SCIENCE (1)

SCIENCE

Britain has a long tradition of research and innovation on science, technology and engineering in universities, research institutes and industry. Its record of achievement is in many ways unsurpassed, from the contribution of Isaac Newton to physics and astronomy in the 16th and 17th centuries (theory of gravitation and three laws of motion) and the inventions of Michael Faraday in the 19th century (the first electric motor, generator and transformer) to more recent breakthroughs in the 20th century.

British achievements in science and technology in the 20th century include fundamental contributions to modern molecular genetics through the discovery of the three-dimensional molecular structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) by Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins and James Watson in 1953.

Further notable contributions over the past 20 years have been made by Brian Josephson in superconductivity (abnormally high electrical conductivity at low temperatures); Anthony Hewish in radio-astrophysics and many other scientists.

Much pioneering work was done during the 1980s. For example, in 1985 British Antarctic Survey scientists discovered the hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctic. More recently there have been several breakthroughs in genetics research, including the identification of the gene in the Y chromosome responsible for determining sex, and the identification of other genes linked to diseases, including cystic fibrosis and a type of inherited heart disease. Gene therapy has begun on the treatment of cystic fibrosis. The world's first pig with a genetically modified heart has been bred by scientists at Cambridge University, an important milestone in breeding animals as organ donors for people. Nobel Prizes for science have been won by 70 British citizens, more than any other country except the USA.

SCIENCE

1. Basic vocabulary

Translate these nouns into your own language:

1. scientist…… 7. discovery ……

2. experiment…… 8. observation ……

3. research…… 9. results……

4. test …… 10. statistics …..

5. theory…… 11. Sample…….

6. conclusion…… 12. evidence . . . . .

2. Collocations

Delete the verb which does not collocate well in the following groups:

1. do, carry out, take, perform an experiment

2. do, make, carry out, conduct research

3. do, carry out, conduct, put some tests

Now delete one noun from each line which does not make a strong collocation with the verb:

4. analyse information, results, statistics, somebody's eyes, a blood sample

5. test nuclear weapons, a new engine, drugs on animals, somebody's eyes, the evidence

6. examine the results, drugs on animals, a blood sample, somebody's eyes, the research.

7. develop an idea, a theory, a conclusion, a new engine, a new drug

3. The scientific method

Use these words to complete the text:

recorded discarded

performed controlled

accepted formulated

replicated modified

ignored tested

Advances in scientific knowledge depend on all scientists following a strict procedure. Firstly, a theory is (1) ...... in such a way that it can be empirically (2) ....... . Experiments are (3) …… under carefully (4) ...... conditions which can be (5) …… by other scientists. The results must be precisely observed and accurately (6) …… .

If the results contradict the theory in any way, the theory must be (7)....... or at least (8) …… to take account of the results.

In no circumstances can the result be (9) …… . Experimental evidence may support a theory but many advances are made when observations disprove current theory. In science, something is a fact or a law if it conforms to all the results we have at any time, but history shows us that what is (10) ...... as fact or as a law in one generation may not be so by the next.

4. Scientific fields

Complete the table below. You may need a dictionary to discover the name of the people.

botany physics astronomy chemistry zoology

genetics biology

SUBJECT THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF SCIENTIST

…………. fundamental forces, light, heat etc. ……………

…………. how elements combine and react ……………

…………. space, stars, planets etc. ……………

…………. living things ……………

…………. the habits and classification of animals ……………

…………. plants ……………

…………. inherited characteristics ……………

5. Causes and links

Use these words and phrases to complete the patterns below:

what causes the cause a cure

a link why a way

find ...... for AIDS

find ...... of death

discover ...... of reducing heart disease

discover ...... between smoking and heart disease

find out ...... malaria is spreading

discover ...... the plane crashed

find out ...... infertility

discover ...... a plant species to die out

6 How people feel about science

Are the following statements for (F) or against (A) experiments in genetic engineering?

1. I think it's all wrong,

2. I can't see anything wrong with it.

3. I don't see why we shouldn't do it.

4. I can't see any harm in it.

5. We could upset the balance of nature.

6. It's totally unethical.

7. The advantages outweigh the dangers.

8. We shouldn't interfere with nature.

7. Science and society

Use these words to complete the texts:

microsurgery lasers robots

test-tube baby clone breed

1. Scientists can grow crops that are not affected by disease and ……. animals that produce more meat. They can …… plants and animals by taking a cell and developing it artificially.

2. Since the first …… was born in 1978, modern science has helped thousands of couples who could not have children naturally to become parents.

3. Using the latest …… doctors can perform operations on parts of the body too small to see with the human eye. In the future patients will not have to worry about operations leaving scars as they will be performed with …… .

4. Life in the 21^st century will be much easier for most people. More and more dangerous jobs will be done by …… .

Now match each of the following headings with one of the texts above:

genetic engineering automation

Medical science fertility treatment