TSM & Characteristics Flashcards
Biology
The study of living things
Scientific Method
Way of solving a problem
Steps of scientific Method
(observation, hypothesis, experiments, data, conclusion, compare with existing knowledge, publish, theories & principals)
Observation
Using senses/machinery
Question
Questioning of what is observed
Hypothesis
A testable answer to question (educated guess)
experiment
Set of steps used to test if hypothesis is correct/controlled test
Result
Findings from experiment
Conclusion
Whether hypothesis was true or not
Compare
Compare with existing knowledge
Theory
Hypothesis supported by many experiments
Principal/law
Theory proven to be valid over long period of time
Variable (eg)
Factor that may change (eg. time, mass, volume)
Independent Variable (eg)
Factor changed by experimentor (eg. temperature)
Dependant Variable (eg)
The effect of the change (eg. time)
Fixed Variable (eg)
Do not change (eg. number of seeds/ volume of water)
Principles of Experimentation
(plan & design, safety procedures, random selection, large sample size, control group, double blind testing, change factor at a time, measure changes, analyse results, state possible sources of error, repeat experiment)
Control
Provides comparison against independent variable
Replicate
Something repeated
Ethics
Whether it’s right or wrong
Limitations of scientific method
(lack of basic knowledge, design of experiment, difficulty in interpreting results, changes in nature, accidental discoveries)
Metabolism
Chemical reactions that occur in cells of living organisms
Continuity of life
Living things arise from other living things of the same type
Anabolic reaction (eg)
Using energy to add smaller molecules together to create bigger ones (eg. photosynthesis)
Catabolic reaction (eg)
Using energy to break down large molecules into smaller ones (eg. digestion)
Characteristics of life
B.O.N.E.R.R.
(B)(Organisation)(Nutrition)(Excretion)(Response)(Reproduction)
Organisation
Unicellular or Multicellular
Specialised structures
Levels of Organisation
Cell
Tissue (group of cells)
Organ (group of tissues with special function)
Organ System (group of organs working together)
Organism (group of systems working together )
Nutrition
Way animals obtain and use food
Sources of nutrition
In Animals:
Feed on other organisms
In Plants:
photosynthesis
Herbivore
Eat plants
Carnivore
Eat animals
Omnivore
Eat plants and animals
Excretion
Elimination of waste products
Methods of excretion
In Animals:
urinary system, skin, lungs
In Plants:
Leaves - stomata
Stem - lenticles
Response
Way living things react to changes in environment
Methods of response
In Animals:
5 senses (light, sound, touch)
In Plants:
Growth towards/away from stimulus ( water, light, fertiliser)
Reproduction
Life coming from life
Ability of an organism to produce new individuals of its own kind and pass genetic information to next generation
Methods of Reproduction
Asexual:
Mitosis - cell division
(eg. bacteria)
Sexual:
Male and female gamete
(eg. plants and animals)
