Deck 1: The Scientific Study of Life

Question 1

A theory differs from a hypothesis in that a theory

A) has predictive power for similar phenomena that haven't been observed yet.
B) ties together many existing observations.
C) has more supportive research evidence than a hypothesis.
D) is broader in scope than a hypothesis.
E) All of the answer choices are correct.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Which of these statements best expresses the common linkage among the life characteristics met in all organisms?

A) Energy is needed to build, regulate and conduct processes of life.
B) Organisms are composed of the same elements as the rest of Earth's systems.
C) No changes in organisms will happen without reproduction of new generations.
D) If there is any variation in the environment, organisms must adapt to preserve their homeostasis.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which is the correct sequence for levels of biological organization occurring beyond the individual?

A) population - ecosystem - community - biosphere
B) community - population - ecosystem - biosphere
C) population - community - ecosystem - biosphere
D) community - population - biosphere - ecosystem
E) ecosystem - population - biosphere - community

Answer 3

C

Question 4

A major difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is that prokaryotes

A) have a nucleus in their cells, while eukaryotes do not.
B) do not have a nucleus in their cells, though eukaryotes do.
C) do not have DNA, as eukaryotes do.
D) have cell walls, while eukaryotes do not.

Question 5

The four kingdoms included in the domain Eukarya are

A) Bacteria, Protista, Plantae, and Animalia.
B) Archaea, Bacteria, Plantae, and Animalia.
C) Bacteria, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
D) Archaea, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
E) Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

Question 6

Which of these is not a required characteristic of life?

A) structural organization
B) homeostasis
C) evolution
D) energy use
E) movement

Question 7

From smallest to largest scale of complexity,which is the correct sequence for levels of biological organization within an organism?

A) atom - organelle - molecule - cell - tissue
B) atom - molecule - organelle - cell - tissue
C) organelle - molecule - atom - tissue - cell
D) molecule - atom - organelle - tissue - cell
E) cell - organelle - atom - tissue - molecule

Question 8

Until the late 1970s,there was no "Domain" of scientific naming as the broadest category in taxonomy.Kingdom Monera included similar microscopic organisms of Eubacteria and Archebacteria.Other kingdoms,Protista,Plantae,Fungi and Animalia were also named.Researchers proposed the Domain to account for distinction beyond existing differences discovered between the bacteria-like organisms.Which type of information led most directly to the support and adoption of the broader category of Domain,and subsequent Domains of Bacteria,Archaea and Eukarya?

A) Differences in DNA among the existing Kingdoms showed need for a broader naming category.
B) Cell shapes of the Bacteria and Archaea were found to be more distinct, after microscope technology improved.
C) More complex emergent properties developed after organisms were originally categorized to Kingdoms.
D) Evolution led to new adaptations and diversity of organisms.

Question 9

Organisms that obtain energy by eating nutrients that make up other organisms are called

A) autotrophs.
B) consumers.
C) producers.
D) plants.

Question 10

Examine this diagram.Note the structure of branches connecting groups of organisms.Called a phylogenetic tree,the branches propose relationships among organisms to each other,related to common ancestors.Although the proposed relationships can be described in sentences,the diagram summarizes them visually.The phylogenetic tree,then,represents

A) a collection of emergent properties among organisms.
B) the taxonomic names of all organisms indicated at each line and branch.
C) a hypothesis that can be tested.
D) an original set of observations on similarities and differences among organisms.
E) proof of the evolutionary theory of interrelationships among organisms.

Question 11

In any living organism,emergent properties must

A) first be produced in a new generation of offspring that will show the properties.
B) have fully developed tissue and organ systems, showing higher levels of complexity.
C) have evolved new properties from other similar organisms.
D) functionally arise from among components and interactions at smaller scales.

Question 12

Which of the following would not be a "control" in an experimental procedure?

A) a "zero-value" group
B) an experimental group
C) a placebo group
D) a known standard of comparison
E) a normal group

Question 13

In an experimental procedure,the researcher measures changes,such as cell growth rates,numbers of patients with a disease,etc.in response to factors manipulated at the beginning of the experiment.This measure of change in response to the initial conditions is the

A) Both dependent variable and standardized variable are correct.
B) dependent variable.
C) standardized variable.
D) control group.
E) independent variable.

Question 14

Which of the following is not true about a hypothesis?

