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Understanding Variables and Scientific Concepts

Total questions: 128

Worksheet time: 2hrs 21mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

During what season does Mrs. Hilby's dog Tucker eat the most doggie treats? Identify the independent and dependent variables.

a)

Independent variable: Season; Dependent variable: Amount of doggie treats eaten.

b)

Independent variable: Amount of doggie treats eaten; Dependent variable: Season.

c)

Independent variable: Dog breed; Dependent variable: Amount of doggie treats eaten.

d)

Independent variable: Time of day; Dependent variable: Season.

2.

How does the number of hours a student spends studying impact their final exam score? Identify the independent and dependent variables.

a)

Independent variable: Final exam score; Dependent variable: Number of hours spent studying.

b)

Independent variable: Number of hours spent studying; Dependent variable: Final exam score.

c)

Independent variable: Study method; Dependent variable: Final exam score.

d)

Independent variable: Final exam score; Dependent variable: Study method.

3.

How is a hypothesis different from a scientific theory?

a)

A hypothesis is a well-tested explanation, while a scientific theory is a proposed explanation that has not yet been tested.

b)

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation that can be tested, while a scientific theory is a well-tested explanation supported by evidence.

c)

A hypothesis is a prediction, while a scientific theory is a guess.

d)

A hypothesis is a proven fact, while a scientific theory is an unproven idea.

4.

Which of the following questions can science answer?

a)

Are ghosts real?

b)

How does snow on the ground affect the air temperature?

c)

Which dog is cuter: A pug or a Boston terrier?

d)

What is the meaning of life?

5.

Why did Mr. Trout include Group B in his study to investigate a new method of studying?

a)

To compare the new method with the old method

b)

To ensure both groups use the same method

c)

To test the effectiveness of the new method only

d)

To eliminate bias in the study

6.

How is a monomer different from a polymer?

a)

A monomer is a single unit, while a polymer is made of multiple monomers

b)

A monomer is larger than a polymer

c)

A monomer is a type of protein, while a polymer is a type of carbohydrate

d)

A monomer is made of polymers

7.

Why are enzymes so important to living organisms? What do they do?

a)

They speed up chemical reactions in the body

b)

They store energy for the body

c)

They provide structural support to cells

d)

They transport oxygen in the blood

8.

In the lock-and-key model of enzymes and substrates, which one represents the lock?

a)

Enzyme

b)

Substrate

c)

Protein

d)

Nucleic acid

9.

What happens to an enzyme when it is done working with its substrate(s)?

a)

It is permanently destroyed.

b)

It returns to its original state and can be reused.

c)

It changes into a different enzyme.

d)

It becomes inactive and cannot be reused.

10.

Describe how dehydration synthesis can join monomers together. What needs to happen?

a)

Water is added to the monomers.

b)

Water is removed from the monomers.

c)

Monomers are heated to high temperatures.

d)

Monomers are cooled to low temperatures.

11.

How is hydrolysis able to slice a polymer into smaller parts (monomers)?

a)

By adding water to break the bonds.

b)

By removing water to break the bonds.

c)

By heating the polymer to high temperatures.

d)

By cooling the polymer to low temperatures.

12.

Which of the following is one of the 8 characteristics shared by all living things?

a)

Made of cells.

b)

Ability to fly.

c)

Ability to photosynthesize.

d)

Ability to swim.

13.

How is weather different from climate?

a)

Weather refers to long-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to short-term conditions.

b)

Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to long-term conditions.

c)

Weather and climate are the same and interchangeable terms.

d)

Weather refers to oceanic conditions, while climate refers to atmospheric conditions.

14.

Which of the following statements refers to climate rather than weather?

a)

It’s supposed to snow on New Year's Day.

b)

Summers in Iowa are usually hot.

c)

It is really cold today!

d)

The temperature dropped suddenly this evening.

15.

What is the difference between abiotic and biotic factors?

a)

Abiotic factors are living, while biotic factors are non-living.

b)

Abiotic factors are non-living, while biotic factors are living.

c)

Abiotic factors are related to climate, while biotic factors are related to weather.

d)

Abiotic factors are only found in deserts, while biotic factors are found in forests.

16.

