Scientific Method Flashcards
(29 cards)
Chromatography
A test to separate pigments (pigment)
Put pigment above water line
Alex Smith
Period 4
Gel electrophoresis
A test to compare DNA or proteins
DNA is cut with enzymes then placed in wells
Small fragments fall to bottom of plate
Compare banding patterns to read
Indicator
A chemical that changes color with another chemical
Example: iodine = Amber
Iodine + starch = blue/black
Control group
“Normal” with medicine studies = placebo
Used for comparison
Dependent Variable
What to measure to answer the research question
Put on y axis
“Amount of”
“Rate of”
Hypothesis
Educated prediction
IF (we do this), then (this will happen)
Independent Variable
One per experiment
One factor that you change
Category
“Type of”
Placebo
Used for the control group in medicine studies
-Saline shot or sugar pill
Sample size
- Large group of test subjects
- Must have a large sample size to have accurate and reliable data
- Reduces affect of individual differences
Theory
- A hypothesis that has supported many many many times
- Similar to a law but more complex understanding
Compound Light Microscope
Magnifies translucent objects
Ex.) Skin cell
Dichotomous Key
A chart that has 2 options to compare your subjects with.
Dissection
When you cut open a subject to examine the inside
Graduated Cylinder
A tube that You put your liquids in to measure mL
Magnification
Enlarge the view of your specimen in a microscope
Mass
The quantity of matter
Ex.) Grams
Model
A representation of a concept that is difficult or impossible to view
Ex.) DNA Model
Stain
Chemical used to enhance microscopic view of biological samples
Ex.) staining a skin cell so you can see it better
Triple Beam Balance
Instrument used to find mass in grams
Ex.) finding the mass of a rock and moving the weights until the lines meet
Volume
The space an object takes up
Ex.) mL of water is 23.5 mL
Conclusion
Decision about the results
Ex.) 1 tsp of hatch fast makes the egg hatch the fastest
Controlled experiment
Experiment where the only variation between 2 groups is deliberate
Ex.) one group takes the real medicine and the control group takes the placebo
Data
Information gathered from experiment
Ex.) 10 books used 2 trees