Fall Science Exam

Nature of Science

Science uses observation and investigation to answer questions in the world

Scientific Method-organized set of procedures used by scientists

· Ask a question

· Research

· Form hypothesis

· Design experiment

· Gather data

· Form conclusion

· Communicate results

· Further experiment if needed

Hypothesis-a prediction based on observations that can be tested

Experiment-organized procedure for testing hypothesis

Control-standard for comparison (does not get tested)

Constant-factor that does not change in an experiment

Independent Variable-what is studied by the experimenter (always graphed on x-axis)

Dependent Variable-what is being measured in the experiment (always graphed on y-axis)

Standard Units of Measure (SI units)

Length-meter Volume-liter Temperature-Kelvin

Mass-gram Time-second Electric Current-ampere

SI Prefixes

Kilo Deci Centi Milli Micro Nano

Mass: amount of matter in an object

Density: mass per unit of volume

Volume-amount of space occupied in an object

Graphs-a visual display of information

Line Graph: shows trends in how data changes over time

Bar Graph: compares information collected by counting

Pie Graph: used to show how data is broken down into parts

Life Science

Biology-study of life

Organism-has all the characteristics of life, made of one or more cells

Characteristics of Living Things:

· Organized by cells

· Reproduce

· Growth and Development

· Obtain and Use Energy

· Respond to stimuli

· Maintain homeostasis (remain stable)

· Adapt to environment

Levels of Life:

Biosphere

Ecosystem

Community

Population

Organisms

Groups of cells

Cells

Molecules

(see notes for details)

Scientific Research and Tools

Observation-gathering information that can be seen, smelled, heard, or felt

Data-information gathered from observations

Inference-an assumption based on observations

Example: Observation: The ground is wet. Inference: It rained or Inference: Someone watered the grass

Qualitative Data-involved language and descriptions

Quantitative Date-involves numbers and measurements

Lab Safety Symbols and Descriptions (see notes)

Ecology-interaction between organisms and their environment

Sunlight is the main energy source for life

Difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs (look in your notes)

Distinguish between:

· Herbivore

· Carnivore

· Omnivore

· Detritivore

· Decomposer

(examples and definitions in notes)

· Food Chains

· Food Webs

Cycles in Nature

Water Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Phosphorous Cycle

(see notes and output page chain activity you made)

Organisms and their Environment

Biotic Factors-the living things in an environment (predators and prey)

Abiotic Factors-non-living things in an environment (weather, soil)

Habitat-the area where an organism lives (includes both biotic and abiotic factors)

Symbiotic Relationships:

· Mutualism

· Commensalism

· Parasitism

(details in notes)

Limiting Factor: anything that makes it harder for an organism to thrive in the environment

Example: lack of water, predators

Difference between Primary and Secondary Succession (look in notes)

Biomes-large group of ecosystems

2 types:

· Terrestrial

o Tundras, taigas, deserts, savannahs, temperate forests, tropical forests

· Aquatic

o Freshwater (pond, lake, stream, wetlands)

o Saltwater (ocean, coral reef, estuaries)

Renewable Resources

How does land development affect populations?

(use notes and output page activity)

Cells

Cell Theory

· All living things are made of one or more cells

· Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things

· All cells come from other cells

Two types of cells

· Prokaryote: no nucleus or organelles

o Example: bacteria

· Eukaryote: has nucleus and organelles

o Example: plant and animal cells

Plasma Membrane

Regulates what enters and leaves the cell (like a bodyguard)

“selectively permeable” (use notes to get the definition if you don’t remember)

Made of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins

Organelles-specialized structures within the cell that help it function

· Plasma membrane-controls what goes in and out

· Cytoplasm-holds everything in place

· Nucleus-protects DNA and controls the activities of the cell

· Nucleolus-inside the nucleus-it makes RNA

· Ribosomes-float in the cytoplasm and attach to the Rough ER-they make proteins

· Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum-makes lipids (fats)

· Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum-makes proteins (has ribosomes attached)

· Golgi Apparatus-ships proteins where needed

· Lysosomes-help with cell death when it’s no longer healthy and useful (animal cells only

· Vacuoles-storage in the cell (nutrients, water)

· Centrioles-pull chromosomes apart during mitosis (animal cells only)

· Cilia-move fluid across the cell’s surface

· Flagella-move the entire cell around

· Mitochondria-breaks down food to release energy (ATP) during cellular respiration

· Chloroplast- converts energy from the sun into sugar during photosynthesis (plant cell)

· Cell Wall-protect and maintain shape of the cell (plant cell only)