Helpful words for AP Bio

Calculate

Perform mathematical steps to arrive at a final answer, including algebraic expressions, properly substituted numbers, and correct labeling of units and significant figures.

Construct/Draw

Create a diagram, graph, representation, or model that illustrates or explains relationships or phenomena. Labels may or may not be required.

Describe

Provide relevant characteristics of a specified topic.

Determine

Decide or conclude after reasoning, observation, or applying mathematical routines (calculations).

Evaluate

Judge or determine the significance or importance of information, or the quality or accuracy of a claim.

Explain

Provide information about how or why a relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using evidence and/or reasoning to support or qualify a claim. Explain “how” typically requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome; whereas, explain “why” typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.

Support a claim

Provide reasoning to explain how evidence supports or qualifies a claim.

Identify

Indicate or provide information about a specified topic, without elaboration or explanation.

Justify

Provide evidence to support, qualify, or defend a claim, and/or provide reasoning to explain how that evidence supports or qualifies the claim.

Make a claim

Make an assertion that is based on evidence or knowledge.

Predict/Make a Prediction

Predict the causes or effects of a change in, or disruption to, one or more components in a relationship, pattern, process, or system.

Represent

Use appropriate graphs, symbols, words, illustrations, and/or tables of numerical values to describe biological concepts, characteristics, and/or relationships

State (the null/alternative hypothesis)

Indicate or provide a hypothesis to support or defend a claim about a scientifically testable question.

Design an experiment

• Identify the independent variable and how it is manipulated

• Identify the dependent variable and how it is measured

• Discuss variables to be held constant (3+ usually)

• Identify the control

• Verification and replication of experiment

• Hypothesis or testable prediction related to the question

• Statistical analysis/tables and graphs

What is the purpose of the control group?

Control group shows baseline conditions to compare results.

What’s a controlled variable?

Controlled variables: Keep everything consistent to isolate effects of the independent variable.

Why do we replicate experiments?

Replicates ensure reliability and reduce chance errors.