.
3. Experimentation: An experiment would be to take four money plants in different
pots. And keep two of them inside and the remaining outside. We will keep the initial
conditions such as soil quality, amount of sunlight, amount of water, etc. constant.
Upon completion of five weeks, we will observe all the plants and measure their size.
4. Analyzing: We will analyze the data such as the growth of plants, height, etc. and
compare the results from the two environments to determine which is better suited for
the purpose.
5. Conclusion: We can draw a logical conclusion from the analyzed data and form a
relevant report.

Branches of sciences
 Natural sciences: study of the physical world and living organisms (biology,
chemistry, physics etc.)
 Social sciences: study of individuals and societies; their interaction with each other
and the environment (sociology, psychology, economics)
 Formal sciences: study of formal systems (rules and symbols) to generate knowledge
(mathematics and computer science)
 Applied sciences: the use of scientific knowledge to create practical applications
(engineering and medicine)

LIFE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS


 Life is defined as the characteristics that distinguishes living things (biotic) from non-
living things (abiotic).
 Life is defined as any system capable of performing functions such as eating,
metabolizing, excreting, breathing, moving, growing, reproducing, and responding to
external stimuli.

Characteristics of Life

All living organisms share several key characteristics or functions: order, sensitivity or response
to the environment, reproduction, adaptation, growth and development, regulation,
homeostasis, energy processing etc. Some of the key characteristics are:

1. Order

Organisms are highly organized, coordinated structures that consist of one or more cells.

Even very simple, single-celled organisms (bacteria, fungi, and algae) are remarkably
complex: inside each cell, atoms make up molecules; these in turn make up cell organelles
and other cellular inclusions.

In multicellular organisms, similar cells form tissues. Tissues, in turn, collaborate to create
organs (body structures with a distinct function). Organs work together to form organ
systems.

2. Sensitivity or Response to Stimuli

Organisms respond to diverse stimuli. For example, plants can bend toward a source of light,
climb on walls, or respond to touch

A unicellular organisms move in response to chemical changes outside the cell. For example

o Amoeba exhibits locomotion (change in location)


o Paramecium use cilia to get around
3. Reproduction
All living organisms are capable of producing offspring. When reproduction occurs, genes
containing DNA are passed to an organism’s offspring. These genes ensure that the offspring
will belong to the same species and will have similar characteristics, such as size and shape.
4. Growth and Development

Organisms grow and develop following specific instructions coded for by their genes. These
genes provide instructions that will direct cellular growth and development, ensuring that a
species’ young will grow up to exhibit many of the same characteristics as its parents.

All organisms develop over time to become more physically and mentally mature.

5. Homeostasis
In order to function properly, cells need to have appropriate conditions such as proper
temperature, pH, and appropriate concentration of diverse chemicals. Organisms are able to
maintain internal conditions within a narrow range almost constantly, despite environmental
changes, through homeostasis —the ability of an organism to maintain constant internal
conditions. For example, an organism needs to regulate body temperature through a process
known as thermoregulation.
Organisms that live in cold climates, such as the polar bear have body structures that help
them withstand low temperatures and conserve body heat. Structures that aid in this type of
insulation include fur, feathers, and fat.

6. Metabolism

The chemical reactions in the body's cells that change food into energy is called metabolism.

All organisms use a source of energy for their metabolic activities. Some organisms capture
energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy in food; others use chemical energy
in molecules they take in as food.

For example, plant converts solar energy into chemical energy (glucose formation) via
photosynthesis

7. Adaptation
A change in the structure and function of an organism that results from a natural process by which
an organism is better fitted to survive and also multiply in an environment is called adaptation.
Examples of adaptation:
Physical adaptations: A camel's hump for storing water in the desert, a polar bear's thick fur for
cold climates, a bird's wings for flight.
Behavioral adaptations: Migration of birds due to climate change or pollution.

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