Living Environment Regents Study Guide Exam
Questions and Answers
Observation - -What is seen or measured.
-Inference - -A conclusion based on observation or evidence.
-Hypothesis - -An untested prediction. A good hypothesis states both cause and effect.
-Theory - -A broad explanation of natural events that is supported by strong evidence.
-Controlled Experiment - -Compares the results of an experiment between two or more
groups.
-Experimental Group - -Group being tested or receiving treatment.
-Control Group - -"Normal" group. Should be identical to experimental group in every way
except one: it does not receive the treatment.
-Placebo - -A sugar pill or other "fake" treatment given to the control group so subjects do
not know which one they are in.
-Independent Variable - -Variable that is being tested. In a graph the independent varible
is always plotted on the X axis.
-Dependent Variable - -Variable that is measured at the end of an experiment; The
dependent variable is always plotted on the Y axis.
-Characteristics of a Good Experiment (7) - -1. Can be repeated by anyone and get the
same results.
2. Have large sample size/many test subjects.
3. Are performed for longer periods of time.
4. Test only one variable.
5. Are peer reviewed- examined by several scientists to determine its accuracy.
6. Does not have to agree with the hypothesis-A scientist's guess is allowed to be
incorrect--and usually is.
7. Is objective- the experiment and conclusion are fair and unbiased. Fact and opinion are
not mixed.
-Basic Life Functions (7) to Maintain Homeostasis - -1. Nutrition
2. Excretion
3. Transport
4. Respiration
5. Growth
, 6. Synthesis
7. Regulation
-Autotrophs vs. Heterotophs - -AeroAutotrophs are organisms that make their own food,
while heterotrophs eat other organisms.
-Photosynthesis - -Carried out by plants, alga, and blue-green bacteria (autotrophs). It
takes the radiant energy of the sun and puts it in the bonds of sugar molecules.
Photosynthesis occurs mostly in the chloroplast of plant cells.
-Stomates - -Small holes in the leaves of plants, that let them exchange the gasses used in
photosynthesis.
-Guard Cells - -Open up and close the stomates in plants.
-Respiration - -Organisms get energy by breaking up the bonds of sugar molecules. The
released energy is used to make a molecule of ATP.
-ATP - -(adenosine triphosphate) main energy source that cells use for most of their work.
-Aerobic Respiration - -Requires oxygen, and yields more ATP for a molecule of sugar than
anaerobic respiration.
-Anaerobic Respiration - -Respiration that does not require oxygen. Does not yield as
much ATP for a molecule of sugar as aerobic respiration.
-Photosynthesis vs. Aerobic Respiration - -They are opposite reactions! They are also
important in cycling oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and water through the environment.
-Diffusion - -The movement of molecules from high concentrations to low concentrations.
Requires no energy (passive transport)
-Active Transport - -Requires the use of energy, usually moving molecules from low
concentrations to high concentrations (against the flow of diffusion.
-Osmosis - -Diffusion of water into or out of the cell.If water diffuses into the cell, the cell
swells (gets larger) and may burst. If it loses water (being put in salt water for example) it
will shrivel up.
-Regulation - -Coordination and control of other life functions.
-Stimulus - -Change in the environment that you respond to.
-Neuron - -Nerve cell.
-Impulse - -Electrical signal carried by the nerves.
Questions and Answers
Observation - -What is seen or measured.
-Inference - -A conclusion based on observation or evidence.
-Hypothesis - -An untested prediction. A good hypothesis states both cause and effect.
-Theory - -A broad explanation of natural events that is supported by strong evidence.
-Controlled Experiment - -Compares the results of an experiment between two or more
groups.
-Experimental Group - -Group being tested or receiving treatment.
-Control Group - -"Normal" group. Should be identical to experimental group in every way
except one: it does not receive the treatment.
-Placebo - -A sugar pill or other "fake" treatment given to the control group so subjects do
not know which one they are in.
-Independent Variable - -Variable that is being tested. In a graph the independent varible
is always plotted on the X axis.
-Dependent Variable - -Variable that is measured at the end of an experiment; The
dependent variable is always plotted on the Y axis.
-Characteristics of a Good Experiment (7) - -1. Can be repeated by anyone and get the
same results.
2. Have large sample size/many test subjects.
3. Are performed for longer periods of time.
4. Test only one variable.
5. Are peer reviewed- examined by several scientists to determine its accuracy.
6. Does not have to agree with the hypothesis-A scientist's guess is allowed to be
incorrect--and usually is.
7. Is objective- the experiment and conclusion are fair and unbiased. Fact and opinion are
not mixed.
-Basic Life Functions (7) to Maintain Homeostasis - -1. Nutrition
2. Excretion
3. Transport
4. Respiration
5. Growth
, 6. Synthesis
7. Regulation
-Autotrophs vs. Heterotophs - -AeroAutotrophs are organisms that make their own food,
while heterotrophs eat other organisms.
-Photosynthesis - -Carried out by plants, alga, and blue-green bacteria (autotrophs). It
takes the radiant energy of the sun and puts it in the bonds of sugar molecules.
Photosynthesis occurs mostly in the chloroplast of plant cells.
-Stomates - -Small holes in the leaves of plants, that let them exchange the gasses used in
photosynthesis.
-Guard Cells - -Open up and close the stomates in plants.
-Respiration - -Organisms get energy by breaking up the bonds of sugar molecules. The
released energy is used to make a molecule of ATP.
-ATP - -(adenosine triphosphate) main energy source that cells use for most of their work.
-Aerobic Respiration - -Requires oxygen, and yields more ATP for a molecule of sugar than
anaerobic respiration.
-Anaerobic Respiration - -Respiration that does not require oxygen. Does not yield as
much ATP for a molecule of sugar as aerobic respiration.
-Photosynthesis vs. Aerobic Respiration - -They are opposite reactions! They are also
important in cycling oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and water through the environment.
-Diffusion - -The movement of molecules from high concentrations to low concentrations.
Requires no energy (passive transport)
-Active Transport - -Requires the use of energy, usually moving molecules from low
concentrations to high concentrations (against the flow of diffusion.
-Osmosis - -Diffusion of water into or out of the cell.If water diffuses into the cell, the cell
swells (gets larger) and may burst. If it loses water (being put in salt water for example) it
will shrivel up.
-Regulation - -Coordination and control of other life functions.
-Stimulus - -Change in the environment that you respond to.
-Neuron - -Nerve cell.
-Impulse - -Electrical signal carried by the nerves.
