Untitled Flashcards Set

Intro Lab: Laboratory Safety Rules

  • Proper lab attire: Wear lab coats, safety goggles, closed-toe shoes, and gloves.

  • Eating/Drinking: No eating, drinking, or chewing gum in the lab to avoid contamination.

  • Emergency Equipment Locations: Know where to find eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, safety showers, and first aid kits.

  • Biohazard Waste Disposal: Dispose of biohazard waste in biohazard-labeled containers, NOT regular trash bins.

Lab 1: Scientific Tools and Techniques

  • SI Units: International System of Units (metric system). Examples: meter (m), kilogram (kg), liter (L).

  • Conversions:

    • 1 inch = 2.54 cm

    • 1 pound = 0.454 kg

    • 1 gallon = 3.785 L

  • Means/Averages: Add all numbers together, divide by the number of values.

  • Length:

    • Basic Unit: Meter (m)

    • Types: Length, width, distance, diameter

    • Instruments: Ruler, measuring tape, calipers

  • Mass:

    • Basic Unit: Kilogram (kg)

    • Instruments: Balances (digital or triple-beam)

  • Volume:

    • Basic Unit: Liter (L) for liquids

    • Instruments: Graduated cylinders, pipettes

    • Meniscus: Curve seen at the liquid's surface. Always read bottom of the curve at eye level.

  • Temperature:

    • Basic Unit: Celsius (°C)

    • Instruments: Thermometer

  • DBH (Diameter at Breast Height):

    • Measure tree diameter at 4.5 ft (1.37 m) above ground. Use a DBH tape.

  • Accuracy vs Precision:

    • Accuracy = how close a measurement is to the true value.

    • Precision = how close repeated measurements are to each other.

Lab 2A and 2B: Scientific Investigation and Writing

  • Scientific Investigation: Methodical process to answer questions through experiments.

  • Steps:

    1. Observation

    2. Question

    3. Literature Review

    4. Hypothesis

    5. Prediction

    6. Experiment

    7. Conclusion

  • Limitations: Bias, limited sample size, human error, ethical constraints.

  • Testable Hypothesis: Must be measurable and falsifiable.

  • Experimental Design Factors: Clear variables, control group, replication.

  • Variables:

    • Independent: Manipulated factor

    • Dependent: Measured outcome

    • Controlled: Constants

    • Continuous: Measurable (height, time)

    • Discrete: Countable (number of pets)

    • Experimental Group: Receives treatment

    • Control Group: No treatment (baseline)

  • Graphs:

    • Line Graph: Continuous data

    • Histogram: Frequency distribution

    • Bar Graph: Categorical comparisons

  • Conclusions: Relate data back to hypothesis.

  • Scientific Paper Parts:

    • Title: Clear description

    • Authors: Who did the work

    • Keywords: Search terms

    • Abstract: Summary

    • Introduction: Background info

    • Methods: Procedures

    • Results: Data findings

    • Discussion: Interpretation

    • Conclusion: Final remarks

    • Acknowledgment: Thanks

    • References: Cited sources

Lab 3: Allelopathy

  • Allelopathy: Plants releasing chemicals affecting other plants.

  • Plant Competition: Struggle for resources.

  • Species Interactions: How organisms affect each other.

  • Allelochemicals: Chemicals produced to inhibit others.

    • Disadvantages: Can harm non-target plants, unstable in soil.

  • Essential Oils: Natural plant extracts; tested for allelopathic effects.

  • Controlling Allelopathic Plants: Physical removal, biological agents.

  • Secondary Compounds:

    • Alkaloids: Caffeine

    • Terpenes: Essential oils

    • Phenols: Tannins

Lab 4: Building Green

  • Building Green: Eco-friendly building practices.

  • Advantages: Energy savings, healthier environments.

  • Sustainability: Using resources responsibly for the future.

  • LEED Certification: Points system based on green features.

  • Energy Calculations: Based on wattage, hours of use, electricity cost.

  • Lighting Cost Calculation: Compare watts and lifespan.

  • Recommendations: Solar panels, LED lights, efficient insulation.

  • Environmentally Sustainable Practices: Recycling, reduced water use.

Bioplastics Module

  • Alternatives to Plastics: Bioplastics from plants.

  • Society’s Role: Reduce, reuse, recycle, and support bioplastics.

  • Your Role: Choose reusable products, educate others.

  • Bioplastics Made From: Corn, sugarcane, potato starch.

  • Benefits: Less fossil fuel use, biodegradable.

  • Composting Bioplastics: Needs industrial compost facilities.

  • Properties of Plastics: Lightweight, durable; made from petroleum.

  • Leachate: Contaminated liquid from waste.

  • Biodegradable?: Some bioplastics are, but conditions matter.

  • Plastic in Oceans: Hurts marine animals (ingestion, entanglement).

  • Reduce Impact: Use less single-use plastic.

  • Recycled Plastic Products: Shoes, clothing, furniture.

