The ‘scientific method’ merely refers to a broad framework for studying and learning more about

the world around us in a scientific manner.

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Make an Observation

Scientists are naturally curious about the world. While many people may pass by a curious
phenomenon without sparing much thought for it, a scientific mind will take note of it as
something worth further thought and investigation.

2. Form a Question

After making an interesting observation, a scientific mind itches to find out more about it. This is
in fact a natural phenomenon.In the scientific method, a question converts general wonder and
interest to a channeled line of thinking and inquiry.

3. Form a Hypothesis

A hypothesis is an informed guess as to the possible answer of the question.The purpose of the
hypothesis is not to arrive at the perfect answer to the question but to provide a direction to
further scientific investigation.

4. Conduct an Experiment

Once a hypothesis has been formed, it must be tested. This is done by conducting a carefully
designed and controlled experiment. The experiment is one of the most important steps in the
scientific method, as it is used to prove a hypothesis right or wrong, and to formulate scientific
theories.

5. Analyze the Data and Draw a Conclusion

Theories of the Origin of Life

Beneath the Ice

Some evidence indicates that, around three billion years ago, Earth’s oceans were covered with
ice. This ice may have been hundreds of metres thick and was mainly due to the sun being
much less fierce than it is nowadays. This theory contends that the ice may have protected the
compounds, allowing them to interact and, thereby, creating life.

Electricity

Yes, there is a theory that life on Earth began Frankenstein style! It has been proven that
electricity can produce simple sugars and amino acids from simple elements in the atmosphere.
This leads to the theory that lightning may have been responsible for the origins of life, primarily
by striking through rich volcanic clouds.

Panspermia

Now, from the horror of Frankenstein, to the realms of science fiction. Panspermia is the
proposal that life on Earth didn’t actually begin on Earth at all. Rocks, and other debris from
impacts, are plentiful. In fact, rocks from Mars have been found here on Earth, and it has been
suggested they any one of these would have brought microbes that could have kick-started life.
So… would that make us all aliens?

RNA

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is today most known for its role in the expression of genes. To put it
simply, DNA unzips, revealing the necessary gene that is being called for by the body, then
RNA is transcribed from single nucleotides, copying the revealed segment for gene expression.

This theory states that all life sprouted from a complex RNA world. This is plausible, as RNA is
far more self-regulating, if less efficient, than DNA.

Simple Metabolism and Reactions

In contrast to the RNA theory, this approach suggests that the primordial soup simply continued
to react with itself over time, producing more and more complex molecules, eventually yielding
life. This is the most simple of the standing theories, and is difficult to dismiss.

Clay Breeding Ground

Research at the University of Glasgow, in Scotland, has given rise to the theory that life on
Earth may have evolved in clay. It is suggested that clay may have served as an area of
concentrated chemical activity, providing a breeding ground for DNA and other components.

Submarine Hydrothermal Vents

Submarine hydrothermal vents, or deep-sea vents, contain vast and diverse ecosystems. The
nutrient rich environment filled with reactive gases and catalysts, creates a habitat teeming with
life. Studies suggest that life may have originated from within these vents, a theory that cannot
be ignored, and one that may in fact tie in with the ice theory at the beginning of this article.

Classification of Life

Taxonomy is the practice of identifying different organisms, classifying them into categories, and
naming them. All organisms, both living and extinct, are classified into distinct groups with other
similar organisms and given a scientific name.

There are eight distinct taxonomic categories. These are: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class,
Order, Family, Genus, and Species.

With each step down in classification, organisms are split into more and more specific groups.

For example, all of the animals in the Kingdom Animalia are split into multiple phyla (plural of
phylum). All of the animals in the phylum Chordata are split into multiple classes such as
mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

The broadest category splits all organisms into three groups called ‘Domains’. The three
Domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea and Eukaryota.

KINGDOM

For a long time, all life was separated into five or six kingdoms. These included kingdoms such
as animals, plants, fungi, protists, archaea, and bacteria.
With new genetic data, we now know that some protists are more closely related to animals,
plants, and fungi than they are to other protists. This suggests that the protist kingdom could be
separated into multiple kingdoms. Thoughts are similar for the bacteria and archaea kingdoms.

PHYLUM

A phylum (plural phyla) is still a very broad classification but it splits kingdoms into multiple
groups. An example of phyla from the animal kingdom is Arthropoda which includes all insects,
spiders, crustaceans, and more. All vertebrate animals belong to one phylum called ‘Chordata’.
Invertebrates are separated into many different phyla.

CLASS

A class is the next level down. As mentioned earlier some classes from the phylum Chordata
include mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Arthropod classes include the likes of insects and
arachnids (spiders, mites, and scorpions).

ORDER AND FAMILY

From class, organisms are placed into an Order and then a Family. Using grasses as an
example from the plant kingdom, they belong to the order Poales and the family Poaceae.

GENUS AND SPECIES

The final two categories are genus and species. The genus and species that an organism
belongs to are how an organism receives its scientific name. This naming system is called
‘binomial nomenclature’ and was invented by a brilliant biologist named Carl Linnaeus.

An identified species is placed into a specific group in each of these categories. For example,
the taxonomic classification of humans is:

Domain: Eukaryota Order: Primates

Kingdom: Animalia Family: Hominidae

Phylum: Chordata Genus: Homo

Class: Mammalia Species: Homo sapiens

MAIN BRANCHES OF BIOLOGY

1. Taxonomy: It is the science of identification, nomenclature and classification of organisms.

2. Morphology: It is the study of external form, size, shape, colour, structure and relative
position of various living organ of living beings.

3. Anatomy: It is the study of internal structure which can be observed with unaided eye after
dissection.

4. Histology: It is the study of tissue organization and structure as observed through light
microscope.

5. Cytology: It is the study of form and structure of cells including the behavior of nucleus and
other organelles
6. Cell Biology: It is the study of morphological, organizational, biochemical, physiological,
genetic, developmental, pathological and evolutionary aspects of cell and its components.

7. Molecular Biology: It is the study of the nature, physicochemical organization, synthesis

working and interaction of bio-molecules that bring about and control various activities of the
protoplasm.

8. Physiology: It is the study of different types of body functions and processes.

9. Embryology: It is the study of fertilization, growth, division and differentiation of the zygote
into embryo or early development of living beings before the attainment of structure and size of
the offspring.

10. Ecology: It is the study of living organisms is relation to other organism and their
environment.

11. Genetics: It is the study of inheritance of characters or heredity and variations. Heredity is
the study of expression and transmission of traits from parents to offspring.

12. Eugenics: It is the science which deals with factors related to improvement or impairment of
race, especially that of human beings.

13. Evolution: It studies the origin of life as well as new types of organism from the previous
ones by modifications involving genetic changes and adaptations.

14. Palaeontology: It deals with the study of fossils or remains and impressions of past
organisms present in the rocks of different ages.

15. Exobiology: It is the branch of scientific inquiry dealing with the possibility of life in the outer
space.

16. Virology: It is the study of viruses in all their aspects.