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THE SCIENCE OF BL 



LIBRARY ." 



Part 1 



INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY 



Chapter 1 



THE SCIENCE OF BIOLOGY 

 AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 



I. WHY STUDY BIOLOGY 



When beginning a study of a new subject, it is desirable to know 

 some of the reasons for making such a study and to have in mind some 

 of the valuable and more important results of such an undertaking. 

 One of the reasons for studying biology is to become familiar with the 

 various properties and phenomena of living animals and plants, par- 

 ticularly the structure and functions of living protoplasm in representa- 

 tive animals and plants. With this information one can profitably 

 attempt to explain the various living processes of organisms as a whole. 



No matter what his future profession may be, a human being can live 

 a more complete and happy life if he is somewhat familiar with the 

 wonderful phenomena and laws of nature. Biology helps us to ap- 

 preciate and understand nature and natural laws by making a com- 

 prehensive survey of the animal and plant kingdoms. 



The present time has aptly been called the age of science. No mat- 

 ter what an individual may choose to do in the future, he should have 

 a certain amount of training in science in order to work and to think 

 more scientifically and accurately. Biology is one of the sciences which 

 will give the individual an opportunity to acquire scientific training and 

 technique and to collect data which may be properly systematized and 

 evaluated, from which proper and logical conclusions may be drawn. 



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