Look at this climate graph. It shows a tropical rainforest. Based on the graph, which biome characteristics can you infer about tropical rainforests?

a)

Tropical rainforests are cold and dry.

b)

Tropical rainforests are warm and wet.

c)

Tropical rainforests are freezing and wet.

d)

Tropical rainforests are cool and dry.

17.

Place the following in order from simplest to most complex level of organization: Population, individual, biome, ecosystem, community, biosphere.

a)

Individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere.

b)

Population, individual, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere.

c)

Individual, population, ecosystem, community, biome, biosphere.

d)

Individual, community, population, biome, ecosystem, biosphere.

18.

When something in a food chain gets eaten, only 10% of the energy moves up a trophic level. What happens to the other 90% of the energy?

a)

It is destroyed.

b)

It is stored in the organism's body.

c)

It is lost as heat or used for metabolic processes.

d)

It is transferred to the next trophic level.

19.

Why are nutrient cycles important? What do they do with matter that does not happen with energy in a food chain/web?

a)

Nutrient cycles recycle matter, while energy is lost as heat.

b)

Nutrient cycles store energy, while matter is destroyed.

c)

Nutrient cycles transfer energy, while matter is lost.

d)

Nutrient cycles destroy matter, while energy is recycled.

20.

Which level of an energy pyramid always contains the most useful energy?

a)

Secondary consumers.

b)

Primary consumers.

c)

Producers.

d)

Tertiary consumers.

21.

Which type of distribution is represented by a uniform arrangement of individuals?

a)

Clumped distribution

b)

Uniform distribution

c)

Random distribution

d)

Exponential distribution

22.

Which type of distribution occurs when individuals are spaced unpredictably in an area?

a)

Clumped distribution

b)

Uniform distribution

c)

Random distribution

d)

Exponential distribution

23.

What does the "Demographic Transition Model" explain about human populations over time?

a)

Changes in population density in urban areas.

b)

Changes in birthrate, death rate, and overall population trends.

c)

Changes in migration patterns between countries.

d)

Changes in the genetic makeup of populations.

24.

In parasitism, what is the nature of the relationship between the two species involved?

a)

Both species benefit.

b)

One species benefits while the other is harmed.

c)

One species benefits while the other is unaffected.

d)

Neither species benefits or is harmed.

25.

Look at the examples below. Do they describe a density-dependent or density-independent factor?

a)

Tornado - Density-independent; Food availability - Density-dependent; Lightning strike - Density-independent; Disease - Density-dependent.

b)

Tornado - Density-dependent; Food availability - Density-independent; Lightning strike - Density-dependent; Disease - Density-independent.

c)

Tornado - Density-dependent; Food availability - Density-dependent; Lightning strike - Density-independent; Disease - Density-independent.

d)

Tornado - Density-independent; Food availability - Density-independent; Lightning strike - Density-dependent; Disease - Density-dependent.

26.

What is an ecological footprint? How is it measured?

a)

The amount of land required to grow food for a population

b)

The total greenhouse gas emissions of a country

c)

The impact of human activities on the environment, measured in land and resources used

d)

The amount of water consumed by a population

27.

Why does a greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide (CO₂) cause the atmosphere to warm up?

a)

It blocks sunlight from entering the atmosphere

b)

It traps heat radiating from the Earth's surface

c)

It increases the Earth's rotation speed

d)

It reduces oxygen levels in the atmosphere

28.

List a human activity/action that is a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions.

a)

Planting trees

b)

Burning fossil fuels

c)

Recycling waste

d)

Using solar panels

29.

Which of the following best describes a climate characteristic?

a)

It rained heavily last night.

b)

Winters in Alaska are typically very cold.

c)

The wind is strong this afternoon.

d)

There was a thunderstorm yesterday.

30.

What is the main function of an enzyme in a biological reaction?

a)

To speed up chemical reactions

b)

To destroy the reactants

c)

To slow down chemical reactions

d)

To permanently change the substrate

31.

How do nutrient cycles differ from energy flow in ecosystems?

a)

Nutrient cycles allow matter to be reused, while energy is lost as heat.

b)

Nutrient cycles destroy matter, while energy is stored.

c)

Nutrient cycles prevent matter from being recycled, while energy is reused.

d)

Nutrient cycles transfer energy, while matter is lost.

32.

Label the energy pyramid

33.

Where do you have the MOST energy?

34.

Listed in the Item Bank are some important labels for sections of the image below. Drag and drop each label to the corresponding area it identifies in the image

35.

