End of Semester Exam Study Guide
1. The Scientific Process:
1.) Observation/ Ask a Question (do research)
2.) Form a Hypothesis (a prediction)
3.) Design an Experiment (only change one variable at a time)
4.) Record and Analyze Data (organized to be useful and easily understood)
5.) Draw a Conclusion (based on the evidence and data collected)
2. 2 Types of Variables:
1.) Dependent Variable (the variable that is observed)
2.) Independent Variable (the variable that is changed by the scientist)
3. 2 Types of Data:
1.) Qualitative Data (data collected using your senses, not measurable)
2.) Quantitative Data (usually numerical and is measurable)
4. Graphs Used to Organize Scientific Data:
1.) Bar Graphs
a. You should choose a bar graph when you are comparing data.
b. Always include a title and labels
c. Label both the x-axis and the y-axis
d. Use proper spacing and number increments
2.) Circle Graphs
a. Best used when comparing parts to the whole
b. Always include a title and labels
c. Based on the percentages
3.) Line Graphs
a. You should choose a line graph when tracking change over time.
b. Your time should go across the x-axis
c. Always include a title and labels
d. Use proper spacing and data ranges
4.) Scatter Plots
a. You should use scatter plots to see how one event affects another
b. You should include a title and labels
c. You should include a legend
5. Levels of Organization:(smallest to largest)
1.) Cells (smallest unit of life that serves a specific function)
2.) Tissues (are made up of many cells of the same type that work together to do a specific function)
3.) Organs (several tissues that work together to perform a specific function)
4.) Organ Systems (groups of several organs working together to perform a function for the organism)
5.) Organism (the entire living thing that carries out all the basic life functions)
6. Plants: (4 systems in plants)
*note: flowering plants are called angiosperms*
1.) Vascular System
a. Stems – support the plant
b. Xylem moves water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves
c. Phloem carries food to the entire plant
2.) Root System
a. Anchors the plant
b. Absorbs water and nutrients from the soil
3.) Leaf System
a. Photosynthesis is performed in the leaves
b. They contain chloroplasts
4.) Reproductive System
a. Stamen – made up of the filament and the anther (male part)
b. Pistil – made up of the ovary, stigma, and style
7. Human Body Systems:
1.) Skeletal System
a. Function – support and structure, movement, protection, calcium storage
b. Parts of the system – bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage
c. Red blood cell production occurs in the marrow
d. Adult skeleton has a total of 206 bones
e. Infant skeleton has 270 bones
f. Doctor – orthopedist
g. Medical Specialty – orthopedics
2.) Muscular System
a. Function – support movement, maintain posture, circulate blood
b. Muscles work in pairs – they contract and relax
c. Types of muscles
1.) Skeletal – control all actions a person consciously performs
2.) Smooth – found inside organs unconscious movement
3.) Cardiac – found in the heart –pumps blood through the body
d. 650 muscles in the human body
e. Doctor – orthopedist
f. Medical Specialty - orthopedics
3.) Nervous System
a. Function – to transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body
b. Parts of the system – brain, spinal cord, nerves, neurons, axons
c. 2 types of neurons
1.) Sensory Neurons – tell the brain about the body’s surrounding environment
2.) Motor Neurons – they transmit signals to activate muscles to move
d. Two components
1.) Central nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and nerves
2.) Peripheral nervous system is made up of sensory and motor neurons
e. Two subdivisions
1.) Somatic – voluntary you want to move so your brain sends a signal and you can.
2.) Autonomic – involuntary you don’t think about it. (heart beating, breathing)
f. Doctor – neurologist
g. Medical Specialty – neurology
4.) Digestive System
a. Function – to convert food into nutrients that are absorbed into the body and removes waste
b. Parts of the system – mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, large intestines, liver
c. How the system works – it begin in the mouth where the salivary glands secrete saliva and
enzymes that with the help of teeth break down food to ease in the digestive process. At this
point digestion becomes involuntary and the food travels down the esophagus to the stomach.
The stomach kills harmful bacteria and breaks down proteins. The mixture moves into the
small intestines where absorption occurs. The nutrients move through the blood stream to the
liver where proteins are converted into new proteins needed by the body. The liver also
breaks down unwanted chemicals and removes them from the body as waste. After the
useful nutrients are absorbed from the small intestines the solid waste moves into the large
intestines where water is reabsorbed into the body and feces is stored until eliminated from
the body.
d. Doctor – gastroenterologist
e. Medical Specialty – gastroenterology
5.) Urinary System
a. Function – produces, stores, and eliminates wastes from the blood
b. Parts of the system – kidneys, nephrons, ureters, bladder, urethra, sphincter muscles
c. Doctors – kidneys/nephrologist –urinary tract/urologist
d. Medical Specialty – kidneys/nephrology – urinary tract/urology
6.) Circulatory System
a. Function – the circulatory system is responsible for the flow of blood, nutrients, hormones,
oxygen, and other gases to and from cells.
b. Parts of the system – heart, blood, arteries, veins, vessels
c. The system is a closed loop.
d. Doctor – cardiologist
e. Medical Specialty – cardiology
7.) Respiratory System
a. Function – to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide
b. Parts of the system – sinuses, trachea, bronchi, lungs, alveoli, diaphragm
c. Doctor – pulmonologist
d. Medical Specialty – pulmonology
8.) Immune System
a. Function – to fight antigens in the body and to initiate the immune response
b. Parts of the system – nodes, spleen, lymph
c. Doctor – immunologist
d. Medical specialty – immunology
9.) Homeostasis a balanced system where a constant stable state exists.
a. Examples: body temperature, blood pressure, glucose levels