Chapter 1 Review

Testing hypotheses often involves designing experiments. Which of the following is the factor that is OBSERVED and MEASURED in an experiment?

• control group

• experimental group

• dependent variable

• independent variable

Dr. Smith reads two research papers that present different conclusions about the same question. He knows the researcher who wrote Paper A, but does not know the authors of Paper B. When asked which paper he thinks has more merit, Dr. Smith replies, "Paper A."

Because of Dr. Smith's connection to some of the researchers, he could be exhibiting.

• bias

• inference

• observation

• skepticism

Jane Goodall spent years with the chimpanzees of Gombe. Sitting quietly for hours, she watched the animals closely and took notes about their behavior.

What was Jane Goodall doing?

• testing variables

• watching a control group

• making observation

• applying a stimulus

After her run, Aisha felt thirsty. Thirst was her body's way of telling her she needed more water to maintain ______.

• growth

• metabolism

• development

• homeostasis

Tamar is talking about evolution with a friend. The friend says, "It's just a theory, so I don't believe it. When they prove it and it becomes the law of evolution, then maybe I'll change my mind."

Which of these possible replies best describes scientific principles or the work of scientists?

• Scientific theories do not become scientific laws; they are explanations for natural phenomena based on evidence.

• Science always finds the right answer; the answers that scientists and researchers discover never change.

• He should be wary of science because it is based on research and evidence, not bias and opinion.

• Scientists take each other at their word regarding experimental results, and the public should, too.

Camille notices that the leaves of her pothos plant are drooping this morning. The leaves were not droopy yesterday. She decides the plant needs to be watered. What had Camille just done?

• calculated the probability of the plant's ability to survive without water

• devised a controlled experiment about the effect of water on plant leaves

• formed a hypothesis based on quantitative data she has collected

• made an inference based on past experience and observation

Which of the following statements about science is accurate?

• Science deals with the investigation of supernatural events and creatures.

• Science is a list of beliefs and facts that is constant and unchanging.

• Science involves collecting and organizing data about the natural world.

• Science is the process of finding evidence that supports what you already think.

Dr. Sanchez and her team have observed an unusual star in the Andromeda galaxy. Their data suggests that the star is being consumed by a nearby black hole. They write a scientific paper about their work and submit it to a scientific journal. Other scientists read their paper and look for the unusual star as well.

The other scientists are participating in which of these activities?

• data collection

• peer review

• developing a hypothesis

• developing a theory

Michael's grandmother is taking part in an experiment to determine how well a new headache medication works. In this experiment, the people in Group A are taking the new medication. The people in Group B, including Michael's grandmother, are taking a pill that does not contain the new medication.

In this experiment, what is Group B?

• Group B is the control group

• Group B is the experimental group

• Group B is the independent variable

• Group B is the dependent variable

Much evidence has been discovered to support biological theories such as cell theory and germ theory, and no evidence has been found to prove these theories incorrect. Which statements are true about theories in general? SELECT ALL THE ANSWERS THAT APPLY

• Theories may become scientific law

• Theories are broad and useful explanations for how the world works

• Theories are accepted as absolute truth in the scientific community

• Theories are dynamic and complex, and constantly subject to revision