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Study Guide-Unit 1 Biology Bootcamp-Lesson 1: Scientific Reasoning

Study guide for biology unit 1 high school homework test

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Rayan Abraham
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34 views

Study Guide-Unit 1 Biology Bootcamp-Lesson 1: Scientific Reasoning

Study guide for biology unit 1 high school homework test

Uploaded by

Rayan Abraham
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Study guide-Unit 1 Biology Bootcamp-Lesson 1: Scientific Reasoning

(2 points extra-credit)

1. Explain objective and subjective statements with examples

Anything subjective has feelings, whereas anything objective sticks to the facts.

Subjective : I love snow

Objective : It’s snowing

2. Explain systemic and random errors with examples

Systematic errors always go in the same direction. Different values are produced
by random errors in random directions.

Systematic error : A thermometer that has been improperly calibrated may give
readings that are accurate within a certain temperature range but inaccurate at
higher or lower temperatures.

Random error : Minor posture adjustments have an impact on how tall you are
measured.

3. Define accurate measurements with examples.

The closeness of a measured value to a standard or known value. Example : how close
an arrow gets to the bull’s-eye center.
4. Define precise measurements with examples.

The closeness of two or more measurements to each other. Example : Having


exact amount of money to buy something.

5. Define hypothesis

An educated guess.

6. Compare hypothesis and theory.

Hypothesis is a assumption and theory, explains the data.

7. Compare theories and laws.

Theory explains how things work, whereas law explains what happens under
specific circumstances.
8. What is the difference between control group and experimental group?

A control group does not receive the treatment whereas an experimental group, also known as
a treatment group, does.

9. Explain variables of an experiment.

Anything that can change is a variable.

1. Independent variable

What is the difference about the groups and what are you testing.

2. Dependent variable

Gives you date and what you measure.

3. Controlled variables.
Used for comparison.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD SCENARIO 1

Mary investigated the effect of different concentrations of Miracle Grow on the growth of
tomato plants. Mary hypothesized that if higher concentrations of Miracle Grow were
added, the plants would exhibit poorer growth. She grew four groups of tomato plants
(10 plants/group) for 30 days. She then applied Miracle Grow as follows:

Group A: 0% Miracle Grow

Group B: 10% Miracle Grow

Group C: 20% Miracle Grow

Group D: 30% Miracle Grow

The plants received the same amount of sunlight and water each day. At the end of 30
days, Mary recorded the height of the plants (in centimeters) and the color of the leaves
(green, yellow-green, yellow, or brown.)

BASIC EXPERIMENTAL TERMS:

*An independent variable is the variable which is purposefully changed by the


experimenter.

*A dependent variable is the variable which responds to the changed variable.

*Controlled variables are variables that are not changed during the experiment.

*A control group is the group in the experiment which allows the experimenter to assess
the effect of any unforeseen variable. It usually represents “normal” conditions.

*An experimental group is any group in an experiment that is different than the control
group and has one changed variable.
1. In this scenario, what is the independent variable?

Different concentrations of miracle grow.

2. In this scenario, what is the dependent variable?

Height of the plants

3. In this scenario, what are the controlled variables? (Identify at least three.)

Type of tomato plants, growth duration, the same amount of sunlight and water.

4. Which group would be the control group in this experiment?

Group A

SCIENTIFIC METHOD SCENARIO 2

Some students grew sunflower plants in their school’s biology laboratory. The following
table and graph show the conditions and results of the experiment after three weeks.
Use this information to answer the following questions.
1. Was this a controlled experiment? Explain your answer.

Yes, control group is the plant getting the white light and experimental group are the
plants getting green and violet light.

2. State a possible hypothesis for this experiment.


The plant with white light will be bigger.

3. In this scenario, what is the independent variable?

Color of light

4. In this scenario, what is the dependent variable?

Growth the plants

5. Which plants are the experimental subjects?

Plant A and B

6. Which plant is the control subject?

Plant C

5. What are the controlled variables? (Identify at least three.)

Amount water, temperature, humidity, duration of light exposure.

6. Did the experiment prove that the hypothesis that you stated in #2 was correct?
Explain your answer.
No, Group A which got violet light was bigger.

Study guide-Unit 1 Biology Bootcamp-Graphing Skills

(1-point extra credit)

1. What is the x-axis?

Independent variable

2. What is the y-axis?

Dependent variable

3. On which axis is the independent variable plotted?

X-axis

4. On which axis is the dependent variable plotted?

Y-axis
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