Honors Bio - Unit 1 Test

Scientific Methodology

A process involving observing and asking questions, forming hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

Observation

Process of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way.

Inference

A logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience.

Hypothesis

Possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question.

Controlled Experiment

Experiment in which only one variable is changed.

Independent Variable

Factor in a controlled experiment that is deliberately changed; also called manipulated variable.

Dependent Variable

Variable that is observed and that changes in response to the independent variable; also called the responding variable.

Control Group

Group in an experiment that is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group except for one independent variable.

Data

Evidence; information gathered from observations.

Theory

Well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and hypotheses, and enables scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations.

Goals of Science

To provide natural and testable explanations for natural events and to use explanations supported by data to understand patterns in nature.

Scientific Explanations

Based on evidence and understanding, not just beliefs, and are not concerned with supernatural explanations or events.

Uncertainty in Science

Part of science that involves understanding what is not known and recognizing that changes in scientific knowledge show progress.

Scientific Investigations

Begin with observation and involve asking questions about the natural world.

Collecting and Analyzing Data

Reviewing and studying the data and progress of the experiment and evaluating how it relates to results.

Form Conclusions

Using data from the experiment to create a conclusion/evaluation about how accurate the hypothesis was.

Testing Explanations

Scientists gather and analyze data to support or reject their explanations.

Natural Events

Events in the natural world that scientists seek to explain through scientific methodology.

Scientific Knowledge

Accumulated knowledge about the natural world that is always changing.

Patterns in Nature

Understanding regularities in natural events through scientific explanations.

Surprises in Science

New scientific discoveries that often lead to new questions.

Common Style of Investigation

The shared approach used in scientific methods to solve problems.

Educated Guess

An outcome thought about based on observations, leading to the formation of a hypothesis.

Experiment

A procedure carried out to test a hypothesis.

Observing and Asking Questions

Scientific investigations begin with observation. Observation is the act of noticing and describing events and processes. Observation leads to the asking of new questions that have not been answered.

experimental group

In the experimental group, the independent variable is changed.

quantitative data

Numbers obtained from counting or measuring.

qualitative data

Descriptions of events that cannot be measured.

sample size

Larger sample sizes allow scientists to more confidently identify differences between experimental groups and control groups.

Sources of Error

Scientists must avoid errors in data. Tools for measurement have limits to their accuracy.

analyzing data

Analyzing data may lead to conclusions that support or reject the hypothesis that is being tested by the experiment.

scientific theory

A well-substantiated explanation acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.

Plant Height

A measurement used to assess the growth of plants in experiments.

Time (weeks)

A measurement of duration used in experiments.

Nitrogen added

A variable that can affect plant growth in experiments.

Statistics

Used to determine if a significant difference exists between an experimental group and a control group.

When Experiments Aren't Possible

Not all hypotheses can be tested in experiments; some must be tested by observation of natural behavior.

KEY QUESTION

What is a scientific theory?

Evolutionary Theory

A central organizing principle of biology developed by Charles Darwin from many hypotheses.

Scientific Ethics

Rules that scientists must follow, such as honesty.

Bias

A tendency that can ruin results, which scientists work to avoid.

Peer Review

The process where scientists repeat others' experiments to confirm reliability.

Curiosity

A reason scientists conduct experiments to satisfy their interest in how things work.

Skepticism

The attitude of questioning the validity of a theory and demanding evidence.

Open-Mindedness

The willingness to accept data that disagree with one's hypotheses.

Creativity

The ability to apply critical thinking when asking questions and designing experiments.

Practical Problems

Issues that scientific investigations often attempt to solve, involving humans, health, or environmental concerns.

New Technology

Innovations that provide scientists and engineers with better ways to make observations and collect data.

Exploration and Discovery

The process of investigating and finding new information in science.

Community Analysis and Feedback

The evaluation and improvement of scientific ideas through collaboration and communication.

Benefits and Outcomes

The positive impacts and results that arise from scientific and engineering work.

