College Prep Biology

Chapter 1 Study Guide / Student name:
Biology: The study of life / Block: / Score:
1. What is Science?
A body of knowledge that teaches us about the natural world.
2. What is Biology?
The study of Life
3. Differentiate a field biologist from a lab biologist:
Field Biologist / Lab biologist
The field biologist studies things in their
Natural habitat. / The lab biologist studies all the data sent in
By the field biologist.
4. List some things that a field biologist might do:
a.  Visit different kinds of animal habitats.
b.  Take video or sound recordings.
c.  Records data either in a log book or a computer.
d. Collects samples of a population for study.
5. List some things that a lab biologist might do:
a.  Use a computer to analyze and organize the data that came in from the field biologist.
b.  Examine tissue samples under the microscope.
C Use tools to measure weight, mass, volume, and density.
c.  Analyze all body fluids to see if it could be used to make new medicines.
6. From early man to modern scientist, all scientific discoveries have been made by:
Making observations
7. What is Observing?
Using one or more of your five senses to perceive objects or events.
8. How are observations made by scientist today different than observations made by inquiring minds hundreds of years ago?
As technology increases, we have new tools that make our five senses more powerful.
7. List five common pieces of equipment that has made man’s power of observation stronger:
a.  Telescopes
b.  Microscopes
c.  Video Cameras
d.  Computer
e.  Measuring tools such as rulers, scales, graduated cylinders
8. What is DATA?’
Information collected during an observation.
9. Explain the term” Collecting Data”
The gathering and recording of information during the observation.
10. Define and differentiate by example the following types of data that is collected by scientist:
Qualitative / Quantitative
An observation made by using your natural senses. / An observation involving numbers. Measurements.
Example: See the red rose, or Smell the red rose. / Example: 5 men 4 women 100 pounds 50 grams.
11. Which type of observation is more modern, and more useful?
Since technology gave us instruments to measure with, Quantitative measurements are more modern and useful.
Qualitative observations may fool us.
12. What is the metric system?
A measuring system developed in France based on units of 10.
13. Why do ALL scientists use the metric system when recording QUANTITATIVE measurements?
To prevent confusion as data is shared with scientist in other parts of the world.
14. What is Classifying?
The process of GROUPING objects, organisms, or observations into established organizational schemes.
15. List three ways that Biologist usually classify living things:
a.  Anatomy
b.  Behavior
c.  Habitat
16. What is a HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis is an EDUCATED guess made by someone who knows something about that situation.
Is a hypothesis always true? Explain:
No, not always.
Sometimes, when you test the hypothesis you find out that you were wrong.
17. What is Hypothesizing?
a.  The process of forming a testable statement about observed phenomena.
b.  A statement is testable, if you can actually run an experiment and find out for yourself.
18. What makes a hypothesis TESTABLE?
The hypothesis is testable if you can actually find evidence that either supports or refutes (prove wrong) the hypothesis.
19. Why is it important for a lab biologist to Analyze the incoming data from the field biologist?
a.  It is important for the lab biologist to determine if the incoming data is reliable information or just a bunch of junk.
b.  By analyzing the incoming data, the lab biologist can determine whether it supports or refutes current hypothesis and theories.
20. Discuss ways that Lab biologist analyze incoming data:
a.  Statistics
b.  Graphs
c.  Determine relationships between variables.
d.  Comparing data
e.  Look for possible error.
21. What is INFERRING?
Assuming something to be true based on things we already know.
22. Differentiate fact and premise:
A Fact is data collected during an experiment or field study.
A premise is a conclusion drawn from previous knowledge or past experience.
23. Explain when inferences are testable and when they are not testable:
An inference is testable when you can actually go test it for yourself.
24. What is modeling?
Constructing a representation of an object, a system, or a process that helps show relationships between data.
25. Explain three types of models that might be used by scientist:
a.  VISUAL : Like a model of a car or building
b.  VERBAL: Talking about an idea. Even a song is a verbal model of a situation.
c.  MATHEMATICAL: Like creating a formula to represent something. H2O represents water.
26. How do these models help scientist?
Models help scientist make predictions and come up with new hypothesis.
27. How does one scientist go about communicating with other scientist about a new discovery:
a.  By making his notes or collections available for study by other scientist.
b.  Publishing his observations in scientific journals.
c.  Giving oral presentations at meetings or conferences.
28. Why do scientist need to communicate with other scientist?
Scientist critique each other’s work and learn from each other. These scientist may be from other institutes or even other countries.
29. What is the SCIENTIFIC METHOD?
A series of steps or goals taken by scientist when trying to solve a problem.
30. List the four basic steps of the scientific method:
a.  Recognize the problem.
b.  Form a Hypothesis.
c.  Experiment and collect data
d.  Come up with a theory.
31.  What is a CONTROLLED EXPERIMENT?
In a controlled experiment, you will have two identical experiments.
One is the CONTROL where you don’t change anything and get expected results.
The second, you change just one thing and see what kind of results you get from changing that one thing.
32.  What is meant by the VARIABLE?
The one thing that was DIFFERENT in the experimental version of the controlled experiment.
33.  Differentiate the Independent variable and the Dependent variable.
The INDEPENDENT VARIABLE is that one thing that you changed in the experimental version of the controlled experiment.
The DEPENDENT VARIABLE is the CHANGE that occurred due to the independent variable.
34.  Explain why a good controlled experiment only has one variable:
If you had more than one independent variable, there is no way to tell which one actually caused the change that occurred.
We must know exactly what change occurred when one thing was changed between the control and experimental version of the controlled experiment.

PART TWO: BIOLOGICAL TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

35. How is a microscope used?

The microscope makes tiny things big enough to be seen and studied.

36. Define and differentiate the following terms:

Magnification
Uses lenses to make things LARGER / Resolution
Uses focusing knobs to make the image CLEARER.

37. How are we able to see an image through a light microscope?

Light passes through the object – then magnified by the objective lenses – then we see it through the oculars (eye piece)

38. What special preparations should be done to an object if you want to examine it with a light microscope?

The object must be cut very thin. Once cut, hold slice up to the light – if you can see light passing through it, then it is thin enough for the light microscope to work.

39. List the pathway taken by the light as it moves through a light microscope:

THE LIGHT MOVES:

a.  From the light source
b.  Through the diaphragm under the stage.
c.  Through the slice laying on the slide
d.  Through the objective lens
e.  Through the ocular (eye piece)

40. Define and differentiate the following terms:

OBJECTIVE / OCULAR
Varying size lenses located on the rotating nose of the microscope. / The eyepiece

41. What is the magnification strength of the objective and the ocular:

OBJECTIVE / OCULAR
The strength of the objective depends on the length of the objective lens. The longer it is, the stronger it is.
The exact strength of the lens is written on the side of the lens. / 10X

42. How do you calculate the total magnification of the object that you are viewing?

The total magnification of the object :
Objective strength of the lens X the strength of the ocular.
Example: Objective X Ocular = total magnification
10 X 10 = 100X
60 X 10 = 600X

43. Identify the following parts of the light microscope:

Base / Bottom of the microscope
Light Source / The lamp
Arm / Curved part between the top and bottom of the microscope.
Stage / This is where you put your slide.
Stage clips / Holds the slide in position on the stage.
Slide mover / Moves the slide around on the stage. Really useful for observing living things like bacteria and protest.
Objective lens
Remember! The strength of these lenses depends upon the length of the lens. Longer = stronger. / a.  Shortest lens is called the SCANNING LENS. Magnification = 10X
b.  Medium lens has a middle range magnification.
c.  The long lens is the high power lens.
Coarse Adjustment
Knob / The Coarse adjustment knob is the large knob on the side of the microscope. It must only be used with the SCANNING LENS (smallest one) in position. The Coarse adjustment knob will move the entire lens cylinder up and down.
The Coarse adjustment knob will bring the microscope into initial focus. This is usually all you need.
Fine Adjustment Knob / This is the smallest knob. It is a fine tuner. It only helps when using the longer lenses. Be careful! They are very sensitive.
If you lose your focus, go back to the scanning lens and use the Coarse adjustment knob.
Then once the long lens is back into position, you can try again with the fine adjustment knob.
Ocular / This is the eye piece. Magnification strength of 10X.

44. Explain how to safely transport a light microscope:

When moving the microscope, put one hand under the base, then grab the arm.
KEEP THE MICROSCOPE UPRIGHT AT ALL TIME. The lenses will fall out and they are expensive.

45. Describe the strength of the strongest light microscope:

The most powerful light microscope can magnifiy: 2000X ( two thousand times)
What is it used for?
This powerful light microscope is used to observe living organisms and preserved body tissues.

6. What is an Electron microscope?

The most powerful microscope developed by our current level of technology.
Uses a beam of electrons focused by magnets to produce an enlarged view of the object on a television screen
The electron microscope sprays all objects to be observed with a metal mist. Therefore, living things can be observed with an electron microscope because they would not survive this preparation process.

47. Compare and contrast the Transmission Electron Microscope and

the Scanning Electron Microscope:

T.E.M / S.E.M.
a.  Object to be examined is sprayed with a metal mist. / a.  Object to be examined is sprayed with a metal mist.
b.  Transmits a beam of electrons through a very thinly sliced specimen. / b.  Scans the surface of the object with a beam of electrons.
c.  Magnetic lenses enlarge the image and projects the image onto a screen. / c.  Electrons bounce off the image and produce a 3-D image on the screen.
d.  Can magnify 2 million times. / d.  Can magnify 50 thousand times.

48. Describe the following lab techniques:

Cell culture / A population of identical cells grown in the lab.
Any type of cell can be cultures. Mostly bacteria, but even specific human cells can be grown in the lab.
Fractionation / Cells can be fractionated in a blender.
During the blending process, the cells themselves are ground up and the cell parts are released.
Centrifugation / Separates fractionated cell parts by spinning them at high speed
The heavier parts will sink to the bottom.
Chromatography / Used to separate chemical components of a substance based on the varying rate of movement up a piece of paper, or maybe a string of beads.

FIELD TECHNIQUES!

Scientific Sampling / Collecting one or two members of a population to take back to the lab for study.
Collections / Collecting items from multiple locations.
Ex. Fish from pond one, then fish from pond 2, then pond 3. etc
Explain how computers are often used by both field and lab biologist / Store data
Analyze and compare data to previous data collected.
Create graphs and models

PART 3: Features of life

49.Complete the following chart regarding the features of life:

Life feature / Example
All living things are made of cells. / Life may be just one celled organisms like bacteria and protest, or it may be multicellular like animals and plants.
All living things reproduce. / Like a litter of mice, kittens, or a human baby.
All living things acquire energy from food. / Everything has to have energy. Plants get their energy from the food they make by photosynthesis. Animals get their energy from food that is growing in the environment.
Use energy to maintain life processes. / Energy is used to power the heart, the lungs, the kidneys, and the brain.
Living things grow / To get bigger.
Living things develop / Tadpole changes into a frog.
Child goes into puberty to change into an adult.
Living things respond to changes in its environment. / Trees respond to changes in temperature. Lots of sun, leafs come out. Sun goes away, the trees lose their leaves.
Dogs coat gets thicker in winter, then sheds in summer.
Living things adapt to changes in their environment. / In the arctic, rabbits have developed a white coat while in the south, rabbits have developed a brown or gray coat.
These are for camouflage.

50. What is an ORGANISM?