Science Skills Review
General Units of Measurement
A measurement has two parts: a number and a
unit. A unit is a standard amount used to
measure something.
Types of Measurements
Length
The distance between two points
Unit: Meter (m),
Centimeter (cm)
Millimeter (mm)
Hint: position object at 0 on the ruler or meter stick
Hint: make sure to use the metric side of the ruler!
Mass
Amount of matter (substance) in an object
Measure using a balance
Units: Grams (g)
Units for Mass
Grams (g)
Tool
Electronic Balance
Area
Amount of surface
within a set boundary
(Length x Width)
Units: Meters Squared
(m2) or Centimeters
Squared (cm2)
Volume
The amount of space a
substance occupies;
gas, liquid or solid
Tools
Units for
Volume
Liter
(L); Millimeters
(mL)
Graduated
cylinder
(Preferred);
Beaker; Flask
Meniscus
Curved upper surface of a liquid in a tube
Meniscus
What is the volume?
Practice reading volume on a graduated
cylinder
Find the scale of the graduated
cylinder. Read at the bottom of
the meniscus.
8.45 mL
Practice reading volume on a graduated
cylinder
Find the scale of the
graduated cylinder. Read
at the bottom of the
meniscus.
32.5 mL
Practice reading volume on a graduated
cylinder
Find the scale of the
graduated cylinder. Read
at the bottom of the
meniscus.
33.5 mL
Density
Amount of matter that occupies a given space
(mass/volume)
Units: g/mL
Time
Interval between two events
Units: Seconds (s)
Temperature
Measure of the warmth or coldness of an object.
Qualitative Observations vs.
Quantiative Measurements
Qualitative observations: Descriptions in words of
what is being observed.
They are based on some quality of an observation,
such as color, odor, or texture.
Steps of the Scientific Method
1. Problem
The question being
addressed
2. Hypothesis
Testable prediction
The possible
answer to the
question
*Hypothesis (If – Then Statement)
Most of the time a hypothesis is written like this: "If
[I do this], then [this] will happen
3. Experiment
A series of
steps that are
taken to try to
support the
hypothesis.
4. Analyze Data
The information which is collected when the
experiment is run
5. Conclusion
A decision reached
about the
hypothesis after
examining the
data.
PROVE
Data supports or does
not support the
hypothesis!
6. Publish Data
Share data and
conclusions with
the scientific
community; if
something new
discovered.
Scientific Method Terms:
Independent Variable
Explanation:
Something that is changed
by the scientists
(experimenter); Look for
the word “different”
What is different?
What is manipulated?
Scientific Method Terms:
Dependent Variable
Explanation:
The variable that is
measured in an
experiment; the data that
is collected
What is measured?
What are you collecting
data on?
Scientific Method Terms:
Control
Explanation:
The variable that is not
changed or manipulated
in an experiment; serves
as the standard for
comparison
What experiment do we
know the outcome?
Scientific Method Terms:
Constant(s)
Explanation:
Experiment: The affect
The
are
of components
temperaturethat
on fish
kept the activity
same for every
experiment
What stays exactly the
same?
Graphing
What is a Graph?
A diagram showing the relationship between
(typically) two variables, each measured along a pair
of axes (x and y)
Three main graphs used in Biology
1. Bar Graph: Comparisons between different
groups or to track changes over time.
nces.ed.gov
How to Graph???
a. Identify the Variables
Dependent - What is measured
Independent – What is varied/changed
pH of Water
Number of Tadpoles
Dependent: Number of Tadpoles
Independent: pH of Water
b. Label axis
The dependent variable goes on the y-axis
Include Units When
Appropriate
The independent variable goes on the x-axis
pH of Water
Number of Tadpoles
c. Determine the axis scale
Spread
graph
You
don’the
t ALWAYS
have
out to
tothe
start
MOST
from
available
zero. Find
space.
the
lowest
Take up
value
ALL the
and
go
graph
down
paper.
a bit.
d. Plot data points
pH of Water
8.0
7.5
7.0
6.5
6.0
5.5
# of Tadpoles
45
69
78
88
43
23
e. Connect the data points using a ruler
f. Title the graph
The affect of _______ (IV) on _______ (DV)
Characteristics of Life
1. Living things are made up of
cells
A cell is the basic building block of all living
things
Organisms can be UNICELLULAR or made
up of one cell
Organisms can be MULTICELLULAR or made up
of MANY cells
Circles = Cells
2. Living things reproduce
Type of Reproduction: Asexual
•One parent
•“Grows” an identical
offspring
•When offspring is
developed, it separates
from parent
•Genetically IDENTICAL
Type of Reproduction: Sexual
•Two parents
•A parent contributes
sperm and the other
an egg; fertilization
creates a new offspring
with DNA from both
parents
•Genetically
DIFFERENT
3. Living things have DNA
What is DNA?
It is an organisms
genetic make-up OR a
genetic blueprint with
the directions for the
traits (characteristics)
that make all organisms
unique.
4. Living things grow and…..
…… Develop
What is the difference between
growth and development?
Growth is the
increase in size
of an organism
Ewwwwww….
Development is a transformation (change) into a
different stage often for improvement
5. Living things obtain materials (food)
to make energy
What is metabolism?
All chemical changes
that take place in a
cell or an organism to
produce energy and
basic materials
needed for important
life processes
Organism can feed using two methods:
Autotroph
Organisms make their own food in their cells automatically
Organism can feed using two methods:
Heterotroph
Organisms cannot make their own food in their
cells – need to eat/consume
6. Living things respond to
stimuli in their environment
When you touch a
hot stove, you pull
your hand away
pretty quickly.
IT HURTS!
External Stimulus
A stimulus that
occurs OUTSIDE of
an organism that
causes a response;
For example – a dog
with a shock collar.
Internal Stimulus
A stimulus that
occurs inside of
an organism.
For example, if
you have
hunger pains,
you eat!
7. Living things maintain a stable
internal environment
Organism
maintain a
constant/stable
internal
environment
For example: Our
bodies react
when too cold or
hot
What is homeostasis?
The process of keeping the internal environment of
the body stable while the outside world changes
8. Living things can adapt to their environment
Organisms have the ability to change over a period of time in
response to the environment.
The BEST adapted will survive and pass traits on to offspring