Question 1

Scientific understanding can always be challenged, and even changed, with new ways of observing and with different interpretations. For example, new tools and techniques have resulted in new observations and the discovery of additional information. This has resulted in revised ways of understanding how molecules are moved across the plasma membrane of cells. Hence, there is no certainty in science, only degrees of probability (likelihood)  and potential for change. In light of this understanding, which of the following statements is most meaningful?

Accepted Answer

A)  Scientific knowledge is absolute knowledge.
B)  Scientific knowledge is necessarily contingent knowledge.
C)  Scientific knowledge is a static and unchanging collection of facts.
D)  Scientific knowledge is rigid collection of invariable facts.

Question 2

Is it possible for scientists to study events that happened or animals/plants that lived millions of years ago?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes. Apply the laws of physics and nature that we know exist today to evaluate the evidence of past events. For example, observe modern animal behavior, structure, and function, and compare them to the structures of fossilized animals to deduce the function of the fossilized structures.
B)  No. The laws of physics that exist today are not the same laws of physics that existed in the past, so there is no way to compare plant or animal fossils to those of modern organisms and deduce the function of fossilized structures.
C)  Yes. Genetic manipulation of fossils allows scientists to directly test metabolic and behavioral characteristics of plants and animals from the past.
D)  No. There is no way to analyze plant or animal fossils that lived millions of years ago because the laws of nature that exist today have changed dramatically from the past.

Question 3

The human heart pumps blood throughout the blood vessels in the body. This is a scientific

Accepted Answer

A)  theory.
B)  hypothesis.
C)  fact.
D)  experiment.

Question 4

In 1890, Robert Koch developed a hypothesis regarding the cause of communicable diseases. He designed an experiment and collected data that supported his hypothesis. Later, his experiment was repeated by many other scientists who used other pathogens and documented similar results that not only supported their hypotheses but also supported Koch's original hypothesis. These many experiments that supported multiple hypotheses regarding the cause of communicable diseases contributed to the development of the

Accepted Answer

A)  theory of evolution.
B)  germ theory of disease.
C)  theory of relativity.
D)  law of gravity.

Question 5

A species of butterflies gradually becomes darker in color over many generations; this is an example of which characteristic of living organisms?

Accepted Answer

A)  They reproduce using DNA.
B)  They obtain energy from the environment to support metabolism.
C)  They can evolve as groups.
D)  They sense the environment and respond to it.

Question 6

Recently, beekeepers have noticed an alarming and sudden disappearance of honeybees from their hives. Some beekeepers and environmentalists worry that crops genetically engineered to contain the gene for the Bt insecticidal toxin may be killing the bees. Without data from a scientific experiment, is it reasonable to state that Bt-containing crops are responsible for the loss of honeybees?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes, because it is obviously the Bt crops killing the bees.
B)  Yes, because there cannot possibly be any other explanation for the loss of the honeybees.
C)  No, because there could be some other unknown or unmentioned factor affecting the survival of honeybees.
D)  No, because there is no reason to suspect that an insecticide would kill honeybees.

Question 7

A scientific hypothesis must be ________; if not, science cannot evaluate it.

Accepted Answer

A)  provable
B)  testable
C)  accepted
D)  rejected

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Once a hypothesis has been proposed, it can never be challenged.
B)  A valid scientific hypothesis is self-evident and does not need to be tested by experimentation.
C)  The scientific method or process can help people make informed medical and environmental decisions.
D)  If properly designed, experiments always prove hypotheses to be wrong.

Question 9

After observing that students who regularly attend class appear to be making good grades, I propose the hypothesis that regular class attendance increases the probability that students earn higher grades. If I attend classes regularly this semester, I should make higher grades than I did last semester when I often missed class. This is a ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of After observing that students who regularly attend...

Question 10

The caves in upstate New York, where Alan Hicks' team first noticed the deaths of thousands of bats, represent the

Accepted Answer

A)  biosphere where the bats lived.
B)  biome where the bats lived.
C)  ecosystem where the bats lived.
D)  community where the bats lived.

Question 11

Match the correct term(s)  with the sentence.
-Suggest a ________ to explain your observations and questions.

Accepted Answer

A)  tests
B)  communicate
C)  accept, reject, or modify
D)  observe
E)  analyzeF) hypothesisG) predictions

Question 12

David Blehert and his research team captured 117 healthy bats to study in the laboratory and divided them into four groups. Group 1 was housed in an area free from Geomyces destructans. Group 2 was housed in an area that shared the same air as bats infected with WNS, but they did not have direct contact with the infected bats. Group 3 was housed in direct contact with other bats infected with WNS. Group 4 was directly exposed to Geomyces destructans when it was applied to their wings. During the study period the bats were monitored for signs of WNS. Which group is the control group?

Accepted Answer

A)  group 1
B)  group 2
C)  group 3
D)  group 4

Question 13

Which term best describes the temperate deciduous forests that cover the northeastern United States, including the Adirondack Mountains?

Accepted Answer

A)  biosphere
B)  biome
C)  ecosystem
D)  community

Question 14

The claim has been made that women may be able to achieve significant improvements in memory by taking Gingko biloba supplements. To determine if the claim is fraudulent and prior to accepting this claim, what type of evidence would you like to see? Provide brief details of an investigative design.

Accepted Answer

The hypothesis to be examined is, "Takin...

