weFall Semester Living Environment Review (Outline of Key Concepts and Ideas)
I. Scientific Inquiry
A. Scientific Method
1. Hypothesis
2. Experimental Design
a. Variables
i. Independent (Testing factor)
ii. Dependent (Data to measure)
iii. Control (Constants)
b. Groups
i. Experimental (Unknown setup)
ii. Control (Known setup)
3. Conclusion
4. Recording Results
a. Graphing
i. Independent variable
ii. Dependent variable (y-axis)
iii.
Key for multi-line graph
B. Microscope
1. Parts
a. Adjustment Knobs
i. Coarse/Fine
b. Diaphragm
c. Lenses/Magnification
i. Ocular and Objectives
2. Field of View
a. Low Power/High Power
3. Preparing Wet Mount Slide
a. Proper Technique
b. Use of a stain (Lugol’s)
C. Measurements
1. Use of a ruler (cm/mm)
2. Use of a graduated cylinder
a. meniscus
II. The Cell
A. Plant/Animal
B. Organelles/Structures
1. Nucleus
2. Mitochondria
3. Chloroplast
4. Vacuole
5. Ribosome
C. Membrane
III. Biochemistry
A. Carbohydrates
1. Starch/Glucose
B. Nucleic Acids
1. subunits: nucleotides
2. Examples: DNA and RNA
(continued)
III. Biochemistry
C. Proteins
1. subunits: amino acids
2. Examples
a. Membrane proteins
i. Transport
---Active/Passive
ii. Receptor
b. Hormones
c. Antibodies
d. Enzymes
i. Function
ii. Must fit substrate(s)
iii. Activity affected by pH/temp
iv. Chemical reactions/Metabolism
--- Cellular Respiration and
Photosynthesis
IV. Important Labs
A. Red Onion Lab/Osmosis
1. Effect of Salt Water
2. Effect of Distill Water
B. Indicators Lab/Diffusion
1. Iodine – for Starch
2. Benedict’s – for Glucose
C. Clothespin Lab/Muscle Fatigue (lactic acid)
1. ATP – Energy
V. Ecology
A. Type of Organisms
1. Autotrophs
2. Heterotrophs
a. Herbivores
b. Carnivores
c. Decomposers
d. Scavengers
B. Ecosystem Interactions
1. Predator/Prey
2. Parasite/Host
3. Mutualism
4. Competition
5. Niche
C. Food Chain/Web
1. Pyramid – shows energy transfer and
population size
D. Cycling of Matter
1. Nitrogen/Phosphorus
2. Nutrients for Producers
(continued)
(continued)
V. Ecology
E. Succession
1. Primary – beginning on bare rock
a. follows after events of lava activity
b. pioneers – lichens and moss
2. Secondary – beginning with soil
a. follows after forest fire
b. pioneers – grass and weeds
F. Carrying Capacity
1. Limiting Factors (ex. predators, seasons)
2. Exponential Growth (available resources)
G. Energy Resources
1. Fossil Fuel – coal, oil, natural gas
2. Nuclear/Radioactive Material
3. Renewable Sources – sun, water, wind
V. Ecology
H. Threats to Biodiversity
1. Global Warming
a. Amplified Greenhouse Effect
i. Excessive carbon dioxide
ii. Burning fossil fuels
2. Ozone Depletion
a. purpose of ozone
b. effect – increase in skin cancer
c. cause – use of CFC gas
3. Acid Precipitation
a. Caused by fossil fuel combustion and
deforestation (burning trees)
4. Invasive Species
a. lack of natural predators/competitors
***Practice Regents Questions that are based on these topics
(Type in “Living Environment Regents” in Google for old exams to study from)