Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology > Science exam revision > Flashcards

Science exam revision Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?

A

Quantitative data is numerical (e.g., height, speed, temperature).
Qualitative data is descriptive and non-numerical (e.g., color, texture).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the difference between discrete and continuous data?

A

Discrete data consists of distinct, separate values (e.g., the number of students in a class).
Continuous data can take any value within a range (e.g., temperature, time).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What elements must be included in a data table?

A

A clear title.
Column headings with units (e.g., Time (s), Distance (m)).
Raw data.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the difference between a column (bar) graph and a line graph? When should each be used?

A

Bar graph: Used to compare discrete categories (e.g., number of cars in different colors).
Line graph: Used to show changes over time or continuous data (e.g., speed over time).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How do you determine whether to use a straight line or curved line in a graph?

A

Use a straight line if the relationship between variables is linear.
Use a curved line if the relationship is non-linear (e.g., acceleration curves).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How can you describe relationships between graphed variables?

A

A steeper gradient indicates a greater rate of change.
A flat line means no change.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are interpolation and extrapolation?

A

Interpolation: Estimating data points within the range of the graph.
Extrapolation: Predicting values outside the range of the graph based on the trend.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are independent and dependent variables?

A

Independent variable: The factor you change in an experiment (e.g., time, temperature).
Dependent variable: The factor you measure (e.g., speed, reaction time).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What factors should be controlled in an experiment?

A

Variables that can affect the outcome, such as temperature, light, or concentration, should be kept constant.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the difference between accuracy and precision?

A

Accuracy: How close a measurement is to the true value.
Precision: How consistently you can reproduce a measurement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are random errors, and why do scientists repeat trials?

A

Random errors: Unpredictable variations in measurements.
Scientists repeat trials and calculate averages to reduce the effect of random errors and increase precision.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are systematic errors? How do they affect accuracy?

A

Systematic errors: Consistent, repeatable errors caused by faulty equipment or techniques.
They decrease accuracy because they skew results in one direction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the SI units for distance, time, mass, energy, and force?

A

Distance: meters (m).
Time: seconds (s).
Mass: kilograms (kg).
Energy: joules (J).
Force: newtons (N).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is DNA, and where is it located in the cell?

A

DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information and is located in the nucleus of cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the role of chromosomes and genes?

A

Chromosomes: Structures made of DNA, containing many genes.
Genes: Segments of DNA that code for specific traits.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the difference between dominant and recessive alleles?

A

Dominant alleles mask the effect of recessive alleles in heterozygous individuals (e.g., brown eyes are dominant over blue eyes).
Recessive alleles are only expressed if two copies are present (homozygous).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the difference between complete and incomplete dominance?

A

Complete dominance: One allele completely masks the other.
Incomplete dominance: Neither allele is completely dominant, resulting in a blend of traits (e.g., red and white flowers producing pink offspring).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How is genetic information passed on to offspring?

A

Genetic information is passed from both parents via haploid gametes (sperm and egg) through the processes of meiosis and fertilization.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is a pedigree chart, and how can it be used?

A

A pedigree chart tracks the inheritance of traits across generations, helping predict genotypes and phenotypes in offspring.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is natural selection, and how does it affect allele frequencies?

A

Natural selection: The process where organisms better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce, leading to changes in allele frequencies over time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are the four steps of natural selection?

A

Variation: Individuals in a population have different traits.
Inheritance: Traits are passed to offspring.
Selection: Some traits provide an advantage in survival.
Adaptation: Beneficial traits become more common in the population.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is speciation, and what are the three steps involved?

A

Speciation: The formation of new species.
Isolation: Populations are separated.
Divergence: Differences accumulate due to selection pressures.
Reproductive isolation: Populations become distinct species.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

A

What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?

A

Quantitative data: Numerical data (e.g., length, temperature).
Qualitative data: Descriptive, non-numerical data (e.g., color, shape).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the difference between discrete and continuous data?

A

Discrete data: Fixed values (e.g., number of people).
Continuous data: Any value within a range (e.g., temperature).

26
Q

What should a data table include?

A

Title, column headings with units in brackets, and raw data.

27
Q

When should you use a bar graph vs. a line graph?

A

Bar graph: To compare categories (e.g., number of apples).
Line graph: To show trends over time or continuous data (e.g., speed over time).

28
Q

How do you interpret changes in the gradient of a graph?

A

Steep gradient: Fast rate of change.
Flat gradient: No change.

29
Q

What is the importance of controlling variables in an experiment?

A

To ensure that only the independent variable affects the dependent variable, allowing valid results.

