Biology A/H
Name________________________
Period ______
Study Guide for Quiz (pages 3-6) and Exam (pages 1-6)
Experimental Design (handouts “Identifying Parts of an Experiment” and “Practice”)
In the following experiments, identify the control group, experimental group, independent variable,
dependent variable, constants (controlled varables)
Experiment #1 – Megan wants to see if playing her favorite music to plants will affect their growth.
She buys 20 tomato plants from Wal-Mart. She waters and fertilizes all 20 plants. Megan places 10
plants along a windowsill in a quiet room. She puts the other 10 plants along a window sill in the next
room with continuously playing music. Both of these rooms are facing south and both are kept at a
temperature of 72° Fahrenheit. Every day she equally waters the plants. She also records the growth of
every plant.
Control Group ________________________ Experimental Group __________________________
Independent Variable _____________________ Dependent Variable ________________________
Constants _______________________________________________________________________
Experiment #2 – Ryan wants to see if storing his batteries in the refrigerator will make them last
longer. He goes to Target and buys four batteries of the same brand that have the same “Best if used by”
date. Ryan keeps two batteries in his desk drawer for 12 months and puts the other two batteries in the
refrigerator for 12 months. He then puts the batteries from the desk drawer into his Dad’s antique
portable CD player and plays his Lady Gaga CD continuously until the batteries die. Ryan records the
length of playing time. Ryan then uses the batteries from the refrigerator. He plays the same CD at the
same volume until those batteries die. He then compares the length of playing time.
Control Group ________________________ Experimental Group __________________________
Independent Variable _____________________ Dependent Variable ________________________
Constants _______________________________________________________________________
Experiment #3 – Josh wanted to find out if smokers could taste foods as well as non-smokers. Josh
baked two dozen lemon cookies with one teaspoon of lemon extract, two dozen lemon cookies with ½
teaspoon lemon extract, and two dozen lemon cookies with ¼ teaspoon lemon extract. He used one
dozen of each concentration to test 12 smokers to determine if they could detect the lemon flavoring and
compared it to the concentration of lemon flavoring that 12 non-smokers could detect. Each participant
received one of each type of cookie.
Control Group ________________________ Experimental Group __________________________
Independent Variable _____________________ Dependent Variable ________________________
Constants _______________________________________________________________________
1. Correctly graph (title, labeled axes with units, and a key, if necessary) and interpret data compiled in
a data table (See Making Science Graphs and Interpreting Data and Graphing Practice)
2. Explain the difference between observations and inferences.
Biogeochemical Cycles, Rock Cycle, Soil
1. Trace carbon from carbon dioxide (in the air), through a plant, animal, and its release back into
the air. Include the following: decomposition of the animal, formation of carbs (CHO) and
enzymes (CHON) in the plant, formation of structures made of protein (CHON) in the human,
2. Describe why the role of nitrogen fixing bacteria is so important to humans.
3. Explain how decomposition, erosion, and weathering interact to produce soil. What are two
important molecules taken in through the roots that are utilized to make carbohydrates and
proteins.
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4. How does water get from its main sink (the ocean) to land? (be sure that you can name the
processes.
5. Water gets into the soil (not plants) through infiltration. Water gets into plants through
absorption. How does water get out of plants?
Chemistry
Atoms and Molecules
1. In a neutral atom the number of electrons always equals the number of _________________
2.
A Chlorine ion is written as Cl-1.
Explain what has happened to the atom to create this ion.
3. Salt (NaCl) is an ionic compound that dissolves in water. What characteristic of water allows it
to dissolve (dissociate) salt? What ions (from salt) are formed? Draw a picture that shows how
water reacts to the two ions formed when salt dissolves. (show the effect of polarity)
4. What are the six elements found in the organic molecules of all living things ?
5. If Hydrogen was an ion, would it be positive or negative? Why?
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6. Circle the products and underline the reactants in the equation above.
This is the equation for cellular respiration.
We generally write the “net equation” which is
C6H12O6 + 6O2  6CO2 + 6H2O (and yes energy is produced)
7. How many molecules of glucose are shown in the net equation? _______ How many water
molecules are produced_______________ . How many atoms of oxygen are consumed in this
reaction? ______ What is the only form of energy that the body can use for activation energy?
____________________________
8. Describe the states of matter. How many states are there? When a compound or element
changes state, is it a chemical reaction?
9. Why is the fact that ice floats something that is “special” to water?
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Compounds and Mixtures
1. What particle of the atom determines its chemical properties (which part of the atom is involved in
making bonds)?
2. Differentiate between ionic and covalent bonds (in terms of what the electrons do) .
3. Define compound. How are compounds and molecules the same? How are they different?
4. What are the three types of mixtures? Create a table identifying the mixture, its definition or
characteristics and an example.
5. Explain why you cannot identify a substance using only its chemical formula.
6. In the carbon cycle, where are compounds being synthesized? Where are compounds being
decomposed. Which of these reactions would most likely release energy?
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7. How are exothermic reactions and endothermic reactions different? Draw a graph that show the
energy levels of reactants and products during an exothermic reaction, then one showing an
endothermic reaction.
How does temperature affect the rate of a reaction?
Water – basic properties
1. Water is polar. Draw and identify the positive and negative ends of a water molecule.
2. Why properties of water allow water to “ climb up to the leaves” from the roots through tiny tubes.
Explain how this works.
3. Why does this fish benefit, on a daily basis, from the high heat capacity (specific heat capacity) of
water?
How does high heat capacity influence the winter temperatures of coastal cities? (as compared to
landlocked cities like Omaha, Nebraska
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