Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between basic science and applied science?

Accepted Answer

Basic science seeks knowledge for understanding, while applied science uses knowledge to solve practical problems.

Question 2

A scientist observes that a certain plant grows faster in sunlight than in shade. She reviews previous research and then asks, 'Does the amount of sunlight affect plant growth rate?' Which step of the scientific method is she performing?

Accepted Answer

Formulating a specific question

Question 3

Which of the following statements about hypotheses is correct?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable.

Question 4

In an experiment testing the effect of a new drug, which group would serve as the negative control?

Accepted Answer

A group that receives no drug but is otherwise treated identically to the experimental group.

Question 5

Why is it important for a hypothesis to be falsifiable?

Accepted Answer

So that it can be disproven by evidence if it is incorrect.

Question 6

A scientist collects numerical measurements of plant height in centimeters. What type of data is this?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative data

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why larger sample sizes decrease sampling error in experiments?

Accepted Answer

Larger samples are more likely to represent the entire population.

Question 8

Which of the following is a limitation of science?

Accepted Answer

Science is limited to hypotheses that are testable and falsifiable.

Question 9

A published scientific study is reviewed by other experts in the field before it is accepted for publication. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

Peer review

Question 10

Which of the following best distinguishes a scientific theory from a scientific hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A theory is a broad explanation supported by much evidence, while a hypothesis is a specific, testable statement.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of pseudoscience rather than science?

Accepted Answer

A belief that is not testable or falsifiable and ignores contradictory data.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the relationship between scientific laws and scientific theories?

Accepted Answer

Laws describe what happens under certain conditions, while theories explain why those events occur.

Question 13

A scientist proposes that a certain chemical causes cancer in mice. She designs an experiment with two groups: one exposed to the chemical and one not exposed. What is the purpose of the control group in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

To determine what effect the chemical has by comparison.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about scientific conclusions is correct?

Accepted Answer

Statistically significant results do not prove a hypothesis; they only support it.

Question 15

If a scientist's experiment produces results that contradict a widely accepted theory, what should happen next according to the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

The new data should be reported and may lead to revision or rejection of the theory.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a hypothesis that is NOT scientific?

Accepted Answer

"Ghosts cause cold spots in rooms."

Question 17

Which reasoning process is used to develop a hypothesis from a general principle?

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning

Question 18

A scientist wants to test if a new fertilizer increases tomato yield. She sets up three groups: one with no fertilizer, one with a standard fertilizer, and one with the new fertilizer. Which group is the positive control?

Accepted Answer

The group with the standard fertilizer

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of peer review in science?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that scientific work is evaluated by experts for accuracy and validity before publication.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the use of statistics in scientific experiments?

Accepted Answer

Statistics are used to determine if results are due to chance or the effect of a variable.

Introduction to Science and Biology: Scientific Method, Key Terms, and Characteristics of Life

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