Engineers

Professionals who explore new ideas by designing and testing solutions to real-world problems.

Collaboration

The act of working together with others in scientific research.

Communication

The sharing of research findings with the scientific community and the public.

Scientific Community

A group of scientists who share research and collaborate on scientific endeavors.

Curiosity in Science

The drive that leads scientists to ask questions and conduct experiments.

Skepticism in Science

The critical approach scientists take towards hypotheses and theories.

Peer

Someone who belongs to the same group in society and is equal in rank or level.

Impact Assessment

The evaluation of the effects of engineering designs on the community.

Recognition

The acknowledgment received by engineers from peers and leaders for their contributions.

Sharing Knowledge and New Ideas

After research is published, scientists who read it will come up with new questions. New questions lead to new hypotheses that must be supported or rejected by experiments.

Science and Society Relationship

Science interacts with society, laws, and moral principles. Science also has a big impact on health, medical issues, and environmental issues such as energy and waste disposal.

Science, Ethics, and Morality

Science and engineering usually only tell us what is possible or what we could do. They do not tell us what we should or should not do.

Avoiding Bias

Scientists should be objective, but like everyone else, they have likes, dislikes, and biases.

Word Origins of Bias

Bias comes from the French word biais, meaning 'slant' or 'slope.'

Developing and Using Models

Scientists and engineers both use models. Models include diagrams and three-dimensional models, but also include mathematical models and computer simulations.

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Mathematics is important to science and engineering. Ratios, rates, percentages, and unit conversions are some basic ways to analyze data.

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Scientists attempt to answer questions about the natural world. Scientists then construct explanations that are supported by evidence.

Engaging in Argument From Evidence

In science, an argument is a set of reasons that explain why an idea is right or wrong. Scientists must respond thoughtfully to criticisms.

Scientific Inquiry

The steps in scientific inquiry and engineering design are basically the same.

Cells

Cells are the smallest units of living things.

Reproduction

All organisms produce new organisms through a process called reproduction.

Sexual reproduction

Type of reproduction in which cells from two parents unite to form the first cell of a new organism.

Asexual reproduction

Process of reproduction involving a single parent that results in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; genetic material that organisms inherit from their parents.

Universal genetic code

The genetic code, with a few small variations, is the same for every organism on Earth.

Growth and Development

All organisms grow during part of their lives; single-celled organisms simply increase in size.

Differentiation

The process by which cells divide and change in order to perform different functions.

Metabolism

The combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials.

Need for Materials and Energy

Organisms need energy and a constant supply of materials to grow, develop, reproduce, and to stay alive.

Stimulus

Signal to which an organism responds.

Response to the Environment

Organisms detect and respond to stimuli.

Homeostasis

Relatively constant internal, physical, and chemical conditions that organisms maintain.

Maintaining Internal Balance

The process of maintaining internal conditions, such as temperature and water content, fairly constant.

Evolve

Change over time.

Environmental conditions

Conditions that may vary widely, but most organisms must keep their internal conditions fairly constant.

Inheritance

Traits are passed from parents to offspring by a molecule called DNA.

Organisms

Living things made up of basic units called cells.

Biology

Scientific study of life.

Population

The total number of organisms of the same species in a given area.

Traits

Inherited characteristics that determine how offspring typically look like their parents.

Chemical reactions

Processes that involve the transformation of substances through breaking and forming of bonds.

Stable internal environment

An environment maintained by organisms to ensure proper functioning.

Diseases

Conditions that can alter an organism's homeostasis.

Evolution

The gradual change of organisms over time, necessary for survival in a changing world.

Viruses

Parasites that cannot carry out the functions of life on their own and can only reproduce after infecting living organisms.

Scale

The size of something, especially in comparison to something else.

Proportion

The relation of the size of a part to the size of the whole.

Crosscutting concepts in biology

Shared themes and methods of study that link all biological sciences.

Cause and Effect

A mechanism and explanation used in science to explain the world in terms of natural forces and events.