Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a tentative explanation that can be tested through experimentation.

Question 2

In the pill bug experiment testing phototaxis, what is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The amount of light present in each region of the chamber.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a controlled variable in the pill bug phototaxis experiment?

Accepted Answer

The number of pill bugs placed in each side of the chamber.

Question 4

If pill bugs are positively phototactic, which prediction is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Pill bugs will move toward the light region.

Question 5

In the experiment testing pill bug response to moisture (hydrotaxis), what is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

The number of pill bugs in the moist region after 15 minutes.

Question 6

Which statement best describes a control group in the pill bug hydrotaxis experiment?

Accepted Answer

A group of pill bugs exposed only to dry filter paper.

Question 7

Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps in the scientific method as described in the study materials?

Accepted Answer

Observation, Question, Hypothesis, Prediction, Experiment, Analyze & Conclude

Question 8

A student designs an experiment to test pill bug movement in response to temperature. Which of the following would be the best hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

If pill bugs are placed in a chamber with a warm and a cool region, then they will move toward the warm region.

Question 9

Which term describes the movement of an animal toward or away from a stimulus such as light?

Accepted Answer

Phototaxis

Question 10

In the pill bug experiments, why is it important to use the same number of pill bugs in each region of the chamber at the start?

Accepted Answer

To control for initial population differences and allow valid comparison of movement.

Question 11

Which of the following best defines ethology?

Accepted Answer

The study of animal behavior.

Question 12

A student observes that pill bugs move toward moist filter paper. What type of taxis is this?

Accepted Answer

Hydrotaxis

Question 13

Which of the following is a prediction for the pill bug hydrotaxis experiment if the hypothesis is 'Pill bugs are positively hydrotactic'?

Accepted Answer

If pill bugs are positively hydrotactic, then they will move toward the moist region.

Question 14

Which equation would you use to calculate the percentage of pill bugs in the light region after the experiment?

Accepted Answer

$\frac{	ext{Number of pill bugs in light region}}{	ext{Total number of pill bugs}} 	imes 100$

Question 15

In the pill bug experiments, which variable is always placed on the y-axis of a graph?

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable

Question 16

A student wants to test pill bug movement in response to substrate type (sand vs. soil). What is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The type of substrate (sand or soil)

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

A prediction is a statement about what you expect to occur if the hypothesis is true.

Question 18

If pill bugs are negatively phototactic, what would you expect to observe in the experiment?

Accepted Answer

Pill bugs will move away from the light region.

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world application of understanding animal taxis?

Accepted Answer

Designing pest control strategies that use light or moisture to attract or repel insects.

Question 20

A student finds that pill bugs move toward the connector region rather than light or dark. What is the best next step in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Revise the hypothesis and design a new experiment to test pill bug preference for the connector region.

Scientific Method and Animal Behavior: Pill Bug Experiments

Study Guide - Practice Questions