Unit 1:Intro to Life Science
Test Date: ____________
Fundamental Concepts and Skills
1. Measurement (LS)
Reading
a) International System of Units (SI) is a global system of measurement
using metrics.
b) Area is used to measure how much surface an object has.
a. Is determined by Area = Length x Width
b. Measured in :
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
Kilometer (km)
Decimeter (dm)
Centimeter (cm)
Millimeter (mm)
Micrometer (um)
Nanometer (nm)
p.22-26
c) Volume is the amount of space that something occupies.
a. Measured in - Cubic centimeter (cm3), liter (L), milliliter (mL)
d) Mass is the amount of matter in an object. (weight)
a. Measured in – kilogram (kg), gram (g), milligram (mg)
e) Temperature is a measurement of how hot or cold something is.
a. Measured in – Kelvin (K), Celsius (oC)
f) Conversion
2. Follow the steps of the scientific method. (LS ) – a series of steps that is
used to answer a question or problem.
a)
b)
c)
d)
State the problem.
Collect some background information about the problem.
Make a hypothesis, educated answer to the problem.
Design and do an experiment.
1. independent variable (IV) = the one factor changed by the scientist
2. dependent variable (DV) = the variable affected by changing the IV
3. control = experimental group that remains unchanged, for comparison
4. constants = all other factors of the experiment are the same in all
experimental groups
p. 10-17
e) Collect data and record data precisely.
f) Write a conclusion.
1. Does the data support your hypothesis? Why or why not?
2. Note experimental and human errors.
3. Future questions.
3. Safety (LS)
a) Safety Rules (see contract)
b) Symbols
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Eye
Heating
Clothing
Hand
Electric
Mercer Middle Model
Loudoun County Public Schools
Aldie, VA
-p. 27
p 682– 685
f. Sharp/pointed objects
g. Chemical
h. Animal
i. Plant
-Power
Point
-Science
Journal
4. What is LIFE? (LS )
a) Characteristics:
a) Living things are made up of cells.(DNA)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Living
Living
Living
Living
Living
things
things
things
things
things
b) Necessities
are organized.
reproduce. (sexual & asexual)
grow and develop.
respond to their environment.(stimulus, homeostasis)
obtain and use energy. (metabolism)
a. Food
i. Consumers – they must eat (consume) their food.(animals)
ii. Producers – they produce their own food via the sun.(plants)
b. Water – Our cells and the cells of most living organisms are made of 70%
water.
c. Air – Both photosynthesis (CO2) & Respiration (O2) require a mixture of gases.
d. Habitat – a location which contains all of the above. There may be
competition over the necessary resources for survival.
5. Life
a) The study of life is called Life Science.
b) Investigations are in various locations from labs to the field.
Organization: cell
tissue
muscle
organ system
organism
6. Identify the parts of the microscope and give the function of each
part. (LS )
a) Eyepiece: magnifies the sample 10x
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
p. 6-17
p. 36 – 39
Stage: holds the slide
Diaphragm: varies the amount of light from the lamp
Coarse adjustment: focuses the scanning and low power objectives
High-power objective: magnifies the sample 40x
Medium-power (low) objective: magnifies the sample 10x
Low-power (scanning) objective: magnifies the sample 4x
Fine adjustment: focuses the high power objective
7. Determine the total magnification of a field of view. (LS)
Total magnification = eyepiece magnification x objective magnification
ASSESMENT:
 Quiz – Safety & Conversion / Quiz – Life & Scientific Method
 Test – A variety of multiple choice, matching, true/false or short answer.
 SHORT ANSWER t.b.a. (for honors only)
 On a DIAGRAM of a microscope, identify the parts and their function.
DATA BOOK:
 Labeled diagram of a microscope.
 Variables, constants, control and procedure to 2 Investigations.
 Data and conclusion paragraphs for 2 Investigations.
 Formal Lab write up (honors only)
 Outdoor lab experiences
Mercer Middle Model
Loudoun County Public Schools
Aldie, VA
p.40 -41
p. 6 - 9
p. 19 - 20
p. 806-807
Science
Journal
Mercer Middle Model
Loudoun County Public Schools
Aldie, VA