POGIL: Combined Sci Inquiry & Analyzing Data

The data table shows the concentration of estrogen in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) in the blood of a woman over the course of 28 days. The concentration of estrogen at day 8 is closest to

• 28 pg/mL

• 80 pg/mL

• 150 pg/mL

• 200 pg/mL

Answer explanation

Since there is no Day 8 in the Data Table, you have to estimate: the data shows that Day 5 is 80 pg/mL and Day 10 is 200 pg/mL. Since Day 8 is somewhere between Day 5 and Day 10, so must the concentration of Estrogen be between these values.

Diagrams, tables, and graphs are used by scientists mainly to

• design a research plan for an experiment

• test a hypothesis

• organize data

• predict the independent variable

Answer explanation

Diagrams, tables, and graphs are used by scientists mainly to organize their data so they can analyze their results.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Graphs of the data from laboratory investigations are used to

• observe general trends in the data

• make the observed data more accurate

• prevent errors in measuring data

• help change the original data tables

Answer explanation

A graph shows a visual comparison of the data from laboratory investigations. Graphs show general trends in the data.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

A student wanted to investigate the effect of light on the rate of ripening of tomatoes. She set up four pots of the same size with identical amounts of soil, water, and type of tomato plants. Each plant was exposed to a different intensity of light as shown in the table.

To report the final results, which label would be most appropriate for the third column of the data table?

• Height of Tomato Plants (cm)

• Average Ripening Time (days)

• Average Weight of Tomatoes per Plant (grams)

• Acidity of Tomatoes (pH)

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS1-7

Students collected data about the capacities of their lungs by inflating balloons with a single breath. They measured the circumference of the balloons in centimeters. Each student completed three trials and calculated the average. Which student miscalculated her average?

• Student 1

• Student 2

• Student 3

• Student 4

Answer explanation

The mean is the average of the numbers.

It is easy to calculate: add up all the numbers, then divide by how many numbers there are.

The table below shows an effect of secondhand smoke on the birth weight of babies born to husbands and wives living together during pregnancy. Based on these data, a reasonable conclusion that can be drawn about secondhand smoke during pregnancy is that secondhand smoke

• is unable to pass from the mother to the fetus

• slows the growth of the fetus

• causes mutations in cells of the ovaries

• blocks the receptors on antibody cells

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

A piece of refrigerated, cooked meat will remain safe to eat for a longer period of time than a refrigerated piece of raw meat of similar size. Which statement is a valid inference based on this information?

• Cooking meat kills many bacteria and fungi.

• Cool temperatures stimulate the growth of microbes on raw meat.

• Raw meat cannot be preserved.

• Cooked meat contains antibodies that destroy decomposers.

In the early 1600s, a scientist planted a willow tree that weighed 5 pounds in 200 pounds of dry soil. He placed it outside and watered it for 5 years. At the end of that time, he observed that the tree had gained 164 pounds 3 ounces, while the soil had lost just 2 ounces. From this, he concluded that plants gain weight from the water they take in. His conclusion was based on

• the input of scientists from many countries doing similar studies

• the application of advanced technologies to the study of a problem

• careful observation, measurements, and inferences from his data

• an extensive knowledge of the process of photosynthesis

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Before conducting an experiment, two students gathered information about the effect of greenhouse gases on global warming. Student A found information in a newspaper article. Student B found information in several peer-reviewed scientific journals and on three websites. After gathering the information, the students presented the information to their class. The class gave the students suggestions about how to continue with their experiment. How does this step benefit the investigation?

• Feedback from the class will help them design a better experiment.

• Feedback creates confusion, and will complicate the investigation.

• The students' investigation will be unaffected because the class is not carrying out the experiment.

• The investigation will be unchanged because students can use information only from published sources to design the experiment.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

NGSS.MS-ETS1-4

Before conducting an experiment, two students gathered information about the effect of greenhouse gases on global warming. Student A found information in a newspaper article. Student B found information in several peer-reviewed scientific journals and on three websites. Which statement most likely describes the reliability of the students' information?

• Information gathered by student A is more reliable because newspapers are always updated to reflect the most current research.

• Information gathered by student B is more reliable because some of it was gathered from peer-reviewed sources.

• Information gathered by student A is more reliable because it is from a single source without conflicting information.

• Information gathered by student B is more reliable because some of it was found on the internet.