Dr.%20Stuart%20Reichler%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Bio%20301M

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Dr. Stuart Reichler Bio 301M
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Bio 301M Ecology, Evolution, and SocietyM-F
1130am-1pm in WEL 2.304 Prof Dr. Stuart
Reichler Office Bio 6 E-mail
sreichler_at_mail.utexas.edu Phone
471-1074 Office Hours anytime, contact for an
appt.
Date Class Subject
June 5, 6 Introduction, Philosophy of Science, and Strong Inference
9-12 Evolution
13-16 Nature and Nurture
June 17 Exam 1
18-26 Ecology
June 27 Exam 2
June 30-July 3 Environmentalism
July 4 Independence Day (no class)
7, 8 Environmentalism
July 9 Exam 3
July 10 Review for Final Exam (last day of class)
July 12 Final Exam 7-10pm
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Sample Exam Questions Some organisms have much
more DNA than humans do. Does this mean that
they can make a greater diversity of proteins
than humans can?
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Sample Exam Questions Some organisms have much
more DNA than humans do. Does this mean that
they can make a greater diversity of proteins
than humans can? Why or why not? Not
necessarily. They may have more non-coding DNA.
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Sample Exam Questions Both humans and wolves
live in groups. How is the advantage gained from
forming groups different between humans and
wolves?
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Sample Exam Questions Both humans and wolves
live in groups. How is the advantage gained from
forming groups different between humans and
wolves?Human groups give protection, probably
from other humans. Wolf groups are better able
to capture prey- obtain food.
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Sample Exam Questions Do you expect more or
fewer future human conflicts over resources? Why?
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Sample Exam Questions Do you expect more or
fewer future human conflicts over resources?
Why? Likely more conflicts. Human population is
increasing and resources are not. Rain decreases
in some areas will lead to greater conflicts.
Alt answer Some areas are experiencing
increases in rainfall, and that may diminish
conflicts in those areas by making more resources
available.
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Studying Biology

• Start with a question.
• For example
• How? Why? When? Where? Etc?
• How do we get answers?
• Strong Inference presents one method
• (article on webpage)

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(No Transcript)
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• Cause of Peptic Ulcers
• Overabundance of stomach acid due to
• Stress
• Diet
• Anxiety

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• Cause of Peptic Ulcers
• Overabundance of stomach acid due to
• Stress
• Diet
• Anxiety
• Treatment
• Antiacid
• U.S. bought
• 4.4 billion in 1992
• Tranquilizers

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Dr. Barry Marshall
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The real cause of 80 of ulcers H. pylori
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Strong Inference

• Knowledge is gained by eliminating incorrect
  ideas.
• Disproof is more reliable than proof.

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Where does the matter come from for plants to
grow?
Matter can not normally be created or destroyed,
only moved from one place to another.
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Aristotle (2,300 y.a.) Plants gain mass by
taking it from the soil.

• Supporting Evidence
• Plants need soil to grow.
• If roots are removed, plants die.
• After several years of cultivation, soil loses
  its ability to support plant growth.

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Johann Baptista van Helmont did a simple
experiment in the early 1600s
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What is the major difference between these two
approaches to science?
Johann Baptista van Helmont in 1600s
Aristotle (2,300 y.a.) Plants gain mass by
taking it from the soil

• Supporting Evidence
• Plants need soil to grow.
• If roots are removed, plants die.
• After several years of cultivation, soil loses
  its ability to support plant growth.

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The Rules of Strong Inference Strong Inference
is a method for looking at scientific problems by
trying to disprove hypotheses and accepting the
hypotheses that can not be disproved. Using
Strong Inference entails following these rules
(from an article by John Platt, 1964) 1.
Devise multiple hypotheses.
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The Rules of Strong Inference Strong Inference
is a method for looking at scientific problems by
trying to disprove hypotheses and accepting the
hypotheses that can not be disproved. Using
Strong Inference entails following these rules
(from an article by John Platt, 1964) 1.
Devise multiple hypotheses. 2. Design
experiment(s) to eliminate one or more of the
hypotheses.
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The Rules of Strong Inference Strong Inference
is a method for looking at scientific problems by
trying to disprove hypotheses and accepting the
hypotheses that can not be disproved. Using
Strong Inference entails following these rules
(from an article by John Platt, 1964) 1.
Devise multiple hypotheses. 2. Design
experiment(s) to eliminate one or more of the
hypotheses. 3. Carry out the experiments in a
manner that gives a clean result.
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The Rules of Strong Inference Strong Inference
is a method for looking at scientific problems by
trying to disprove hypotheses and accepting the
hypotheses that can not be disproved. Using
Strong Inference entails following these rules
(from an article by John Platt, 1964) 1.
Devise multiple hypotheses. 2. Design
experiment(s) to eliminate one or more of the
hypotheses. 3. Carry out the experiments in a
manner that gives a clean result. 4. Repeat.
Refine hypotheses.
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The Rules of Strong Inference Strong Inference
is a method for looking at scientific problems by
trying to disprove hypotheses and accepting the
hypotheses that can not be disproved. Using
Strong Inference entails following these rules
(from an article by John Platt, 1964) 1.
Devise multiple hypotheses. 2. Design
experiment(s) to eliminate one or more of the
hypotheses. 3. Carry out the experiments in a
manner that gives a clean result. 4. Repeat.
Refine hypotheses.
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(No Transcript)
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• The Question
• Can your hypothesis be disproved?
• What experiment(s) can disprove your hypothesis?

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The Rules of Strong Inference Strong Inference
is a method for looking at scientific problems by
trying to disprove hypotheses and accepting the
hypotheses that can not be disproved. Using
Strong Inference entails following these rules
(from an article by John Platt, 1964) 1.
Devise multiple hypotheses. 2. Design
experiment(s) to eliminate one or more of the
hypotheses. 3. Carry out the experiments in a
manner that gives a clean result. 4. Repeat.
Refine hypotheses.
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Dr. Stuart Reichler Bio 301M