The scientific method and characteristics of life

Question 1

the scientific method

Answer 1

the processes of science that will lead to the discovery of new knowledge

Question 2

8 steps in scientific method

Answer 2

observation
hypothesis
experiment
result
data
conclusion
reporting or publishing
development of a theory or principal

Question 3

hypothesis

Answer 3

a suggested explanation for an observation

Question 4

experiment

Answer 4

the testing of a hypothesis

Question 5

what does a good experiment need?

Answer 5

a sufficiently large sample size

Question 6

result

Answer 6

the record or data collected during the experiment

Question 7

what should the result be

Answer 7

should be able to be replicated or repeated

Question 8

data

Answer 8

the information gathered during the experiment

Question 9

conclusion

Answer 9

what the results say about the hypothesis ie. proven right or wrong

Question 10

what is writing a report and why do it?

Answer 10

recording all the procedures so that others can repeat the experiment

Question 11

where can you publish a report

Answer 11

in a scientific journal online

Question 12

how can a hypothesis become a theory?

Answer 12

if its has been found to be true over time after repeated experimentation

Question 13

how can a theory become a law or principle?

Answer 13

if it is applied over many years

Question 14

7 things every experiment should have

Answer 14

1. careful planning and design
2. should be safe
3. a control experiment for comparison
4. large sample size
5. samples sould be randomly tested
6. must be repeatable
7. double-blind testing

Question 15

variable

Answer 15

any condition that changes during an experiment

Question 16

how many variables allowed to change

Answer 16

generally one variable allowed to change and the others held constant

Question 17

3 examples of safety features of an experiment

Answer 17

wear safety googles
wash hands after
read safety information on bottle of chemicals

Question 18

why is a control important

Answer 18

to compare the experimental results with

Question 19

replicates

Answer 19

repeats of an experiment and results

Question 20

double blind testing

Answer 20

neither the person being tested or the person administering the drug knows who’s receiving the real or the placebo

Question 21

purpose of double blind testing

Answer 21

eliminates bias

Question 22

6 limitation of scientific method

Answer 22

the extent of our knowledge 
the basis of investigation
our ability to interpret results
changes in the natural world 
accidental discoveries
ethical issues

Question 23

explain how the basis of investigation is a limitation

Answer 23

poorly designed experiments, poor results

Question 24

explain how changes in the natural world is a limitation

Answer 24

many hypotheses must be continuously altered

Question 25

1 accidental discovery

Answer 25

penicillin by sir alexander flemming

Question 26

1 ethical issue

Answer 26

the use of stem cells from human embryos

Question 27

biology

Answer 27

the study of life

Question 28

metabolism

Answer 28

the sum of all the chemical reactions in an organism

Question 29

metabolic reaction

Answer 29

chemical reaction in a cell

Question 30

anabolic reactions

Answer 30

the use of simple molecules to make more complex molecules
energy required
eg. photosynthesis

Question 31

catabolic reactions

Answer 31

the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones
energy is released
eg. respiration

Question 32

the continuity of life

Answer 32

living things arise from other living things

Question 33

5 characteristics of life

Answer 33

organisation
nutrition
excretion 
response
reproduction

Question 34

organisation

Answer 34

cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population

Question 35

unicellular

Answer 35

one cell eg. ameoba

Question 36

nutrition

Answer 36

the way in which organisms obtain and use their food

Question 37

autotrophs

Answer 37

make their own food

Question 38

heterotrophs

Answer 38

cannot make their own food, must obtain from the environment

Question 39

excretion

Answer 39

the removal from the body of waste products made in the body

Question 40

response

Answer 40

reacting to stimuli in their environment

Question 41

sexual reproduction

Answer 41

fusion of a male sperm cell and a female egg cell to form a zygote which can grow into an individual

Question 42

asexual reproduction

Answer 42

involves cell division and offspring identical to the parent