Bio 1113: Lecture 1 (scientific method)

Question 1

Characteristics of life

Answer 1

Five shared traits defining all living organisms.

Question 2

Energy from the sun

Answer 2

Primary energy source for most life forms.

Question 3

Biological organization

Answer 3

Different levels of complexity in living systems.

Question 4

Evolution

Answer 4

Process explaining unity and diversity of life.

Question 5

Scientific knowledge

Answer 5

Always evolving based on new evidence.

Question 6

Humoral theory

Answer 6

Historical medical theory based on bodily fluids.

Question 7

Hypothesis

Answer 7

Tentative explanation allowing falsifiable predictions.

Question 8

Theory

Answer 8

Broadly supported explanation of phenomena, testable.

Question 9

Laws

Answer 9

Distillation of repeated observations, often mathematical.

Question 10

Cell Theory

Answer 10

All living things are composed of cells.

Question 11

Theory of Evolution

Answer 11

Explains the diversity of life through natural selection.

Question 12

Chromosome Theory of Inheritance

Answer 12

Genetic information is carried on chromosomes.

Question 13

Laws of Thermodynamics

Answer 13

Principles governing energy and heat transfer.

Question 14

Law of Gravity

Answer 14

Describes the attraction between masses.

Question 15

Scientific Method

Answer 15

Systematic approach to studying natural phenomena.

Question 16

Observation

Answer 16

Initial step of noticing and recording phenomena.

Question 17

Question

Answer 17

Formulating inquiries based on observations.

Question 18

Hypothesize

Answer 18

Creating a testable statement based on questions.

Question 19

Predict

Answer 19

Forecasting outcomes based on hypotheses.

Question 20

Testing

Answer 20

Conducting experiments to validate or refute hypotheses.

Question 21

Conclusions

Answer 21

Final analysis based on experimental results.

Question 22

Cyclical process

Answer 22

Iterative nature of scientific investigation and discovery.

Question 23

Observation

Answer 23

Noticing phenomena from various sources.

Question 24

Hypothesis

Answer 24

Tentative explanation that is testable and falsifiable.

Question 25

Prediction

Answer 25

Statement of expected outcome if hypothesis is true.

Question 26

Independent Variable

Answer 26

Factor manipulated to observe effects on dependent variable.

Question 27

Dependent Variable

Answer 27

Factor measured to assess changes from independent variable.

Question 28

Testing

Answer 28

Time-consuming step involving experimental procedures.

Question 29

Peer Review

Answer 29

Process ensuring study validity by independent scientists.

Question 30

Conclusions

Answer 30

Results derived from testing a specific hypothesis.

Question 31

Scientific Method

Answer 31

Cycle of observation, hypothesis, prediction, testing, conclusions.

Question 32

Correlation

Answer 32

Statistical relationship between two variables.

Question 33

Causation

Answer 33

One event directly affecting another.

Question 34

Experimental Design

Answer 34

Plan for conducting an experiment systematically.

Question 35

Repeatability

Answer 35

Ability to replicate results under same conditions.

Question 36

Literature Review

Answer 36

Survey of existing research on a topic.

Question 37

Testable Hypothesis

Answer 37

Hypothesis that can be proven true or false.

Question 38

Falsifiable Hypothesis

Answer 38

Hypothesis that can be disproven through evidence.

Question 39

Reaction Time

Answer 39

Duration taken to respond to a stimulus.

Question 40

Accuracy

Answer 40

Degree of closeness to a true value.

Question 41

Study Groups

Answer 41

Participants divided for comparative analysis in experiments.

Question 42

Vocabulary Recall

Answer 42

Ability to remember and retrieve learned words.

Question 43

Physical Activity

Answer 43

Movement that enhances physical fitness and health.

Question 44

Experimental Groups

Answer 44

Groups subjected to different conditions in an experiment.

Question 45

Control Group

Answer 45

Group not exposed to experimental treatment for comparison.

Question 46

Control group

Answer 46

Group not receiving treatment for comparison.

Question 47

Placebo

Answer 47

Substance resembling treatment, no effect expected.

Question 48

Blind experiment

Answer 48

Subjects unaware of treatment assignment.

Question 49

Double blind experiment

Answer 49

Neither subjects nor experimenters know treatment.

Question 50

Confounding variables

Answer 50

Uncontrolled factors affecting dependent variable.

Question 51

Independent variable

Answer 51

Variable manipulated by the researcher.

Question 52

Dependent variable

Answer 52

Variable measured to assess effects.

Question 53

Experimental study

Answer 53

Research applying treatments to measure effects.

Question 54

Observational study

Answer 54

Research comparing groups without treatment application.

Question 55

Sample size

Answer 55

Number of participants in a study.

Question 56

Statistical significance

Answer 56

Confidence that results are not due to chance.

Question 57

Random assignment

Answer 57

Participants randomly placed in control or experimental groups.

Question 58

Epidemiological study

Answer 58

Observational study examining health-related states.

Question 59

Natural study

Answer 59

Observational study without manipulation of variables.

Question 60

Strength of evidence

Answer 60

Reliability of results from experimental studies.

Question 61

Psychological effects

Answer 61

Influences on subjects based on expectations.

Question 62

Manipulative study

Answer 62

Experimental study where variables are actively changed.

Question 63

Confidence in results

Answer 63

Degree of certainty about study findings.

Question 64

Study design considerations

Answer 64

Factors influencing the quality of a study.

Question 65

Random chance

Answer 65

Possibility of results occurring by luck.

Question 66

Biological statistics

Answer 66

Use of statistics in biological research.

Question 67

Study strength evaluation

Answer 67

Assessment of study design and execution quality.