Bio SOL - Strand 1 Scientific Investigation

In 1893, a one-million acre area of the Grand Canyon National Forest Reserve was home to an estimated 3,000 Rocky mountain mule deer. Cattle, sheep, and horses also roamed the reserve. In 1906, government hunters killed off hundreds of mountain lions, coyotes, and bobcats when the area was set aside at the Grand Canyon National Game Preserve. The number of Rocky Mountain mule deer rose to over 100,000 by 1923. What was the approximate density of the mule deer in 1923?

• 1 fot every acre

• 1 for every 10 acres

• 1 for every 100 acres

• 1 for every 1000 acres

The graph shows the amount of pollutants removed by trees. During October, the trees were able to remove the greatest amount of -

• ozone

• particles

• NO₂

• SO₂

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

An experiment was conducted to test the effectiveness of four different fertilizers on plant growth. Two grams of each fertilizer were to be diluted in 9 milliliters (mL) of water before adding to a plant. Which of the following measuring devices would introduce the least error into the measurement of the 9mL of water?

• 10 mL graduated cylinder

• 20mL graduated cylinder

• 50mL graduated cylinder

• 100mL graduated cylinder

Scientists studied a flock of tundra swans that spent the winter along rivers in Virginia. The swans migrate in the spring to other locations. What would be the best way for scientists to distinguish between the birds they study in Virginia and flocks in the summer location?

• Capture and put coded bands on the birds in Virginia, then record the bands seen on birds in the summer location.

• Take detailed photographs of winter flocks in Virginia and summer flocks in other locations and compare.

• Follow the Virginia flock by vehicle on a daily basis

• Capture birds in the expected summer location and dissect them to find clues that show the birds were in Virginia during the winter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Chart A shows how changes in pH cause testing paper to change color. Chart B shows how testing papers reacted with several experimental substances. Which of these has a pH of about 3?

• Apples

• Beans

• Milk

• Shrimp

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

The data show the growth of the two bean plants over several weeks using four different fertilizers. The experimental data would be more valid if which of the following variables was included in the experiment?

• A fifth fertilizer was tested.

• Only one plant was tested

• The plants were grown at variable temperatures

• A control without fertilizer was included for each fo the plants

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Hypothesis: More pine seeds germinate after a forest fire.

The most valid and reliable test of this hypothesis would include an experimental group of pine seeds that was recovered from a fire area and pine seeds that were -

• germinated after fire

• tolerant of fire

• found before a fire

• placed in a fire

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A student wanted to study the effect of temperature on algae levels in a local stream. Which items are most useful for gathering data and most appropriate for communicating the results of her observations?

• Research on the Internet and videotapes of water samples

• Microscopes and written descriptions of weather patterns

• pH strips and written observations of stream water

• Test tubes, thermometers, and graphs of results

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

A student wanted to look at plant growth in five different soil samples. He planted the same type of seeds in identical containers and left them together in full sunlight. He gave each plant the same amount of water and charted the growth of each plant stem. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

• Soil

• Light

• Container

• Seeds

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Which trial in the table of data shown has questionable data?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3