Bio midterm: Module 1

Which of the following is NOT true regarding a scientific theory?

**A) A scientific theory is a speculation as to the possible outcome of an experiment. B) A hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested over time, and found to be true, usually becomes a scientific theory. C) As new information is gained over time, scientific theories can be modified. D) The highest status that a hypothesis can achieve is becoming a scientific theory. E)A scientific theory explains scientific facts with a high degree of reliability.

Which statement could be considered a scientific principle?

A portion of sunlight consists of ultraviolet light.

Which of the following statements is not true regarding science?

A) The scientific method involves many different ways of obtaining information. B) Scienceisaprocess. **C) Because scientific knowledge is empirical, it cannot be tested. D) Scientists use the scientific method to gain knowledge about the natural world. E) Knowledgegainedthroughthescientificmethodcanbeusedtopredictthenaturalworld.

Which of the following is not true regarding knowledge gained through scientific investigation?

A) This information can be used to detect problems at an early stage and correct mistakes. **B) This knowledge can be used to prove or disprove religious beliefs. C) Society chooses how scientific information should be used. D) Scientific knowledge can be used to improve human life through technology. E. This knowledge has resulted in more efficient sources of energy and better health care.

The mathematics of interpreting and organizing data is known as:

A) statistics

In the 1950's, the Willowbrook Institution for mentally challenged children in Staten Island, New York carried out a study that involved the deliberate infection of children with a weakened form of _________. The results of this study were used to determine the effects of a new vaccine in combating infection by this virus.

C. hepatitis virus

In order to arrive at a solution to a problem, a scientist usually proposes and tests a(n):

C. hypothesis

In an experiment, the control group

C. is maintained under strict laboratory conditions

One of the most common ways to get information out to a wide audience in the least amount of time regarding "hot" topics in science is by using:

C) general interest news magazines or newspapers.

Approaching new information with a questioning attitude and looking for evidence to support the claim involves:

C) skepticism

How does scientific information in peer-reviewed journals differ from that in newspapers?

E) Information is more technical; readers usually require a background in the field in order to understand the article.

A student needs information from the National Institutes of Health, a government agency. Which of the following endings should he or she look for in the address?

E) gov

In order to inform other scientists about research findings, peer-reviewed articles are typically published in:

E) peer-reviewed journals

After years of experimentation and testing, it is possible to prove that a hypothesis is true, at which point it becomes absolute truth.

FALSE

Knowledge gained through scientific investigations is often the only piece of information used to solve moral problems faced by society.

FALSE

When a correlation exists between two variables, it can also be concluded that one variable causes the other.

FALSE

"Blind" experiments are designed to reduce the possibility that the outcome of an experiment might be affected by the power of suggestion.

TRUE

Not only does science involve gaining knowledge about the natural world, it also involves the process of obtaining that knowledge.

TRUE

Print and broadcast media is more strictly regulated than information found on the Internet; therefore, it may be possible that some information on the Internet is inaccurate.

TRUE

The validity of a prediction in the scientific method is determined by experimentation or observation.

TRUE

Which of the following best describes the proper sequence of steps involved in the scientific method?

a. state hypothesis b. observe c. experiment d. support or disprove hypothesis e. form a prediction **A) b, a, e, c, d B) e, b, a, c, d C) a, b, c, d, e D) a, b, c, e, d E) b, a, d, e, c

Which represents the lowest degree of certainty?

a.hypothesis

As a result of experimentation

a.more hypotheses may be developed. b.more questions may be asked. c.a new biological principle could emerge. d.entire theories may be modified or discarded. **e.all of the above.

Hypotheses are

a.often in the form of a statement. b.often expressed negatively. c.sometimes crude attempts to offer a possible explanation for observations. d.testable predictions. **e.all of these

To eliminate the influence of uncontrolled variables during experimentation, one should:

b.establish a control group identical to the experimental group except for the variable being tested.

The choice of whether a particular organism belongs to the experimental group or the control group should be based on

c. chance

In a scientific experiment, conditions that could affect the outcome of the experiment, but do not because they are held constant, are called

c.controlled variables.

Science is based on:

c.evidence

In order to arrive at a solution to a problem a scientist usually proposes and tests

c.hypotheses.

Which statement is false?

d.Scientific conclusions are invalid if any step in the scientific method is omitted.

Of the following, which is the first explanation of a problem? It is sometimes called an "educated guess."

e. hypothesis

The control in an experiment

e.allows a standard of comparison for the experimental group.

An experimenter does all but which of the following?

manipulates dependent variables