Scientific Method

Question 0

Chromatography

Answer 0

A test to separate pigments or color

Put the pigment above the waterline in a cup with the beaker and use chromatography test to separate the pigments.

Question 1

JP

Answer 1

Dewey

Question 2

Gel Electrophoresis

Answer 2

A test to compare DNA or proteins
DNA is cut with enzymes than placed in wells.
Small fragments fall to the bottom of plate
You compare the banding patterns to read the test

Question 3

Indicator

Answer 3

A chemical that changes color with another chemical
Ex: Iodine = Amber
Iodine and starch = blue/black

Question 4

Control (group)

Answer 4

“Normal”
With medicine studies = placebo
Used for comparison otherwise we wouldn’t know the effect of the independent variable

Question 5

Dependent variable

Answer 5

What to measure to answer the research question
Put on y axis of graph
“Amt. of”
“Rate of”

Question 6

Hypothesis

Answer 6

Educated prediction

IF (we do this), THEN (this will happen)(if, then statement)

Question 7

Independent variable

Answer 7

One per experiment
One factor that you change
Category “type of”

Question 8

Placebo

Answer 8

Used for the control group in medicine studies

- saline shot or sugar pill

Question 9

Sample size

Answer 9

• large group of test subjects
• must have a large sample size to have accurate and reliable data
  - large sample size reduces the affect of individual differences

Question 10

Theory

Answer 10

• A hypothesis that has supported many many many times.

- Similar to a law but more complex understanding

Question 11

Compound light microscope

Answer 11

A smaller microscope that uses light and a diaphragm to magnify translucent objects
All cells/objects are coated with a stain, often methylene blue

Question 12

Dichotomous key

Answer 12

A chart with 2 options per level, used to classify organisms

Similar to a “choose your own adventure” book

Question 13

Dissection

Answer 13

Examination of preserved specimens
Specimens and be alive or dead
Uses tools such as a scalpel (sharp knife)
Dad pronounces it dissection not “diessection” as he would say the common way to say it is

Question 14

Graduated cylinder

Answer 14

A tool used to measure liquid volume or the volume of irregular objects
Measurement unit: mL (milliliters)

Question 15

Magnification

Answer 15

To enlarge the view of an object

Question 16

Mass

Answer 16

Quantity (amount) of matter

Question 17

Metric ruler

Answer 17

Tool used to determine length in metric units
Often cm (centimeters), mm (millimeters), etc.

Question 18

Model

Answer 18

A representation of a concept that is difficult or impossible to view
Ex: an atom

Question 19

Stain

Answer 19

Chemical used to enhance microscopic view of biological samples
Methylene blue often the chemical used

Question 20

Triple beam balance

Answer 20

Instrument used to find mass of biological samples
Uses three beams to come with an almost completely exact weight
Units: Grams

Question 21

Volume

Answer 21

The space an object occupies

Question 22

Conclusion

Answer 22

Decision about the results

Question 23

Controlled experiment

Answer 23

Experiment where the only variation between groups is deliberate (purposeful)

Question 24

Data

Answer 24

Information gathered from experiment

Question 25

Observation

Answer 25

Data that is collected by the senses

Question 26

Bias

Answer 26

Belief that is influenced by assumptions

Opinions

Question 27

Inference

Answer 27

Conclusions based on observations

Question 28

Peer review

Answer 28

Several scientists examine the details of the experiment