A) It can be proven to be false.
B) It is a tentative explanation.
C) Previous knowledge can help support it.
D) It must be testable to be useful.
E) It can be proven to be true.

Question 15

In an experimental procedure,the researcher has established multiple levels of a chemical,or amounts of light,or some other factor at the beginning of the experiment,in order to determine if and how much the biological system responds.The manipulated factor at varying levels is the

A) control group.
B) Both control group and standardized variable are correct.
C) dependent variable.
D) standardized variable.
E) independent variable.

Question 16

To be considered 'life,' an organism must minimally consist of

A) RNA and proteins.
B) atoms and molecules.
C) DNA and proteins.
D) DNA and RNA.
E) one or more cells.

Question 17

"The most restrictive taxon" and "the ability to breed only among themselves" reference

A) members of the same domain.
B) members of the same kingdom.
C) members of the same species.
D) members of the same family.
E) members of the same genus.

Question 18

Organisms that make their own nutrients by capturing energy from nonliving resources (solar energy)are called

A) consumers.
B) decomposers.
C) parasites.
D) producers.

Question 19

Which of the following is not a true statement about the scientific method?

A) It is a framework to consider ideas in a repeatable way.
B) It does not apply to problems encountered in everyday life.
C) It is a framework to consider evidence in a repeatable way.
D) It is a general way of organizing an investigation.
E) It begins with observations.

Question 20

'Life' is defined for any particle,substance or object as anything which is not dead.

Question 21

An ecosystem would include all of the following except

A) a community that may include producers, consumers and decomposers.
B) the biosphere, with its resources and functioning systems.
C) populations of organisms in the same species.
D) non-living air, water, soils and other components in an area.
E) None of the answer choices are correct.

Question 22

Organisms require energy to stay organized.What is the energy source for the plants in your experiment?

A) carbon dioxide
B) water
C) light
D) ammonium nitrate
E) soil

Question 23

A plant takes up nutrients like ammonium nitrate to maintain

A) natural selection.
B) asexual reproduction.
C) homeostasis.
D) evolution.
E) sexual reproduction.

Question 24

An inert substance (such as sugar,water or saline solution)that resembles the dosage treatments (is injected or drank or given in pills the same way)given to experimental groups for testing a new medicine is

A) a placebo.
B) an independent variable.
C) a standardized variable.
D) never used in an experiment.

Question 25

The correct sequence going from smallest to largest is

A) atom - molecule - cell - organelle - tissue.
B) cell - tissue - organelle - molecule - atom.
C) tissue - cell - organelle - molecule - atom.
D) atom - molecule - organelle - cell - tissue.
E) molecule - atom - organelle - cell - tissue.

Question 26

A researcher has identified a single-celled organism growing in birdbath water.Growing the organism in a laboratory,the organism is found to reproduce by simple cell division,resulting in offspring generations that are nearly identical to the original cells collected.This organism exhibits a form of

A) sexual reproduction, mixing genetic material from the parent cells.
B) evolution of each new generation produced.
C) a form of reproduction occuring only in bacteria.
D) asexual reproduction.

Question 27

A golfer wants a new set of clubs to improve her game.In an experiment,she goes to the driving range and compares the distance she hits a bucket of golf balls with drivers of different materials in the head before making her purchase decision.In this simple experiment,the standardized variable is the

A) angle the ball was hit by the head surface of the club.
B) all of these except the type of material used to make the club.
C) type of material used to make the golf ball.
D) wind direction when the experiment took place.
E) force generated by her swing, when hitting the ball.

Question 28

A plant is a

A) decomposer.
B) producer.
C) consumer.
D) consumer and producer.
E) consumer and decomposer.

Question 29

Which of the following is a (are)dependent variable(s)in this experiment?

A) the height of the plants and amount of light
B) the amount of ammonium nitrate and light
C) the amount of light
D) the height of the plants
E) the amount of ammonium nitrate

Question 30

Which of the following is an (are)independent variable(s)in this experiment?

A) the amount of light
B) the height of the plants and amount of light
C) the amount of ammonium nitrate
D) the amount of ammonium nitrate and light
E) the height of the plants

Question 31

A structure,such as a flower in plants,or a liver in animals,consisting of tissues organized to carry out a specific function is a(an)

A) population.
B) molecule.
C) organelle.
D) cell.
E) organ.

