Biology: Unit 1
List the 6 steps of the scientific method:
1. Ask a question or state a problem 2. Do background research 3. Construct a hypothesis 4. Test the hypothesis by doing a controlled experiment 5. Analyze your data and draw a conclusion 6. Communicate your results
Variable
A factor that can change or sway the outcome of an experiment
Controlled Experiment
An experiment that contains two groups, one that is an experimental group and the other which is being tested in different ways
State the hypothesis, independent variable, dependent variable, the control group and the experimental group of the following: Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red.
Hypothesis: If hummingbirds are attracted to red, then there will be more hummingbirds near red flowers than any other color of flower. Independent Variable: color of flower Dependent Variable: number of hummingbirds near the flower Control Group: non-red flowers Experimental Group: red flowers
State the hypothesis, independent variable, dependent variable, the control group and the experimental group of the following: Eating breakfast increases performance in school.
Hypothesis: If you eat breakfast, then you will increase your school performance. Independent Variable: If you eat breakfast Dependent Variable: Your performance in school Control Group: People who don't eat breakfast Experimental Group: People who eat breakfast
Suzie Q wants to know the effects of different colors of light on the growth of plants. She believes that plants can survive best in white light. She buys 5 ferns of the same species, which are all approximately the same age and height. She places one in white light, one in blue light, one in green light, one in red light, and one in the closet. All of the ferns are planted in Miracle-Grow and given 20 mL of water once a day for two weeks. After the two weeks, Suzie observes the plants and makes measurements. State the hypothesis, independent variable, dependent variable, the control group, the experimental group, and the constants
Hypothesis: If you grow plants in different colors of light, then they will survive best in white light. Independent Variable: color of lights Dependent Variable: growth of plants Control Group: The plant put in the closet Experimental Group: The plants that got the different lights Constants: -They are all the same plant, the same age, and the same height -They all got 20 mL of water over the same period of time -They all were planted in Miracle-Grow
State the hypothesis, independent variable, dependent variable, the control group and the experimental group of the following: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of lung cancer.
Hypothesis: If you smoke, then you will get increased chances of lung cancer. Independent Variable: If you smoke Dependent Variable: Increased chances of lung cancer Control Group: People who don't smoke Experimental Group: People who do smoke
Double Blind Study
Neither the researchers or the test subjects know who is receiving the test medication
Single Blind Study
Only the researchers, not the test subjects, know who is receiving the test medication
In your own words, what is the relationship between an independent variable, a dependent variable, and a controlled variable?
The relationship between the three is that the independent variable controls the dependent variable along with the controlled variable which the scientist picks himself and usually tries to keep the same.
Quantitative data
can be written down using numbers/can be measured
Qualitative data
cannot be expressed using numbers
Deductive reasoning
comes from a general premise
Inductive reasoning
comes from a large number of specific observation
Scientific Theory
something in the natural world, such as a theory, that comes from repeated scientific testing and confirmation
Experimental Group
this is the group that receives the variable, such as a medication or another variable
Observation
what you notice about a certain experiment or lab
Hypothesis
your guess on what will happen in a certain experiment
