Measurement and Science Tools

SI Units – the units used in science

Measurement / Tool used / Unit
Length / Metric Ruler / cm, or mm
Volume – liquids / Graduated cylinder / mL
Volume – solids / Metric Ruler LxWxH / cm3
Mass / Triple beam balance / g
Density / Formula D= M / V / g/mL or g/cm3

1 cm = 10 mm

Topic 2 – Scientific Method

Quantitative observation: Includes a quantity, a number (made using 5 senses!)

Qualitative observation: Describes a quality, color, shape, size, texture (made using 5 senses!)

Inference: A prediction based on your observation

Example experiment design problem

Read the statement below and design an experiment to test the validity of the statement. Be sure to include the following in your experiment design:

Problem – stated as a question

Hypothesis – If (independent variable) then, (dependent variable)

Independent variable (I change, what is different between control and experimental group?)

Dependent variable (what you will measure- should be in SI units!)

2 Control variables (what you will keep the same for both control and experimental groups)

Statement: Rockets that have 4 fins will fly higher than rockets that have no fins.

ANSWER:

Problem: If I make a rocket with 4 fins, will it fly higher than a rocket with 0 fins?

Independent variable: The number of fins

Dependent variable: Flight height

Control variables: The size of the body, the launcher, the amount of water.

Hypothesis: If the number of fins increases, then the rocket will fly higher.

Ecology

  • Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and the non-living environment.
  • Organism – any living thing
  • Biotic – living
  • Abiotic – non-living
  • Biodiversity– the variety of different life forms in one place
  • Behavioral adaptation - a behavior that helps an organism survive. Ex. eating food that no other organism eats)
  • Physical adaptation – a body part that helps an organism survive. Ex. A special shaped beak that allows birds to eat food from a specific source.
  • Ecosystem stability depends on biodiversity
  • High biodiversity = healthy ecosystem
  • Low biodiversity = unhealthy ecosystem

The main goal of ALL organisms is to find food and reproduce!

Cells and the human body

Smallest Largest

Cells  Tissue  Organ  Organ system  Organism

Structure / Function / Animal Cell / Plant Cell
Nucleus / Contains genetic information (DNA) , Control center for cell / Yes / Yes
Cytoplasm / Jelly like substance that fills the cell and allows materials to move around / Yes / Yes
Cell membrane / Controls what moves in and out of cell (like a door) / Yes / Yes
Cell wall / Provides structure and shape / NO / Yes
Chloroplast / Where PHOTOSYNTHESIS takes place, gives plants green color / NO / Yes

Cells reproduce ASEXUALLY – the cells are able to copy themselves to create identical cells

Body System / Important Information / Picture
Skeletal system / Main function: Supports and provides shape to the body. Protects internal organs
Main organs: Bones, ligaments, joints /
Muscular system / Main function: Works with the skeletal system to provide movement
Main organs: muscles
Muscles contract and relax to allow movement /
Digestive system / Main function: Breaks down food into nutrients that can be absorbed into the blood
Major organs: Mouth, saliva, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines
Mechanical digestion: happens when you break something up into pieces. Occurs in the mouth when you chew, and in the stomach.
Chemical digestion: Happenss when a chemical is added to food. Occurs when saliva starts to break down food in the mouth, and when stomach acid breaks down food in the stomach. /
Circulatory system / Main function: Pumps blood throughout the body to transport materials like oxygen, and sugar to all cells.
Main organs: Heart, arteries, veins
Arteries carry oxygen rich / carbon dioxide depleted blood AWAY from the heart
VeINs carry oxygen depleted / carbon dioxide rich blood IN to the heart
Heart rate increases when the body needs more oxygen /
Respiratory system / Main function: Exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the blood
Main organs: Mouth, nose, lungs, alveoli
Alveoli are the little sacs inside the lungs that absorb the oxygen /
Excretory / Main function: Removes waste from the body
Types of waste include carbon dioxide, salt, heat, urine, and feces
Main organs: KIDNEYS, skin, mouth / nose / lungs, anus /
Nervous system / Main function: Controls all body functions, interprets signals input from the 5 senses
Main organs: Brain, spinal cord, nerve cells /
Body System / Main function / Picture
Reproductive system / Main function: producing offspring (babies)
Main organs in female: Ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina
Main organs in male: testes, urethra, penis
FERTILIZATION OCCURS IN THE OVIDUCT / FALLOPIAN TUBES IN THE FEMALE. THE SPERM AND EGG MUST MEET IN THIS LOCATION IN ORDER TO CREATE OFFSPRING.
Male sex cell - sperm
Female sex cell - egg /

Endocrine system / Main function: Releases hormones that control changes within the body – responsible for growth and development
Main organs: glands that are located throughout the body /
Sexual and Asexual Reproduction / Sexual reproduction
2 sex cells combine to create1 new organism
Each sex cell contributes ½ of the genetic information
Asexual reproduction - 1 cell splits to create a clone of itself. Asexual reproduction creates GENETICALLY IDENTICAL OFFSPRING! /

Body System / Main function / Picture
Immune system / Main function: Responsible for identifying and destroying pathogens (bad bacteria) that invade the body
Main organs: white blood cells, red blood cells, nose / sinus mucus membrane /

Nutrition

Nutrient / What it does! / Foods that provide it
Protein / Builds and repairs muscle in the body / Chicken, steak, pork, peanuts
Carbohydrates / Provide energy / Bread, rice, sugar
Vitamins & Minerals / Strengthen body cells / Vegetables
Fats / Store energy / Cheese, milk
Water / Hydrates the body / Water…duh!

Earth Science

HEAT

How does heat travel between different objects?

  • Heat always moves from high temperatures to low temperatures.
  • Objects that are heated tend to expand (get bigger)
  • Objects that are cooled tend to contract (get smaller)
  • Water is the exception! When water freezes it expands (that’s why ice floats in water, it is less dense!)

Radiation– heat travels Convection – heat rises and coolsConduction – heat travels through

Through the air creating a circular current.Direct contact. This is how you get

Convection causes windburned!

MINERAL TESTS

Hardness – Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring mineral on the Earth! We can test hardness by trying to scratch a glass plate with a mineral.

Streak – Minerals leave behind a colored line when scratched against a white plate

Color – minerals are all different colors

Acid test – If you put a drop of acid on a mineral, some minerals will react and bubble.

The theory of plate tectonics…The crust is separated into plates that are constantly moving. We call the movement continental drift. The plates move due to convection currents in the mantle. Magma heats up and rises, then cools and falls.

PANGEA is the supercontinent that existed 300 million years ago.