Chap #1

Science is ________. A) the inquiry-based effort to describe and explain nature B) an organized set of principles for how to behave ethically and morally C) the search for truth D) all of the above

A) the inquiry-based effort to describe and explain nature

A hypothesis is a(n) ________. A) tentative answer to a question B) observation C) guess D) theory

A) tentative answer to a question

Information flow in biological systems is necessary for negative or regulative feedback to operate. Which of these examples does NOT involve flow of information providing feedback? A) Drought kills many trees. B) Low blood sugar causes the liver to convert starch to sugar to be released in the blood. C) Bacterial genes for breaking down lactose are activated in the presence of lactose. D) Heat receptors send signals to promote sweating.

A) Drought kills many trees.

A newly discovered multicellular organism obtains food by digesting dead organisms. Such an organism is most likely a member of the kingdom ______. A) Fungi B) Animalia C) Protista D) Plantae

A) Fungi

You try to start your car, but it does not start. Which of these is a prediction? A) If I recharge the battery, then my car will start. B) What is wrong with my car? C) My car's battery is dead. D) My car is too old to function properly.

A) If I recharge the battery, then my car will start.

What accounts for the different breeds of domesticated dogs? A) artificial selection B) competition C) natural selection D) overproduction

A) artificial selection

Humans are ______. A) consumers B) producers and consumers C) producers D) producers and decomposers

A) consumers

Humans are composed of ______ cells. A) eukaryotic B) plant C) bacterial D) prokaryotic

A) eukaryotic

Using the branching tree of life for bears depicted in the accompanying figure, choose from among the following bear species the one that is most distantly related to the sun bear. A) giant panda B) sloth bear C) spectacled bear D) brown bear

A) giant panda

More than half of all known species are ________. A) insects B) plants C) bacteria D) vertebrates

A) insects

Which of the following is a producer? A) oak tree B) cat C) sun D) earthworm

A) oak tree

Which of the following are the proper components of the scientific method? A) observation, question, hypothesis, prediction, experiment, results, conclusion B) experiment, conclusion, application C) question, observation, experiment, analysis, prediction D) observation, question, opinion, conclusion, hypothesis

A) observation, question, hypothesis, prediction, experiment, results, conclusion

Members of the kingdom Plantae differ from members of the other kingdoms of Eukarya in that most members of the kingdom Plantae ______. A) produce their own food B) are unicellular C) are consumers D) are decomposers

A) produce their own food

Over a span of two decades, scientists measured changes in the beak size of a population of Galápagos ground finches. This ________. A) provided evidence of natural selection in action B) is an example of overproduction C) led Darwin to his theory of evolution through natural selection D) is an example of artificial selection

A) provided evidence of natural selection in action

In the process of evolution by natural selection illustrated in the accompanying figure, which of the following is the mechanism or agent of natural selection? A) selective predation B) genetic drift C) artificial selection D) selective breeding

A) selective predation

Please use the following information to answer the following question. The collared lizard is a species found in the Desert Southwest. Male collared lizards show considerable color variation, ranging from brightly colored to a very dull pattern. Your goal is to determine the function, if any, of male color patterns in collared lizards, using the scientific method. Your tentative explanation is that male color plays a role in attracting females for mating purposes. You predict that females will preferentially choose brightly colored males over dull-colored ones. To test your prediction, you observed the interactions of female collared lizards with their male counterparts. You selected males that were the same age and size, and that differed only in their coloration pattern. You placed equal numbers of the two types of male lizards, bright and dull, in aquariums, along with one female lizard per aquarium. Out of 350 aquariums observed, the female chose to mate with the brightly colored male 277 times, and the dull-colored male 70 times. In three instances, the females did not mate with either type. Dull-colored males were used in this experiment to ________. A) serve as a comparison (control) group to the brightly colored males B) be sure all females had a male with which they could mate C) be sure that females could recognize the gender of the other lizards D) give the experiment more trials so that the data would be more persuasive

