ACT Science Outside Knowledge

Independent variable

a variable that you are changing on purpose to see its effect on another value (doesn't change from something else, it does the changing)

Dependent variable

Depends on the independent variable's value

Controlled variable/control

an unchanging value in an experiement allowing for better understanding of the other variable

Accuracy

How close a measured value is to the actual value

precision

how close two values are to each other

celsius to farenheit

F=9/5C+32

farenheit to celsius

c=5/9(F-32)

Celsius to kelvin

Add 273

Lysosomes

Digest food and break down cell compounds with enzymes

mitochondia

powerhouses of the cell that produce atp

cell nucleus

brain of the cell, contains genetic knowledge

ribosomes

organelle that translates mRNA to protein

cell membrane

the semipermeable membrane containing the cytoplasm of the cell

plant cells vs animal cells

plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and vacuoles

chloroplasts

organelle containing chlorophyll where photosynthesis takes place

cellulose

exists in plants (not animals) and is part of their cell wall

cholesterol

exists in animals and are part of their cell membrane

photosynthesis

(plant cells only), the process of converting carbon dioxide and oxygen into nutrients and water

cellular respiration

the process plants and animals use to convert fuel (nutrients) into energy (ATP)

prokaryotes vs eukaryotes

two types of unicellular organisms. prokaryotes lack a nucleus

amoeba

eurkaryotes, with nucleus, undefined blob shape

Order of Biological Classification:

(Domain), Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Producers/Autotrophs

Organisms that can make their own food for energy

Consumers/Heterotroph:

Organisms that must consume others for nutrients

Detritivores

Organisms that feed on dead organic material

Trophic level

A position on the food chain. Organisms on same trophic level have similar feeding 'modes'

gametes

Sex cells that combine to form zygote (fertilized egg). Each gamete holds 23 of the 46 chromosomes.

Sex-Linked Traits:

Traits associated with genes found on sex chromosomes

Protein Synthesis:

Entire process of converting DNA to mRNA to proteins.

Transcription:

Process of copying DNA to mRNA

Translation:

Process of reading mRNA and synthesizing proteins

DNA

Carrier of genetic information and blueprint for protein synthesis

mRNA

Convey genetic information from DNA to ribosomes, which facilitate protein production.

genes

Unit of heredity transferred from parent to offspring that determines some characteristics of the offspring.

Alleles

One of the possible variations of a gene. Typically, each gene has 2 alleles. Alleles can be dominant or recessive.

Heterozygous Alleles

Two different alleles (one dominant and recessive).

Homozygous Alleles:

Two copies of the same allele (both dominant or both recessive).

Dominant Traits

Expressed in homozygous (BB) or heterozygous (Bb) pairing

All persons with dominant allele manifest the trait

Recessive Traits

Only expressed in offspring if homogenous

Fats

Made up of Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O), with carbon as the most prominent element.

Amino acids

Building block of protein. N-C-O backbone.

proteins

Chains of amino acids

Nucleic Acids

Building block of DNA/RNA. Have nitrogenous base, sugar group, and phosphate group.

Solubility

Ability of a given substance (solute) to dissolve in a solvent

Solutions vs. Mixtures

Solutions are homogenous (same uniform appearance). Mixtures are heterogenous (consists of visibly different substances)

Concentration of Solution:

Amount of substance per unit of space (grams/liter, moles/liter, ppm)

basics of gas laws

At constant temperature, volume and pressure are inversely proportional. At constant pressure, temperature and volume are directly proportional. At constant volume, temperature and pressure are directly proportional.

Ph scale

scale with values from 0 to 14, used to measure the concentration of H+ ions in a solution; a pH of 0 to 7 is acidic, a pH of 7 is neutral, and a pH of 7 to 14 is basic

pH Meter Bromothymol Blue Litmus Paper Phenolphthalein

ph measuring tools

phase changes

Solid - temperature less than freezing/melting point Liquid - temperature above freezing/melting but below boiling point Gas - temperature above boiling point

Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter:

Particles have least energy, and are closest together, in solids Particles have most energy, and are farthest apart, in gases.

Boiling/Freezing Point of Water:

Water freezes (liquid to solid) and melts (solid to liquid) at 0℃ / 32℉ Water is a liquid between 0 − 100℃ / 32 − 212℉ Water boils (liquid to gas) or condenses (gas to liquid) at 100℃ / 212℉

density

d/mv

Objects more dense than surrounding fluid sink. Objects less dense than surrounding fluid float. Usually solid → liquid → gas goes most to least dense

protons

+1 positively charged particles

neutrons

neutral charge

electrons

Negatively charged particles

chemical. equations

reactants to products

balancing chemical equations

keep mass of products and reactants the same by adjusting coefficients as necessary

molar mass

Mass of 1 mole of atoms/molecules for a particular element/molecule

Avogadro's Number:

number of representative particles in a mole, 6.02 X 10^23

Endothermic Reaction:

A reaction that ABSORBS energy in the form of heat

exothermic reaction

A reaction that releases energy in the form of heat

Directional Forces

Gravity points downward. Friction/drag/resistance point in opposite direction of an object's motion. Buoyancy points up

Mass vs. Weight:

Mass is a measurement of the amount of matter something contains, while Weight is the measurement of the pull of gravity on an object.

magnetism

The force of attraction or repulsion of magnetic materials

like charges repel, opposite charges attract

order from sun

Mercury → Venus → Earth → Mars → Jupiter → Saturn → Uranus → Neptune

Relative Masses of Planets

Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Earth, Venus, Mars, Mercury