30
Q

How do you describe the motion of an object in terms of its position, speed, or acceleration?

A

Position: Where the object is.
Speed: How fast the object moves.
Acceleration: How quickly the speed changes.

31
Q

How do you calculate average speed?

A

Average speed = distance / time.

32
Q

How do you calculate acceleration?

A

Acceleration = change in speed / time.

33
Q

What is Newton’s First Law?

A

An object remains at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by a force (inertia).

34
Q

What is Newton’s Second Law?

A

The net force on an object equals mass times acceleration: F = ma.

35
Q

What is Newton’s Third Law?

A

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

36
Q

How do seatbelts, airbags, and crumple zones reduce injuries in collisions?

A

They increase the time over which the force is applied, reducing the impact on the body.

37
Q

Why is friction necessary for walking or cars to move forward?

A

Friction provides the force needed for traction, allowing movement.

38
Q

What is the structure of DNA?

A

DNA is a double helix made of nucleotides (A, T, C, G) and is found in the nucleus of cells.

39
Q

What is the role of chromosomes and genes?

A

Chromosomes: Structures in cells that carry genetic information.
Genes: Segments of DNA that code for traits.

40
Q

What is the difference between dominant and recessive alleles?

A

Dominant: The trait shows if one copy of the allele is present.
Recessive: The trait only shows if two copies are present.

41
Q

What is a pedigree chart used for?

A

To track inheritance patterns across generations and predict offspring traits.

42
Q

What are homologous and analogous structures?

A

Homologous: Similar structures due to shared ancestry (e.g., human arm and bat wing).
Analogous: Similar function but evolved independently (e.g., bird wing and insect wing).

43
Q

What are the four steps of natural selection?

A

Variation: Differences in traits.
Inheritance: Traits are passed to offspring.
Selection: Traits that offer survival advantages are selected for.
Adaptation: Advantageous traits become more common.

44
Q

What are protons, neutrons, and electrons, and where are they located?

A

Protons (positive) and neutrons (neutral) are in the nucleus. Electrons (negative) orbit around the nucleus.

45
Q

How do you identify an element’s atomic number and mass number?

A

Atomic number: Number of protons.
Mass number: Sum of protons and neutrons.

46
Q

What are covalent and ionic bonds?

A

Covalent bonds: Sharing of electrons between non-metals.
Ionic bonds: Transfer of electrons between a metal and a non-metal.

47
Q

What are signs of a chemical change?

A

Color change, temperature change, gas production, and formation of a precipitate.

48
Q

What is the Law of Conservation of Mass?

A

Matter is not created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; mass is conserved.

48
Q

How do you balance chemical equations?

A

By ensuring the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

49
Q

What is the collision theory in chemistry?

A

For a reaction to occur, particles must collide with sufficient energy and the correct orientation.

50
Q

What factors affect the rate of a reaction?

A

Temperature, concentration, surface area, catalysts, and agitation.

51
Q

How do you identify exothermic and endothermic reactions?

A

Exothermic: Releases heat.
Endothermic: Absorbs heat.

52
Q

What is speciation?

A

The process where populations evolve into distinct species due to isolation and divergent evolution.

53
Q

What are homologous and analogous structures, and how do they support evolution?

A

Homologous structures: Show common ancestry.
Analogous structures: Show similar evolutionary solutions to environmental pressures.

54
Q

How do fossils provide evidence for evolution?

A

Fossils show transitional forms between species and help trace evolutionary changes over time.

55
Q

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect, and how does it affect biodiversity?

A

Increased levels of greenhouse gases lead to global warming, affecting ecosystems and species diversity.

56
Q

What is a hypothesis, aim, and conclusion in an experiment?

A

Hypothesis: A testable prediction (e.g., “If the temperature increases, then the reaction rate will increase”).
Aim: The purpose of the experiment (e.g., “To investigate how temperature affects the reaction rate”).
Conclusion: The summary of the results and whether they support the hypothesis.

57
Q

How do you identify and account for significant figures?

A

Significant figures reflect the precision of a measurement. Include all known digits and the first uncertain digit (e.g., 0.0567 has three significant figures).

58
Q

How do you convert measurements using prefixes like milli (m), kilo (k), and mega (M)?

A

Move the decimal point according to the prefix:
1 kilometer (km) = 1000 meters (m).
1 millimeter (mm) = 0.001 meters (m).

59
Q

How do you interpret a distance-time graph?

A

Horizontal line: Object is stationary.
Upward sloping line: Object is moving with constant speed.
Steeper slope: Object is moving faster.
Downward sloping line: Object is returning to the start.

Psychology (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions