BIOL 1050 Chapter 1 Quiz

If your hypothesis is "Estrogens in sewage runoff turn fish into hermaphrodites," what is your null hypothesis? Testosterones in sewage runoff have no effect in turning fish into hermaphrodites. Testosterones in sewage runoff turn fish into hermaphrodites. Estrogens in sewage runoff turn turtles into hermaphrodites. Estrogens in sewage runoff turn hermaphroditic fish into unisexual fish. Estrogens in sewage runoff have no effect in turning fish into hermaphrodites.

Estrogens in sewage runoff have no effect in turning fish into hermaphrodites

Empirical results: must support the tested hypothesis. All of the above. are based upon observation. cannot be replicated.

are based upon observation

If your hypothesis is rejected, then: your experiment was poorly designed your experiment was a success you should change the level of statistical significance until your hypothesis is accepted your experiment was a failure you may still have learned something important about the system you were testing

you may still have learned something important about the system you were testing

Which of the following is NOT an example of a theory? evolution cell All of the above are scientific theories germ gravity

All of the above are scientific theories

Which of the following questions CANNOT be answered by the scientific method? Is eyewitness testimony is criminal proceedings reliable? Does chemical runoff give rise to hermaphrodite fish? Does hair that is shaved grow back coarser? Does taking echinacea reduce the intensity or duration of the common cold? Did the United States act appropriately when it invaded Iraq?

Did the United States act appropriately when it invaded Iraq?

If your hypothesis is "high fructose corn syrup causes weight gain in humans," what is the null hypothesis? All of the above are appropriate null hypotheses There is no relationship between high fructose corn syrup consumption and human weight High fructose corn syrup causes weight loss in humans There is no relationship between high fructose corn syrup and blood sugar levels

There is no relationship between high fructose corn syrup consumption and human weight

Anecdotal evidence: is often the only way to prove important causal links between two phenomena. can appear to reveal links between two phenomena that do not actually exist. tends to be more reliable than data based on observations of large numbers of diverse individuals. is a necessary part of the scientific method. is a more efficient method for understanding the world than the scientific method.

can appear to reveal links between two phenomena that do not actually exist

In a scientific experiment, a control group: can be compared with an experimental group to assess whether one particular variable is causing a change in the experimental group is less important than an experimental group All of the above are correct must be kept in a laboratory makes the experiment better, but is not essential

can be compared with an experimental group to assess whether one particular variable is causing a change in the experimental group

When conducting a critical experiment to test whether taking echinacea reduces the duration or severity of a cold, which of the following is NOT an important step? randomly dividing volunteers into treatment groups All of the above are important steps providing some groups with echinacea and others with a placebo providing some groups with treatments of longer duration than others exposing some groups, but not others, to the cold virus

exposing some groups, but not others, to the cold virus

Which of the following questions would be LEAST helped by application of the scientific method? evaluating the relationship between violence in videogames and criminal behavior in teens determining the most effective safety products for automobiles comparing the effectiveness of two potential antibiotics developing more effective high school curricula formulating public policy on euthanasia

formulating public policy on euthanasia

The placebo effect: is an urban legend reveals that sugar pills are generally as effective as actual medications in fighting illness reveals that experimental treatments cannot be proven as effective demonstrates that most scientific studies cannot be replicated is the frequently observed, poorly understood, phenomenon that people tend to respond favorably to any treatment

is the frequently observed, poorly understood, phenomenon that people tend to respond favorably to any treatment

A scientific theory is one that: sounds the most plausible. changes each time a different observation is made. is supported by many years of experimentation all supporting the hypothesis. is based on hunches with no actual supporting evidence. is the result of all scientific experiments.

is the result of all scientific experiments

In a randomized, controlled, double-blind study: neither the experimenter nor the subject know whether the subject is in a control group or an experimental group experimental subjects are blind-folded when given the experimental treatment all experimental variables are held constant individuals will be assigned to an experimental or control group depending on whether or not they took part in a pilot study All of the above

neither the experimenter nor the subject know whether the subject is in a control group or an experimental group

Scientific study always begins with: predictions hypotheses conclusions experiments observations

observations

Pseudoscience capitalizes on the belief shared by most people that: scientific thinking is a powerful method for learning about the world scientific thinking is beyond the reach of the average person science is intimidating scientific claims can be evaluated through the political process the scientific bases for scientific-sounding claims are often not clear

scientific thinking is a powerful method for learning about the world