MTTC Integrated Science Exam with
Accurate Solutions
Independent Variable - ANSWER-The experimental factor that is manipulated; the
variable whose effect is being studied. Placed on the x-axis (horizontal) on a graph.
Dependent Variable - ANSWER-The variable that is measured in an experiment. Placed
on the y-axis (vertical) on a graph.
Scientific theory - ANSWER-Must be repeatable. Possible to be disproved and capable
of change.
Sampling and Sample Size - ANSWER-Random sampling is the preferred, but isn't
always possible. A large sample will yield the most accurate information.
Manipulating Variables - ANSWER-Only one variable should be manipulated at a time.
Control variable - ANSWER-A factor that is held constant to test the relative impact of
an independent variable
Response to Lab Accident - ANSWER-In most cases, 911 should be called
immediately.
Response to Fire in a Beaker or Flask - ANSWER-Do not use a fire extinguisher. Just
place a watch glass or wet towel over it to cut off Oxygen supply.
Guidelines for Dissections - ANSWER-Specimens should be rinsed before using. Latex
glover preferred. Avoid use of formaldehyde/dispose of correctly. Need to provide
alternative for students with moral objections to assingment.
Storing Lab Chemicals - ANSWER-Store all in secured, dry area. Acids locked in
separate area.
Origin of Biological Sciences - ANSWER-Traced back to ancient Greeks (i.e. Aristotle)
Andrea Vesalius - ANSWER-Dissected human bodies; created a book on anatomy
Anton van Leeuwenhoek - ANSWER-Father of Microscopy, first to see and describe
bacteria, yeast plants, and microscopic life found in water
,Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) - ANSWER-Instead of a light, a beam of electrons
pass through specimen. Resolution about 1,000 times greater than light microscope.
Will kill specimen though.
Robert Hooke - ANSWER-Famous for Hook's law describing elasticity. But called a
"virtuoso", able to contribute findings to any major field in science
Carl Von Linnaeus - ANSWER-Famous for binomial system of nomenclature. Each
living organism has two names, a genus and species. Considered father of modern
ecology and taxonomy
Pasteur - ANSWER-Discovered role of microorganisms in the cause of disease,
pasteurization, and rabies vaccine.
Koch's Postulates - ANSWER-Specific diseases caused by specific pathogens
Cell theory - ANSWER-Cell is the common structural unit in plants and animals.
Proposed by Mattias Scheleiden and Schwann.
Watson and Crick - ANSWER-Discovered the structure of DNA was a double helix (in
the 1950s). Made it possible to understand how DNA replicated and synthesized
proteins
Commonalities Among all Sciences - ANSWER-- Systems, order, and organization
- Evidence, models, and explanation
- Constancy, change, and measurement
- Evolution and equilibrium
- Form and function
Empirical Evidence - ANSWER-All evidence is empirical; all evidence must be observed
by the five sense.
Peer-reviewed Journals - ANSWER-Most accepted source for information on scientific
experiments and studies
Air Pollution - ANSWER-Chemicals in the air; include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide,
and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's)
Water Pollution - ANSWER-Contaminants enter water by ground runoff or by leaching
Thermal pollution - ANSWER-Factories dump water at high temperatures which
increases normal water temperatures. This means the water can hold less gas,
disrupting the ecosystem
, Greenhouse gasses - ANSWER-I.e. carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Concentration of
them is increased by burning fossil fuels. These gasses absorb and trap heat, therefore
warming the planet
Acid ran - ANSWER-Sulfur and nitrous oxides converted to acids and contaminate
water supplies
Prokaryotes - ANSWER-Single-celled organisms that do not have a membrane-bound
nucleus
Flagella - ANSWER-Appendages on bacteria cells; used for movement
Pili - ANSWER-Used by bacteria cells to attach to other cells
Cell Wall - ANSWER-a thin membrane around the cytoplasm of a cell
Cell membrane - ANSWER-a phospholipid layer that covers a cell's surface and acts as
a barrier between the inside of a cell and the cell's environment
Eukaryotes - ANSWER-organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane
bound organelles
Nucleus - ANSWER-a part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for
growth and reproduction
Nucleolus - ANSWER-The organelle where ribosomes are made, synthesized and
partially assembled, located in the nucleus
Ribosomes - ANSWER-site of protein synthesis
Endoplasmic Reticulum - ANSWER-an internal membrane system in which components
of cell membrane and some proteins are constructed
Golgi apparatus - ANSWER-stack of membranes in the cell that modifies, sorts, and
packages proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum
Lysosomes - ANSWER-An organelle containing digestive enzymes; found mostly in
animal cells
Mitochondria - ANSWER-Powerhouse of the cell, organelle that is the site of ATP
(energy) production
Plastids - ANSWER-Include chloroplasts, chromoplasts, and amyloplasts (leucoplasts);
only found in photosynthetic organisms
Accurate Solutions
Independent Variable - ANSWER-The experimental factor that is manipulated; the
variable whose effect is being studied. Placed on the x-axis (horizontal) on a graph.
Dependent Variable - ANSWER-The variable that is measured in an experiment. Placed
on the y-axis (vertical) on a graph.
Scientific theory - ANSWER-Must be repeatable. Possible to be disproved and capable
of change.
Sampling and Sample Size - ANSWER-Random sampling is the preferred, but isn't
always possible. A large sample will yield the most accurate information.
Manipulating Variables - ANSWER-Only one variable should be manipulated at a time.
Control variable - ANSWER-A factor that is held constant to test the relative impact of
an independent variable
Response to Lab Accident - ANSWER-In most cases, 911 should be called
immediately.
Response to Fire in a Beaker or Flask - ANSWER-Do not use a fire extinguisher. Just
place a watch glass or wet towel over it to cut off Oxygen supply.
Guidelines for Dissections - ANSWER-Specimens should be rinsed before using. Latex
glover preferred. Avoid use of formaldehyde/dispose of correctly. Need to provide
alternative for students with moral objections to assingment.
Storing Lab Chemicals - ANSWER-Store all in secured, dry area. Acids locked in
separate area.
Origin of Biological Sciences - ANSWER-Traced back to ancient Greeks (i.e. Aristotle)
Andrea Vesalius - ANSWER-Dissected human bodies; created a book on anatomy
Anton van Leeuwenhoek - ANSWER-Father of Microscopy, first to see and describe
bacteria, yeast plants, and microscopic life found in water
,Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) - ANSWER-Instead of a light, a beam of electrons
pass through specimen. Resolution about 1,000 times greater than light microscope.
Will kill specimen though.
Robert Hooke - ANSWER-Famous for Hook's law describing elasticity. But called a
"virtuoso", able to contribute findings to any major field in science
Carl Von Linnaeus - ANSWER-Famous for binomial system of nomenclature. Each
living organism has two names, a genus and species. Considered father of modern
ecology and taxonomy
Pasteur - ANSWER-Discovered role of microorganisms in the cause of disease,
pasteurization, and rabies vaccine.
Koch's Postulates - ANSWER-Specific diseases caused by specific pathogens
Cell theory - ANSWER-Cell is the common structural unit in plants and animals.
Proposed by Mattias Scheleiden and Schwann.
Watson and Crick - ANSWER-Discovered the structure of DNA was a double helix (in
the 1950s). Made it possible to understand how DNA replicated and synthesized
proteins
Commonalities Among all Sciences - ANSWER-- Systems, order, and organization
- Evidence, models, and explanation
- Constancy, change, and measurement
- Evolution and equilibrium
- Form and function
Empirical Evidence - ANSWER-All evidence is empirical; all evidence must be observed
by the five sense.
Peer-reviewed Journals - ANSWER-Most accepted source for information on scientific
experiments and studies
Air Pollution - ANSWER-Chemicals in the air; include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide,
and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's)
Water Pollution - ANSWER-Contaminants enter water by ground runoff or by leaching
Thermal pollution - ANSWER-Factories dump water at high temperatures which
increases normal water temperatures. This means the water can hold less gas,
disrupting the ecosystem
, Greenhouse gasses - ANSWER-I.e. carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Concentration of
them is increased by burning fossil fuels. These gasses absorb and trap heat, therefore
warming the planet
Acid ran - ANSWER-Sulfur and nitrous oxides converted to acids and contaminate
water supplies
Prokaryotes - ANSWER-Single-celled organisms that do not have a membrane-bound
nucleus
Flagella - ANSWER-Appendages on bacteria cells; used for movement
Pili - ANSWER-Used by bacteria cells to attach to other cells
Cell Wall - ANSWER-a thin membrane around the cytoplasm of a cell
Cell membrane - ANSWER-a phospholipid layer that covers a cell's surface and acts as
a barrier between the inside of a cell and the cell's environment
Eukaryotes - ANSWER-organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane
bound organelles
Nucleus - ANSWER-a part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for
growth and reproduction
Nucleolus - ANSWER-The organelle where ribosomes are made, synthesized and
partially assembled, located in the nucleus
Ribosomes - ANSWER-site of protein synthesis
Endoplasmic Reticulum - ANSWER-an internal membrane system in which components
of cell membrane and some proteins are constructed
Golgi apparatus - ANSWER-stack of membranes in the cell that modifies, sorts, and
packages proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum
Lysosomes - ANSWER-An organelle containing digestive enzymes; found mostly in
animal cells
Mitochondria - ANSWER-Powerhouse of the cell, organelle that is the site of ATP
(energy) production
Plastids - ANSWER-Include chloroplasts, chromoplasts, and amyloplasts (leucoplasts);
only found in photosynthetic organisms