Click on the apex predator. Also, click on the level with the most available energy.

36.

Drag and drop the numbers into the table to show the energy available at each trophic level

37.

What is the source of energy for the cricket?

38.
A series of steps used by scientists to solve a problem or answer a question. 
a)
scientific method
b)
recipe
c)
data collection
d)
metric system
39.

A collection of living organisms that belong to different populations but all live in the same area and interact with one another is a...

a)

Population

b)

Ecosystem

c)

Community

d)

Ecosphere

40.

Non-living factor that affects an ecosystem...

a)

biotic factor

b)

abiotic factor

c)

food chain

d)

biome

41.

What are the biotic factors in this image?

a)

sunlight, elephants, grasses

b)

sunlight, water, air

c)

elephants, plants, trees

d)

elephants, clouds, grasses

42.

Which of the following best describes a community?

a)

sharks, groupers, anemones and shrimp on a coral reef

b)

decorator crabs on the seafloor

c)

loggerhead sea turtles in Atlantic

d)

prairie grassland in Wyoming

43.

What is a community?

a)

One individual of a species

b)

a group of individuals living together in an area

c)

all the different populations living together in an area

d)

different communities and their physical environment

44.

What is an ecosystem?

a)

One individual of a species

b)

a group of individuals of a species that live in the same area

c)

all the different species in an area

d)

all the communities in an area and the physical environment

45.

What is a biome?

a)

one individual of a species

b)

all the different populations of species that live together in an area

c)

all the biological communities and their physical environment

d)

a group of similar ecosystems that share similar climates and animals/plants

46.

What level of ecological organization does the bird represent?

a)

Organism

b)

Population

c)

Community

d)

Ecosystem

47.
Which is the thin layer of the earth that supports life and also the largest level of ecological organization?
a)
A community
b)
The biosphere
c)
A population
d)
The biome
48.
A duck, a dragonfly, a morel mushroom and a bobcat are all examples of...
a)
organisms.
b)
populations.
c)
communties.
d)
ecosystems.
49.

All of the different BIOTIC organisms found in the same area.

a)

Organism

b)

Population

c)

Community

d)

Ecosystem

50.

Which example best illustrates the difference between a community and a population?

a)

All the people in a town would be a community; all the people in a country would be a population

b)

The two terms are interchangeable, a population IS a community.

c)

All the people in a town would be a community; all their cattle would be a population.

d)

All the different animals in a national park would be a community; all of the brown bears in the park would be a population.

51.

Which of the following is/are considered biotic factors?

a)

Chicken

b)

Water

c)

Wind

d)

Mushroom

e)

Temperature

52.

Which definition best fits the term ecosystem?

a)

A group or organisms of the same species that live in the same area and interact with one another.

b)

A group of many populations (of different species) that live and interact with one another

c)

A group of populations of many different species that live and interact with both one another and all of the abiotic factors in their environment.

d)

A set of different ecosystems that acer connected by similar geographic features and share the same or similar climate.

e)

Anywhere on earth that life exists.

53.

Where all life on Earth exists; encompassing all of Earth’s ecosystems

a)

biosphere

b)

biome

c)

ecosystem

d)

community

54.

The flower is 8 cm tall.

a)

qualitative data

b)

quantitative data

55.

The center of the flower is yellow and fuzzy.

a)

qualitative data

b)

quantitative data

56.

The flower has 25 petals.

a)

qualtitative data

b)

quantitative data

57.

The bearded iris smells sweet.

a)

qualitative data

b)

quantitative data

58.

The clouds are grey and ground is wet.

a)

qualitative

b)

quantitative

59.

The bug was 5cm long.

a)

Qualitative

b)

Quantitative

60.
My cat is twelve years old.
a)
Qualitative data
b)
Quantitative data
61.
The plant has purple flowers on it.
a)
Qualitative data
b)
Quantitative data
62.
Your teacher has asked you to explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative observations. Which statement is correct?
a)
Quantitative observations use numbers, qualitative uses the senses.
b)
Quantitative observations use the senses, qualitative uses numbers.
c)
Quantitative observations use measurement, qualitative uses numbers.
d)
Quantitative observations use colors, qualitative uses the senses.
63.

The mass of the chocolate cake is 250 g.

a)

qualitative

b)

quantitative

64.

