AP Biology: Direction Words

Calculate (a value)

Ascertain by computation.  Use math and mathematical concepts to find a relationship.  You may need to use your formula chart and calculator.  It is best to show your work, even if it is not explicitly requested.

Construct

Build or devise a representation of, or explanation for, a biological concept. (e.g., construct a graph, cladogram, diagram, or food web)

Create

Build or devise a representation or a model of a biological concept.  (e.g., create a graph or phylogenetic tree)

Describe

Provide the characteristics of something.  Use details to provide an accurate account of a situation.  Convey an idea or impression.  (e.g., describe pieces of evidence, describe an effect)

Design (an experiment)

Produce an experimental plan that could be used to collect data and test a hypothesis.  Include your hypothesis or prediction.  Identify the independent and dependent variables.  Describe the materials used and the procedures followed, including proper experimental controls.  State how the data was collected, recorded, graphed, analyzed, and used to draw conclusions.

Determine

Use evidence to deduce if a certain effect will occur

Enter

Place numbers/vales correctly in a table

Estimate

 Approximate, roughly calculate, or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of something.  (e.g., estimate a value by reading it from a graph)

Explain

Support or qualify a given generalization with specific facts and ideas.  Provide details and reasons in order to clarify something.  Make comprehensible or understandable.

Graph

Plot data or extrapolate the predicted shape of a data curve/line.

Identify

Establish, ascertain, or indicate who or what someone or something is.  (e.g., identify the null hypothesis, a control treatment, predicted results, a pathway, an organism)

Indicate

 Point out or show something.  (e.g., indicate where characters arise on a cladogram)

Justify

Support a statement with sufficient evidence to demonstrate or prove that the statement is correct or valid.  (e.g., justify a prediction)

Perform

Begin and carry through to completion.  (e.g., perform a chi-square test)

Pose (a scientific question)

Set forth in words for consideration and testing.  State a question about a scientific idea or biological concept.  The scientific question must be testable.

Predict

State what you expect will happen.  Make the expected result known in advance, especially on the basis of special knowledge.  (e.g., predict the experimental results, a consequence, an effect)

Propose

Put forward or suggest for consideration, discussion, or experimental testing.  (e.g., propose a model, a reason for an observation, a consequence, an advantage)

Provide

give reasoning or evidence

Select

Carefully choose as being the best or most suitable

Specify

State explicitly or in detail.  (e.g., specify the null hypothesis)

State (a hypothesis)

Set forth in words a tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation.

Support

Use data to provide evidence for a claim