Biology Lab Midterm

The Scientific Method

A step-by-step process that scientists use to explore observations, test ideas, and answer questions about the world

Observation

scientists observe things/phenomena in the natural world, noting patterns or cause-and-effect relationships that lead to formulation of scientific questions

Hypothesis

the probable answer to the scientific questions they seek to answer of the proposed explanation for the observed patterns. Can also be described as an “educated guess”

Prediction

the expected outcome of an experiment or investigation. It is ore specific than the hypothesis. What outcome they expect if their hypothesis is true.

Conclusion

regarding a particular cause-and-effect relationship by figuring out whether one thing (a variable) influences another (also a variable)

Variable

any factor, trait, or condition that can change, be measured, or be controlled during an experiment

Independent Variable

the specific factor that a scientist intentionally changes or manipulates in an experimental study to test its effects

Dependent Variable

the measured outcome or response that a researcher observes and records in an experiment

What solvent does Alka-Seltzer dissolve best in?

Tap Water

Why do we do the Penicillin Experiment?

to demonstrate natural selection, evolutionary adaption, and the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in real time

Proteins

a large, complex macromolecule made up of one or more long, folded chains of amino acids. Can be found in animal and plant food sources.

Carbohydrates

a group of macromolecules that provide living organisms with energy storage and structural components. Made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Simple Carbohydrates

often referred to as sugars, are found in fruits and vegetables and consist of monosaccharides only

Complex Carbohydrates

often referred to as polysaccharides, are made up of multiple simple sugars/monosaccharides. Are mostly found in plant food sources

Lipids

a diverse class of molecules that includes fats, and oils, waxes, steroids, phospholipids, and fat soluble vitamins

Triglycerides

a type of lipid (fat) molecule made from one glycerol backbone attached to three fatty acids

Saturated

molecules or systems filled to their absolute maximum capacity

Unsaturated

a hydrocarbon chain that contains one or more double bonds

Trans fats

a type of unsaturated fat with carbon-to-carbon double bonds in a “trans” chemical configuration

Nucleotides

building blocks of nucleic acids; specifically (DNA) and (RNA)

Starch

a complex carbohydrate and polysaccharide that plants use to store excess energy

Macromolecules and Nutrition Lab

to connect the chemical structure of the four major biological macromolecules to the foods we eat and their specific functions in human health and metabolism

Digestion

the process in which these macromolecules - proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids - are broken down into their simple form

Monomeric Parts

a small, basic molecule that can chemically bind with similar or identical molecules to form a larger, complex structure called a polymer

Enzymes

a biological catalyst - almost always a protein, though occasionally RNA - that speeds up chemical reactions in living cells without being consumed or altered in the process

Albumin

a simple, water-soluble globular protein produced by the liver that regulated blood volume, oncotic pressure, and transports vital molecules throughout the body

Pepsin

a major digestive enzyme in the stomach that breaks down dietary proteins into smaller peptides

Enzymatic Digestion Lab

to demonstrate how enzymes catalyze the breakdown of large macromolecules into smaller, absorbable biological molecules under various environmental conditions

Digestion

the process in which these macromolecules - proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids - are broken down into their simple form

Monomeric Parts

a small, basic molecular building block that can chemically bond with identical or similar units to form a larger, complex chain called a polymer

Observations with a Microscope Lab

to learn proper microscopy techniques and use magnification and resolution to observe microscopic biological structures like cells

Base and Arm

the support parts of the microscope and they allow for easier carrying and stability during use

Ocular Lenses

the part you look into to view your specimen. The lenses are set at 10x magnification and cannot be changed, but the distance changed due to eye distance. To clean you use lense paper.

Light source

built into the base with a lens that focuses light onto the condenser underneath the stage

Condenser

a system of lenses that focuses the light on the object placed on the stage. It will either be movable or fixed

Diaphragm

referred to as the iris diagram, it is used to adjust the amount of light striking the specific on the slide. Proper usage can dramatically increase the contrast of the image

Stage

the placement area for the specimen slide

Mechanical Stage

specific area where the slide is secured to the stage. Typically a metal sliding arm on one side and a fixed metal holder on the other side

Objective lenses

the primary magnifying lens closest to the specimen on a microscope. It can be changed between 4 different magnifications (4x-5x magnification), (10x-20x magnification), (40x-50x magnification), and (60x-100x magnification)

What is the product of starch digestion?

Glucose

What are the 6 steps of an Experiment?

1. Ask a Question

2. Do your research

3. Hypothesis

4. Do the Experiment

5. Analyze the Data

6. Form a Conlcusion