BIO 204 Lab

What are the four basic components/steps of the scientific method?

1. Objective observation

2. Hypothesis formulation

3. Hypothesis testing by experimentation

4. Analysis and conclusions

What is the null hypothesis?

the hypothesis that suggests no effect

eg. X will have no effect on Y

What is the independent variable vs. the dependent variable?

• Independent - the thing you change; the thing you are wondering if it has an effect

• Dependent - the thing you are measuring

Finding out if blue light makes plants grow faster.

Independent variable: blue light

Dependent variable: plant growth

In most graphs, which axis does the independent variable go on? The dependent variable?

Independent variable - x-axis

Dependent variable - y-axis

What type of data are bar graphs good for?

comparing two or more groups

When should you use and XY scatterplot/line graph?

comparing data over time (including over generations)

Evolution

the change in the genetic make-up of a population over time

What are conspecifics?

members of the same species

What is a population?

a group of conspecifics that live in the same area and interbreed

What is the main driver of evolution? Define it.

natural selection

members of a population with certain traits having a higher survival and reproductions rate in their environment due to the presence of such traits

What are adaptations?

new genetic mutations that cause a trait that is advantageous for the survival and reproduction of an organism in their environment

What are traits controlled by?

genes

How do variations in traits arise?

random mutations

What is speciation?

when populations of the same species are reproductively isolated for a long time and evolve separately to the point that they can no longer produce viable offspring