Question 32

A college student has a new job,and must balance classes and commute times to work.The student takes two weeks to drive from campus to the workplace by several routes,including a direct route through town,a highway route,and a route through a city park.Comparing the drive times,affected by the route,speed limits and intersections is possible.The dependent variable is the

A) total amount of time spent stopped at stop signs and stoplights at intersections.
B) average time in minutes it takes to drive from campus to workplace.
C) the time in minutes after class lets out, until the student has entered traffic to drive to the workplace.
D) distance in miles of each possible driving route from campus to workplace.

Question 33

Which is the correct sequence of steps in the scientific method?

A) form hypothesis - observation - design an experiment - collect data - analyze results
B) form hypothesis - observation - collect data - analyze results - design an experiment
C) observation - form hypothesis - design an experiment - collect data - analyze results
D) observation - analyze results - form hypothesis - draw conclusions - design an experiment
E) observation - analyze results - draw conclusion - design an experiment - form hypothesis

Question 34

The leaf of a plant is

A) an organ.
B) a cell.
C) a molecule.
D) an organism.
E) an organelle.

Question 35

In this experiment,the molecule ammonium nitrate is acting

A) on the cells of the strawberries, but with no evidence of impacts on tissue scale of the strawberries being grown.
B) only on the molecular scale of life in the strawberry plants.
C) with uniform responses of growth by all sixteen strawberry plants observed-a standardized variable.
D) on the molecules, but also producing responses at the cell, tissue and organism scales of the strawberries.
E) on the naturral ecosystem scale of strawberry plants, as they are grown from seeds.

Question 36

All ecosystems

A) need a continuous outside energy source.
B) consist of only living organisms.
C) are entirely self-sufficient.
D) stay exactly the same once mature.
E) None of the answer choices are correct.

Question 37

A golfer wants a new set of clubs to improve her game.In an experiment,she goes to the driving range and compares the distance she hits a bucket of golf balls with drivers of different materials in the head before making her purchase decision.In this simple experiment,the independent variable is the

A) swing speed of the golf club prior to striking the golf ball.
B) wind direction when the experiment took place.
C) type of material used to make the club head.
D) distance the golf ball traveled.
E) type of material used to make the golf ball.

Question 38

Homeostasis means that

A) conditions inside a cell or organism remain within a constant range.
B) environmental conditions are held constant and do not change.
C) cells have enough water.
D) a population changes over time.
E) all organisms require an energy source.

Question 39

In an experiment,which of the following is not generally a true statement?

A) The larger the sample size the more meaningful the results.
B) It is important to standardize aspects of an experiment that might affect the outcome, other than the independent variable.
C) Without the proper control an experiment is not valid.
D) The smaller the sample size the more meaningful the results.
E) None of the answer choices are correct.

Question 40

In this experiment,you are working with available planter pots from the laboratory.You have choices of clay pots of different sizes,as well as biodegradable peat pots and others within lab equipment provided.To establish a standardized variable,you would

A) monitor the strawberry growth rates and determine a mathematical correction to account for the type and size of pot used.
B) report the pot type used, though recognizing the pot is not as important as fertilizer and light to the strawberries.
C) select all sixteen pots to be of the same material and size for the experiment.
D) choose clay pots for the fertilized plants, and biodegradable pots for the unfertilized plants.

Question 41

In an experiment designed to determine if a fertilizer increased crop yield in tomato plants,the number of tomatoes produced by each plant would be the independent variable.

Question 42

In this diagram,the Y-axis of the graph shows values of "Incidence of Illness" in infants.The varying numbers of infants getting sick with rotavirus represents the

A) control group of infants in this medical study
B) dependent variable of this medical study.
C) independent variable of this medical study.
D) standardized variable of this medical study.
E) normal infant baseline for reference to results from this medical study.

Question 43

As part of observation in your scientific method,you discover that your strawberry plants reproduce by growing fruits that distribute seeds.This demonstrates that they reproduce by

A) development and adaptation.
B) development and maturation.
C) asexual reproduction.
D) sexual reproduction.

Question 44

You are feeling ill,so you visit a physician.Your wish is that the physician will quickly cure your fatigue,headache,runny nose and other ailments.Instead,the physician measures your temperature,blood pressure,pulse and orders blood tests and urine analysis to determine more about your condition.The results of all of these observations and tests will help the physician assess why your body is temporarily out of 'normal' conditions,or

A) organism level of complexity.
B) adaptation.
C) natural selection.
D) homeostasis.

