Exam 1: The Nature of Science

Which of the following would be a fact?

A parent heard some celebrities on television stating there was a study published in 1998 that asserted a connection between the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the onset of autism in children. The celebrities went on to say that after the MMR vaccine replaced the old simple measles vaccine in 1988 there was a 273 percent increase in autism rates during the next 11 years. The celebrities, however, did not reveal that the study published in 1998 included a sample size of 12 children who were already known to have some form of autism or similar developmental difficulties. They also did not present the evidence from hundreds of studies conducted since 1998 that show no connection between vaccines and the onset of autism. What was the hypothesis, regarding vaccines and autism, implied by the celebrities? Did the evidence they presented show a correlation or cause-and-effect relationship between vaccines and autism? State at least two obvious problems with the structure of the 1998 study.

Once supported by a predictable experimental outcome, a scientific hypothesis

DNA is one of the features common to all known forms of life;

Match the correct term(s) with the sentence. -Generate ________ to test your hypothesis.

Match the correct term(s) with the sentence. -________ your hypothesis, predictions, or test according to the results.

Some questions fall outside the realm of science. Which of the following questions could NOT be answered using the scientific method?

Observational studies typically point out correlations between aspects of the natural world, but they do not establish solid ________ relationships.

The hypothesis that a common ancestor gave rise to all living organisms is strengthened by what observation?

Describe how DNA makes it possible for organisms to make new individuals like themselves.

Match the correct term(s) with the sentence. -________ the results.

The roots of a sunflower plant growing downwards while the shoot grows upwards and the flower turns towards the sun are examples of what characteristic of all living organisms?

Organize the following concepts in order of most exclusive to most inclusive and give a brief explanation of the concepts: biome, biosphere, community, ecosystem, organism, and population.

Land biomes are most commonly defined by

Bats use echolocation to orient themselves and locate objects. Doing this requires special adaptations in their inner ear, midbrain, and auditory cortex of their cerebrum. The echolocation system of bats is an example of

Match the correct term(s) with the sentence. -Design ________ of the predictions of your hypothesis.

People who exercise regularly have a lower average resting heart rate and blood pressure than people who do not exercise. Given this observation, develop a hypothesis and provide one prediction relating to that hypothesis.

The genetic material used for reproduction by those organisms conventionally considered to be living is ________.

What characteristic is NOT shared by all living organisms?

Recently, beekeepers have noticed an alarming and sudden disappearance of honeybees from their hives. Some beekeepers and environmentalists worry that crops genetically engineered to contain the gene for the Bt insecticidal toxin may be killing the bees. Which of these experiments tests the hypothesis that Bt is killing the bees?