Midterm exam STUDY Flashcards
- What are the 4 “Cyclic” steps to a good scientific investigation? Which “step” starts the cycle?
Observe, Investigate, Explain, Share. Observation starts the all scientific investigations by making careful observations
- How does science differ from other disciplines & ways of knowing?
Science differs from other ways of knowing by relying on absolute facts. It does not rely on luck, chance, guesses, or just observations
- How does qualitative data differ from quantitative data? Which is better & why?
Qualitative data is based off of characteristics such as sex and color. quantitative data relies on numbers and measurements. Quantitative data is usually better suited for comparison
- What is a hypothesis? How should it be stated? What are they based on?
A hypothesis is an educated guess, written as an If, then statement, which can be tested. Good hypothesizes are based off of prior knowledge
- Why is the “SHARE” part of the scientific process so important?
So others can become educated, so other can reproduce the results and verify, and it may help others
- How do Independent variables differ from Dependent variables?
An independent variable is what is changed or made different on purpose. It is why the experiment is being conducted in the first place.
A Dependent variable is the outcome, or what is changed by the Independent variable, and the result of the experiment
How are scientific theories different from everyday theories? How can they be changed?
Scientific theories are well tested explanations, proven so many times, they are considered correct. However they are not absolutely true and can change over time as the theory may be revised or replaced as new evidence is found.
- How & When can a hypothesis turn into a theory?
When a hypothesis is supported by years of evidence, has not been disproven, and accepted by the scientific community, it becomes a theory.
- What is a “Controlled” experiment?
A controlled experiment is one where only one variable is changed at a time. This reduces the chance of error
- Bacteria cells can split in half to make more bacteria. Which characteristic of life does this represent?
The ability to reproduce
- A drop of blood under a microscope looks like thousands of small, circular units. Which characteristic of life does this represent?
Made of cells
- A 7-pound baby will be a 140-pound adult. What characteristic of life does this represent?
Grow and develop
- The average person’s body temperature is around 98.6⁰F at all times in order to sustain life. What is the term for how an organism’s body can maintain the ideal conditions for life?
Homeostasis
- What is the independent variable for the experiment above?
Music
- What is the dependent variable for the experiment above?
Test grades
- What was the control group for the experiment above?
No music
- What would be a constant for the experiment above?
Teacher, students, test, how often they listened to music
- What would be an appropriate hypothesis for the experiment above?
If students listen to music, then their test scores will increase
- What would be the best conclusion for the experiment above?
Listening to techno music is the best choice to increase test scores
- How should the data from this experiment be graphed? Line Graph or Bar Graph…Explain!
The best graph would be a bar graph, reason why, because you are comparing results, not showing a relationship over time
What molecule forms the bulk of a cell membrane? What is it about these molecules that help to hold the membrane together?
The phospholipid is the molecule that makes up the bulk of the cell membrane. These molecules are special because they are both polar and non-polar. They hold each other together, but selectively allow certain elements and molecules to diffuse across them
What are the important roles or functions of the cell membrane VERSUS the cell wall?
The cell membrane allows for the passing of certain materials.
The cell wall is used for support and protection
How are active and passive transport through a membrane different? Give examples for each!
Active transport is what your cells do when they move ions against the concentration gradient and requires energy
Passive transport is when ions go from high to low concentration in order to be balanced, and this requires no energy.
What is the best definition for osmosis?
The movement of water across a cell membrane
The smell of stink bomb in the halls is an example of which form of substance transport?
Diffusion
What happens when you sprinkle salt on a slug? (Similar to drinking salt water). Explain! Tonicity???
The salt will shrivel. This is because the salt is hypertonic. The concentration of the salt will draw the water inside the slug out.
What happens once a cell reaches “equilibrium” with its surroundings?
Molecules and their concentrations will move across the membrane in both directions equally
What is the outer-most boundary of a plant cell? Animal cell?
Plant cell is the cell wall
Animal cell is the cell membrane
How are plant and animal cells similar?
Plant and animal cells are both similar because they both have a nucleus for storing genetic material
How are plant and animal cells different?
Plant cells are different because they contain cell walls, chloroplasts, and produce their own food
Animal cells do not have cell walls, and must get their energy from another source
What do all cells have in common?
All cells have a cell membrane, a cytoplasm, and genetic material
What is an example of a prokaryotic cell? Eukaryotic cell?
An example of a prokaryotic cell would be a bacteria (does not contain a nucleus)
An example of a Eukaryotic cell would be a plant or animal (contains a nucleus)
How are prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells similar?
Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells contain genetic material, a cytoplasm, and a cell membrane
How are prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells different?
Only eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, prokaryotic cells have a nucleuoid region
Eukaryotic cells have membrane bound organelles, prokaryotic do not
Eukaryotic cells are the building blocks for multicellular organisms, Prokaryotic are not and exist as is.
As it relates to material transport, why must cells stay microscopic in size?
If cells got too large, they would not be able to carry out the functions necessary to do theier job.
How do the cells within a multicellular organisms differ from that of a unicellular organism?
Cells in a multicellular organism are specialized, unlike that of a unicellular organism. For example, your body has muscle cells for momement, and skin cells for protection. A muscle cell cannot do the work of a skin cells
How are organelles similar to organs in your body?
Each one has a specialized function, just like the organs in your body.
Cell Membrane
It regulates which materials enter and exit the cell
Cell Wall
It supports and protects the cell
Ribosomes
Make proteins