Scientific Method & Characteristics Of Life (chpt. 1 & 2) Flashcards
Biology
Is the study of living things
Hypothesis
An educated guess based on observations
Theory
A hypothesis that has been supported by many experiments
Law / principle
A theory that has proven to be true when fully tested over a long period of time
Experiment
A test for a hypothesis
Where can results be published
Scientific journals, magazines, internet
Name principles of experimentation
- Use a control
- Follow lab safety rules
- Keep all variables constant, minus one
Placebo
When patients in a control group are given a harmless, tasteless pill at the same time as the patients in the experimental group
Double blind testing
When neither the patients or medical staff know who is getting the placebo vs the active drug
Limitations of the scientific method
- Extent of our knowledge
- Interpreting results
- Basis of investigation
- Changes in the natural world
- Accidental discoveries
Ethics
Wether conduct is right or wrong
Organism
A living thing
Metabolism
Sum of all chemical reactions in an organism
Anabolic reactions
Use energy to convert small molecules into larger ones e.g photosynthesis
Catabolic reactions
Releasing energy to break down large molecules into small ones e.g respiration
Characteristics of life
Organisation
Nutrition
Excretion
Reproduction
Response
With regards to the characteristics of life, what is organisation
Living things are composed of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems
With regards to the characteristics of life, what is nutrition
The way organisms obtain and use food
With regards to the characteristics of life, what is excretion
The removal of waste products of metabolism from the body
With regards to the characteristics of life, what is response
The way all living things react to changes in their enviroment
With regards to the characteristics of life, what is reproduction
The production of new individuals
Autotroph
Make their own food
E.g. plants through photosynthesis
Heterotroph
Cannot make their own food and must take it in from the environment
Herbivore
Eats plants only
E.g. rabbits
Carnivore
Eats animals only
E.g. fox
Omnivore
Eats plants and animals
E.g. humans
Importance of sample size in scientific experimentation
Ensure that the effects of individual differences do not matter
Give an example of how a biological investigation can be improved
- random selection
- adding control
- placebo groups
- increase randomisation
Define the concept of life
Organisms that show metabolism and continuity
Explain the term characteristics of life
Common features shared by living organisms
Name the basic unit present in all living organisms
Cell
What term is used to describe the variety of organisms that exist on earth
Diversity
Importance of reproduction to all living organisms
Survival of the species
What info should be included in the conclusion of the experiment?
Was hypothesis correct or not
Results
