Exam 1 Flashcards
Science
Not just facts, but a process…the scientific method. It’s a way of knowing about the natural world.
Characteristics of science:
Creative and critical
It relies on data from observations and experiments
It excludes supernatural explanations and personal wishes
It is never complete
Scientific method
A systematic method of research consisting of putting a hypothesis to a test designed to disprove it, if it is in fact false
Steps of the scientific method roughly include:
Observations
Hypothesis (testable and falsifiable)
Testing
Conclusion (accept or reject hypothesis)
Peer review
Hypothesis
Tentative explanation for an observation that requires testing to validate
Testable
Possible to evaluate through observations of the measurable universe
Falsifiable
Able to be proved false
Theory
A scientific theory is “an explanation of a set of
related observations based on well-supported
hypothesis from several different, independent
lines of research.”
Prediction
Result expected from a particular test of a hypothesis if the hypothesis were true
Experiment
Contrived situation designed to test specific hypotheses
Data
Information collected by scientists during hypothesis testing
Variables
A factor that varies in a population or over time
Independent variable
A factor whose value influences the value of the dependent variable, but is not influenced by it. In experiments, the variable that is manipulated
Dependent variable
The variable in a study that is expected to change in response to changes in the independent variable
Control
Subject for an experiment who is similar to experimental subject except is not exposed to the experimental treatment. Used as baseline values for comparison
Random assignment
Placing individuals into experimental and control groups randomly to eliminate systematic differences between the groups
Placebo
Sham treatments in experiments
Double blind
Experimental design protocol when both research subjects and scientists performing the measurements are unaware of either the experimental hypothesis or who is in the control or experimental group
Bias
Influence of research participants’ opinions on experimental results
Correlation
Relationship between 2 variables
Causation
A change in one variable causes a change in another
Sample size
Number of individuals in both the experimental and control groups
Primary sources
Written by researchers and reviewed within the scientific community
Secondary sources
Books, news reports, etc
Anecdotal evidence
Information based on an individual’s personal experience
Metabolism
All of the physical and chemical reactions that produce and use energy
Homeostasis
The steady-state condition an organism works to maintain
Carbohydrates
Energy-rich molecule that is the major source of energy for the cell. Consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the ratio CH2O
Proteins
Cellular constituent made of amino acids coded for by genes. Proteins can have structural, transport, or enzymatic roles
Functions: structure, speed up reactions, antibodies (immunity), hemoglobin (transport)
Lipids
Hydrophobic molecule, including fats, phospholipids, and steroids
Functions: energy storage, insulation, chemical messengers, cell membrane structure
Nucleic acids
Polymers of nucleotides that comprise DNA and RNA
Functions: blueprint for life, stores genetic information