Textbook Question
What would researchers have to demonstrate to convince you that they had discovered life on another planet?
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Ch. 1 - Biology: The Study of Life
Freeman7th EditionBiological ScienceISBN: 9783584863285
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Biology: The Study of Life11
- Ch. 2 - Water and Carbon: The Chemical Basis of Life10
- Ch.3 - Protein Structure and Function11
- Ch.4 - Nucleic Acids and the RNA World10
- Ch. 5 - An Introduction to Carbohydrates10
- Ch. 6 - Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells10
- Ch. 7 - Inside the Cell10
- Ch. 8 - Energy and Enzymes: An Introduction to Metabolism10
- Ch. 9 - Cellular Respiration and Fermentation16
- Ch. 10 - Photosynthesis14
- Ch. 11 - Cell-Cell Interactions14
- Ch. 12 - The Cell Cycle12
- Ch. 13 - Meiosis13
- Ch. 14 - Mendel and the Gene32
- Ch. 15 - DNA and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair8
- Ch. 16 - How Genes Work35
- Ch. 17 - Transcription, RNA Processing, and Translation16
- Ch. 18 - Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria19
- Ch. 19 - Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes17
- Ch. 20 - The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology, Genomics, and New Frontiers23
- Ch. 21 - Genes, Development, and Evolution13
- Ch. 22 - Evolution by Natural Selection17
- Ch. 23 - Evolutionary Processes13
- Ch. 24 - Speciation15
- Ch. 25 - Phylogenies and the History of Life13
- Ch. 26 - Bacteria and Archaea17
- Ch. 27 - Diversification of Eukaryotes19
- Ch. 28 - Green Algae and Land Plants18
- Ch. 29 - Fungi19
- Ch. 30 - An Introduction to Animals9
- Ch. 31 - Protostome Animals20
- Ch. 32 - Deuterostome Animals19
- Ch. 33 - Viruses16
- Ch. 34 - Plant Form and Function16
- Ch. 35 - Water and Sugar Transport in Plants16
- Ch. 36 - Plant Nutrition13
- Ch. 37 - Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses16
- Ch. 38 - Flowering Plant Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 39 - Animal Form and Function16
- Ch. 40 - Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals16
- Ch. 41 - Animal Nutrition16
- Ch. 42 - Gas Exchange and Circulation16
- Ch. 43 - Animal Nervous Systems16
- Ch. 44 - Animal Sensory Systems16
- Ch. 45 - Animal Movement11
- Ch. 46 - Chemical Signals in Animals16
- Ch. 47 - Animal Reproduction and Development18
- Ch. 48 - The Immune System in Animals16
- Ch. 49 - An Introduction to Ecology16
- Ch. 50 - Behavioral Ecology16
- Ch. 51 - Population Ecology16
- Ch. 52 - Community Ecology20
- Ch. 53 - Ecosystems and Global Ecology16
- Ch. 54 - Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology16
Chapter 1, Problem 8
Explain why researchers formulate a null hypothesis in addition to a hypothesis when designing an experimental study.
Verified step by step guidance1
Begin by understanding the purpose of a hypothesis in scientific research. A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts the outcome of an experiment based on prior knowledge or observations.
Recognize the role of a null hypothesis. The null hypothesis is a statement that there is no effect or no difference, and it serves as a default position that researchers aim to test against their main hypothesis.
Consider the importance of the null hypothesis in statistical testing. It provides a basis for comparison, allowing researchers to determine if the observed data significantly deviates from what would be expected under the null hypothesis.
Understand how the null hypothesis helps in avoiding bias. By formulating a null hypothesis, researchers ensure that they are not only looking for evidence that supports their hypothesis but also considering the possibility that their hypothesis might not be correct.
Appreciate the role of the null hypothesis in scientific rigor. It helps in establishing a clear framework for testing and analyzing data, ensuring that conclusions drawn from the experiment are based on objective evidence rather than subjective expectations.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts a possible outcome or relationship between variables in an experiment. It is based on prior knowledge, observations, and logical reasoning. Formulating a hypothesis helps guide the experimental design and provides a focus for data collection and analysis.
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Null Hypothesis
The null hypothesis is a statement that assumes no effect or no difference between groups or variables in an experiment. It serves as a default position that researchers aim to test against the alternative hypothesis. By attempting to reject the null hypothesis, researchers can provide evidence supporting the presence of an effect or relationship.
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Scientific Method
The scientific method is a systematic approach to inquiry that involves making observations, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and analyzing results. It emphasizes the importance of objectivity and repeatability. Formulating both a hypothesis and a null hypothesis is a critical part of this process, ensuring that experiments are designed to rigorously test predictions and validate findings.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
What did Linnaeus' system of naming organisms ensure?
a. Two different organisms never end up with the same genus and species name.
b. Two different organisms have the same genus and species name if they are closely related.
c. The genus name is different for closely related species.
d. The species name is the same for each organism in a genus.
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Textbook Question
What is 'selected' during natural selection? Explain your answer.
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Textbook Question
A friend tells you that the theory of evolution is just an educated guess by biologists about how things work. Evaluate this statement.
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Textbook Question
A friend tells you that the theory of evolution is just an educated guess by biologists about how things work. Evaluate this statement.
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Textbook Question
Some humans have genes that make them resistant to infection by HIV. Would human populations likely evolve differently in areas of the world where HIV infection rates are high? Explain your logic.
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