Biology Midterm Study Guide

Question 1

Steps of the scientific method

Answer 1

1. Observe
2. Ask question
3. Hypothesize
4. Experiment
5. Collect data
6. Analyze/draw conclusion

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

Educated guess; if–>then statement; testable

Question 3

Independent variable

Answer 3

the cause; what you change; found on x-axis

Question 4

Dependent variable

Answer 4

effect; is changed by independent variable; found on y-axis

Question 5

Control group

Answer 5

group that stays the same

Question 6

experimental group

Answer 6

group that is being experimented on

Question 7

constants

Answer 7

variables that stay the same

Question 8

Why is a control group especially important in biological investigations?

Answer 8

Because it is used to compare the experimental group to the control group.

Question 9

The scientific method involves making a hypothesis, carrying out experiments, recording results, and forming conclusions. Why is it a good idea to repeat an experiment many times?

Answer 9

So you can get an accurate result.

Question 10

What is the difference between an element and a compound?

Answer 10

An element is a simple, pure substance. A compound is a combination of 2 or more elements.

Question 11

What does it mean for a molecule to be polar?

Answer 11

It has an uneven distribution of electrons.

Question 12

properties of water

Answer 12

capillary action, cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, density, polarity, high specific heat

Question 13

solute and solvent

Answer 13

solvent does the dissolving; solute gets dissolved

Question 14

In a cup of tea, what is the solvent? What is the solute?

Answer 14

The solvent is the water, while the solute is the teabag.

Question 15

3 subatomic particles in an atom

Answer 15

protons, electrons, neutrons

Question 16

What are the differences between ionic bonds and covalent bonds?

Answer 16

Ionic metals transfer electrons from a metal to non-metal.
Covalent bonds transfer electrons from one non-metal to another non-metal.

Question 17

What is the difference between cohesion and adhesion?

Answer 17

Cohesion is where water molecules stick together, while adhesion is where water molecules stick to other substances.

Question 18

the characteristics of all living things

Answer 18

1. Homeostasis
2. Growth and development
3. Responds to environment
4. Reproduction
5. Made of cells
6. Genetic code
7. Metabolism
8. Evolution

Question 19

2 ways that bacteria sustain life

Answer 19

nutrient recycling (decompostion) and symbiotic relationships with other organisms

Question 20

2 ways that bacteria can be classified

Answer 20

shape and cell wall properties

Question 21

phases of the of the cell cylce

Answer 21

1. interphase
2. mitosis
3. cytokinesis

Question 22

interphase

Answer 22

cell growth and DNA prep

Question 23

mitosis

Answer 23

nuclear division

Question 24

cytokinesis

Answer 24

cytoplasm division

Question 25

steps of mitosis

Answer 25

prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

Question 26

prophase

Answer 26

chromosomes condense and become visible; nuclear envelope starts to break down, and the spindle forms

Question 27

metaphase

Answer 27

chromosomes line up along the middle of the cell, with spindle fibers attached to each

Question 28

anaphase

Answer 28

sister chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite ends of the cell by the shortening spindle fibers

Question 29

telophase

Answer 29

new nuclear envelopes form around the separated chromosomes, which begin to decondense

Question 30

What is the end result of mitosis and cytokinesis?

Answer 30

2 genetically indentical daughter cells

Question 31

an observation about the natural world that has been repeatedly confirmed by careful testing by scientists

Answer 31

fact

Question 32

a broadly accepted idea or truth that forms the foundation of scientific understanding

Answer 32

principle

Question 33

a generalization, often mathematical, describes observations or experimental results. It predicts what will happen under certain conditions but does not explain why it happens.

Answer 33

law

Question 34

a well sustained, comprehensive explanation for a natural phenomenon, built from facts and tested hypothesis, supported by evidence

Answer 34

theory

Question 35

a gathering of information about phenomena forming a hypothesis

Answer 35

observation

Question 36

a logical conclusion drawn from evidence, observations, and reasoning

Answer 36

inference

Question 37

difference between qualitive and quantitive research

Answer 37

Qualitive data explores why and how though non-numerical, descriptive data. Quantitive reseach focuses on how much/many using numbers (counts, measurements, statistics)

Question 38

difference between accurate and precise

Answer 38

Accuracy is how close a measurement is to true value. Precision is how close multiple measurements are to each other.

Question 39

2 purposes of the cell cycle

Answer 39

growth and development; reproduction/repair

Question 40

Difference between active and passive transport

Answer 40

Active transport uses cellular energy (ATP) to against their concentration gradient (low to high). Passive transport uses no energy and moves substances down their gradient (high to low).

Question 41

Explain the role of enzymes and how they affect the chemical reactions of living things.

Answer 41

Enzymes speed up reaction rates, enable all metabolic productions, act on a specific substrate, and control when and where reactions happen. They affect the chemical reactions of living things by lowering activation energy, increasing the reaction rate, having specific active sites, temporary binding, and cell regulation