Final answer:
Biology brings together descriptive (discovery) science, using inductive reasoning to observe and discover, and hypothesis-based science, employing deductive reasoning to test specific questions or problems. These processes, alongside the scientific method, are used to explore biological phenomena and contribute to our understanding of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biology and the Two Main Processes of Scientific Inquiry
Biology integrates two primary processes of scientific inquiry: descriptive science and hypothesis-based science. Descriptive science, or discovery science, often employs inductive reasoning, involving observation, exploration, and discovery to formulate general scientific principles. On the other hand, hypothesis-based science typically uses deductive reasoning to begin with a specific question or problem and tests potential answers or solutions. This latter approach is at the core of the scientific method, which follows a series of steps, including making observations, defining a problem, formulating hypotheses, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions.
Biology not only uses these scientific processes but also incorporates the seven Science Practices identified by the AP program. These include using representations and models, applying mathematics appropriately, engaging in scientific questioning, implementing data collection strategies, analyzing and evaluating data, justifying scientific explanations, and connecting concepts. Together, both descriptive and hypothesis-based science contribute to our understanding of biology and the natural world, often blurring the lines between the two as they continuously dialogue through scientific research and discovery.