Exam 1: The Science of Biology

A plant and animal would be most similar at which level of organization?

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. What would be an effective control group to ask this question?

Cell theory is one of the foundations of biology. What are the tenants of the cell theory? Check all that apply.

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?

You have been assigned to analyze some extraterrestrial material recently collected from Mars. After examining a sample using a microscope you jump up excitedly and shout to your colleagues that you have confirmed the existence of life on Mars. One of your colleagues takes a look at your sample and remarks that all he sees is a single-celled "blob" with little internal structure. Assuming that life on Mars can be classified into similar domains and kingdoms as Earth, to which domain does your "blob" belong?

In California, a species of salamanders were geographically separated over time. The group that lived in southern California relied heavily on large gold blotches on their skin that helped to camouflage them from predators. The group that lived along the coast adopted a color pattern that mimicked a poisonous, colorful newt common to that area. Instead of being camouflaged, these salamanders advertised their colors. What type of selection process has occurred over time?