Regents Review

Question 1

Unit One

Answer 1

Science of the Living Environment

Question 2

Observation

Answer 2

What is seen or measured.

Question 3

Inference

Answer 3

A conclusion based on observations or evidence.

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

An untested prediction. A good hypothesis states both cause and effect (“If-then” statement)

Question 5

Theory

Answer 5

A broad explanation of natural events that is supported by strong evidence.

Question 6

Controlled Experiment

Answer 6

Compares the results of an experiment between two (or more) groups.

Question 7

Experimental group

Answer 7

Group being tested or receiving treatment (ex. new drug)

Question 8

Control group

Answer 8

“Normal” group. Should be identical to experimental group in every way except one: it does not receive the treatment (i.e. no drug, or given the original drug or a placebo.)

Question 9

Placebo

Answer 9

A sugar pill or other “fake” treatment give to the control group so subjects do not know which group they are in.

Question 10

Independent Variable

Answer 10

Variable that is being tested (ex. new drug). In a graph the independent variable is always plotted on the X axis.

Question 11

Dependent Variable

Answer 11

Variable that is measured at the end of an experiment: the results (ex. does patient get better?) The dependent variable is always plotted on the Y axis.

Question 12

Are peer reviewed

Answer 12

examined by several scientists to determine its accuracy.

Question 13

Does not have to agree with the hypothesis

Answer 13

A scientist’s guess is allowed to be incorrect- and usually is.

Question 14

Is objective

Answer 14

the experiment and conclusion are fair and unbiased. Fact and opinion are not mixed.