Biology CH:1 The scientific method

Question 1

What is Biology?

Answer 1

Biology is the study of living things

Question 2

What is a Scientific method?

Answer 2

Is a process if investigation in which problems are identified and their suggested explanation are tested by carrying out experiments.

Question 3

What are the steps in the scientific method?

Answer 3

1. Observation
2. Hypothesis
3. Experimentation
4. Collection and interpretation of data
5. Conclusion
6. Relating the conclusion to existing knowledge
7. Reporting and publishing the results

Question 4

What is Observation?

Answer 4

Observation is when something is noticed

Question 5

What is Hypothesis?

Answer 5

A hypothesis is an educated guess based on observation

Question 6

What is Experimentation?

Answer 6

Is designed to test the hypothesis

Question 7

What is Data

Answer 7

Data consists of the measurements, observations and information gathered from the results of an experiment.

Question 8

What is a conclusion

Answer 8

Is a summary of the results of an experiments

Question 9

Reporting and publishing the results

Answer 9

The results of experiments should be written down and reported that they can be examined by others.

Question 10

What is a theory

Answer 10

Is a hypothesis that has been supported by many different experiments.

Question 11

What is a principles or laws?

Answer 11

A principles or laws arises from a theory that has been shown to be valid when fully tested over a long period of time.

Question 12

What is control?

Answer 12

Is used to provide a comparison against which the actual experiment can be judged

Question 13

What are the “Principles of experimentation”?

Answer 13

1. Careful planning and design
2. Ensure that the experiment is safe
3. Design a control experiment
4. Experiments must be fair

Question 14

How are variables and constant used in an experiment?

Answer 14

In most experiments only single variables is tested. All the other variables should be constant.

Question 15

How are ‘experiments must be fair’?

Answer 15

1. Sample size.
2. Random selection.
3. Others must be able to replicate experiments.
4. Double blinding testing

Question 16

Sample size

Answer 16

A large sample produces more reliable results
When carrying out an experiment it is important that more than one person or object is tested.

Question 17

Random selection

Answer 17

When selecting a sample to be tested, the selection should be random. This is to prevent bias by the person carrying out the experiment.

Question 18

What is a replicate

Answer 18

is a repeat of an experiment

Question 19

Double blind

Answer 19

Means that both the investigator and the participant are unaware of the nature of the treatment the participant is receiving.

Question 20

What are the ‘Limitation of the value of the scientific method’?

Answer 20

1. Extent of our knowledge
2. The basis of investigation
3. Interpreting results
4. Changes in natural world
5. Accidental discoveries

Question 21

(Facts) Thalidomide

Answer 21

Is a drugs that was used to treat morning sickness in human pregnancy.

Question 22

What are Ethics?

Answer 22

relates to whether conduct is right or wrong