How are observations made?

a)

Only with your eyes

b)

By trying to explain what you see

c)

Using your senses

d)

Just making a good guess

65.

The dog is muddy because it is probably raining outside

a)

Qualitative Observation

b)

Quantitative Observation

c)

Inference

d)

None of the Above

66.

The baby is crying because she might be hungry.

a)

Qualitative observation

b)

Inference

c)

Quantitative observation

d)

Fact

67.

There are 15 boys and 17 girls.

a)

Qualitative

b)

Quantitative

c)

Inference

d)

Opinion

68.
Kalinda was trying to explain to her friend the difference between a theory and a law in science.  She used the theory of plate tectonics and the law of superposition as examples.  Kalinda explained the difference by using nonscientific language.  Which statement did Kalinda use to correctly describe the difference between a theory and a law in science?
a)
A theory describes a natural event, while a law explains it.
b)
A theory explains a natural event, while a law predicts it.
c)
A theory explains a natural event, while a law describes it.
d)
A theory predicts a natural event, while a law explains it.
69.
A scientific ____________ is a broad explanation for events that is widely accepted as true.
a)
law
b)
theory
c)
observation
d)
method
70.
A set of principles that explains and predicts a phenomena is called a _____. 
a)
scientific law
b)
scientific method
c)
scientific theory
d)
scientific instructor
71.
New cells are formed from other existing cells, and that the cell is a fundamental unit of structure, function and organization in all living organisms.
a)
Fact
b)
Theory
c)
Law
72.
A possible explanation to a problem that has not yet been tested. 
a)
data
b)
theory
c)
hypothesis
d)
fact
73.

If I increase the amount of fertilizer a bean plant receives, the plant will grow taller.

a)

Hypothesis

b)

Theory

c)

Law

74.

Species on earth have changed over time because some organisms are more likely to survive and to reproduce, passing favorable traits to their offspring.

a)

hypothesis

b)

theory

c)

law

75.

What does the prefix macro- mean?

a)

large

b)

small

c)

medium

d)

none of these

76.

How many macromolecules are there?

a)

There are too many to count

b)

3

c)

4

d)

10

77.

What is the prefix for 'one'?

a)

mono

b)

poly

c)

tri

d)

quad

78.

What is the does the prefix 'poly-' mean?

a)

one

b)

two

c)

many

d)

none

79.

What is another name for 'monomer'?

a)

carbon

b)

polymer

c)

macromolecule

d)

building block

80.

Which of the following elements are found in all macromolecules? (Select all that apply).

a)
b)
c)
d)
81.

Which macromolecule is used as our main source of energy?

a)

Lipids/Fats

b)

Nucleic Acids

c)

Proteins

d)

Carbohydrates

82.

Which macromolecule stores energy?

a)

Carbohydrates

b)

Proteins

c)

Lipids/Fats

d)

Nucleic Acids

83.

Nucleic acids make up which of the two molecules listed below?

a)

FDA

b)

RNA

c)

DNA

d)

FDR

84.
Proteins are made of monomers called ___________
a)
Nucleotides
b)
Monosaccharides
c)
Amino Acids
d)
Glycerol and fatty acids
85.
DNA and RNA are examples of 
a)
Carbohydrates
b)
Lipids
c)
Proteins
d)
Nucleic Acids
86.
Nucleotides are monomers of
a)
Carbohydrates
b)
Lipids
c)
Proteins
d)
Nucleic Acids
87.
Monosaccharides are monomers of
a)
Carbohydrates
b)
Lipids
c)
Proteins
d)
Nucleic Acids
88.
Waxes, oils and fats are examples of
a)
Carbohydrates
b)
Lipids
c)
Proteins
d)
Nucleic Acids
89.
What is the function of nucleic acids?
a)
store genetic information
b)
store energy (long-term)
c)
store energy (short-term)
d)
build skin, hair, nails, muscles
90.
Which macromolecule stores energy, insulates us, and makes up the cell membrane?
a)
lipids
b)
proteins
c)
carbohydrates
d)
nucleic acids
91.

Match the monomers and their macromolecule.

a)

Monosaccharide

1.

Carbohydrate

b)

Fatty Acid + Glycerol

2.

Lipid

c)

Amino Acid

3.

Protein

92.

Match the monomers and polymers.

a)

Monosaccharide

1.

