Table 1.2: (continued)Life Science What it Examines Life Science What it ExaminesTable1.3:Fields of biology that examine the distribution and interactions between
organisms and their environments
Life Science What it Examines Life Science What it Examines
Ecology how various organ-
isms interact with
their environmentsBiogeography the distribution of
living organisms
(Figure1.9)
Population biol-
ogythe biodiversity, evo-
lution, and environ-
mental biology of
populations of or-
ganismsScientific Theories
Science theories are produced through repeated studies, usually performed and confirmed
by many individuals. Scientific theories are well established and tested explanations of
observations. These theories produce a body of knowledge about the physical world that
is collected and tested through the scientific method (discussed in the Scientific Method
lesson).The word “theory” has a very different meaning in daily life than it does in science. When
someone at school says, “I have a theory,” they sometimes just mean a hunch or a guess.
Thiseverydaymeaningfor“theory”canconfusepeoplewhenwell-testedandwidelyaccepted
scientific theories are discussed by nonscientists. For example, the theory of evolution is a
well-established scientific theory that some people incorrectly say is just a hunch.A scientific theory is based on evidence and testing that supports the explanation. Scientific
theories are so well studied and tested that it is extremely unlikely that new data will
discredit them. The idea that matter is made up of atoms, evolution, and gravity are all
scientific theories about how the world works that scientists accept as fundamental principles
of basic science. However, any theory may be altered or revised to make it consistent with
new evidence.