The Process of Science Flashcards
The scientific method
a way of studying the natural world through observations, hypotheses, and deductive reasoning.
Steps in the Scientific Method
Make observations, ask questions, make hypotheses, generate testable predictions from hypotheses, devise tests
Two types of study
Prospective or Retrospective
Retrospective
A study that involves data or subjects or events or effects that have happened in the past.
Prospective
A study that examines events/effects that will happen in the future.
Control Group
a group that does not receive the treatment or drug
Treatment Group
an experimental manipulation (patients who receive a drug for their illness)
Controlled/Standardized Variable
parameters that the researcher is able to control (keep constant) during the experiment
Uncontrolled Variable
parameters that the researcher is unable to control of keep constant during the experiment
Sample Size
the number of people or subjects included in your study
Randomize
place the subjects randomly into the treatment and control groups
Representative Sample
a group of subjects that includes the diversity of people you wish to study
Objectivity
uninfluenced by emotion or personal prejudice; based on observable phenomena
Blind Study
a study where the participants do not know whether they have received a drug or a placebo
Double Blind Study
a study where both the participants AND the researcher do not know who in the study has received a drug or a placebo
Dependent Variable
the variable that is measured by the experimenter; it depends on the outcome of the experiment
Independent Variable
the variable that the experimenter intentionally manipulates; what is being studied
Anecdote
a single, life experience that one uses to provide information about a cause and effect / an event / or the natural world
Atoms
The fundamental building blocks of everything
Ionic Bonds
exchange or transfer electrons, tend to come apart in water,
Covalent Bonds
sharing electrons, single and double bonds, very strong bonds
Hydrogen Bonds
bonds formed between 2 water molecules
Metabolism
the process by which nutrients in food are converted into body tissue
Macronutrients
nutrients the body needs in large amounts; proteins, carbs, fats
Micronutrients
nutrients the body neds in small amounts, vitamins, minerals
Protein
complex molecules constructed from a set of 20 amino acids
Carbohydrates
molecules containing one or more sugars
Fats
complex molecules consisting of 3 fatty acid chains linked to one glycerol molecule
Fats break into
fatty acids and glycerol
LDL
mostly cholesterol; lead to deposits in arteries (“bad cholesterol”)
HDL
high-density lipoproteins): mostly protein; converts cholesterol into bile acids in intestines (“good cholesterol”)
Minerals
inorganic elements; calcium; potassium; sodium; iron
Vitamins
substance which is essential or “vital” to our diet in very small amounts
Metabolism
the process by which nutrients in food are converted into body tissue
Pancreas
functions to secrete digestive enzymes into the liver; also secretes insulin
Diabetes
cells are unable to take up glucose from blood
Type 1
genetic; autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the part of the pancreas that secretes insulin, thus insufficient levels of insulin
Type 2
low numbers of insulin receptors on target cells (tissues such as liver) primarily due to a diet high in sugars and simple carbohydrates
