Question 1

Which of the following best describes a scientific theory as used in biology?

Accepted Answer

An explanation for a general phenomenon that is supported by a wide body of evidence collected by different researchers.

Question 2

In the experiment about garden spiders and web writing, what is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The amount of writing in the web.

Question 3

Which of the following is the best null hypothesis for the garden spider web experiment?

Accepted Answer

Bird collisions will not be affected by the amount of writing in the web.

Question 4

A student claims that because cheese consumption and deaths by bedsheet entanglement both increased from 2000-2009, cheese consumption causes bedsheet deaths. What is the main flaw in this reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The student is confusing correlation with causation.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a requirement of life according to the lecture?

Accepted Answer

Ability to photosynthesize

Question 6

In a controlled experiment, what is the purpose of the control group?

Accepted Answer

To provide a standard for comparison to the treatment group.

Question 7

Which step comes first in the scientific method when investigating a natural phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Observing the phenomenon

Question 8

A hypothesis must be:

Accepted Answer

Testable through experimentation or observation.

Question 9

Which of the following best illustrates the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a testable statement about a specific question; a theory is a broad explanation supported by extensive evidence.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a question that can be addressed by the scientific process?

Accepted Answer

How does the amount of sunlight affect plant growth?

Question 11

In the spider web experiment, which of the following is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Number of bird collisions with the web

Question 12

Which of the following statements about scientific inquiry is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Scientific inquiry involves asking questions, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and analyzing data.

Question 13

A biologist wants to test if a new fertilizer increases plant growth. She sets up two groups: one with fertilizer and one without. What is the control group?

Accepted Answer

The group without fertilizer

Question 14

Which of the following is a characteristic shared by all living organisms?

Accepted Answer

They are made up of cells.

Question 15

If a scientist wants to test for causation between two variables, what must they do?

Accepted Answer

Design a controlled experiment manipulating one variable and measuring the effect on the other.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a scientific theory in biology?

Accepted Answer

Chromosomal theory: Chromosomes carry hereditary information that is inherited through gametes during meiosis.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

$$y = f(x)$$

Question 18

A scientist collects data and finds that the results do not support her hypothesis. What should she do next?

Accepted Answer

Analyze the data, revise the hypothesis, and design new experiments.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of data visualization (such as graphs) in scientific experiments?

Accepted Answer

To help analyze and communicate the results of the experiment.

Question 20

Which of the following is a multi-step process that integrates observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and analysis?

Accepted Answer

The scientific method

Introduction to Scientific Inquiry and the Scientific Method in Biology

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