CHAPTER # 02
SOLVING A BIOLOGICAL
PROBLEM
Q. Explain
Biological Method.
BIOLOGICAL METHOD
Modern science has working on the phenomenon of introducing new and the unique things for the successive leading in the modern era. The research work based on the different procedures. Here, we are about to discuss the Biological method which is used in the research institutes and Laboratories. Keeping in mind, scientific approach is also applicable to sort out the scientific problems and to give a permanent solution.
The system of advancing knowledge by formulating a question, collecting
data about it through observation and experiment, and testing a hypothetical
answer about living things is called biological method.
The main steps of the scientific method are describing below stages
·
Observation
·
Hypothesis
·
Experiment
·
Result
· Conclusion
OBSERVATION
Observation
is the basic tool to go forth for elaborating a phenomenon but it may vary from
person to person according to his own skills of elaboration. Observations can
be qualitative or Quantitative. The term may also refer to any data collection
during scientific investigation. It further leads to hypothesis.
In 1880, a French physician, Laveran, studied the blood sample of
malaria patient under microscope and observed tiny creatures in it and named as
Plasmodium. So the observation was made that Plasmodium is present in the blood
of malaria patients.
HYPOTHESIS
After
observation, scientists ponders over it carries out relevant experiment and
arrive at a possible explanation for the nature of the phenomenon. This
explanation is actually a trial idea which mainly consists of ‘if-then’
statement.
For Example: In malaria case, an intelligent guess is made after
observation that Plasmodium is the cause of malaria. But it is only a guess
which can be presented as a hypothesis.
It can be stated as: ‘If plasmodium is the cause of malaria than all
the patients suffering from malaria must have plasmodium in their blood’.
EXPERIMENT
A
scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or
demonstrate a known fact is called Experiment.
When
the hypothesis is supported by large number of different types of observations
than the scientists work on the principle which is scientifically termed as
experiment
Scientist performs two types of test i.e. control group and
experimental group. To find out the cause of malaria, blood samples of 100
malaria patients (experimental group) and the blood samples of 100 healthy
persons (control group) were examined under microscope.
RESULT
After
getting a successful experiment, a phenomenon gets to process known as Theory.
The results are the description where you report what happened in the
experiment. That includes detailing all observations and data made during your
experiment. Result verifies the hypothesis.
In the case of malaria, it was found that all the malaria patients
(experimental group) had Plasmodium in their blood whereas the blood samples of
healthy persons (control group) were free from Plasmodium.
CONCLUSION
A hypothesis
which is tested again and again found to fit the facts and from which valid
predictions may be made is then known as Scientific Law.
Q. Define theory and scientific law.
THOERY
After
getting a successful experiment, a phenomenon gets to process known as Theory.
SCIENTIFIC LAW
A scientific law is a uniform or constant fact of nature, it is
virtually an irrefutable theory.
Q. Define Ratio and Proportion.
RATIO
In data analysis, the statistical methods (ratio and proportion) are
applied. Ratio is a comparison of two values expressed as a quotient (1st/2nd).
Example: A flower has 4 sepals and 12 petals. The ratio of sepals to petals is
4:12. This ratio can also be expressed as an equivalent fraction.
A Proportion is an equation stating that two ratios are equal. Example:
4:12::1:3
Mathematical biology is a field of research that examines mathematical
representations of biological systems.
Q. What do you know about
Reasoning?
REASONING
Biologists collect information about the problem and formulate the
hypothesis by using a reasoning process i.e. 'inductive reasoning and deductive
reasoning'.
Inductive reasoning moves from specific to general e.g. Shark is a fish. All fishes have scales therefore sharks also have scales.
Deductive reasoning moves from general to specific. It is based on “if-then” statement. Deductive reasoning can be tested and verified by experiments.
In malaria case, the following deduction is made: “If Plasmodium is the
cause of malaria, then all the malaria patient should have Plasmodium in their
blood”.
