Chapter 1 – Introducing Biology

Name: ___________________________ Class: __________( )

A. Vital functions / characteristics of organisms (p.2-3)

Vital functions / Characteristics Description / explanation

1. reproduction
Organisms produce new individuals of their kinds
(offspring 後代).

2. growth The offspring grow in size and in complexity (複雜

性).

3. nutrition The process that organisms to obtain food.

- plants make their own food by photosynthesis
- animals obtain food by feeding
4. respiration Organisms break down food to release energy for
vital body functions.
5. irritability Organisms detect and respond to stimuli which
allows them to find food, mates and escape from
dangers.
6. movement A response usually involves movements.
- e.g. plants grow towards light

7. excretion Organisms remove metabolic wastes produced

from chemical reactions inside the body (e.g.
carbon dioxide, urea).
- This helps to maintain a relatively constant
internal environment called homeostasis.
- e.g. removal of excess water by increasing urine
volume, promote heat loss by increasing sweat
production

B. Scientific investigation
1. Steps of scientific method (p.6-8)

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Chapter 1 – Introducing Biology
Independent (I) dependent (D)
2. Fair test (p.8)
= cause = effect

Independent variable - the factor that is purposely changed in an experiment.

Dependent variable – the factor that is measured in an experiment.
Controlled variables – the factors that are kept the same in an experiment.
**To make sure the experiment is a fair test, all conditions except the one you are investigating must be kept the
same. (There must be only one independent variable. Controlled variables must be kept unchanged.)

Practice 1

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Practice 2

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Chapter 1 – Introducing Biology
More practice
Investigation Independent variable (the variable Dependent variable (the variable
that is changed in an experiment) that is measured in an experiment)
1. Investigation of the Different temperature Activity of enzyme
effect of temperature Independent (I) dependent (D)
on enzyme activity = cause = effect
“Temperature” affects “enzyme activity”

2. an investigation of the Different pH Activity of enzyme

effect of pH on
enzyme activity

3. Investigation of the Different light intensity Rate of photosynthesis

effect of light intensity
on the rate of
photosynthesis in
plants
4. Investigation of the Presence of carbon dioxide Occurrence of photosynthesis
need for carbon
dioxide in
photosynthesis

5. Investigation of heat Presence of living mouse Production of heat

production in a living
mouse

6. an investigation to Temperature of water Amount of vitamin C

study the effect of
boiling on the amount
of vitamin C in
vegetables

7. Which of the following is a fair test for finding the condition(s) necessary for seed germination (種子
發芽)?

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Chapter 1 – Introducing Biology

8. Is it a fair test?

 Yes / No
Reason: More that one variable/factor is changed. / There are more than one independent variables.

9. To find out the effect of fertilizer on the growth of plant:

Independent variable Amount of fertilizer added to the plant

Dependent variable
Controlled variables
The growth of the plants
Amount of soil
Mass of plants
Amount of water added to the plant
Light intensity provided to the plant

etc.

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Chapter 1 – Introducing Biology

10. The effectiveness of different soaps:

Independent variable The brand / type of soap used

Dependent variable
Controlled variables
The cleanliness / amount of bacteria remained on hands after wash
Time of wash
Amount of soap used
Same extent of dirtiness
Amount of water used

etc.

11. To find out which student run faster:

Independent variable Different students

Dependent variable
Controlled variables
Time for completing 100m
Same distance for running
Same weather conditions (e.g. temperature, relative humidity)
Same body status (rest enough, healthy)
Same measuring standard

etc.