Characteristics of Life & Scientific Method Review

A ______________ is a testable explanation

•hypothesis

The factor that you will change in your experiment is called the

_______________ variable

• Independent

___________________are the repetition of an experiment (trials) and the same conditions are kept in the

experiment.

•Replicates

An _______________ is a logical explanation based on

observations and experiences

• inference

What is the independent variable in the following

problem: How does clay soil effect plant growth?

•Clay soil

______________ is the ability to travel from place to place

• locomotion

What is the study of life?

•Biology

What would be a constant for the “ice cube” experiment

•Amount of salt used•Amount of water used•Size of cups• Temperature of the water•Size of the ice cube

A________________describes relationships under certain conditions

in nature; Describes but does not explain a natural event

• Law

___________________are inherited changes in structures, behaviors, or internal processes that enable an

organism to respond to stimuli

•Adaptations

The ______________ variable is what you predict will change as

a result of variation in your experiment

•dependent

____________ is the ability to do work or cause change

• energy

A __________ is a group that serves as a standard of comparison during an

experiment

•Control

In what format do you write a hypothesis?

• If…..then

What is the dependent variable in the following problem: How

does clay soil effect plant growth?

•Plant growth

A ____________ is a condition in the environment that creates a

response

• stimulus

What is the independent variable in the “ice cube” lab?

•Salt water

______________ are the factors that DO NOT change in the

experiment

•Constants

What is the dependent variable in the “ice cube” lab?

• Ice melting

The increase in living material (cellular mass) and the

formation of new structures is called _________

•Growth

A __________is an explanation based on many observations (hypothesis is repeatedly verified over time and

through may separate experiments)

• Theory

_______________ is the regulation of an organism’s internal environment to maintain conditions that allow it to

live

•Homeostasis

____________ is movement or gestures

•motion

The _____________________ is a continuous process that seeks to

answer questions about the natural world.

•Nature of science

___________ are the basic unit of structure and function of all

living things

•Cells

The steps commonly used by scientists in gathering

information to test hypotheses and solve problems are

called________• The scientific method

Observations and measurements made during an

experiment is called _____

•data

Humans sweating or shivering in order to maintain body temperature (thermal regulation) is an example

of which characteristic of life?

•Maintaining homeostasis

The changes that take place during the life of the organism

is called ___________

•development