Laboratory Safety and Scientific Tools

• Laboratory rules, regulations, and procedures include proper attire, eating and drinking guidelines, and knowledge of the location of Laboratory Emergency Equipment.
• Wear a sleeved shirt and bottoms that cover your legs in the lab.
• Open-toed shoes, eating, or drinking are not allowed, especially when dealing with harmful chemicals.
• Dispose of biohazard waste in a specially marked bin, and never in a trashcan or down the sink.

Scientific Tools and Techniques

• SI units are a standard system of units called the International System of Units, used to convert between metric and US customary units.
• Calculate means or averages by adding all the numbers in a data set and dividing by the number of numbers.
• Length represents the linear measurement of an object, with the meter as its basic unit.
• Linear measurements include length, width, distance, and diameter; instruments include rulers, yardsticks, micrometers, and measuring tapes.
• Mass is the weight of an object multiplied by gravity, measured with a scale, using the gram as the basic unit.
• Volume is the space occupied by a liquid or an object, with the liter as the basic unit; use graduated pipettes and graduated cylinders for measurement.
• The meniscus is the curve at the surface of a liquid in a measuring instrument.
• Read the bottom of the meniscus at eye level and use a meniscus card for accurate reading.
• Temperature measures how hot or cold something is, using Celsius as the basic unit; a thermometer is used to measure temperature.
• Diameter at breast height (DBH) is a standard measure of tree diameter.
• DBH can be calculated by dividing the circumference of the tree by pi (3.14).

Scientific Investigation and Writing

• Scientific investigation follows the process of the scientific method.
• Observation involves observing an aspect, phenomenon, or problem.
• Questions involve formulating inquiries to challenge the observation.
• Literature Review involves seeing if the question has been asked before and conducting background research.
• Hypothesis involves a potential answer to the question posed.
• Prediction involves an expected result if the hypothesis is correct.
• Experiment involves designing and conducting a test of the hypothesis.
• Conclusion involves interpreting and discussing the results.
• Limitations of the scientific method include human error.
• Formulate testable hypotheses and predictions, such as "Pesticides are lethal to termites; termites will die when sprayed with pesticide."
• Important factors in experimental design include experimental group, control group, sample size, and replicability.
• Types of variables include independent, dependent, controlled, discrete, and continuous variables.
• Independent variables are manipulated throughout the experiment.
• Dependent variables are observed.
• Controlled variables are kept the same across all groups.
• Continuous variables are measured quantitatively and use a logical set of numbers.
• Discrete variables are measured qualitatively and use categories.
• The experimental group receives treatment with the independent variable, while replication ensures the experiment can be replicated, and sample size helps the accuracy of results.
• Use line graphs when the independent variable is continuous, and bar graphs when it is discrete.
• Histograms represent a range of independent variable values with bars.
• Develop reasonable conclusions based on collected data to form a theory.
• Sunscreen protects from UV radiation and affects exposure to it.

Parts of a Scientific Paper

• The title provides a one-sentence description of the paper's content.
• Authors include the scientists who contributed most to the research.
• Keywords are assigned by the author to describe the paper and aid in database searches.
• Abstract is a one-paragraph summary of the most important information, typically written last.
• Introduction gives background information and poses the research question.
• Materials and Methods describe exactly how experiments were performed.
• Results summarize findings and present data in tables and figures.
• Discussion interprets the results in the context of the research question.
• Conclusion summarizes the most important findings of the work and their meaning.
• Acknowledgements thank those who contributed to the research (funding or assistance).
• References/Literature Cited list any sources used in the article.

Allelopathy: A Plant-Plant Interaction

• Allelopathy is when plants release harmful chemicals that are detrimental to neighboring plants.
• Plant competition occurs when plants need resources like sunlight and water, and other plants inhibit this; species interactions include predation, herbivory, mutualism, or parasitism.
• Plant compounds inhibit seedling growth and reproduction.
• Allelochemicals are compounds not directly involved in primary plant functions.
• Testing essential oils aims to determine if they are a viable option for bioherbicides, which can be used to control an invasive plant that is allelopathic.

Explain Classes Of Secondary Compounds

• Alkaloids are alkaline nitrogen-containing compounds with pharmacological effects, like coffee, tobacco, and chocolate.
• Terpenes compose the largest group of plant chemicals, including essential oils like catnip and THC.
• Phenols contain a hydroxyl group bonded to an aromatic benzene ring, such as vanilla extract.

Building Green

• Building green is the practice of creating environmentally and people-friendly buildings, promoting native species, protecting from invasive species, and reducing greenhouse gases.
• Sustainability refers to the ability to use resources in a way that meets present and future human requirements without harming the environment.
• LEED certification is obtained by earning points for prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health, and indoor environmental quality.
• Energy use is calculated by multiplying average energy use by the hours of bulb use and dividing by 1000.
• Annual energy use is found by dividing energy use by 1000 and multiplying it by hours per day and days per year.
• Annual cost is found by multiplying kilowatt hours per year by cost per kilowatt.
• Measure the energy consumption and kilowattage of each bulb to calculate lighting costs.
• Minimize environmental impact with lights that automatically turn off, rain chains, and gutter shoots.
• Environmentally sustainable practices help the planet and people.
• Reduce environmental impact by recycling plastics and using sustainable transportation.