Topic Summaries
Uncertainty, errors, and anomalies
Transport Systems
Blood and heart disease
Stem cells, microscopy, and microorganisms
Transport in cells
Human health and enzymes
Plant transport systems
Pathogens and non-specific immunity
The immune system and drugs
Plant disease and monoclonal antibodies
Photosynthesis and respiration
The nervous system and homeostasis
The brain and the eye
Hormone regulation and waste excretion
Reproductive hormones and plant hormones
Cell division, reproduction, and DNA structure
DNA synthesis and inheritance
Genetic engineering and modification
Evolution and natural selection
Species and classification
Resource cycles and environmental change
Biodiversity and environmental management
Biomass and trophic levels
Food supply and biotechnology
Science skills: Experimental procedures
Science skills: Presenting and using data
Science skills: Measuring results
Transport Systems
Blood and heart disease
Stem cells, microscopy, and microorganisms
Transport in cells
Human health and enzymes
Plant transport systems
Pathogens and non-specific immunity
The immune system and drugs
Plant disease and monoclonal antibodies
Photosynthesis and respiration
The nervous system and homeostasis
The brain and the eye
Hormone regulation and waste excretion
Reproductive hormones and plant hormones
Cell division, reproduction, and DNA structure
DNA synthesis and inheritance
Genetic engineering and modification
Evolution and natural selection
Species and classification
Resource cycles and environmental change
Biodiversity and environmental management
Biomass and trophic levels
Food supply and biotechnology
Science skills: Experimental procedures
Science skills: Presenting and using data
Science skills: Measuring results
- The uncertainty of a measurement is the range of values for which it suggests the true value could lie within. Uncertainties are usually given as how far above or below a measured value the true value could be. For example, the value 37.4 ± 2 indicates the true value could be anywhere between 35.4 and 39.4.
- The uncertainty for a repeated experiment can be measured by the range of measurements about the mean. For example, the uncertainty of the measurements 3, 4, and 5 is 4 ± 1.
- Errors will cause data to differ from the true value.
- Random errors or anomalies affect single experiments and vary unpredictably, reducing the precision of the experiment.
- Systematic errors involve measurement results differing from the true value by a consistent amount each time. This will reduce accuracy.
- Anomalies should be identified and omitted from the results. This can be done by:
- Repeating experiments to find values that do not match others. For example, in the measurements 3, 7, 25, and 8, taken under the same conditions, the value 25 would be an anomaly.
- Plotting results and seeing which values would not fit the pattern established by the rest of the data.
- Systematic errors can be prevented through careful planning of experiments. This includes:
- Ensuring all control variables remain unchanged during the experiment.
- Calibrating all equipment and using it correctly.
- Turning off equipment between measurements to prevent heating if temperature is a variable.
- Testing equipment before an experiment.
- Only measuring the meniscus at eye level when using a measuring cylinder.
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