Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the five fundamental characteristics of life as described in General Biology?

Accepted Answer

All living organisms must be able to fly.

Question 2

A scientist wants to test whether a new drug reduces blood pressure. She randomly assigns participants to two groups: one receives the drug, the other receives a placebo. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The type of drug administered (drug vs. placebo)

Question 3

Which step in the scientific method involves making a testable statement that explains an observation?

Accepted Answer

Hypothesis

Question 4

In a well-designed experiment, why is randomization important?

Accepted Answer

It prevents bias in assigning subjects to control and treatment groups.

Question 5

Which of the following is a correct description of a control group in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

It is maintained under standard conditions with no change in the independent variable.

Question 6

A researcher hypothesizes that Echinacea reduces the duration of the common cold. What would be a valid prediction for this hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

People who take Echinacea will have shorter colds than those who do not.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about science is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Science is a self-correcting enterprise open to challenge.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes a double-blind strategy in experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Neither the subjects nor the researchers know which treatment is being administered.

Question 9

If a population of organisms is continually evolving, which fundamental characteristic of life does this demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Question 10

Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Observation, Hypothesis, Prediction, Experiment, Analysis and Conclusion

Question 11

A peer-reviewed publication in science helps prevent which of the following?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of a dependent variable in a biology experiment?

Accepted Answer

The height of plants measured after two weeks

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a step in the process of science?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring contradictory evidence

Question 14

Which equation best represents the relationship between variables in a simple experiment?

Accepted Answer

$$Y = f(X)$$

Question 15

In the food competition hypothesis, what is the evolutionary advantage proposed for giraffes with long necks?

Accepted Answer

They can reach food unavailable to other mammals.

Question 16

Which of the following is a characteristic of a well-designed experiment?

Accepted Answer

Use of a control group

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world example of applying the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Testing whether a new vaccine prevents disease in a population

Question 18

Which formula would you use to calculate the average height of giraffes in a population?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Average height} = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n} h_i}{n}$$

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of information in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Processing hereditary information encoded in genes and information from the environment

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT addressed by science according to the course materials?

Accepted Answer

The existence of God or other supernatural beings

Biology 1113: Introduction to Biology and the Scientific Method

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards