Vocabulary
Nutrient Cycles
Ecological Pyramids
Scientific Method
Scientific Tests
100
The metric term used for length
a meter
100
The nutrient found mostly in rocks
Phosphorus
100
The source of all energy. It is used by producers to grow.
Sun and sunlight.
100
The first step in a scientific method
a question
100
We put phosphate in only one of our test tubes. The presence of phosphate is an example of a __________ variable.
Manipulated
200
An organism that eats only plants
An herbivore
200
The process by which nitrogen becomes usable by plants, animals, and humans Also... what does this process?
Nitrogen fixation by bacteria
200
Two names for the organisms on the bottom level of the ecological pyramids
Autotrophs and producers.
200
What do you call the information you gather during your experiment
Data
200
What was our responding variable in the phosphate lab?
The growth of algae
300
The variable that you keep the same in an experiment
A controlled experiment
300
Two ways that carbon gets back into the atmosphere
Burning trees/propane, volcanic activity, respiration by plants
300
How much energy is passed from one level to the next?
10%
300
Define a hypothesis
An educated guess
300
List five controlled variables in the phosphate lab
covered, same room, same type/amount of water, same amount/type of algae, same test tube, both in the sunlight
400
A logical interpretation based on your observations
Inference
400
Why is nitrogen needed by plants?
they use it in proteins, DNA
400
What is the name of the third level (from the bottom) of an ecological pyramid? Also what type of organisms are at this level?
It is the secondary consumers. It includes carnivores or omnivores.
400
What is the difference between an observation and an inference?
Observations use your senses (sight, touch, etc) Inferences are based on your observations. They are like guesses or ideas based on what you observed.
400
List the three ways ecologists do tests
Observation, experiments, models
500
An organism that secretes chemicals and then absorbs the nutrients.
A detritivore
500
How does nitrogen get into the soil? (three ways)
Lightning, bacterial fixation, decomposition of living things, excretion/waste by animals
500
3000 grams of energy is produces by the autotrophs. How much gets to the level of secondary consumers?
30 grams.
500
List the steps of the scientific method in order
Question, background research, hypothesis, experiment, analysis, conclusion, report
500
Scenario... I am offered a job. I will be paid by the government to test the safety/contamination of Muskegon's lake water. I will report whether or not it is clean. I agree to do the test. Is this an ethical test? Why or why not?
Answers may vary.
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