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Given a situation describing a biological phenomenon:
Identify the component characteristics of a scientific investigation;
Suggest alternative hypotheses that could be tested by the design;
Evaluate the validity of conclusions based on the given results;
Suggest ways to improve the experimental design - ANSWER -- observation
- hypothesis
- experiment
- results
- support or don't support hypothesis/theory
Differentiate between a scientific "theory" and a layperson's definition of "theory"
- ANSWER -theory: broad in scope and supported by a large and usually growing
body of evidence
layperson theory: actually a hypothesis, theorizes about something specific; not
actually a scientific theory
Define and recognize of examples of experimental group, control group,
independent variable, and dependent variable - ANSWER -experimental group =
group with one variable to test
control group = group with no variable to test
independent variable = factor that is manipulated by the researchers
dependent variable = outcome of the experiment, the variable that is dependent on
the independent variable
cricket chirps seems to be dependent on temperature
Explain why nothing is ever "proven" in science and, given this limitation, defend
scientists' ability to understand the world with certain degrees of confidence -
ANSWER -* non-linear = can go back and change hypothesis, experiments can
lead to new questions; not a straight line of progression
,* repetition = experiments can be repeated to further strengthen support for
hypotheses
* cumulative = shared data by scientists that strengthen support for
hypotheses/theories
* collaborative = share data with each other, collaborate on experiments, share
knowledge through scientific journals, peer-review
Science involves an element of doubt, but increasing amount of diversity of
evidence increases confidence.
* NEVER PROVEN
* only INCREASED CONFIDENCE for a hypothesis or theory
Describe why a basic knowledge of biology is important to the general population
- ANSWER -- learn about viruses to create new vaccinations
- find cure for cancer
- we can cause artificial selection and extinctions of populations
Given appropriate information, draw examples of atoms using the electron shell
model - ANSWER -
Use the periodic table to determine an atom's atomic number, atomic mass, and
number of electrons, and describe the relationship between atomic number and
atomic mass - ANSWER -atomic number = protons
atomic mass = protons + neutrons
electrons = number of protons
Solve problems involving atoms in the following scenarios:
Changing the number of protons;
Changing the number of neutrons;
Changing the number of electrons - ANSWER -changing number of protons = new
element;
changing number of neutrons = isotope
changing number of electrons = ion (cation or anion)
, Define and differentiate between an atom, a molecule, ion, isotope, and
radioactive isotope - ANSWER -atom - smallest unit of matter that still retains the
properties of an element
molecule - consists of two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds
ion - atom of molecule with an electrical charge resulting from a gain or loss of
one or more electrons
isotope - same number of protons, different number of neutrons
radioactive isotope - nucleus decays spontaneously giving off particles and energy;
can be used to date fossils or kill cancer cells
Describe how the theme of emergent properties applies to the formation of a
compound - ANSWER -When a compound like NaCl forms, it has new properties
that each individual element does not. NaCl is stable, white, solid, edible and can
be dissolved in water. Sodium is a soft metal, and chlorine is a gas.
Describe the subatomic basis for chemical bond formation - ANSWER -atoms
want to fill their valence shells so they bond with other elements, via sharing or
transferring, so that their outer shells are full and thus the atom is stable
Compare and contrast ionic and covalent bonds - ANSWER -Covalent Bonds
* two atoms sharing electrons to fill their outer shell
* very strong bond
* non-polar (equal sharing)
* polar (unequal sharing)
Polar Covalent Bonds
* H2O
* electrons are more attracted to oxygen because oxygen has more protons
* oxygen ends up with more of a negative charge
* hydrogen atoms end up with more of a positive charge because electrons are
"leaving" it
Ionic Bonds
* easily reversible
* result of transfer of electrons