Exam 1: The Science of Biology

The plots that were staked out on the island were part of the:

The hypothesis that closely matches the data provided is:

Osmometer cells in the brain sense an increase in the salt concentration of plasma.This information is sent to the hypothalamus, which notifies the pituitary gland to release the hormone, ADH.ADH causes the kidney to save water, which lowers the salt concentration of the plasma.What characteristic of life does this overall pathway represent?

Wings of birds and butterflies have similar functions, but different evolutionary origins.They are:

Which statement represents the biological characteristics that kittens, oak trees, swans, earth worms, elephants and crickets have in common?

A student set up an experiment to test if plants give off water vapor.Fifty pea plants, growing in pots, were covered with individual glass containers and left overnight.The next morning, the inside of each lid was covered in droplets of water.The lab student concluded that plants generally give off water vapor.What critique would you make of the experimental design?

A scientific theory is:

Recent discoveries of microscopic fossils have extended the known history of life to about:

Bacterial cells are placed into a 250mL liquid growth medium in a closed laboratory flask.According to Malthusian theory, they will reproduce exponentially and then:

You look outside and realize that your grass needs to be mowed.You pick up the container of gasoline and see that you have approximately a third of a gallon left.You hypothesize that this amount will be enough to mow your entire lawn.Unfortunately, half way through mowing your lawn you run out of gasoline.You grumble and think to yourself that the next time you mow the lawn, you hypothesize that you will need to have at least two-thirds of a gallon of gasoline available.How did the results of your lawn-mowing experience influence the validity of your new hypothesis for future gasoline needs?

Science is subdivided into specific areas of study termed disciplines.These divisions are artificial but are helpful to narrow the massive scope of scientific knowledge to a manageable amount.Given what you know about each, which scientific division is likely to present the best answer to a question about how fluid dynamics affect blood pressure in mammals?

The rate at which evolution is occurring cannot be estimated by:

Karl Popper suggested that scientists use "imaginative preconception," which means that successful scientists:

Gingko trees are known to lose their leaves at a certain time each year throughout the United States.Based on this information, Gingko trees in China must behave the same way.These statements are an example of:

Based on the experimental design, which variable was the control?

Most individuals in academia are basic researchers, funded through research grants from agencies or foundations.Based on your knowledge of applied research, an industrial company would most likely employ individuals

You explain to your study group that a hypothesis is:

Why is it necessary to take an interdisciplinary approach to studying biology?

A dental student wants to test if fluoride is an effective additive against tooth decay.The student studies tooth decay in a population of people who live in neighborhoods supplied with fluoridated water.This student would like to ask whether access to fluoridated water prevents tooth decay.What would be an effective control group to ask this question?

Plants are raised under artificial lights turned off and on by an electric clock.Some are given long periods of light, others short periods.This is an example of: