Summary: Lab Midterm Exam

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• 1 Lab Midterm Exam

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• Identify the steps of the scientific method and describe the importance of each

  Making observations - Important for data 
  Asking questions - Provides direction for the experiment
  Hypotheses - Provides a testable prediction for the entire experiment 
  Experiment - Allows you to test hypotheses 
  Collect Data/Evidence - Provides evidence, draws conclusions 

• Inductive vs deductive reasoning

  Inductive - Specific observations to general claims 
  Deductive - General claims to specific predictions 

• Apply each of the steps of the scientific method including designing a simple experiment to address a biological question

  To conduct an experiment addressing a biological question, follow these steps of the scientific method:
  

  1. Ask a question: What effect does sunlight have on plant growth?

  2.  Hypothesize: If plants receive more sunlight, then they will grow taller.
  3.  Experiment:

  • Select similar plants for testing.
  • Group one in sunlight and another in shade.
  • Water both equally.

  1. Collect and analyze data on growth over several weeks.
  2. Conclude whether the hypothesis is supported or refuted.

• Describe how natural selection acts as a mechanism of evolution

  Natural selection works by:
  1. Migration - Occurs when alleles move from one population to another
  2. Mutation - Occurs when there is a change in DNA sequence 
  3. Random genetic drift - The effect of chance on the allele frequencies found in a population. 
  4. Natural Selection - occurs when individuals with one phenotype survive/reproduce at a greater rate than individuals with a different phenotype 

• Explain what each component and steps of the LEGO simulation represents in relation to the process of natural selection

  Part I: Simulation of evolution in a new population: In order to survive long enough to reproduce, each organism must at least partially match its background. No physical barriers, they're free to migrate from one color of paper to the other as long as they match one of the background colors
  
  Part II: Natural disaster occurs separating the population. Physical barrier separated the populations, once the lego is on one piece of paper, it can't move over to the other. 

• Define indicator, and describe how an indicator can be used to detect certain molecules

  Indicator - A chemical compound used to detect other chemicals. It can be used to detect different macromolecules like protein or starch, by turning a specific color. Used to detect which molecules are present in a compound.

• Describe the importance of controls in an experiment

  Controls in an experiment are crucial because they:
  

  • Ensure validity of findings
  • Minimize bias
  • Allow for accurate comparisons
  • Help determine cause and effect

• Design an experiment using indicators to determine the presence of certain macromolecules in a solution

  To determine the presence of macromolecules in a solution, I would add specific chemical indicators to separate samples of the solution and observe any color changes. Each indicator reacts with a particular type of macromolecule, such as carbohydrates, proteins, or lipids. By comparing the color changes to known results from control samples, I can identify which macromolecules are present. This experiment allows for simple visual detection of different biological molecules in an unknown solution.

• Identify the parts of a compound microscope and their functions

  On paper

• Identify structures of the Tradescantia leaf and cheek epithelial cells samples

  On paper.