Question 1

Which of the following best describes a hypothesis in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

An educated guess about the results of the question being investigated.

Question 2

In a controlled experiment testing the effect of fertilizer on plant growth, which is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

The height of the plants measured at the end of the experiment.

Question 3

A student designs an experiment to test whether adding sugar to water increases the lifespan of cut flowers. What is the control group in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

Flowers placed in water without sugar.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living things?

Accepted Answer

Ability to move voluntarily.

Question 5

A scientist wants to test the hypothesis: 'If tadpoles are exposed to increased ultraviolet radiation, then their survival rate will decrease.' What is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The amount of ultraviolet radiation the tadpoles are exposed to.

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why a control group is important in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

It provides a standard for comparison to determine if the independent variable has an effect.

Question 7

Which of the following graphs would be most appropriate to display the change in plant height over time?

Accepted Answer

Line graph

Question 8

A student observes that a rabbit’s fur turns white in the winter and brown in the summer. Which characteristic of life does this best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Response to the environment

Question 9

Which of the following statements about cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

All living things are made of one or more cells.

Question 10

Which scientist’s experiment helped disprove the theory of spontaneous generation by showing that microorganisms come from other microorganisms, not from nonliving matter?

Accepted Answer

Louis Pasteur

Question 11

A group of students wants to test if a vitamin supplement improves memory retention. Which of the following would be the best experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Give the supplement to one group and a placebo to another group, then compare memory scores.

Question 12

Which of the following best defines a dependent variable in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

The variable that is measured as the outcome of the experiment.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a standardized variable in an experiment testing the effect of light on plant growth?

Accepted Answer

The amount of water each plant receives.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the process of drawing a conclusion in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Analyzing data to determine whether the hypothesis is supported or rejected.

Question 15

A scientist observes that when salt is added to water, the temperature at which the water boils increases. Which of the following is the best hypothesis for this observation?

Accepted Answer

If salt is added to water, then the boiling point of the water will increase.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

State a problem, form a hypothesis, gather data, analyze data, draw a conclusion.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes a prokaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

A cell that lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Question 18

A student wants to test the effect of temperature on the rate of enzyme activity. Which variable should be kept constant to ensure a fair test?

Accepted Answer

The type of enzyme used.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a multicellular organism?

Accepted Answer

A human

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why biologists use standardized variables in experiments?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that only the independent variable affects the outcome.

General Biology Study Guide: Scientific Method, Experimental Design, and Characteristics of Life

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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