Name: Date:

Biology – Block Mrs. Jordy

HW #1.1: Intro to Scientific Method

Part A. Steps of the Scientific Method

Directions: Each sentence below describes a step of the scientific method. Match each sentence
with a step of the scientific method listed below.

A. Problem B. Hypothesis C. Experiment D. Conclusion

1. Stephen predicted if an electric current traveled through the soil in which seeds were
planted then seeds would grow faster.

2. Susan said, “If I fertilize my plants, then they will blossom better.”

3. Jonathon’s data showed that household cockroaches moved away from raw
cucumber slices.

4. Rene grew bacteria from the mouth on special plates in the laboratory. She placed
drops of different mouthwashes on bacteria of each plate.

5. Dana questioned how synthetic fibers were different from natural fibers.

6. Angela’s experiment proved that earthworms move away from light.

7. Michael fed different diets to three groups of guinea pigs. His experiment showed
that guinea pigs need vitamin C and protein in their diets.

Part B. Writing a Hypothesis

Directions: For each of the following problem statements, write a hypothesis as an “If . . . then”
statement.

8. Stephen performed an experiment to see how listening to music affects a student’s test scores.
He had Group A listen to music and Group B listen to no music while studying. At the end of the
experiment, he had each group take a test and he recorded their scores.

9. Jennifer performed an experiment to see how temperature affects the rate of breathing.
Group A will have their rate of breathing measured in 350 F and Group B will have their rate of
breathing measured in 700 F.

Part C. Controlled Experiment

Poison ivy is a weed that grows in New York State. It synthesizes (makes) an oil, urushiol, that
causes skin rashes. Researchers have found that if poison ivy grows in an environment that
contains an increased concentration of carbon dioxide, the plants grow larger, faster, and
produce more urushiol. Because carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are rising, poison ivy
might become a hazard to people who work or vacation outdoors.

In order to verify this research, experiments must be carried out. Design an experiment to test
whether poison ivy is affected by air containing higher than normal concentrations of carbon
dioxide. In your answer, be sure to:

• state the hypothesis the experiment would test

• state one way the control group should be treated differently from the experimental
group
• identify two conditions that should be kept the same in both the control and the
experimental groups
• identify the independent variable
• describe the type of data to be collected (dependent variable)
• identify one safety precaution that should be taken during the experiment and explain
why it is necessary
• identify one way you can increase the validity of this experiment
Name: Date:
Biology –Block Mrs. Jordy

HW #1.2: Controlled Experiment

1. Use the following setup to answer the questions below:

• Problem: Do nutrients have an effect on the rate of plant growth?

o All plants used were the same height

o Two groups:
 Group A – given 30 mL of distilled water for 7 days
 Group B – given 30 mL of water containing .1 gram of fertilizer for 7 days

a. State a possible hypothesis:

b. What are two factors that must be kept the same (constant) between both groups?

c. What is the independent variable?

d. What is the dependent variable?
e. Which is the experimental group?
f. Which is the control group?
g. What must be done to make this experiment valid?

2. A new drug for the treatment of asthma is tested on 100 people. The people are evenly
divided into two groups. One group is given the drug, and the other group is given a glucose pill.
The group that is given the drug serves as the
1. experimental group 2. limiting factor 3. control 4. indicator

3. An investigation was designed to determine the effect of ultraviolet light on mold spore
growth.  Two groups of mold spores were grown under identical conditions, except one group
was exposed only to ultraviolet light, while the other group was grown in total darkness.  In this
investigation, the group of mold spores grown without receiving any ultraviolet light is known as
the
1. control 2. hypothesis 3. dependent variable 4. limiting factor

4. In an investigation to determine a factor that affects the growth of rats, a student exposed 100
rats of the same age and species to identical conditions, except for the amount of living space
and the amount of food each rat received. Each day the student measured and recorded the
weight of each rat. State one major error that the student made in performing this investigation.
Base your answers to questions 5 through 7 on the information below and on your knowledge of
biology.

An experiment was carried out to answer the question “Does the pH of water affect the growth of
radish plants?” Two groups of ten radish plants were set up. One group was watered with water
having a pH of 3.0, and the other group was watered with water having a pH of 7.0. Both groups
of plants received the same amount and intensity of light, the same amount of water, and they
were grown in the same type of soil. The heights of the radish plants were measured every 2 days
for a period of 2 weeks.

5. Which sentence is a possible hypothesis that was tested in this experiment?

(1) Does the pH of water affect the growth of radish plants?

(2) Will the amount of water alter the heights of the radish plants?
(3) The temperature of the water will affect the heights of the radish plants.
(4) The pH of the water will affect the heights of the radish plants.

6. What was the dependent variable in this experiment?

(1) heights of the plants (3) temperature of the water

(2) pH of the water (4) type of soil

7. Which activity might help to increase the validity of this experiment?

(1) repeating the experiment several times

(2) using two different types of radish seeds in each group
(3) using the same pH for both groups of plants
(4) placing one set of plants in sunlight and one in darkness
 Name: Date:

Biology –Block Mrs. Jordy

HW #1.3: Measurement

1. A block of wood is measured, as shown in the diagram. What is

the length of the wooden block in millimeters?

1. 2.60 mm
2. 26.0 mm
3. 260 mm
4. 2,600 mm

2. How much water should be added to the graduated cylinder shown

to the right to increase the volume to 15 milliliters?

1. 11 mL
2. 10 mL
3. 3 mL
4. 4 mL

3. The diagram represents a portion of a Celsius thermometer.

What is the temperature in degrees Celsius indicated on the thermometer?

1. 20.3 2. 23.0 3. 30.7 4. 37.0

4. The volume of the liquid shown in the graduated cylinder in the diagram
is

1. 15.0 mL 2. 16.0 mL 3. 16.5 mL 4. 17.0 mL

 5. The diagram to the left shows a portion of a graduated cylinder. What
is the volume of the liquid in this cylinder?

1. 22 mL 2. 24 mL 3. 25 mL 4. 26 mL

6. The diagram represents the measurements of two leaves. The

difference in length between leaves A and B is closest to

1. 20 mm 2. 20 cm 3. 0.65 m 4. 1.6 μm

7. What is the approximate length of the earthworm shown in the diagram below?

1. 9 mm 2. 90 mm 3. 10.6 cm 4. 106 cm     
Name: Date:
Biology –Block Mrs. Jordy

HW # 1.4: Graphing

Directions: Using the directions included below to complete the graph and the related questions.

Base your answers to questions 1 through 5 on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.

In an investigation, plants of the same species and the same initial height
were exposed to a constant number of hours of light each day. The
number of hours per day was different for each plant, but all other
environmental factors were the same. At the conclusion of the
investigation, the final height of each plant was measured.

The following data were recorded:

8 hours, 25 cm; 4 hours, 12 cm; 2 hours, 5 cm; 14 hours, 35 cm;
12 hours, 35 cm; 10 hours, 34 cm; 6 hours, 18 cm

1. Organize the data by completing both columns in the data table

provided, so that the hours of daily light exposure increase from
the top to the bottom of the table.

Directions (2-3): Using the information given, construct a line graph on the grid provided, following
the directions below.

2. Mark an appropriate scale on each axis.

3. Plot the data for final height on the grid. Surround each point with a small
circle and connect the points.

4. What is the independent variable according to

the graph?

5. What is the dependent variable according to the

graph?

6. State the relationship between the daily light

exposure and the final height.
Base your answers to questions 7 through 9 on the information below and on your knowledge of
biology.

Ticks, such as deer ticks and dog ticks, feed on the blood of humans and other animals. Part of
the feeding process involves the tick injecting its saliva to help make blood flow. In the process,
they sometimes spread disease organisms to their host. Sometimes ticks get on clothing, and can
remain there for a few days before actually biting their host.

A scientist found that ticks might be able to survive even when exposed to hot water and
detergent in a washing machine.

Students designed the experiment below to test how well ticks survive a hot-water washing
machine cycle with detergent. Note that some details of the design are incorrect.

7. Identify one error with the hypothesis.

8. Explain why the students’ proposed data to be collected would not likely test what the
students intended.

9. Identify one error in the students’ design in the shaded area of the table and explain how the
students should change the experiment to correct the error.

Error:

Change: