Biology Study Guide
Introduction
This study guide was devised to enable students to review the basic biological concepts
that they may need in preparing for the Biology Exit Assessment. It is not intended to be
a comprehensive course in biology. The study of biology as in all sciences contains
investigations and activities that are integral parts of the courses. As students and teacher
use this guide they should be ever mindful of basic scientific principals that require
investigation and discovery.
Basic Scientific Principles
Scientific Method
Observe
Define Problem
Formulate Hypotheses (Always a statement. Never a question)
Test Hypothesis (possible explanation based on research and prior
(knowledge)
Collect, Organize, and Analyze Data (facts collected during an
Investigation. Could be measurements or other observations)
Draw Conclusions
Report Findings
There are variations on this method that all scientists use.
Observations lead to questions. These questions are often how a problem is defined.
Example
Problem: Is growth of spinach plants influenced by light wavelength?
Hypothesis: Spinach growth will be influenced by different wavelengths of light.
Test: Spinach plants will be grown in the following way:
Experimental Group
100 plants grown in red light
100 plants grown in orange light
100 plants grown in yellow light
100 plants grown in green light
100 plants grown in blue
100 plants grown in indigo light
100 plants grown in violet light
Control Group
1.
,
,4. In your experiment identify the following:
Independent variable
Dependent Variable
Controlled variables
Experimental Group or Groups
Control Group
What type of data might you collect as the dependent variable?
Vocabulary List for Introduction
1. Data
2. Hypothesis
3. Variables
4. Controlled Variables
5. Dependent Variables
6. Independent Variables
7. Scientific Methods
1. The Nature of Matter
Matter
All matter in the universe is made up of tiny particles called atoms. Atoms
themselves are made up of three basic types of subatomic particles.
The three subatomic particles are the protons, neutrons, and electrons.
The protons have a positive charge and are located in central part of the atom
which is called the nucleus.
The neutrons have no charge and are located in the nucleus along with the
protons.
The electrons have a negative charge and are located in a region surrounding
the nucleus known as the electron cloud.
The number and arrangement of the electrons are what gives an atom its
chemical properties which are the ability to react with other atoms. An example
of a chemical property is ability of iron to react with the oxygen in air to form rust.
3.
, Try These:
1. Identify the two main parts on this diagram of an atom and identify the
three subatomic particles:
2. If an example of a chemical property of iron is its ability to react with
oxygen, what is an example of a chemical property of oxygen?
Elements
The universe is composed of approximately 100 types of atoms. Each type of
atom is referred to as an element. Carbon (C) and oxygen (O) are examples of
elements.
In nature most elements combine with other elements to form chemical
compounds. Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) is an example of a chemical compound.
Try These:
1. Which of the following is an element and which is a compound?
a) S b) SO3 c) ZnCl2 d) Na
2. If the universe is only composed of about 100 types of atoms, explain why
there are millions of different chemical substances.
Chemical Bonding
Atoms form compounds through interactions between their electron clouds in a
process called chemical bonding.
The two main types of chemical bonding are ionic bonding and covalent bonding.
In both cases atoms join each other to become new substances, but do so in
different ways.
4.
Introduction
This study guide was devised to enable students to review the basic biological concepts
that they may need in preparing for the Biology Exit Assessment. It is not intended to be
a comprehensive course in biology. The study of biology as in all sciences contains
investigations and activities that are integral parts of the courses. As students and teacher
use this guide they should be ever mindful of basic scientific principals that require
investigation and discovery.
Basic Scientific Principles
Scientific Method
Observe
Define Problem
Formulate Hypotheses (Always a statement. Never a question)
Test Hypothesis (possible explanation based on research and prior
(knowledge)
Collect, Organize, and Analyze Data (facts collected during an
Investigation. Could be measurements or other observations)
Draw Conclusions
Report Findings
There are variations on this method that all scientists use.
Observations lead to questions. These questions are often how a problem is defined.
Example
Problem: Is growth of spinach plants influenced by light wavelength?
Hypothesis: Spinach growth will be influenced by different wavelengths of light.
Test: Spinach plants will be grown in the following way:
Experimental Group
100 plants grown in red light
100 plants grown in orange light
100 plants grown in yellow light
100 plants grown in green light
100 plants grown in blue
100 plants grown in indigo light
100 plants grown in violet light
Control Group
1.
,
,4. In your experiment identify the following:
Independent variable
Dependent Variable
Controlled variables
Experimental Group or Groups
Control Group
What type of data might you collect as the dependent variable?
Vocabulary List for Introduction
1. Data
2. Hypothesis
3. Variables
4. Controlled Variables
5. Dependent Variables
6. Independent Variables
7. Scientific Methods
1. The Nature of Matter
Matter
All matter in the universe is made up of tiny particles called atoms. Atoms
themselves are made up of three basic types of subatomic particles.
The three subatomic particles are the protons, neutrons, and electrons.
The protons have a positive charge and are located in central part of the atom
which is called the nucleus.
The neutrons have no charge and are located in the nucleus along with the
protons.
The electrons have a negative charge and are located in a region surrounding
the nucleus known as the electron cloud.
The number and arrangement of the electrons are what gives an atom its
chemical properties which are the ability to react with other atoms. An example
of a chemical property is ability of iron to react with the oxygen in air to form rust.
3.
, Try These:
1. Identify the two main parts on this diagram of an atom and identify the
three subatomic particles:
2. If an example of a chemical property of iron is its ability to react with
oxygen, what is an example of a chemical property of oxygen?
Elements
The universe is composed of approximately 100 types of atoms. Each type of
atom is referred to as an element. Carbon (C) and oxygen (O) are examples of
elements.
In nature most elements combine with other elements to form chemical
compounds. Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) is an example of a chemical compound.
Try These:
1. Which of the following is an element and which is a compound?
a) S b) SO3 c) ZnCl2 d) Na
2. If the universe is only composed of about 100 types of atoms, explain why
there are millions of different chemical substances.
Chemical Bonding
Atoms form compounds through interactions between their electron clouds in a
process called chemical bonding.
The two main types of chemical bonding are ionic bonding and covalent bonding.
In both cases atoms join each other to become new substances, but do so in
different ways.
4.