Question 45

Given basic information from observations of the orchid with a long nectary,and the moth with the long proboscis,what is the advantage to a plant like an orchid producing nectar over a plant like a pine tree that does not produce nectar?

A) Nectar helps disperse pollen by water.
B) Nectar attracts animals that perform pollination.
C) Nectar helps disperse pollen by wind.
D) Nectar provides a sticky surface for pollen to attach to, promoting fertilization.
E) Nectar provides food for the pollen and growing fruit.

Question 46

In this experiment,if the people actually giving the placebo,low,medium or high vaccine doses did not know which dose they were administering,it was an example of a double-blind experiment.

Question 47

Decomposers are a special group of producers.

Question 48

In an experiment designed to determine if a fertilizer increased crop yield in tomato plants,the number of tomatoes produced by each plant
would be the dependent variable.

Question 49

What is the advantage to the sphinx moth Xanthopan morgani by having an 8-inch long tongue?

A) It makes flying more efficient.
B) It can only pollinate one type of flower.
C) It can reach nectar that no other pollinator can reach.
D) It is used to attract mates through sexual selection.
E) It can be used to capture other flying insects for food.

Question 50

The cell is the basic unit of life.

Question 51

In the graph,interpret the data that are shown regarding the response of a large number of infants to vaccination from dangerous rotavirus infection.Which of the hypotheses is NOT supported by these data results?

A) The new vaccine is ineffective in protecting infants from any rotavirus infection.
B) The high dose of the new vaccine does not offer any stronger protection from any rotavirus infection than the medium dose.
C) The low dose of the vaccine reduces incidence of illness from any rotavirus in general, and also severe rotavirus.
D) Hypotheses about the vaccine doses can't be evaluated, because the placebo group is biased, with high incidence of illness in those infants.
E) Medium and high doses of the vaccine are more effective at reducing severe rotavirus illnesses than reducing any rotavirus.

Question 52

The "Kingdom" is the most all-inclusive taxonomic category.

Question 53

Charles Darwin,after observing variability among plant and animal species in various locations,proposed an explanation for what he saw.The broad proposal included reasons that species could be modified through genetic variation,leading to measurable similarity and difference.Evidence for the proposal came from biological,geographic and geological observations.His proposal allowed for prediction of new species that might be found in new settings,based on environmental conditions.Darwin's proposal is an example of

A) a standardized variable.
B) a dependent variable.
C) an independent variable.
D) a theory.
E) a hypothesis.

Question 54

What did Charles Darwin propose after observing the 11-inch long nectaries of the Angraecum sesquipedale orchid in Madagascar?

A) the presence of very small bees that can fit into a long nectar tube
B) the existence of a pollinator moth with a proboscis of 10-11 inches
C) that the orchid was an evolutionary dead end and could no longer reproduce
D) that the orchid must reproduce asexually

Question 55

The smallest scale of biological organization is represented by each organelle.

Question 56

Darwin observed an orchid flower with petals arranged in very long,thin tubes,rather than broad and flat,as we might commonly see in other common flowers.What is the advantage to the orchid having an 11-inch long nectary tube arrangement of the petals?

A) The long tube can trap insects as a source of nutrients.
B) The flower can collect more sunlight for photosynthesis.
C) The flower can produce nectar more easily spread over a larger area to attract more pollinators.
D) The flower can only be pollinated by a specifically adapted pollinator, reducing cross-fertilization among orchid species.
E) The flower nectary tube can collect more rainwater to maintain health of the flower.

Question 57

In an experiment designed to determine if a fertilizer increased crop yield in tomato plants,the amount of sunlight and water the plants received would be standardized variables.

Question 58

In the graph,the X-axis is showing different doses of vaccine,including "placebo," "low," "medium" and "high." These levels of vaccine were applied to different groups of babies to test if and how much the vaccination helped reduce the incidence of rotavirus,an illness that can quickly dehydrate infants to critical or fatal levels.These doses represent

A) the independent variable in this medical study.
B) the standardized variable in this medical study.
C) the dependent variable in this medical study.
D) the control group of this medical study.

Question 59

A theory is an advanced hypothesis that has been proven to be true.