Polysaccharide

b)

Fatty Acid + Glycerol

2.

Triglyceride

c)

Amino Acids

3.

Polypeptide

93.

What is the monomer of carbohydrates?

a)

amino acids

b)
monosaccharide
c)

fatty acids

d)

triglyceride

94.

What is the monomer of lipids?

a)

amino acids

b)
monosaccharide
c)

fatty acids

d)

triglyceride

95.

What is the monomer of proteins?

a)
amino acids
b)

monosaccharides

c)

triglycerides

d)

polypeptides

96.

Which of the following macromolecules give you short-term energy?

a)
Carbohydrates
b)
Proteins
c)
Lipids
d)
Nucleic acids
97.

Which of the following macromolecules give you long-term energy?

a)
Proteins
b)
Carbohydrates
c)
Nucleic acids
d)
Lipids
98.
What is a substance called if it speeds up a chemical reaction?
a)
reusable
b)
catalyst
c)
specific
d)
fragile
99.
Each enzyme only has 1 substrate that will fit its active site.  What is this called?
a)
reusable
b)
catalyst
c)
specific
d)
fragile
100.
An enzyme speeds up a reaction by
a)
lowering the activation energy.
b)
raising the activation energy.
c)
releasing energy.
d)
absorbing energy.
101.
Enzymes will make a reaction go _______ and use ______ energy.
a)
faster, less
b)
faster, more
c)
slower, less
d)
slower, more
102.

In order to break apart a polymer ________ must be added.

a)

carbon

b)

water

c)

oxygen

d)

hydrogen

103.

What type of reaction is shown?

a)

Dehydration synthesis

b)

Hydrolysis

104.

Which type of reaction is shown?

a)

Dehydration Synthesis

b)

Hydrolysis

105.
Connects monomers to form a polymer
a)
Dehydration synthesis
b)
hydrolysis
106.
Produces water as a by-product
a)
Dehydration synthesis
b)
Hydolysis
107.
Breaks up polymers, forming monomers
a)
dehydration synthesis
b)
hydrolysis
108.
Water is used to break bonds between polymers
a)
dehydration synthesis
b)
Hydrolysis
109.

Concord, North Carolina has very warm summers.

a)

Weather

b)

Climate

110.

Today is much colder than yesterday!

a)

Weather

b)

Climate

111.

We got 3 inches of rain yesterday.

a)

Weather

b)

Climate

112.

Antarctica always has frigid(very cold) temperatures.

a)

Weather

b)

Climate

113.

Over the past 30 years, May has been the rainiest month.

a)

Weather

b)

Climate

114.

The meteorlogist said that it will be hot and sunny this weekend.

a)

Weather

b)

Climate

115.

It is overcast and dark today in Boston.

a)

Weather

b)

Climate

116.

Chicago received more snow this decade(ten years) than in past decades(ten years).

a)

Weather

b)

Climate

117.

What is weather?

a)

Can change within a few minutes or hours!

b)

Takes a very long time to change!

118.

What is climate?

a)

Can change within a few minutes or hours!

b)

Takes a very long time to change!

119.

A rock

a)

Biotic (living)

b)

Abiotic (non-living)

120.

Zebra

a)

Biotic (living)

b)

Abiotic (non-living)

121.

Lion

a)

Abiotic (non-living)

b)

Biotic (living)

122.

Temperature

a)

Biotic (living)

b)

Abiotic (non-Living)

123.

Describe COHESION.

a)

Water molecules attracted to other substances.

b)

Water molecules climbing upwards against the force of gravity.

c)

Water molecules dissolving many substances because of its polarity.

d)

Water molecules attracted to other water molecules.

124.
tendency of molecules of the same kind to stick to one another
a)
cohesion
b)
adhesion
c)
solution
d)
polar molecule
125.

Water's ability to stick to glass is

a)

adhesion

b)

cohesion

c)

surface tention

d)

capillary action

126.
Albedo can best be described as...
a)
the temperature at the equator
b)
the amount of solar radiation absorbed
c)
the amount of solar radiation reflected
d)
the air pressure during El Nino
127.
What has the highest albedo?
a)
the oceans
b)
 glacial ice
c)
the ground
d)
roads
128.

Which would you expect to have the lowest albedo?

a)

dark soil

b)

white sand

c)

ice and snow

d)

deep sea water