Category: Introduction to Biology

Metric Measurement Lab

 

Metric Measurement Lab

 

Part A: Count your drops!

 

Take a guess – How many drops of water will it take to equal 1 milliliter? _____ drops

Follow the directions to find the number of drops in 1 milliliter of water, then answer the questions. You will need a small graduated cylinder (25 ml), a beaker of water, and an eyedropper for this section.  Remember to read the bottom of the meniscus when you are reading the volume of a liquid in a graduated cylinder.

 

  1. Fill a small graduated cylinder with 10 ml of water.
  2. Count the number of drops it takes to raise the water to 11 ml. Record the number in the chart.
  3. Leave the water in the graduated cylinder and count the number of drops it takes to raise the water to 12ml. Record the number in the chart.
  4. Leave the water in the graduated cylinder and count the number of drops it takes to raise the water to 13ml. Record the number in the chart.
  5. Calculate your average and round to the nearest tenth.

 

 Picture of graduated cylinder

 

# of drops to 11 ml # of drops to 12 ml # of drops to 13 ml Average
 

 

 

Based on your average, how close were you to your guess?________

Based on your average, how many drops would it take to make 1 liter? _______

Part B: Water Displacement

 

Follow the directions to find the volume of three marbles using water displacement.

  1. Add 20 ml of water to a 100 ml graduated cylinder. Record this amount in the chart.
  2. Add three marbles to the cylinder and measure the volume. Record this amount in the chart.
  3. Find the difference between the two measurements and record in the chart. The difference between the two measurements will be the volume of the three marbles.
Volume of Water Before adding Marbles (ml) Volume of Water After Adding Marbles (ml) Difference in Volume (ml) Volume of 3 Marbles
 

 

 

Part C: Mass Mania

 

The gram is the standard unit of mass in the metric or SI system. The basic instrument used to measure mass is the mass balance.  Some mass measurements can be made using an electronic balance.

 

 

  1. Check to see that the Pointer is pointing to zero.
  2. If it is not, check to see that all the Riders (weights) are all the way to the left at the Zero mark.
  3. Adjust the balance by turning the Adjustment Screw slowly until it points to zero.
  4. Place your metric ruler on the pan and read & record the ruler’s mass.
  5. After resetting the balance to Zero, measure and record the mass of the empty 50-ml graduated cylinder and then the 3 marbles.
  6. Reset the balance to ZERO when all items have been massed.

 

 

 

Mass of Metric Ruler (g) Mass of Empty 50-ml graduated cylinder (g) Mass of 3 Marbles (g)
 

 

 

Part D: Volume by Formula

 

Use the formula to find the volume of the box. Measure to the nearest centimeter before calculating your answer.  If necessary, Round your answer to Two Decimal places.

 

Volume = length x width x height

__________ x __________ x __________ =________________cm3

 

Part E: Color Challenge

 

1. Obtain the following items from your teacher:

  • 3 beakers with colored water- 25 ml of each color (red, blue, and yellow)
  • 1 graduated cylinder (25 ml – 50 ml)
  • 1 eyedropper
  • 6 test tubes labeled A, B, C, D, E, and F

2. Perform each step outlined below using accurate measurements.

  1. Measure 17 ml of RED water from the beaker and pour into test tube A.
  2. Measure 21 ml of YELLOW water from the beaker and pour into test tube C
  3. Measure 22 ml of BLUE water from the beaker and pour into test tube E.
  4. Measure 5 ml of water from test tube A and pour it into test tube B.
  5. Measure 6 ml of water from test tube C and pour it into test tube D.
  6. Measure 8 ml of water from test tube E and pour it into test tube F.
  7. Measure 5 ml of water from test tube C and pour it into test tube B.
  8. Measure 2 ml of water from test tube A and pour it into test tube F.
  9. Measure 4 ml of water from test tube E and pour it into test tube D.

3. Complete the chart.

Test Tube Color Final Volume (ml)
A
B
C
D
E
F

Click HERE for Notebook Copy

 

Metric System

Metric System (SI)
Scientist use a single, standard system of measurement.  The official name of the measurement system is SYSTEME INTERNATIONAL d’UNITES (International System of Measurements) or SI.

The metric system is based on the number 10.

Main Units of Measurement
Length Volume Mass
meter (m) liter (l) gram (g)

Using the above values (meter, liter, & gram) as the base, their value can be increased or decreased by moving the decimal point to the right (lowers the value) or left (raises the value).

