Key Concepts: The Science of Life

Biology as a Science

Biology uses the scientific method to investigate living systems. Scientists make observations, form hypotheses, conduct experiments, and draw conclusions.

• Observation: Noticing and describing phenomena in nature
• Hypothesis: A testable explanation for observations
• Experiment: A controlled test of the hypothesis
• Conclusion: Analysis of results to accept or reject the hypothesis

Key Principles

• All experiments must be reproducible by other scientists
• A control group is essential for valid comparisons
• Only one variable should be changed at a time