A) serve as a comparison (control) group to the brightly colored males

What are eukaryotic genes composed of? A) organelles B) DNA C) RNA D) RNA and DNA

B) DNA

Please use the following information to answer the following question. The collared lizard is a species found in the Desert Southwest. Male collared lizards show considerable color variation, ranging from brightly colored to a very dull pattern. Your goal is to determine the function, if any, of male color patterns in collared lizards, using the scientific method. Your tentative explanation is that male color plays a role in attracting females for mating purposes. You predict that females will preferentially choose brightly colored males over dull-colored ones. To test your prediction, you observed the interactions of female collared lizards with their male counterparts. You selected males that were the same age and size, and that differed only in their coloration pattern. You placed equal numbers of the two types of male lizards, bright and dull, in aquariums, along with one female lizard per aquarium. Out of 350 aquariums observed, the female chose to mate with the brightly colored male 277 times, and the dull-colored male 70 times. In three instances, the females did not mate with either type. Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the data? A) Dull-colored females are more likely to choose dull-colored males. B) Females do not always choose brightly colored males. C) Brightly colored males are stronger and more fertile than dull-colored males D) Dull-colored males are likely to choose dull-colored females.

B) Females do not always choose brightly colored males.

How does taxonomy assist biologists? A) by providing easily remembered scientific names for organisms B) by categorizing diverse items into smaller and smaller numbers of groups C) by reducing life to its smallest common denominator, the cell D) all of the above

B) by categorizing diverse items into smaller and smaller numbers of groups

The branch of biology that explains both the diversity and the unity of life is ______. A) taxonomy B) evolution C) microbiology D) genetics

B) evolution

The DNA of a eukaryotic cell is found within the ______. A) prokaryotic cell B) nucleus C) archaea D) insulin

B) nucleus

What are the two main processes that ecosystems depend upon? A) speciation and evolution B) nutrient recycling and energy flow C) sunlight and photosynthesis D) decomposition and nutrient recycling

B) nutrient recycling and energy flow

What does "adaptation" mean in an evolutionary context? A) the way an individual's body adjusts to its environment B) the accumulation of favorable variations in a population over time C) the ability of organisms to alter their appearance under changing environmental conditions D) all of the above

B) the accumulation of favorable variations in a population over time

The human genome consists of about ______ chemical letters. A) 300,000 B) 1 million C) 3 billion D) 300 billion

C) 3 billion

Please use the following information to answer the following question. The collared lizard is a species found in the Desert Southwest. Male collared lizards show considerable color variation, ranging from brightly colored to a very dull pattern. Your goal is to determine the function, if any, of male color patterns in collared lizards, using the scientific method. Your tentative explanation is that male color plays a role in attracting females for mating purposes. You predict that females will preferentially choose brightly colored males over dull-colored ones. To test your prediction, you observed the interactions of female collared lizards with their male counterparts. You selected males that were the same age and size, and that differed only in their coloration pattern. You placed equal numbers of the two types of male lizards, bright and dull, in aquariums, along with one female lizard per aquarium. Out of 350 aquariums observed, the female chose to mate with the brightly colored male 277 times, and the dull-colored male 70 times. In three instances, the females did not mate with either type. Which of the following is the hypothesis of this case study? A) Male collared lizards exhibit color variation. B) Dull-colored males are less likely to be eaten by predators. C) A function of male coloration is to attract females. D) Males prefer brightly colored females.

C) A function of male coloration is to attract females.

Which domain(s) consist(s) of prokaryotic cells? A) Eukarya only B) Bacteria only C) Bacteria and Archaea D) Archaea and Eukarya

C) Bacteria and Archaea

What is the difference between discovery science and hypothesis-driven science? A) Discovery science involves predictions about outcomes, whereas hypothesis-driven science involves tentative answers to specific questions. B) Discovery science "discovers" new knowledge, whereas hypothesis-driven science does not. C) Discovery science is mostly about describing nature, whereas hypothesis-driven science tries to explain nature. D) Discovery science is based on deductive reasoning, whereas hypothesis-driven science is based on inductive reasoning.