Question 60

Charles Darwin observed an orchid flower with very long,thin tubes that prevent many species from feeding on flower nectar and pollinating the flower.He offered a prediction that some species of pollinator would eventually be found that can feed and pollinate through the small tube.You decide to test Charles Darwin's proposal by placing nets over some orchids that allow small pollinators to enter,but prevent the large sphinx moth from entering.You then compare the number of seeds produced by plants with and without the nets.The seed production is

A) a theory.
B) a dependent variable.
C) an independent variable.
D) a standardized variable.
E) a hypothesis.

Question 61

Evolution theory includes changes in the genetic makeup of species populations,through many generations.This can produce organisms well suited to their environments.Adaptation can be distinguished from natural selection as factors in evolution in that natural selection

A) is the success of organisms with genetic traits to continue reproducing generations with those traits within their population.
B) results from genetic mutations in asexual reproduction, whereas adaptation happens only in sexual reproduction.
C) is a specific genetic trait that favors the survival of an organism until it can successfully reproduce.
D) describes the variability of the environments and conditions in which populations live.

Question 62

Scientific inquiry in biology is linked in a concept map with two sets of understanding researchers might pursue in experiments.Which of these is a good example of why concepts are linked between what is studied and how it might be studied?

A) A newly identified bacterium in African soils is found to promote plant growth that a researcher will study in crop production.
B) All of the answer choices are correct.
C) A research physician hypothesizes that a new skin therapy will result in healthier skin tissues for healing.
D) Environmental changes over recent decades have led to studies of whether specific plants and animals can adapt to the changes.

Question 63

One researcher,Gregor Mendel,studied the genetics of pea plants related to flower colors,pea colors,pea pod shapes and other features of the plant.He numerically modeled the results he observed and published results,which eventually led to our basic understanding of how biological traits are passed to new generations of organisms.This was before biologists had even identified DNA and chromosomes.His work,however was largely rejected for over thirty years,partly for minor record-keeping errors,and partly for the new approach of defining reproduction of organisms in terms of numerical probabilities.This demonstrates that

A) a unique new way to propose a theory, discredits the research until someone else proves findings to be true.
B) scientific evidence may still be accepted slowly, because of cultural biases and other understandings on the topic.
C) Gregor Mendel's work wasn't valid until researchers later identified chromosomes and their role in reproduction.
D) only the most recent scientific investigations on a topic are useful in understanding biological conditions or processes.

Question 64

Health care and fitness professionals promote moderate exercise for each person,throughout the week.Positive results are reportedly better heart health.In an attempt to study effect of moderate research on heart health,you track four groups of fellow students through a semester.One group is a control and told not to change any of their exercise patterns.The three other groups are assigned to a 30-minute exercise once,twice or three times a week.Results at the end of the semester show that average blood pressure and pulse rates are nearly the same for the control group and the once-a-week exercisers.Average blood pressure and pulse were slightly lower for the two groups that exercised more often,but not every student showed any difference,and some actually had increases,as found in all four groups.Interpret which conclusion would most likely be made,once the described results are analyzed with statistics.

A) The measured blood pressure and pulse data values of the control group and three exercising groups in this study prove that moderate exercise does not have any beneficial impact on heart health.
B) Measured differences in the average blood pressure and pulse of the three experimental groups will not likely show statistically significant difference from the control group.
C) The individual student data variability and even increased blood pressure and pulse in the two groups exercising more often will not change the fact that the average data values will prove to be statistically significant in difference from the control group.
D) Measured differences in the average blood pressure and pulse of the once-a-week exercise group and the control group will likely show statistically significant difference from the groups exercising more often.

Question 65

If your physician determines that you are ill because of a virus infection,the virus is not yet considered an organism.Viruses don't have cell membranes,organelles,nor carry out vital life functions,though they do have a form of DNA (or similar RNA).A researcher proposing to categorize viruses in the tree of life would need to

A) remember that the scientific method will prevent any changes to the current taxonomy and tree of life.
B) apply his/her proposal to any newly discovered virus, since others aren't currently considered organisms.
C) propose that relationship to other organisms as a new hypothesis, and test viruses for shared life characteristics.
D) establish any virus as a control group for experimentation with established domains of organisms.

Question 66

Researchers can readily extract DNA from one organism and merge that DNA into another organism,applying genetic engineering as a possible cure to cancer or muscular dystrophy and other diseases.The scientific method can test a hypothesis to determine if this approach is morally right or wrong.