The Scientific Method
Define Hypothesis and what must it be (2 things)
a tentative explanation for observations
-Must be testable (repeatedly)
-Must be potentially falsifiable
Define Objective
not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts
What is an ecosystem?
Physical environment (abiotic) and all the communities (biotic) in a defined area.
What are the 4 levels found on most trophic pyramids
primary producers, primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer
What is correlation? Does if always imply causation? Why/ why not
a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things
NO!!!!
What is a null hypothesis?
It assumes there is no relationship between two variable and that controlling one variable has no effect on the other.
How is qualitatively different from quantitative?
Quantitative data are measures of values or counts and are expressed as numbers. Quantitative data are data about numeric variables (e.g. how many; how much; or how often)
What is a community?
different populations living in a defined area
What is the 10% rule?
Trophic Energy Transfer (10% Rules): Energy transfer through the ecosystem. Only about 10% of the energy moves up the pyramid
What would be the best kind of graph to show change over time and why?
Line graph. put time on x axis
What is the last step of the scientific method and why is it so important?
communication! To let others know what you found and to add to the body of scientific knoladge
Independent variable = variable being changed or varied by the investigator (“manipulated” variable)
Dependent variable = variable that changes in response to the independent variable (“measurable” variable)
What is an adaptation? Give at least two examples and why they are advantageous to the organism.
a change or the process of change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment.
True/False. All members of a food web are equal in abundance and in their relative effects on one another.
False. Some members of a food web can have effects that are disproportionate to their abundance. For example, keystone species have small populations, but because of what and how much they consume, their absence from the food web could have very large effects on the structure of the ecosystem
List the sections typically found in a a scientific paper
Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, References
Name the six major steps of the scientific method
What makes a hypothesis different from a theory?
A hypothesis is looking at one piece of information and it is narrow in scope (ex. Elephant ear size helps regulate body temp). A theory is well-substantiated and has never been shown to be false (ex. evolution) Both are potentially falsifiable.
List four of the six characteristics for life
1. composed of one or more cells
2. reproduces and passes DNA to offspring
3. obtain energy from the environment
4. senses and respondes to the environment
5. maintains homeostasis
6. evolve as groups
What are the three types of symbiosis that we looked at durring the POGIL? Give a definition and example of each.
Mutualism: Both organisms benefit from the relationship.
Parasitism: One organism benefits and the other is harmed.
Commensalism: One organism benefits and there is no effect on the other.
How do nutrients differ from energy in an ecosystem?
Nutrients cycle, energy flows.