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Variables in Biology

The document explains the concept of variables in scientific experiments, defining independent, dependent, and controlled variables. It illustrates these concepts with examples, such as how the amount of sunlight affects the height of sunflowers. Additionally, it highlights the importance of controlling certain variables to ensure accurate results.

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Vanessa Pérez
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17 views9 pages

Variables in Biology

The document explains the concept of variables in scientific experiments, defining independent, dependent, and controlled variables. It illustrates these concepts with examples, such as how the amount of sunlight affects the height of sunflowers. Additionally, it highlights the importance of controlling certain variables to ensure accurate results.

Uploaded by

Vanessa Pérez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IDENTIFYING

VARIABLES
IN SCIENCE
WHAT IS A VARIABLE?
Variables are anything that can change or be
changed within an experiment. They are any
factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing
amounts or types.

A variable therefore is any changeable factor that


may influence the results of an experiment.
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
For example:
An independent variable is Temperature of the room
the variable that is Amount of water used to water a
changed or controlled in a plant
scientific experiment to
Can you think of an example?
test the effects on the
dependent variable.
DEPENDENT VARIABLE

For example: The dependent variable is the


Size of plant variable that is being measured
Distance travelled
or tested in an experiment. It is
Time taken
“dependent” on the independent
Can you think of an example? variable.
CONTROLLED VARIABLE
A controlled variable is any
variable that's held constant in an For example:
investigation. Time of day
Temperature
It's not a variable of interest in Amount of light
the study, but it's controlled
because it could influence the Can you think of an example?
outcomes.
We do: In the following example, identify the
independent and dependent variable
Research question:
Do sunflowers grow tall in the sun or shade?
Independent Variable: The amount of sunlight

Dependent Variable: The height of the sunflower plant


We do: Which might a variable that we would need to
control in this experiment?
Controlled Variables

Amount of water
Type of soil
Temperature of the air
Ruler used to measure plant height

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