Understandings about scientific inquiry Scientific investigations involve asking and answering a question and comparing the answer with what scientists already know about the world. Scientists use different kinds of investigations, depending on the questions they are trying to answer. Simple instruments, such as magnifiers and rulers, provide more information than scientists obtain using only their senses. Good explanations are based on evidence from investigations. Scientists make the results of their investigations public.
Scientists review and ask questions about the results of other scientists' work.
Life Science Characteristics of organisms Organisms have basic needs. Organisms can survive only in environments in which their needs can be met. The world has many different environments, and distinct environments support the life of different types of organisms. Each plant or animal has different structures that serve different functions in growth and survival. For example, humans have distinct body structures for walking, holding, seeing, and talking.