ACT Natural Science: from "Consider the Eel"

Front

What does the word 'read' most nearly mean in the context of scientific observation?

Back

To observe.

Front

What discovery had the largest impact on scientists' understanding of where eels breed?

Back

Schmidt’s discovery of eel larvae in the Sargasso Sea.

Front

What process is necessary for eels' transition from shallower to deeper water?

Back

Osmosis.

Front

Why do female eels' pupils expand and turn blue?

Back

They must adapt to see in an environment with much less light than they are used to.

Front

What is one of the main ideas established by the passage regarding the life cycle of eels?

Back

Significant gaps still remain in researchers’ understanding of the life cycle of eels.

Front

Define osmosis in the context of aquatic life.

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Front

What is the significance of the Sargasso Sea in eel research?

Back

It is where Schmidt discovered eel larvae, which was crucial for understanding eel breeding.

Front

How do environmental light conditions affect the physiology of eels?

Back

Eels adapt their pupils to see better in low-light environments.

Front

What are some challenges researchers face in studying the life cycle of eels?

Back

Significant gaps in knowledge and understanding of their breeding and developmental stages.

Front

Explain the importance of observation in scientific research.

Back

Observation allows scientists to gather data and make informed conclusions about natural phenomena.