BIO 117 - Scientific Method & Measuring with Metric Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering terms, definitions, formulas, and units from BIO 117 Laboratory 1 (Scientific Method) and Laboratory 2 (Measuring with Metric).

Scientific Method

The scientific process involving making observations, formulating hypotheses, doing experiments, and coming to a conclusion.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation formulated by scientists based on observations about what they are investigating.

Control

A sample or an event in an experiment that is not exposed to the testing procedure or experimental variable.

Data

Any factual information that comes to light as a result of an experiment or further observations.

Scientific Theory

An encompassing conclusion based on many individual conclusions in the same field.

Experimental Variable

The specific condition or factor in an experimental procedure that the experimenter purposely changes to get results.

Dependent Variable

The variable that a hypothesis predicts will be influenced by the experimental variable.

Controlled Variables

Aspects of an experiment that the scientist makes consistent to prevent them from affecting the results.

Radial Artery

An artery located on the thumb side of the wrist, a little below the base of the thumb, used to measure pulse rate.

Human Circulation

The cardiovascular system process where the heart pumps blood into blood vessels, allowing arterial pulse rate to indicate heart rate.

Cardiac Stress Test

A test examining a series of ECGs as a patient exercises, with exercise intensity increased in $3\text{-minute}$ intervals of ever-increasing incline and speed.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.

Metric System

The standard base-ten system of measurement used in scientific laboratories for length, volume, mass, and temperature.

Kilometer (km)

The largest metric unit of length measurement listed in Table 2.1, equal to $1,000,000\text{ mm}$ or $1,000\text{ m}$ ($10^3\text{ m}$).

Meter (m)

The base unit for length in the metric system, roughly equivalent to $1\text{ yard}$ or $39.37\text{ inches}$, containing $100\text{ cm}$ or $1,000\text{ mm}$.

Centimeter (cm)

A metric unit of length measurement equal to $0.01\text{ m}$ ($10^{-2}\text{ m}$) or $10\text{ mm}$.

Millimeter (mm)

A metric unit of length measurement equal to $0.001\text{ m}$ ($10^{-3}\text{ m}$) or $0.1\text{ cm}$.

Micrometer (\mu m)

A metric unit of length used by biologists to express the size of small objects such as cell contents, equal to $0.000001\text{ m}$ ($10^{-6}\text{ m}$) or $0.001\text{ mm}$ ($10^{-3}\text{ mm}$).

Nanometer (nm)

The smallest metric unit of length measurement listed in Table 2.1, equal to $0.000000001\text{ m}$ ($10^{-9}\text{ m}$) or $0.000001\text{ mm}$ ($10^{-6}\text{ mm}$).

Gram (g)

A metric unit of weight equal to $1,000\text{ mg}$, approximately equal to the weight of a paper clip.

Milligram (mg)

A metric unit of weight equal to $0.001\text{ g}$ ($10^{-3}\text{ g}$).

Liter (l)

A metric unit of liquid volume equal to $1,000\text{ ml}$.

Milliliter (ml)

A metric unit of volume equal to $0.001\text{ l}$, which is equivalent to $1\text{ cm}^3$.

Meniscus

The lowest margin of the liquid level in a graduated cylinder, read at eye level to determine accurate volume.

Celsius Scale (\text{^\circ C})

The temperature scale used by scientists, where water freezes at $0^\circ\text{C}$ and boils at $100^\circ\text{C}$.

Fahrenheit Scale (\text{^\circ F})

A temperature scale on which water freezes at $32^\circ\text{F}$ and boils at $212^\circ\text{F}$.

Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion Formula

The equation used to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius: \text{^\circ C} = \frac{\text{^\circ F} - 32}{1.8}.

Celsius to Fahrenheit Conversion Formula

The equation used to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: \text{^\circ F} = (1.8 \times \text{^\circ C}) + 32.

Cell Theory

A scientific theory stating that all organisms are composed of cells, based on observations made by many scientists over many years.

Framingham Heart Study

A major scientific study on heart disease that began with $5,209$ human subjects to help account for subject variability.

Temperature Scales Diagram

A side-by-side comparison of the Fahrenheit ($^\circ\text{F}$) scale on the left and the Celsius ($^\circ\text{C}$) scale on the right.