Biology Notes: Scientific Method and Lyme Disease Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering the scientific method, experimental design concepts, and Lyme disease terminology from Page 1 notes.

Scientific method

A process that investigates observations about the natural world, involving making an observation, forming a testable hypothesis, making predictions, conducting experiments to test the hypothesis, analyzing the data, and drawing a conclusion.

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured or observed; it changes in response to the independent variable.

Independent variable

The variable that is changed or manipulated by the experimenter to see its effect.

Standardized varibles

Factors kept constant across all experimental conditions to ensure a fair test.

Replication in experimet design

Repeating an experiment or trial multiple times to ensure results are consistent and reliable.

Sample size

The number of subjects, samples, or observations included in an experiment; larger sizes generally increase reliability and accuracy.

Control treatment

A group or condition in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable; it serves as a baseline for comparison.

Level of treatment

The specific value or amount of the independent variable applied in an experiment.

What statement is used to express a prediction

expressed in an If…Then… format.

what causes lymes disease

Borrelia burgdorferi

how is lyme disease transmitted to people

Transmission to humans occurs through the bite of an infected black-legged tick.

Deer as hosts

Deer serve as hosts for adult ticks, providing them with blood for reproduction.

Mice as hosts

Mice often serve as hosts for immature ticks and can carry the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.

Reaction time

The interval of time between the presentation of a stimulus and the initiation of a response.

Sensation

The process by which sensory receptors and the nervous system detect and transmit information from the environment to the brain.

tool: pulse oximeter

parameter used: blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate

tool: two-point discrimination caliper

parameter used: sensory perception

tool: reaction time ruler

parameter measured: reaction time- how quickly a person reacts to a stimulus