Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Nature of Sci
odds and ends
100
Draw a model of the cell membrane and explain how each element functions to control what enters and leaves the cell.
drawing should include phospholipids with hydrophobic and hydrophilic ends, membrane proteins, receptor proteins etc
100
Describe the subatomic particles that make up an atom. Draw a diagram that indicates their location and describe any properties that make them unique
Should include proton (+ charge, in core), neutron (in core, no charge), and electron (negative charge, in layers around core, tiny, same number as protons).
100
What is the difference between mass and weight? How is mass related to inertia?
Mass is the measure of inertia, or the resistance the object has to movement. Mass is the amount of matter in an object while weight is the force upon an object due to gravity.
100
Define theory as it relates to the scientific enterprise.
A theory is a synthesis of a large body of information that encompasses well tested hypotheses about certain aspects of the natural world
100
Who was the Italian natural philosopher and astronomer that introduced experimentation as a formal practice in science.
Galileo
200
Provide a brief drawing or description of each of the four mechanisms that cells use to transport materials to and from the cytoplasm.
should include a brief description of diffusion; facilitated diffusion; active transport; and endo/exocytosis.
200
how are atomic mass and atomic weight related? What is an isotope and how does it relate to atomic mass?
Atomic mass - all the subatomic particles masses combined , atomic weight - mass of protons only, isotope - atoms with different number of neutrons. changes the atomic mass of the atom.
200
How are the concepts of speed, velocity and acceleration related?
speed is distance/time. Velocity is speed with direction. Acceleration is change in velocity/time it takes.
200
What are three key elements that define studying a question in science versus some other field (like religion or philosophy).
Scientific questions rely on evidence, logic, testability, and using a systematic method for collecting and reporting to the community (the scientific method).
200
Creationists have recently attempted to do what in the nations schools? Why do scientists get so upset with the creationist goals?
Creationists have tried to get alternative theories to evolution (ID) added to state science curricula. Scientists get mad because the evidence for ID is lacking, the arguments put forth by creationists are not strong, and the attempt to bring religious viewpoints to the science classroom is morally repugnant to the practice of science.
300
What are the 4 main types of macromolecules needed for life and what main purposes do they each serve?
Proteins: multifunctional. made of amino acids Carbohydrates: store energy. Made of simple to complex sugars. Include starch and glycogen. Can also be structural (cellulose) Lipids: energy storage (fats and oils), used to make hormones as well Nucleic acids: stores genetic information. May be DNA or RNA.
300
DAILY DOUBLE! WORTH 600 POINTS! Draw a diagram from a submicroscopic level of the same matter in the three phases. What happens to the distribution of matter in each phase? How is water different in this regard?
particles move more quickly and seperate more, moving from solid to liquid to gas states. they occupy more volume as they move from phase to phase and water is different because it occupies more volume as a solid than as a liquid due to the structural make up of its atoms.
300
Define Newton's three laws of motion and create a diagram to explain each one.
#1: Law of inertia: an object at rest stays at rest, an object in motion stays in constant motion along a straight path unless acted upon by an outside net force. #2: Law of acceleration: when a net force acts on an object, the object will accelerate. a=f/m. The acceleration is directly proportional to the net force, and inversely proportional to the mass of the object. #3. Law of action and reaction: Whenever one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first.
300
Investigations in science are performed for different reasons. For example, some scientists perform experiments to compare two competing theories. What are two other reasons that scientists perform investigations.
a. exploration of new phenomena, b. verification of previous results, c. validation of previous results, confirmation of theoretical predictions.
300
How is pseudoscience different from science?
Pseudoscience does not meet the strict standards of testability, reproducability and openness to public scrutiny that science does.
400
Draw and label an animal cell, making sure to include: Nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondrian, golgi apparatus, lysosome, endoplasmic Reticulum. Extra points if you can provide a few words to describe the function of each organelle.
Nucleus (contains DNA), cytoplasm (fluid interface inside cell), mitochondrian (obtains Energy for cell), golgi apparatus (receives products from ER and packages them for transport), lysosome (removes waste and organic material), Endoplasmic Reticulum (Assembles proteins and other products)
400
Why does increasing the temperature of a solid make it melt?
As temperature is increased, the added energy to the system makes the molecules in the solid material move more quickly and disassociate from each other more readily. The bonds between them are broken, and the material loses it’s structural integrity as a solid.
400
What is entropy and why is it considered one of the central driving forces in nature?
Entropy is the tendency for energy to disperse in nature. It flows from a concentrated area to a less concentrated one. Processes that disperse energy are favored. We don't see processes work the other way. Energy doesn't flow into the frying pan to heat it up spontaneously. lower energy systems don't re-organise into higher energy systems (gasoline droplets don't form from the dispersed fumes from the tailpipe for example.)
400
Create a experiment that shows how to test the effect of increased soil temperatures (5, 10, and 15 degrees warmer than normal soil) on the growth of seedlings in a greenhouse. Assume that all other variables are constants.
Make sure it has a: a. title : The effect of increased soil temperature on seedling growth. b. hypothesis: If the soil temperature is increased, then the seedling growth will increase. c. IV: soil temp. d. DV: seedling growth e. Controls: soil composition, water added, light, air temp, location, fertilizer amounts, seedling type, distribution of seedlings in starter tray. f. levels: control = normal soil level 1 = 5 degrees warmer, level 2 = 10 degrees warmer, level 3 = 15 degrees warmer
400
What is heat?
the flow of thermal energy due to a temperature difference.
500
what are the relationships between the concepts of evolution, natural selection and adaptation?
Evolution (descent with modification) is the concept proposed by Darwin that describes how species change over time. Natural selection drives evolution, by allowing organisms with optimum traits for survival to produce more offspring than those who are ill-suited. This causes populations to change over time. Natural selection produces adaptations in species. These adaptations are traits that make them well suited to living and reproducing in their environments.
500
Describe how the periodic table organizes what we know about elements and their properties. Make sure to include trends and important information about the electronegativity, the size of the atom, the number of valence electrons, the structure (metal, non metal, gases) and how the GROUPS (columns) and PERIODS (rows) are organized
trends: Atom size: In groups, atomic radii increase with atomic number because the number of energy level increases; In periods, atomic radii decrease when atomic number increases because the nuclear charges increase attracting electrons closer to the nucleus. Electronegativity: In groups, electronegativity decreases when atomic number increases. In periods, electronegativity increases with atomic number.
500
What is magnetic force and how is it related to electrical force?
Magnetic forces exist between different poles of magnets. Like electrical forces, opposites attract, and likes repel. However, unlike electrical charges that can be isolated, magnetic charges cannot. you can break a magnet into tiny pieces and it will still carry a north and south pole charge. There is an invisible field that fills the space around every magnet that is similar to electrical or gravitational forces that surround us.
500
Why do religious questions like " What is the nature of the human spirit" rest outside of the realm of science?
Science deals with logical, testable, and evidence based questions that can be investigated. In addition, science concerns itself with questions relating to the natural world. This question deals with the human spirit, and is not a question that has an evidence based, measurable result so it is therefore not a question we would ask in science.
500
You are sitting near the edge of the pond, Brother Daniel Lynch Lake, on the St. Edward’s campus when you notice a fish break the surface of the water. As you watch, the fish swims near the surface moving its tail back and forth. Recall Newton’s Laws of Motion and explain the significance of the swimming action of the fish in propelling it through the water.
As the fish pushes,the water pushes back and propels the fish forward. This is Newton's third law of motion. The fish moves because it acts on the water with a net force greater than the resistance of the water, Newtons second law.
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