Science Unit 1: Scientific Method & Atomic Structure

Study Notes

Scientific Design Steps: A process involving observation, forming a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and drawing conclusions.
Hypothesis Formation: "If...then" statements, predicting what will happen under specific conditions.
Observation vs. Inference: Observation is direct information collected, while inference is a conclusion based on observation.
Accuracy vs. Precision: Accuracy refers to closeness to the true value, while precision refers to how repeatable the measurements are.
Independent Variable: The variable that is being changed or manipulated in an experiment.
Dependent Variable: The variable that is being measured or observed in an experiment.

Proton: Positively charged particle in an atom's nucleus.
Neutron: Neutrally charged particle in an atom's nucleus.
Electron: Negatively charged particle orbiting the nucleus.
Atomic Structure Diagram: Illustrate the arrangement of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom.

Finding the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom.
- Protons = atomic number
- Electrons = protons (in a neutral atom)
- Neutrons = mass number - atomic number

Smallest to Largest Atoms: Listing elements in order of size.
Essential Elements: Specific elements that are crucial for organisms' survival(ex., C, H, O, N, P, S).

How Water Bonds/Draw: Illustrate the covalent bonds between atoms within a water molecule.
Properties of Water: The special properties of water that are significant for life.

Organelles and Functions: Describing the roles of cell organelles for cellular activity.
Cell Membrane: The outer boundary of a cell, regulating the passage of materials.
Cytoskeleton: The framework of a cell.
Cytoplasm: The fluid inside the cell.
Nucleus: Control Center of the cell.
Nucleolus: Inside the nucleus where ribosomes are made.
Ribosomes: Structures responsible for protein synthesis.
Rough ER: Ribosomes attached to its surface Involved in protein synthesis and modified.
Smooth ER: Non-ribosomal ER involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.
Vesicles: Membrane-bound sacs for transporting materials within the cell or into/out of a cell.

Osmosis Examples: Draw diagrams showcasing the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane in response to differences in solute concentration.

Interphase: The phase of the cell cycle where growth and DNA synthesis occur.
Cell cycle checkpoint: Points in the cell cycle where cells regulate their progression.
Mitosis: Cellular division process.
Cytokinesis: Cytoplasmic division in mitosis forming two new cells.

Passive vs Active Transport: Compare and contrast different mechanisms by which materials move across cell membranes, including the energy requirements.

Endothermic vs Exothermic: Endothermic reactions absorb energy, and exothermic reactions release energy.
Drawing & labeling ATP Structure: Visualization of the structure.
Purpose of Enzymes: Catalyst in chem reactions by lowering activation energy.
Factors Affecting Chemical Reactions: Factors impacting chemical reactions speed.
Purpose of ATP Synthase: How the synthesis/break down of ATP is involved in energy production.
Drawing & labeling the ATP-ADP Cycle: Visualization of the cycle.