Metric Conversion Table
Kilo-
(k)		 Base Unit
(m, l, g)		 Centi-
(c)		 Milli-
(m)		 Micro-
(µ)		 nano-
(n)
x 1000 meter, gram, liter 100 1000 1000 1000
1000 1 .01 .001 .000001 .000000001

Convert the following values by moving the decimal point the correct number of spaces and in the right direction .

1. 69.8 meters (m) =  ________________ centimeters (cm)

2. 152.97 milliliters (ml)  =  ________________ liters (l)

3. 42.67 liters (l) = _____________ milliliters (ml)

4. 299.32 kilometers (km) = ____________ nanometers (nm)

5. 26 grams (g) = _____________ kilograms (kg)

6. 123.43 centigrams (cg) = ______________ grams (g)

7. 75.2 liters (l)  = __________________milliliters (ml)

8. 456.3 grams (g) = ________________ micrograms µg

9. 4507.22 kilometers (km) = _______________millimeters (mm)

10. 0.00297456 kilograms (kg) = ___________ nanograms (ng)

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Graph Examples

Examples of Graphs

LINE GRAPHS

Line Graph title

A line graph is most useful in displaying data or information that changes continuously over time. The example below shows the changes in the temperature over a week in January. Notice that the title of the graph is “Average Daily Temperature for January 1-7 in degrees Fahrenheit”.

To the left is a table that shows the date in one column and the corresponding temperature in the second column. The line graph on the right shows the degrees of temperature going up the vertical axis (up and down numbers on the left of the graph) and the days of the week on the horizontal axis (going sideways from left to right). The points for the temperature for each day are connected by a line – thus the graph is a line graph.

Average Daily Temperature for January 1-7 in Degrees Fahrenheit

Date
Temperature
1 10
2 25
3 30
4 42
5 23
6 25
7 40
Line Graoh of Average Temperatures

 

Bar Graph Animated title

BAR GRAPHS

Bar graphs are an excellent way to show results that are one time, that aren’t continuous – especially samplings such as surveys, inventories, etc. Below is a typical survey asking students about their favorite after school activity. Notice that in this graph each column is labeled – it is also possible to label the category to the left of the bar. In this case, the numbers for each category are across the bottom of the chart.

A bar chart is marked off with a series of lines called grid lines. These lines typically mark off a numerical point in the series of numbers on the axis or line. In this case, each grid line going up and down marks a multiple of 20 as the graph is divided.  More gridlines can make it easier to be exact with the amounts being shown on the bar graph, but too many can make it confusing.  Notice that for data that does not fall evenly on a multiple of 20, the bar is in between two grid lines.  Bar graphs are useful to get an overall idea of trends in responses – which categories get many versus few responses.

Favorite Student After School Activity

Activity Number
Visit W/Friends 175
Talk on Phone 168
Play Sports 120
Earn Money 120
Use Computers 65
Bar Graph

Circle Pie Graph Title

CIRCLE/PIE GRAPHS

Circle or pie graphs are particularly good illustrations when considering how many parts of a whole are inception. In the table below both the number of hours in a whole day devoted to certain activities is listed as well as the percent of time for each of these activities. The pie chart is then divided very much as a baker’s pie would be into slices that represent the proportional amounts of time spent on each activity.

To the right of the pie chart is a legend that tells which color stands for which category. In addition, the percents are also near the pie slice that stands for that particular amount of time spent.

Percent of Hours of a Day Spent on Activities

ACTIVITY HOURS PERCENT OF DAY
Sleep 6 25
School 6 25
Job 4 17
Entertainment 4 17
Meals 2 8
Homework 2 8

 

 

Pie Graph of Day's Activities

 