  • Plastic’s Popularity: Cheap, versatile, durable.

  • Would You Stop Plastic?: Pros and cons – important innovations vs. pollution.

  • Removing Plastic from Ocean: Beneficial but could disturb ecosystems.

  • Reduce Plastic Waste: Use reusables, support cleanups, recycle.

Lab 5: Invasive Species and Microscopy

  • Introduced Species: Brought by humans.

  • Invasive Species: Harm ecosystems.

  • Control Methods:

    • Mechanical: Physical removal

    • Chemical: Herbicides

    • Biological: Natural enemies

  • Impacts: Loss of biodiversity, economic costs.

  • Natural Enemies: Predators, parasites.

  • Advantages of Biological Control: Eco-friendly

  • Disadvantages: May affect non-target species.

  • Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs): Microscopic worms that kill pests.

  • Pesticide Types:

    • Inorganic: Metals

    • Botanical: Plant-derived

    • Microbial: Bacteria/fungi

  • Pesticide Actions:

    • Stomach poisons: Eaten

    • Contact poisons: Touch

    • Systemic poisons: Absorbed by plants

    • Desiccants: Dry insects

  • Diatomaceous Earth: Cuts and dehydrates insects.

  • Microscopy:

    • Compound Microscope: Higher magnification

    • Dissecting Microscope: Lower magnification, 3D view

    • Total Magnification: Objective lens × eyepiece lens

    • Field of View: Visible area through the microscope.

    • Photomicrograph: Photo through microscope.

    • Putting Away Microscope: Low power, stage down, wrap cord neatly.

  • Wet Mount Steps: Drop water on slide, add specimen, cover slip at angle.

Lab 7: Water Quality

  • Importance: Affects health, environment.

  • Freshwater Uses: Agriculture, industry, recreation.

  • Contamination:

    • Point Source: Specific location (factory).

    • Non-point Source: Broad (runoff).

  • Pathogens: Microorganisms causing disease.

  • Bacterial Colony: Visible cluster of bacteria.

  • E. coli Limit: 0 colonies per 100 ml.

  • Coliforms as Indicators: Show fecal contamination.

  • Calculate CFUs: (# colonies × dilution factor) / volume plated.

  • Purification Methods:

    • UV: Kills DNA

    • Chemical: Chlorine

    • Filter: Physical removal

    • Untreated: Control group.

  • Most Effective: (based on your lab, usually UV or filter).

  • Coliscan Medium:

    • Galactosidase: Pink colonies (coliforms)

    • Glucuronidase: Purple colonies (E. coli)

Lab 8: Aquatic Ecosystems

  • Ecology: Study of organisms + environment.

  • Abiotic vs. Biotic:

    • Abiotic: Non-living (water temp, pH)

    • Biotic: Living (plants, animals).

  • Abiotic Components Evaluated: Temp (°C), pH, dissolved oxygen (mg/L), conductivity (µS/cm), nitrates (mg/L), phosphates (mg/L).

  • Eutrophication: Nutrient pollution → algal blooms → oxygen depletion.

  • Food Chain vs Web:

    • Chain: Linear

    • Web: Complex

  • Producers: Make food (plants)

  • Consumers: Eat others (animals)

  • Trophic Structure: Shows energy flow, indicates ecosystem health.

  • Biotic Indicators: Plants, macroinvertebrates, plankton.

Lab 9: Population Ecology

  • Population Ecology: Study of populations' size, density, growth.

  • Exponential Growth: Rapid, unlimited growth.

  • Logistic Growth: Growth slows as resources limit.

  • Carrying Capacity (K): Max sustainable population.

  • Overshoot: Population exceeds K, crashes.

  • Density-Dependent Factors: Affected by population (food, disease).

  • Density-Independent Factors: Not affected by population (weather).

  • Climate Change Effects: Alters growth, migration, extinction rates.

  • Predator-Prey Cycles: Linked populations rise and fall.

  • Isle Royale:

    • Moose arrived first (swam over ice).

    • Exponential growth initially.

    • Wolves crossed ice later, controlled moose numbers.

    • Studied because it's isolated.

    • Moose affect vegetation by overbrowsing.

    • Fat stores: Higher without wolves.

    • Warming: Disrupts predator-prey balance.

Lab Tools/Equipment

  • Measuring Tools: Tape, wheel, rulers (lengths)

  • Balances: Mass

  • Thermometers: Temperature

  • Forceps: Handling specimens

  • Pipettes: Measuring/ transferring liquids

  • Graduate Cylinders: Measure volumes

  • Petri Dishes: Culture growth

  • Parafilm: Seal containers

  • UV Meter, Power Meter, DO Meter, pH Meter, Conductivity Meter: Environmental measurements

  • Nitrate/Phosphate Tests: Use chemical kits, color indicators.

  • Scopes:

    • Compound = small cells

    • Dissecting = larger objects

  • Wet Mounts: Water + specimen + cover slip

  • Focus Specimens: Start on low power.