Metrics and Marine Biology

In science it is important to be able to quantify observations.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4755257_why-algebra-important-marine-biology.html

We use the metric system in science. How can you convert from the “English” (or rather American since we are almost the only ones left using it) to metric? Watch this video:

http://www.ehow.com/video_4755251_converting-measurements-metric-system.html

Other conversions:

1 Kilogram = 2.205 lb

1 liter= 1.06 quart

  °C=(°F-32)/1.8

Sea water freezes at -2°C. What is that in in °F?

What is human body temperature in °C?

The metric system is simply based on powers of 10. You start with you basic unit, for instance, the meter. Then you add a prefix to indicate the power of ten greater or less than 0 that it is multiplied times. The prefixes are the same for all units. So Centi (1/100, just the cents in a dollar) is 1/100 of a meter (centimeter) or a gram (centigram) or a liter (centiliter). Kilo means 1000 times, so a kilogram is 1000 grams. Milli means 1/1000.

Can you name the other major units?

How many milligrams in a kilogram?

If the tenticle of a snail is 4.5 mm long how long is it expressed in cm?

If you feel ready to take a quiz like that because you had this recently in high school or math, great, otherwise go to the web page below and work with it until you are comfortable with the metric system.

http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/Length-and-distance/Metric-System.lesson