Ecology Laboratory

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Ecology Laboratory

• Mrs. Nancy Wheat

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Important Information

• Instructor Mrs. Nancy Wheat
• nwheat_at_hartnell.edu
• Text Ecology Concepts and Application, 4th ed
  by Manuel Molles Jr.
• Lab book Print handouts from website
  http//www.hartnell.cc.ca.us/faculty/nwheat/Ecolog
  y.htm
• Visionleaning www.visionlearning.com
• Register as a student
• Join our MyClassroom for BIO 47 Ecology at
  Hartnell College.

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Scientific Method

• The scientific method illustrates the way in
  which science is done.

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Scientific Method

• This simplified flow diagram of the scientific
  method shows the important components involved in
  a scientific study.

Observations
Hypothesis
Conclusion
Experiment/ Observations
Scientific Theory
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Scientific Method

• First is the observation phase, where new
  observations are made.
• This is also the time where previous data are
  examined.
• Next, a hypothesis is formulated to attempt to
  explain the available data and observations.
• A hypothesis must be testable!!!

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Scientific Method

• The hypothesis is then tested through a series of
  experiments and/or observations.
• These experiments and observations must be
  repeatable!
• The factual information resulting from these
  experiments and observations is called data.

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Scientific Method

• An important part of an experiment is the
  control, which is a replicate set up exactly like
  the experiment, except it does not have the
  factor being tested.
• It is important to repeat an experiment exactly
  the same way many times.
• Replicates

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Scientific Method

• Independent variable the variable that you
  manipulate.
• Example size of a food item.
• Dependent variable the variable that you will
  measure.
• Example how long it takes to eat that food
  item.

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Scientific Method

• Scientists can then draw a conclusion based on
  the data.
• The conclusion may involve accepting or rejecting
  the initial hypothesis.
• Further experiments may require an adjustment to
  the conclusions.
• Hypotheses are said to be supported, but not
  proven.

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Scientific Method

• New hypotheses are generated from the
  conclusions, and the process starts again.
• A theory results when a group of related
  hypotheses are supported by many experiments and
  observations.
• Theories are the ideas that scientists are MOST
  SURE OF!
• Theory of gravity
• Theory of evolution

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Scientific Method

• The previous model is very simplified and the
  result is too linear.
• The activity model for the process of
  scientific inquiry shows the more complex
  interactions that are really involved.

Harwood, W. S. 2004. A new Model for Inquiry is
the Scientific Method Dead? Journal of College
Science Teaching. 33(7) 29-33.
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Metric System

• The metric system is the standard system of
  measurement in much of the world and is also used
  in the sciences in the United States.
• Mass is measured in grams.
• Length is measured in meters.
• Volume is measured in liters.
• Temperature is measured in Celsius

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Metric System

• Larger and smaller units of mass, length, and
  volume are calculated in units of 10 and use the
  same prefixes.
• Kilometer (km) 1000 meters
• Meter (m)
• Centimeter (cm) 0.01 meter
• 100 cm make 1 m
• Millimeter (mm) 0.001 meter
• 1000 mm make 1 m, 10 mm make 1 cm
• Micrometer (µm) 0.000001 meter
• 1000 µm make 1 mm

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Metric System

• Goals for today
• Become familiar with meters, liters, grams, and
  C.
• Practice making conversions.

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Metric System

• Measure the diameter of this circle in
  centimeters.
• Convert to meters.
• Convert to millimeters.

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Metric System

• How many kiloliters are there in a 2-liter bottle
  of soda?

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Metric System

• If a car is traveling at 100 km per hour, how
  fast is that in meters per second?