Characteristics of Life
A cat is startled by a loud noise and prepares to run. This response is an example of this characteristic of life.
What is responds to stimuli / environment?
This proposed explanation to a question is frequently phrased as an "if, then" statement.
What is a hypothesis?
This part of CER is a statement that answers the question.
What is a claim?
This is the basic building block of matter.
What is the atom?
This property of water refers to its tendency to cling to dissimilar particles or surfaces.
What is adhesion?
An amoeba (single-celled organism) divides and becomes two amoebae, which swim away from each other. This division is an example of this life function.
What is (asexual) reproduction?
This type of data can be listed in a numerical value.
What is quantitative data?
This part of CER ties together a definitive statement with clues that have been observed. It illustrates the "why."
What is reasoning?
Found orbiting the nucleus, this subatomic particle has negligible weight and a -1 charge.
What is an electron?
This property of water is caused by oxygen's high electronegativity, giving the sides of the molecule a positive or negative charge.
What is polarity?
A plant will change the orientation of its leaves over time to face sunlight, which it converts to chemical energy. This is an example of these TWO functions of life.
What are movement and processing energy?
If we observe significant changes to this variable in an experiment, we can deduce that what we altered probably had an effect.
What is the dependent variable?
This part of CER involves observations, research, and experimentation to gather data.
What is evidence?
Found inside the nucleus, these TWO particles have equal weight and a +1 and 0 electric charge.
What are protons (+1) and neutrons (0)?
This property of water causes it to function as an important thermal regulator in life and on earth.
What is high specific heat?
Unspecialized stem cells will eventually differentiate into cells with specific purposes, such as skin, heart, or liver cells. This is an example of this function of life. (HINT: It's not that life is organized in cells.)
What is growth & development (differentiation)?
This group in an experiment does not receive the experimental treatment. We use it to make sure that what we alter is actually having an effect.
What is a control?
"If you go outside without a coat, you'll catch a cold. The CDC has stated that colds are very infectious and spread when you get near other infected people, therefore you should put on a coat."
State the problem with this example of CER.
What is faulty reasoning / evidence not supporting the claim?
This type of bond between atoms involves the donation of electron(s). Compounds bonded in this way will often dissociate into their electrically charged components when dissolved in water.
What is an ionic bond?
This property of water is directly responsible for its high surface tension and cohesive properties, among other features.
What is hydrogen bonding?
Your blood sugar levels spike to an extremely high level after eating 4 candy bars. In response, your pancreas releases insulin, a hormone responsible for lowering blood sugar back to normal. The response by your pancrease is an example of this life function.
What is maintaining homeostasis?
Though not often discussed, this step of the scientific method is essential for building a knowledge base within the scientific community.
What is reporting conclusions?
State the problem with this example of CER.
What is insufficient / anecdotal evidence? (Bandwagon fallacy)
This type of bond involves the sharing (though not always EQUAL sharing) of electrons between atoms in a compound.
What is a covalent bond?
Write a brief summary of why ice floats, starting at the level of intermolecular interactions. You will receive extra time.
What are H-bonds freezing in place, making water molecules hold a rigid lattice structure, increasing ice's volume, decreasing its density and making it buoyant on liquid water?