Intro to Biology Quiz Concept Review

Flashcards covering key biology review concepts including observations vs inferences, experimental variables and controls, atomic structure, molecules, and compounds.

What is an observation according to the review notes?

An observation is evidence that you can see, touch, smell or hear, and it is NOT an opinion or a guess.

What is an inference?

A conclusion based on observations and reasoning, which IS an educated guess or scientific opinion.

What is Rule #1 for conducting scientific experiments?

When doing an experiment you must keep all variables constant (unchanging), EXCEPT the one variable you are testing.

According to Rule #2 for scientific experiments, why are results more accurate with many trials or a larger sample size?

Because it reduces the effects of experimental error and averages out natural variation.

What is the purpose of controls in scientific experiments?

Controls are used for comparison and are not being tested.

In the tomato garden example, what was the control group?

The tomato plants that just got water (no banana peels).

What is an independent variable, and what question can you ask to identify it?

The independent variable is the thing that you changed or are testing. You can identify it by asking: "What is different between the treatment groups?"

What was the independent variable in the tomato garden example?

Banana peels.

What is a dependent variable, and what question can you ask to identify it?

The dependent variable is the thing that is measured or observed. You can identify it by asking: "How will I measure the results?"

What was the dependent variable in the tomato garden example?

Size of tomatoes.

What is an atom?

An atom is the basic building blocks of all matter. It is the smallest you can get without changing matter to something else with different properties.

How do atoms bond to each other?

Atoms bond to each other by sharing or exchanging electrons.

What is a molecule?

A molecule is two or more atoms bonded together.

What are five examples of molecules listed in the review notes?

Hydrogen gas ($H_2$), Oxygen ($O_2$), Water ($H_2O$), Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), and Methane ($CH_4$).

What is a compound?

A compound is created when 2 or more different types of atoms bond.

Why are Hydrogen gas ($H_2$) and Oxygen ($O_2$) categorized as molecules but not compounds?

Because they have only 1 type of atom.