Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A theory is a broad framework supported by a large body of evidence, while a hypothesis is a specific, testable explanation for a set of observations.

Question 2

A biologist observes that all swans she has seen are white. She concludes that all swans are white. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by all living things?

Accepted Answer

Ability to photosynthesize

Question 4

In a controlled experiment testing the effect of a new fertilizer on plant growth, which group receives the fertilizer?

Accepted Answer

Experimental group

Question 5

Which of the following statements about scientific models is correct?

Accepted Answer

Scientific models can only be proven false, never proven true.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Energy flows from the sun to producers, then to consumers, and finally to decomposers.

Question 7

Which of the following is the correct order of biological organization from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

Molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere

Question 8

Which of the following is the correct binomial nomenclature for humans?

Accepted Answer

$$Homo\ sapiens$$

Question 9

A student claims that because two variables are correlated, one must cause the other. Why is this reasoning flawed?

Accepted Answer

Correlation does not equal causation; two variables may be related without one causing the other.

Question 10

Which of the following domains includes organisms that lack a true cellular nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria and Archaea

Question 11

Which of the following is a function of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Recycling nutrients from dead organisms back to living ones

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

DNA stores heritable information and instructions for protein synthesis.

Question 13

Which of the following kingdoms contains organisms that are mostly decomposers and have cell walls made of chitin?

Accepted Answer

Fungi

Question 14

A scientist wants to test the hypothesis that a new drug lowers blood pressure. She gives the drug to one group and a sugar pill to another group. What is the purpose of the group receiving the sugar pill?

Accepted Answer

To serve as a control group for comparison

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?

Accepted Answer

All mammals have hair. Dogs are mammals. Therefore, dogs have hair.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a hypothesis to be considered scientific?

Accepted Answer

It must be based on supernatural explanations.

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why larger sample sizes are preferred in scientific experiments?

Accepted Answer

Larger sample sizes reduce the impact of random errors and increase reliability.

Question 18

Which of the following is the correct sequence for the flow of genetic information in a cell?

Accepted Answer

$$DNA ightarrow RNA ightarrow 	ext{Protein}$$

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about the Linnaean system of classification?

Accepted Answer

It uses a hierarchical system with domain as the highest level.

Question 20

Which of the following is a unifying theme in biology that explains the diversity and unity of life?

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Principles of Biology: Scientific Method, Characteristics of Life, and Taxonomy

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