Question 15

Match the correct term(s)  with the sentence.
-________ and ask questions about the natural world.

Accepted Answer

A)  tests
B)  communicate
C)  accept, reject, or modify
D)  observe
E)  analyzeF) hypothesisG) predictions

Question 16

A group of researchers conducted an experiment and collected the data presented in this graph. Which of the following statements are supported by the information in this graph?

Accepted Answer

A)  The hypothesis was proven beyond a doubt because all members of the control group survived while most of the members of both treatment groups died by the end of the study.
B)  The hypothesis was proven because all members of the control group survived while most of the members of both treatment groups died by the end of the study.
C)  The hypothesis was not supported because all members of the control group died while most of the members of both treatment groups survived through the end of the study.
D)  The hypothesis was supported because all members of the control group survived while most of the members of both treatment groups died by the end of the study.

Question 17

A scientific hypothesis must be constructed with which of the following characteristics?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is always provable and clearly states what is already known to be fact.
B)  It provides a reasonable explanation to a question and is consistent with current observations; it must also be testable and falsifiable.
C)  It provides an explanation consistent with accepted theological ideas and does not need to be tested.
D)  It does not require testing by experimentation or additional observations. It is not falsifiable.

Question 18

Living organisms maintain a constant internal environment by sensing and responding to their internal conditions. This stable maintenance of internal conditions is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  homeostasis.
B)  evolution.
C)  reproduction.
D)  sensation.

Question 19

Whenever we ________, we are proceeding scientifically.

Accepted Answer

A)  invoke a supernatural power as an explanation for how a natural phenomenon occurred
B)  stop questioning our observations
C)  try to solve a problem by systematically evaluating the plausibility of various solutions
D)  develop an unchangeable and definitive explanation

Question 20

Is it important for scientists to communicate their results to fellow scientists?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes. Scientists want to receive recognition and monetary reward for their work.
B)  No. There is no reason for scientists to communicate their results to fellow scientists.
C)  Yes. The quality and accuracy of the scientific work can be enhanced by input, further review, and possibly even repetition by other scientists working in the same field.
D)  No. Communication between scientists is discouraged because it can confuse the details of the experiments.

Exam 1: The Nature of Science

Which of the following statements is true?

Correct Answer
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Which term best describes the temperate deciduous forests that cover the northeastern United States, including the Adirondack Mountains?

Correct Answer
verified

Match the correct term(s) with the sentence. -________ and ask questions about the natural world.

Correct Answer
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A scientific hypothesis must be constructed with which of the following characteristics?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Living organisms maintain a constant internal environment by sensing and responding to their internal conditions. This stable maintenance of internal conditions is known as

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Whenever we ________, we are proceeding scientifically.

Correct Answer
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Is it possible for scientists to study events that happened or animals/plants that lived millions of years ago?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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The claim has been made that women may be able to achieve significant improvements in memory by taking Gingko biloba supplements. To determine if the claim is fraudulent and prior to accepting this claim, what type of evidence would you like to see? Provide brief details of an investigative design.

Correct Answer
verified
The hypothesis to be examined is, "Takin...
View Answer

Is it important for scientists to communicate their results to fellow scientists?

Correct Answer
verified

Match the correct term(s) with the sentence. -Suggest a ________ to explain your observations and questions.

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

A group of researchers conducted an experiment and collected the data presented in this graph. Which of the following statements are supported by the information in this graph?

Correct Answer
verified

The human heart pumps blood throughout the blood vessels in the body. This is a scientific

Correct Answer
verified

A species of butterflies gradually becomes darker in color over many generations; this is an example of which characteristic of living organisms?

Correct Answer
verified

The caves in upstate New York, where Alan Hicks' team first noticed the deaths of thousands of bats, represent the

Correct Answer
verified

A scientific hypothesis must be ________; if not, science cannot evaluate it.

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 1: The Nature of Science

Which of the following statements is true?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which term best describes the temperate deciduous forests that cover the northeastern United States, including the Adirondack Mountains?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Match the correct term(s) with the sentence. -________ and ask questions about the natural world.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A scientific hypothesis must be constructed with which of the following characteristics?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Living organisms maintain a constant internal environment by sensing and responding to their internal conditions. This stable maintenance of internal conditions is known as

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Whenever we ________, we are proceeding scientifically.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Is it possible for scientists to study events that happened or animals/plants that lived millions of years ago?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The claim has been made that women may be able to achieve significant improvements in memory by taking Gingko biloba supplements. To determine if the claim is fraudulent and prior to accepting this claim, what type of evidence would you like to see? Provide brief details of an investigative design.

Correct AnswerverifiedThe hypothesis to be examined is, "Takin...View AnswerShow Answer

Is it important for scientists to communicate their results to fellow scientists?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Match the correct term(s) with the sentence. -Suggest a ________ to explain your observations and questions.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A group of researchers conducted an experiment and collected the data presented in this graph. Which of the following statements are supported by the information in this graph?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The human heart pumps blood throughout the blood vessels in the body. This is a scientific

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A species of butterflies gradually becomes darker in color over many generations; this is an example of which characteristic of living organisms?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The caves in upstate New York, where Alan Hicks' team first noticed the deaths of thousands of bats, represent the

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A scientific hypothesis must be ________; if not, science cannot evaluate it.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified
The hypothesis to be examined is, "Takin...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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