Introduction to Life Study Guide bI

Introduction to Life Study Guide

Study of life is known as?
How are genes used by organisms?
Which characteristic of living things relates to stability?
What does homeostasis mean?
What is ecology?
How do heterotrophs obtain energy?
List distinct properties of living things.
What is the smallest unit that can carry on life called?
What are  all living things made of?
Which of the following are characteristics of ALL living things — growth, development, cellular organization, & movement?
A scientist noticed that bacteria weren’t growing in some test tubes. Is this observation, hypothesis, or experimentation?
The scientist suggests that bacteria aren’t growing in some test tubes because they aren’t getting the nutrients they need. Is this observation, hypothesis, experimentation, or conclusion?
A scientist adds a different nutrient to half of the test tubes in which he is growing bacteria. Is this observation, hypothesis, or experimentation?
Define hypothesis.
What is a theory?
A hypothesis is rejected if it does not explain what?
When scientists are planning experiments,  do they have a good idea of the possible results?
If new evidence emerges, do theories change?
Are theories supported with some scientific knowledge?
Are theories proved scientific ideas?
For scientists to communication with each other about their data, what do they do with their data?
How do scientists organize data?
If a microscope has a 30X objective lens & a 10X ocular (eyepiece) lens, what is its magnification?
What are the base units for each of these SI measurements — length? second? volume? mass? 
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Introduction Quiz

Name: 

Introduction Quiz  

 

 

True/False
Indicate whether the sentence or statement is true or false.
      introduction_quiz_files/i0020000.jpg      introduction_quiz_files/i0020001.jpg
1.
Refer to the illustration above. Reproduction ensures the ongoing success of both species.
2.
Refer to the illustration above. The sand dollar and paramecium both show organization.
3.
Scientists have not discovered any new species on Earth in more than 20 years.
4.
Publication of the results of scientific investigations enables other scientists to verify these results.
5.
Resolution is a microscope’s power to increase an object’s apparent size.
 

Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
6.
Biology is the study of
a.
minerals.
c.
the weather.
b.
life.
d.
energy.
7.
Homeostasis means
a.
a change over long periods of time.
c.
rapid change.
b.
keeping things the same.
d.
the same thing as evolution.
8.
Which of the following is a means by which heterotrophs can obtain energy?
a.
using water, carbon dioxide, and energy from the sun to produce sugars
b.
using water and carbon dioxide to produce energy-rich compounds
c.
consuming autotrophs
d.
consuming simple chemicals from the environment and using them to assemble complex chemicals and structures needed by the organism
9.
Which of the following is not necessarily a distinct property of living things?
a.
homeostasis
c.
complexity
b.
metabolism
d.
reproduction
10.
All organisms are composed of
a.
diatoms.
c.
cells.
b.
cellulose.
d.
None of the above
11.
Which example of scientific methodology is incorrect?
a.
Observation—A number of people in Zaire dying of a disease outbreak
b.
Measurement—A record of the number of people with symptoms of the disease and the number of people who had died from the disease
c.
Analysis of data—Comparison of the effects of mixing monkey cells with virus-containing blood in test tubes and the effects of mixing of liquid from these test tubes with fresh monkey cells
d.
Inference making—Identification of the Ebola virus as the cause of the disease by taking electron micrographs of substances found in the blood of persons affected with the disease
12.
Scientific hypotheses are most often tested by the process of
a.
communicating.
c.
experimenting.
b.
inferring.
d.
analyzing data.
13.
A hypothesis is
a.
a definite answer to a given problem.
b.
a testable possible explanation of an observation.
c.
a proven statement.
d.
a concluding statement.
14.
A hypothesis that does not explain an observation
a.
is known as an inaccurate forecast.
c.
is rejected.
b.
often predicts a different observation.
d.
None of the above
15.
A scientific theory
a.
is absolutely certain.
b.
is unchangeable.
c.
may be revised as new evidence is presented.
d.
is a controlled experiment.
16.
observation : hypothesis ::
a.
theory : observation
c.
certainty : investigation
b.
guess : hypothesis
d.
theory : control
17.
Which of the following components of a scientific investigation would benefit from communication between scientists?
a.
observing
c.
analyzing data
b.
measuring
d.
All of the above
18.
Most typically, the order in which the steps of the scientific method are applied is
a.
observations, predictions, hypothesis, controlled testing, theory, verification.
b.
predictions, observations, hypothesis, theory, controlled testing, verification.
c.
observations, hypothesis, predictions, controlled testing, theory, verification.
d.
observations, hypothesis, predictions, controlled testing, verification, theory.
19.
A light microscope that has an objective lens of 10´ and an ocular lens of 20´ has a magnification of
a.
30´.
c.
300´.
b.
200´.
d.
2000´.
20.
Which of the following associations between an SI base unit abbreviation and its base quantity is incorrect?
a.
A—area
c.
s—second
b.
m—length
d.
mol—amount of a substance

 
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