EOC REVIEW – Scientific Method, Reading charts/graphs Question Style

5 steps of Scientific Method State the problem Form a hypothesis Test the hypothesis Analyze data Draw conclusions

#1 State the problem This is what you are trying to solve. Example: Which fertilizer helps plants grow the biggest?

# 2 Form Hypothesis Hypothesis = educated guess, possible explanation for the problem based on information gathered, not random guess Example: I believe that cow manure will cause more plant growth that Miracle Grow fertilizer or Scotts Fertilizer

# 3 Test the Hypothesis This is the experiment itself. Must have series of steps that can be repeated exactly for each group. Initial data must be taken as a starting reference point It must test 1 and only 1 factor Independent variable = this is the one thing that you change , it is the “cause” Example: type of fertilizer You might have 5 plants grown in each type of fertilizer.

All other factors must be kept identical throughout the experiment All other factors must be kept identical throughout the experiment. This is called constants. Example: All plants would be of same type, all other factors identical (same soil type, same sunlight amount, same water amount, same temperature,……)

You also need a control. This is what you compare the entire experiment against. It serves as a standard of comparison. Example: You would have a group of 5 plants with no fertilizer at all to show a comparison.

The dependent variable is what occurs due to the change you made The dependent variable is what occurs due to the change you made. (It is dependent upon the independent variable) It is the “effect” Example: The amount of growth is the dependent variable. It was caused by the type of fertilizer (our independent variable)

# 4 Analyze Data You must take all the measurements gathered from the experiment and organize them in some format to easily compare them (chart, graph, table, etc…) Example: you would measure the height of each plant at end of experiment and compare to others in each group

# 5 Draw Conclusions Take the data and draw conclusions based on this data. Decide whether your hypothesis was supported or not supported. Example: Did cow manure give the best growth in each situation or not? Use charts of growth to determine this.

Data Organization A graph is a visual display of information or data The X-axis is generally the independent variable The Y-axis is generally the dependent variable Three major types are: line graph, bar graph, circle graph

Line graph Generally used to show change between variables. Continuous data – counting on both.

Bar graph Generally used to show categories

Circle graph Generally used to show parts of a whole or percentages

All graphs must have: Title Label on each axis with name of variable Unit on each axis marked off in equal increments

Data Organization in Charts Independent variable in first column Dependent variable in second column Ex: Independent Var. Dependent Var.

HINT: Don’t even need chart – just use your knowledge. If you forget, chart gives you answer.

HINT: use finger held straight to project path

HINT: Do you really need graph? Common The graph shows the results of experiments with two species of duckweek, L. polyrrhiza and L. gibba. Which of these best explains why growth is less when the two species are grown together? (A) They attract more herbivores. (B) One grows faster than the other. (C) They compete for the same resources. (D) One stimulates the growth of the other. TX2001 HINT: Do you really need graph? Common sense answer – competition for resources

HINT: The cell is only permeable to water. Watch for hints like this.

HINT: label your diagrams by which have low to high concentration arrows. Write all over your test if needed – just not answer sheet.

HINT: take paper edge to line up each year to graph if you are not visually gifted

HINT: Does this show anything except time of day?

HINT: Locations are on side – which has most across all 3 sections. Does not ask about feeding

HINT: Remember that climax community always at end

HINT: Do you really even need chart?

HINT: What arrow points to N in air?

HINT: Remember reactants before/products after

HINT: Follow the arrows

HINT: If you do not know all of them, find one or two you know for sure and weed out the rest. Actually mark it out on test.

HINT: Look at increase pattern. One extra each time

HINT: Don‘t really need diagram but use it – it gives you answer if you just follow arrows

HINT: What gas is released by yeast? Don’t worry about rest of info.

HINT: Key word =cycle

Key words: Supported by the diagram

HINT: Who has most arrows moving away from it?

HINT: One missing is almost ALWAYS detrivore

HINT: lowest is not always at bottom of chart. Think about which organism there is the fewest of in reality.

HINT: Which have closest matching DNA?

HINT: Closest branch

HINT: not about shape – look for amino acids and mRNA

HINT: CENTRAL DOGMA

HINT: Watch for words Replication (DNA to DNA) Transcription (DNA to mRNA) Translation(mRNA to protein)

HINT: mostly boys

HINT: Enzyme A is in top two lines. Always look through all options!

HINT: think of it as chromosome order HINT: think of it as chromosome order. What happened to order of numbers?