1 Introduction to Life Sciences
1.1 About this chapter
The aim of this chapter is to provide you with an overview of the skills that you develop
as you learn to become a Life Scientist. Living systems exhibit levels of organisation from
molecules to biomes. In addition, all life on earth is dynamic, with various processes main-
taining equilibrium at every level of organisation. The life forms we observe today are a
result of billions of years of change.In this chapter you will learn how we gather evidence using the scientific method in order to
form theories to explain what we observe. The scientific method requires us to constantly re-
examine our understanding, by testing new evidence with our current theories and making
changes to those theories if the evidence does not meet the test. The scientific method
therefore is the powerful tool you will use throughout the Physical and Life Sciences.1.2 What is Life Sciences?
Life Sciences is the scientific study of living things from molecular level to the ecosystem
level, and involves a study of the interactions of organic molecules to the interactions of
animals and plants with their environment. The list below contains some of the various
branches of Life Sciences.- Anatomy (plant and animal)
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Botany
- Ecology
- Entomology
- Environmental Studies
- Genetics
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Morphology
- Physiology (plant and animal)
- Sociobiology (animal behaviour)
- Taxonomy
- Zoology
1.3 Why study Life Sciences?
Here are some reasons to study Life Sciences:4 1.1. About this chapter