Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the five fundamental characteristics shared by all living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Ability to maintain homeostasis

Question 2

A scientist observes that desert ants can return to their nest after foraging. She hypothesizes that ants use an internal pedometer to measure distance. Which of the following is the correct null hypothesis for her experiment?

Accepted Answer

There will be no difference in homing distance among ants with different leg lengths.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A broad explanation supported by a large body of evidence

Question 4

In the ant leg experiment, which group of ants would you expect to stop short of the nest if the pedometer hypothesis is correct?

Accepted Answer

Ants with stump legs

Question 5

Which of the following is a key feature of a controlled experiment?

Accepted Answer

Manipulating one variable while keeping others constant

Question 6

A researcher proposes that giraffes have long necks because longer-necked males win more fights and father more offspring. This is an example of which type of hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Sexual competition hypothesis

Question 7

Which of the following best represents the flow of genetic information according to the central dogma of molecular biology?

Accepted Answer

$DNA \rightarrow RNA \rightarrow Protein$

Question 8

Which step comes immediately after forming a hypothesis in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Designing an experiment to test predictions

Question 9

A student claims that a robot programmed to respond to its environment and replicate itself is alive. Which characteristic of life is the robot most likely missing?

Accepted Answer

Evolution by natural selection

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the food competition hypothesis for giraffe neck length is supported by experimental evidence?

Accepted Answer

Giraffes do not usually feed at heights requiring neck extension.

Question 11

Which of the following is the best example of a prediction in a scientific experiment?

Accepted Answer

If ants use a pedometer, then ants with stilts will overshoot the nest.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a population in biological terms?

Accepted Answer

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area

Question 13

A scientist wants to test if a new fertilizer increases plant growth. She sets up two groups: one receives the fertilizer, the other does not. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

Application of fertilizer

Question 14

Which of the following is a critical reason for using a large sample size in experiments?

Accepted Answer

To reduce the impact of random variation

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a testable hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

If plants are given more sunlight, they will grow taller.

Question 16

In the context of the scientific method, what is the main purpose of making a prediction?

Accepted Answer

To provide a measurable or observable result that can test a hypothesis

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why all cells must replicate for life to exist?

Accepted Answer

Replication allows for the transfer of genetic information to offspring.

Question 18

A biologist is studying a new organism and observes that it can process information, use energy, and reproduce. Which additional characteristic must be present for it to be considered alive?

Accepted Answer

It must be made of one or more cells.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the chromosome theory of inheritance is correct?

Accepted Answer

Genes are located on chromosomes.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between a hypothesis and a theory in science?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a testable statement, while a theory is a well-supported explanation for a broad set of observations.

Biology 1011: Chapter 1 – The Study of Life and the Scientific Method

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