Biology Tests Scientific Laws

For Multiple Choice Items, circle the correct response. If a company claims that its product has been proven scientifically, which of the following should have taken place if the results are to be considered reliable? A. The company should have held discussions with leading industry scientists. B. Technology should have been used in both the gathering of data and data analysis. "C. Results should have been peer reviewed and repeated producing the same findings. D. The results of the investigation should have been published in popular magazines. Based on your knowledge of scientific investigations, which stage of scientific investigation did the invention of the microscope significantly advance? A. Communicating the results of experimentation *B. Gathering the data for the investigation C. Generating explanations of phenomena D. Planning the investigation and experimentation A student is conducting an investigation to determine the effect of temperature on the metabolism of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Yeast and sugar are added to water, the gas produced is captured, and its volume is recorded. Which variables should be held constant during this investigation? A. Mass of sugar and water temperature *B. Mass of yeast and mass of sugar C. Volume of gas and water temperature D. Volume of gas and mass of yeast Scientific law and a scientific theory are similar in that both A. are based on what we expect to happen based on natural history B. describe the events that can be observed in nature C. explain why events and conditions occur as they do in the natural world "D. represent a large amount of scientific investigation and evidence To help patients replenish bodily fluids quickly during an illness, doctors need to understand how cells behave in their environment. Doctors have confidence in what they know about how cells behave because *A. cell theory has been tested, refined, and observed to be true over hundreds of years B. large medical institutions have conducted their own experiments justifying cell theory C. the basics of cell theory have not changed much since the original experiments D. what we know about cell theory has been published in reputable journals Which of the following best describes a result of the polar nature of water molecules? *A. Ionic compounds dissolve easily in water. B. The volume of water decreases by nearly half when it is frozen. C. Water molecules repel each other. D. Water molecules repel most other substances. Water has a much higher specific heat than most other covalent compounds. What do you predict might happen if water had a low specific heat instead? A. Flooding would occur and animals would be forced to migrate. B. Harmful organisms living in water would reproduce at a rapid rate. *C. Organisms that are sensitive to changes in temperature would die. D. Plants would not have enough water to effectively carry out photosynthesis. In which of the following circumstances would it be most likely for large organic molecules to form during a laboratory experiment? A. If amino acids and nucleic acids both formed B. If oxygen were slowly added as the experiment progressed *C. If RNA segments that could act as catalysts formed D. If the mixture were repeatedly heated and cooled Assume a group of scientists has managed to set up an experiment simulating the conditions of early Earth that resulted in a cell with DNA using RNA to produce proteins from amino acids as modern cells do. What conclusion could they draw from this experiment? *A. It is possible for a cell similar to a modern cell to form under the conditions of the experiment. B. Modern cells developed from inorganic compounds in the conditions that existed on early Earth. C. The conditions of their experiment exactly replicated the conditions found on early Earth. D. The way modern cells function is the only way a cell could be constructed and survive. If a snake species were introduced to an ecosystem where it had no natural predators, what long-term effect do you predict the snakes would have on the population dynamics of the ecosystem? A. They would breed with native snake species, resulting in an increase in biodiversity in the ecosystem. *B. They would compete with native snake species for resources, causing a decline in native snake populations and possibly extinction. C. They would form mutualistic relationships with native snakes, since they would occupy the same niche in the ecosystem. D. They would serve as a food source for predators of native snakes, causing an increase in native snake populations. Carbon Dioxide is important in our atmosphere because it is required for photosynthesis and traps some heat, keeping the Earth warm, However, human produced carbon dioxide is a problem because it *A. leads to higher global temperatures. B. disrupts the natural cycling of other greenhouse gases. C. add too much carbon dioxide to the oceans. D. causes uncontrolled photosynthesis. The choices that humans make every day affect the environment. Sometimes, our lifestyles can harm the environment rather than protect it. Which of the following would be most helpful in protecting the environment and achieving sustainability? A. Buying paper products made from harvested trees B. Buying fewer mass produced products C. Using natural gas as a fuel source instead of petroleum *D. Using solar power to generate electricity The activities that take place to meet human needs can often be harmful to ecosystems. By developing sustainable practices, however, we can help protect our environment. Which of the following changes would be most helpful in reaching sustainability? A. Building more water treatment facilities *B. Planting trees to replace those that are cut down by logging C. Tilling soil to improve soil fertility and increase crop production D. Using natural gas for fuel instead of burning petroleum