Lecture Notes-01 Biology 1004

North Arkansas College

Topic: Teaching/Learning Strategies

Six Learning Strategies

  1. Great writing - interprets words.

  2. Visual concepts - pictures (such as VHS tapes "Cycles of Life").

  3. Concept spreads - concept and application to overall process.

  4. Applications.

  5. Technology - CD ROMs in learning center.

  6. Internet - See Web Links from Main Page.

All six learning strategies will be used in this class...

Biology and Society

  1. How does science impact the everyday world? The public concept/attitude of science was higher in the late 1990’s than in previous times.
  2. Approximately 15% understand that molecules exist and know what they are.
  3. 20% understand concept of DNA.
  4. 45% understand that electrons are smaller than atoms.
  5. Approximately 50% of population understands that Earth rotates around sun once a year.
  6. 85% understand that continents move on surface of plates.In the last 3 years, there have been many developments that impact our everyday lives. During the summer of 1998, there were more than 6 major articles in Time Magazine.
  7. Boy? Girl? Does it matter? We can choose the sex of children. The sperm will have one of two chromosomes (X or Y). X results in female; if Y chromosome fertilizes egg, you have male. The X contains 2.5 times more DNA; and if you stain chromosome with fluorescent dye and use laser, you can separate X and Y chromosomes.

Global Warming

  1. Warming of global Earth temperature.
  2. Increasing CO2 level.
  3. 2°C-5°C would increase ocean levels so that it would cover all existing seaports (5 feet). In the last two years, we have seen an average increase of 0.5°C.
  4. Drastic impact on living species.
Genes that control (influence) personality. David Hamer, NIH, has researched relationships between personality traits and genetics (sexual orientation, ability to quit smoking, etc.) to determine what are inborn versus chosen traits.

Dinosaurs of a feather. Two specimens found in China last year are dinosaurs that have feathers.

In the 21st century (in the next 25 years), it is estimated that 50% of wild life species will become extinct.

Scientific Process

In everyday speech, a theory indicates not much more than a hunch (little support). In science, a theory is based on a body of knowledge that explains a natural process. How is a theory generated?

  1. We make an observation and produce a hypothesis.

  2. Design experiments to prove the hypothesis.

  3. Gather data.

  4. Draw conclusions.

  5. Form a theory to explain natural process.

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