Terms for Adv. Biology

ByAlyssa Shoultes

Pure vs. Applied ScienceAn applied science is science used to impacts society in some way. The result is usually immediate and is very helpful. (Top: doxycycline is used in the treatment of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which can be fatal if untreated. Middle: a rash that occurs in RMSF, hence “spotted fever.”)

A pure science is science used to satisfy curiosity. It often has little to no benefit to society. (Bottom: sure, finding ways to control dreams is great, but it won’t be a huge need for us.)

Qualitive/Quanitive Statements

Qualitive• This is a observation

without numbers in it.– E.g.: There’s a stack of flash

drives on my desk.

Quantitative• This is an observation with

numbers in it.– E.g.: I have 7 notebooks in my

backpack.

Independent/Dependant/Constant Variables

Mean• This is the average of

a set of numbers.

– E.g.: 1,2,3,4,5. The average is 3.

Median• When a set of

numbers is arranged from smallest to largest, the number in the middle.

– E.g.: 1,2,3,4,5

Mode•When a set of numbers are arranged from smallest to largest, the number that repeats the most.

• E.g.: 1,1,2,2,2,3,4,5,5,5,5. The mode is 5.

Scientific Method and Fair TestsThe scientific method is a way of testing things to see if they’re true or not. First, you have to find an observation in your environment. Then you formulate a research question and find the Independent, dependant, and constant variables. After that, you write a hypothesis and a procedure. When you conduct the experiment (With a Control group and an Experimental group)and written up the data, you can construct a line or bar graph for the data and write a conclusion with an inference.

The Scientific Method is considered a form of fair test. What it is: it’s a test that’s performed in a controlled environment, so all the outcomes have a chance of happening.

ObservationsThis is stuff you noticed in the environment. You often notice this with your senses: touch, smell, taste (Although I hope you’re not licking everything in around you!), sight, and hearing.

(I only gave you three pictures, but you could come up with a lot of observations from these.)

Independent/Dependant/Constant Variables

IV• Short for “Independent

variable.”

• This is something you change as the experimenter.

– It will have a reaction of some sort, which is the DV.

DV• Short for “Dependant

variable.”

• This is a result of the IV from before.

– This is also what is measured and used later on.

CV•Short for “constant variable.” •This remains the same throughout the experiment.

•Failure to follow may result in messing up the experiment.

• This is the constant; it must remain consistent.

Control vs. ExperimentalA Control group in an experiment often has nothing happen to them. A great example would be the placebo (sugar) pill, which is used in testing new drugs to test any differences.

The Experimental group in an experiment are the ones subject to the changes. So while one group gets a placebo, the other group gets the newly formed “Chill Pill” to see if it allows for muscle relaxation.

(Bottom: the infamous “Red Pill, Blue Pill” scene from The Matrix. The blue pill would do nothing and keep Neo in the Matrix forever [control.] The red, however, would detach Neo from the Matrix and bring him into reality. (experimental)

Hypothesis vs. TheoryA hypothesis is a cause/effect statement that you want to prove right or wrong in an experiment. It’s usually put in a “If... Then” statement form.

A theory is a very good explanation for some of the unknown events in the world. Sir Isaac Newton’s Theory of Gravity is a well-known example, and it started with him watching an apple fall from a tree. (Although some sources say that it fell on his head.)

Bar vs. Line graphsLine graphs are used to show data in experiments where patterns are shown and/or time is the independent variable.

Bar graphs are for comparing parts of data and/or whenever the independent variable isn’t time. (Temperature, speed, repetition, trials, and so on.)

1 2 3 4 501234567

Time (min)# of laps

1 2 3 40

2

4

6

8

10

12

Distance (av-eraged me-ters)Weight on Plane (Grams)

Conclusion and InferenceA conclusion is a way of wrapping up an experiment. Usually, you say if your hypothesis held true or was false. An inference that explains why what happened is also used.

An inference is a logical explanation for what happened. (Example: as a little girl, I broke my wrist. How: I was jumping on my bed and I fell off, landing on my wrist.)