Biology EOC Review - Unit 1 - Nature of Science

A mineral supplement designed to prevent the flu is given to two groups of people during a scientific study. Dosages of the supplement are measured in milligrams per day, as shown in the table below.

After 10 weeks, neither group reports a case of the flu. Which action will make the study provide useful data?

• Include a third group that receives 150 mg of supplement.

• Include a third group that does not receive the supplement.

• Only test the group that is given 200 mg of the supplement.

• Test the supplement on both groups for only 5 weeks.

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For her science fair project, Samantha would like to see how different substances affect bone mass. She collects several chicken leg bones from the grocery store, records each bone’s mass, and soaks them in different liquids for 48 hours. After 48 hours Samantha measures the mass of each bone again. In Samantha’s experiment, which of the following should be a constant in all test groups?

l. amount of liquid

ll. initial mass of the bone

lll. Temperature of liquid

• I, II, and III

• l only

• ll only

• l and lll

The current knowledge concerning cells is the result of the investigations and observations of many scientists. The work of these scientists forms a well-accepted body of knowledge about cells. This body of knowledge is an example of which of the following?

• a research proposal

• a theory

• a hypothesis

• a controlled experiment

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Researchers notice that animal populations in a wildlife preserve have been decreasing. Which step should the researchers perform to obtain the most valid data about the decreasing animal population?

• Interview current and former employees about their favorite animal found in the preserve.

• Count and track the number of guests visiting the preserve on a weekly basis.

• Throughout the year count and record animals throughout the preserve, as well as log animal deaths.

• Analyze data about areas of the preserve that require extensive maintenance.

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The diagram below shows two setups used to study bacterial growth. Each setup initially contained an equal number of the bacterium E. coli in different carbohydrate solutions. After one hour, a 1-milliliter sample was drawn from each tube and analyzed. The number of bacteria found in the sample from test tube 1 was higher than the number in the sample from test tube 2.

What conclusion regarding this investigation is NOT valid?

• The rate of growth of E. coli depends on the type of carbohydrate present.

• All bacteria grow best in a solution of glucose than in a solution of sucrose.

• E. coli grows better in a 10% solution of glucose than in a 10% solution of sucrose.

• The type of sugar solution will make a difference in the rate of growth of E. coli.

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Scientific skepticism is the idea of

• evidence must be based on the logic and mutual agreement of expert scientists.

• scientists are skeptical about what they cannot see themselves.

• scientists evaluate ideas based on personal logic, authority, and investigation.

• scientists will agree on research if it has been tested at least once.

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Researchers make a claim that they have found a new species of bird. Environmentalists argue that the creature is just a mutation of a seagull that occurred due to increased exposure to oil in the Gulf of Mexico.  Which of the following considerations most logically support the environmentalists' explanation?

• Genetic tests on the subject bird show direct similarities to seagulls.

• Oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico has led to higher levels of petroleum pollutants in the water.

• Other species of coastal birds who have been exposed to high levels of oil have shown similar mutations.

• Species mutation would not be visible for many generations and oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico is relatively recent.

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In analyzing the hypothesis of global warming, the average temperature of the earth is used over and over. One group of scientists claims that global warming is occurring because the average temperature of the earth has increased 0.8 degrees Celsius in the last hundred years. Another group of scientists says that global warming is not happening, due the fact that the earth’s temperature has fluctuated only 0.8 degrees Celsius in the past hundred years. Which statement below best reflects how two groups of scientists can use the same data to justify two different conclusions?

• Data must be interpreted in science and can be interpreted in multiple ways.

• Data in science is rarely accurate and should not be used in a scientific argument.

• The data is false and needs to be corrected since it can’t justify both sides of a scientific argument.

• Data is difficult to collect and frequently ends up being manipulated and changed to benefit the conclusion a scientist wants to reach.

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A scientist concludes that a new organism has been discovered in the Amazon River. Which is the most important reason for the scientist to have discussions with other scientists about this conclusion?

• So other scientists can challenge the conclusion.

• To get credit from other scientists for the discovery.

• To encourage scientists to look for other new organisms.

• To gain media attention on the discovery of the new organism.

Two students are examining the data from a classroom experiment in which they are trying to extract oil from algae to convert it to biofuel. The data they are looking at shows a remarkable increase in the amount of oil they were able to extract from a sample of algae. One student claims the increase in oil was because the algae were dried before processing. The other student claims that the increase is a result of better laboratory techniques they developed by doing the experiment over and over. What is the best method for resolving this issue?

• The students should work together to test both ideas repeatedly, to gain a better understanding of the data.

• The student’s claim about the increase in oil due to better laboratory techniques is more logical so that claim should be accepted over the other.

• The students' claims should both agree since they are looking at the same data. Therefore, both must have errors and another explanation should be offered.

• The student’s claim about the dried algae is more scientific and shows a clearer understanding of chemistry, so they should proceed with testing that claim.

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