Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

Biology > Scientific Method > Flashcards

Scientific Method Flashcards

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

What is the purpose of replicates in scientific experimentation?

A

Ensure reliability

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

What is meant by the term hypothesis

A

Educated guess based on observations

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

Give two examples of limitations of the scientific method

A

Accidental discovery
The extent of our basic knowledge
Changes in natural world

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

What is the purpose of a hypothesis in the scientific method

A

Forms basis of a prediction

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

What should be accounted for in a hypothesis?

A

All the facts that have been observed

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

Explain what is meant by double-blind testing

A

Neither the experimenter nor the test group knows who gets what

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

What’s the purpose of double blind testing / explain the importance of it

A

The tester cannot influence the results of the experiment - avoid bias

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

Why is a control essential in scientific experiments?

A

As a comparison with experiment

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

Where do scientists usually publish the results and conclusions of their investigations?

A

Scientific journals

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

How does a hypothesis differ from a theory?

A

Hypothesis can develop into a theory when has been supported by many different experiments

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

How does a hypothesis differ from a theory?

A

Hypothesis can develop into a theory when has been supported by many different experiments

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

What is data

A

Observations or results gathered from experiments

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

What are replicates

A

Repeat of an experiment

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

In an experiment to investigate effect of concentration of iodine on rate of growth of 100 tadpoles,all same age from same mother [2015]
Why do you think that it was important that all the tadpoles came from the same mother?

A

So they’re genetically similar - act same way

Minimises variation

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

In an experiment to investigate effect of concentration of iodine on rate of growth of 100 tadpoles,all same age from same mother [2015]
Suggest why he used 25 tadpoles in each group

A
  • larger sample would allow for illnesss

- make results more statistic significant

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

In an experiment to investigate effect of concentration of iodine on rate of growth of 100 tadpoles,all same age from same mother [2015]
Suggest how this investigation would have been carried out

A
  • diff concentrations of iodine solution used
  • one is control, with no iodine
  • in each solution, put 25 tadpoles
  • leave for time and record changes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

In an experiment to investigate effect of concentration of iodine on rate of growth of 100 tadpoles,all same age from same mother [2015]
Suggest two factors that the scientist would have kept constant during investigation

A

Temp

Volume of water

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

What is an experiment?

A

Test of hypothesis

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

What is a theory?

A

Hypothesis that has been supported by many different experiments

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

Scientists investigated the effect of a certain mineral on the growth of wheat [2011]
Suggest a reason why the seeds used were all taken from one parent plant

A

Genetically similar - minimises variation

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

Scientists investigated the effect of a certain mineral on the growth of wheat [2011]
The compost was sterilised, suggest a way in which might have been sterilised

A

Heat

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

State one reason why it is important to sterilise

A

To kill organisms and prevent contamination

23
Q

Scientists investigated the effect of a certain mineral on the growth of wheat [2011]
Why did the scientists divide the young wheat plants into two equal groups?

A

Control - comparison

24
Q

Scientists investigated the effect of a certain mineral on the growth of wheat [2011]
Kept two groups of plants under identical conditions, why??

A

Have only one variable + ensure fair test

25
Q

Scientists investigated the effect of a certain mineral on the growth of wheat [2011]
Name two conditions you think scientists would have kept constant during experiment?

A

H20

Temp

26
Q

Why do scientists repeat the investigation several times before publishing their results in a scientific journal?

A

Ensure reliability

27
Q

If a scientist wished to determine the effect of a certain herbicide on weed growth she would include a control in the investigation. Suggest a suitable control in this case

A

No herbicide

28
Q

What is science?

A

Organised and objective study of the physical, material and living world.

29
Q

What is biology?

A

The study of living things

30
Q

What is an organism?

A

A living thing

31
Q

What is the scientific method?

A

It is a process of investigation in which problems are identified and their suggested explanations are tested by carrying out experiments

32
Q

What are the seven steps of the scientific method?

A
  1. Observation
  2. Hypothesis
  3. Experimentation
  4. Collection and interpretation of data
  5. Conclusion
  6. Relating the conclusion to existing knowledge
  7. Reporting and publishing the results
33
Q

How are observations obtained?

A

Directly by our senses or indirectly by the use of equipment

34
Q

What is an observation?

A

Noticing things in our environment

35
Q

What is the purpose of observations?

A

Provides basis for all the facts relating to a problem

36
Q

What can be the two results of an experiment?

A

-support
-contradict
the hypothesis

37
Q

How is a conclusion reached?

A

When the data from an experiment is interpreted

38
Q

What should the conclusion of an experiment tie in with?

A

The existing knowledge of the topic being examined

39
Q

On the basis of the conclusion reached, how is the hypothesis supported?

A

If results agree fully

40
Q

On the basis of the conclusion reached, how is the hypothesis changed?

A

If the results agree only partly

41
Q

On the basis of the conclusion reached, how is the hypothesis rejected?

A

If the results contradict it

42
Q

Why are experiments published?

A

In order to allow them to be repeated - conclusions are more likely to be valid

43
Q

Why are results of experiments reported?

A

So they can be examined and analysed by others

44
Q

What is a principle/law?

A

Theory that has been shown to be valid when fully tested over a long period of time

45
Q

What is the importance of the principles of experimentation?

A

Ensure experiments are conducted fairly

46
Q

What are the four principles of experimentation?

A
  1. Careful planning and design
  2. Ensure the experiment is safe
  3. Design a control experiment
  4. Fair experiment
47
Q

What is a variable?

A

It is a factor that may change in an experiment

48
Q

How do you ensure that the experiment is safe?

A
  • tie back long hair
  • wear lab coat
  • avoid contact between electrical equipment and water
  • wear safety goggles when necessary
  • be aware of safety information when using chemicals
49
Q

What is a placebo?

A

It is a tablet or pill that does not contain the factor to be tested

50
Q

What is the importance of a large sample?

A

It reduces the risk that the results are due to individual differences rather than being caused by the factor being investigated

51
Q

When selecting a sample to be tested, what’s necessary?

A

Random - fair test

52
Q

What are ethics?

A

It relates to whether conduct is right or wrong

53
Q

What are the main areas of disagreements tend to be based on?

A
  • use of captive animals in experiments
  • origin of life
  • cloning animals
  • use of stem cells from embryos to form new tissues or organs

Biology (36 decks)

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