PLTW BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE SECOND CHAPTER GRADED
A+ REVISED EXAM 2025/2026 Q&A
biomedical science - the application of the principles of the natural sciences, especially biology and
physiology, to clinical medicine
control group - the group in an experiment where the independent variable being tested is not
applied so that it may serve as a standard for comparison against the experimental group where the
independent variable is applied
dependent variable - the measurable effect, outcome, or response in which the research is interested
experiment - a research study conducted to determine the effect that one variable has upon another
variable
forensic science - the application of scientific knowledge to questions of civil and criminal law
hypothesis - clear prediction of the anticipated results of an experiment
independent variable - the variable that is varied or manipulated by the researcher
negative control - control group where conditions produce a negative outcome. Negative control
groups help identify outside influences which may be present that were not accounted for when the
procedure was created.
personal protective equipment - specialized clothing or equipment, worm by an employee for
protection against infectious materials (as defined by OSHA)
positive control - group expected to have a positive result, allowing the researcher to show that the
experimental set up was capable of producing results
what are principles of biomedical science used for? - to investigate the circumstances surrounding a
mysterious death
what are experiments designed for? - to provide answers to testable questions
, what can be done at a crime scene of a mysterious death to help reconstruct what happened? -
collect evidence, interview, examine, sketch, photograph, DNA sample, witnesses, finger prints, etc.
recreate scene
How do the clues found at a scene of a mysterious death help investigators determine what might
have occurred and help identify or exonerate potential suspects? - they might be able to tell them
who was at the scene, wounds on victim, run DNA on fingerprints or blood
How do scientists design experiments to find the most accurate answer to the question they are
asking? - scientific method:problem, hypothesis, design experiment, procedure, analyze data, chart,
conclusion,summary, next steps
How are bloodstain patterns left at a crime scene used to help investigators establish the events that
took place during a crime? - they show which angle and height the blood was dropped from, they
help determine what happened at the scene, like violence of death
crime scene search methods - link: no set pattern, evidence leads to where they go next
line (strip): used on large, outdoor scenes, members are arranged at regular intervals then search
along straight lines
grid:used on large, outdoor scenes,follow first line pattern then realign on the other line pattern
zone:scenes with defined zones, houses, buildings, each assigned a small zone
spiral:no physical barriers, water, outward or inward
wheel/ray:small, circular scenes, start at a critical point and travel out along straight lines
structure of hair (layers) - cuticle is outermost
cortex is next
innermost is medulla
fingerprint patterns - arch,loop,whorl
rigor mortis - stiffening of muscles after death
calculation of time of death - 98.4-measured rectal temp divided by 1.5=hours since death
A+ REVISED EXAM 2025/2026 Q&A
biomedical science - the application of the principles of the natural sciences, especially biology and
physiology, to clinical medicine
control group - the group in an experiment where the independent variable being tested is not
applied so that it may serve as a standard for comparison against the experimental group where the
independent variable is applied
dependent variable - the measurable effect, outcome, or response in which the research is interested
experiment - a research study conducted to determine the effect that one variable has upon another
variable
forensic science - the application of scientific knowledge to questions of civil and criminal law
hypothesis - clear prediction of the anticipated results of an experiment
independent variable - the variable that is varied or manipulated by the researcher
negative control - control group where conditions produce a negative outcome. Negative control
groups help identify outside influences which may be present that were not accounted for when the
procedure was created.
personal protective equipment - specialized clothing or equipment, worm by an employee for
protection against infectious materials (as defined by OSHA)
positive control - group expected to have a positive result, allowing the researcher to show that the
experimental set up was capable of producing results
what are principles of biomedical science used for? - to investigate the circumstances surrounding a
mysterious death
what are experiments designed for? - to provide answers to testable questions
, what can be done at a crime scene of a mysterious death to help reconstruct what happened? -
collect evidence, interview, examine, sketch, photograph, DNA sample, witnesses, finger prints, etc.
recreate scene
How do the clues found at a scene of a mysterious death help investigators determine what might
have occurred and help identify or exonerate potential suspects? - they might be able to tell them
who was at the scene, wounds on victim, run DNA on fingerprints or blood
How do scientists design experiments to find the most accurate answer to the question they are
asking? - scientific method:problem, hypothesis, design experiment, procedure, analyze data, chart,
conclusion,summary, next steps
How are bloodstain patterns left at a crime scene used to help investigators establish the events that
took place during a crime? - they show which angle and height the blood was dropped from, they
help determine what happened at the scene, like violence of death
crime scene search methods - link: no set pattern, evidence leads to where they go next
line (strip): used on large, outdoor scenes, members are arranged at regular intervals then search
along straight lines
grid:used on large, outdoor scenes,follow first line pattern then realign on the other line pattern
zone:scenes with defined zones, houses, buildings, each assigned a small zone
spiral:no physical barriers, water, outward or inward
wheel/ray:small, circular scenes, start at a critical point and travel out along straight lines
structure of hair (layers) - cuticle is outermost
cortex is next
innermost is medulla
fingerprint patterns - arch,loop,whorl
rigor mortis - stiffening of muscles after death
calculation of time of death - 98.4-measured rectal temp divided by 1.5=hours since death