C) Discovery science is mostly about describing nature, whereas hypothesis-driven science tries to explain nature.

Which of these would be a valid scientific hypothesis? A) Humans should help in the conservation of other animal species. B) Human history is determined by a series of supernatural events. C) Humans and bacteria share a common genetic code. D) Humans are controlled by forces beyond our understanding.

C) Humans and bacteria share a common genetic code.

You try to start your car, but it does not start. Which of these is a hypothesis? A) My car is too old to function properly. B) What is wrong with my car? C) My car's battery is dead. D) If I recharge the battery, then my car will start.

C) My car's battery is dead.

Which of these statements is CORRECT? A) Science can be used to prove or disprove the idea that deities or spirits cause earthquakes and other natural disasters. B) Only discovery science can lead to important conclusions about nature. C) Scientific ideas are subjected to repeated testing. D) Science does not require observations that other people can confirm.

C) Scientific ideas are subjected to repeated testing.

Regulation in biological systems depends on feedback, which is an example of information flow. When diabetes destroys insulin-producing cells, what information flow is disrupted? A) Appetite signals no longer regulate feeding. B) Cells in the bladder are no longer able to send signals when the bladder fills. C) The body is unable to send signals that indicate the amount of sugar in the blood. D) The pancreas is unable to produce enzymes to break down proteins.

C) The body is unable to send signals that indicate the amount of sugar in the blood.

Which of these results would you predict to occur if climate change results in increased warming global temperatures? A) Winters will be longer toward the poles. B) Species competition will result in slower evolution in the tropics. C) The tree line (at which it is too cold for trees to grow) moves toward the north and south poles. D) Land animals will suffer fewer consequences than marine animals.

C) The tree line (at which it is too cold for trees to grow) moves toward the north and south poles.

Please use the following information to answer the following question. The collared lizard is a species found in the Desert Southwest. Male collared lizards show considerable color variation, ranging from brightly colored to a very dull pattern. Your goal is to determine the function, if any, of male color patterns in collared lizards, using the scientific method. Your tentative explanation is that male color plays a role in attracting females for mating purposes. You predict that females will preferentially choose brightly colored males over dull-colored ones. To test your prediction, you observed the interactions of female collared lizards with their male counterparts. You selected males that were the same age and size, and that differed only in their coloration pattern. You placed equal numbers of the two types of male lizards, bright and dull, in aquariums, along with one female lizard per aquarium. Out of 350 aquariums observed, the female chose to mate with the brightly colored male 277 times, and the dull-colored male 70 times. In three instances, the females did not mate with either type. Is it reasonable to conclude (i.e., is it supported by the data) that female collared lizards prefer more brightly colored male lizards over dull-colored males? A) No, this conclusion is not supported by the data. B) The data do not clearly indicate a preference one way or the other. C) Yes, this conclusion is supported by the data. D) None of the above choices are correct.

C) Yes, this conclusion is supported by the data.

Please use the following information to answer the following question. The collared lizard is a species found in the Desert Southwest. Male collared lizards show considerable color variation, ranging from brightly colored to a very dull pattern. Your goal is to determine the function, if any, of male color patterns in collared lizards, using the scientific method. Your tentative explanation is that male color plays a role in attracting females for mating purposes. You predict that females will preferentially choose brightly colored males over dull-colored ones. To test your prediction, you observed the interactions of female collared lizards with their male counterparts. You selected males that were the same age and size, and that differed only in their coloration pattern. You placed equal numbers of the two types of male lizards, bright and dull, in aquariums, along with one female lizard per aquarium. Out of 350 aquariums observed, the female chose to mate with the brightly colored male 277 times, and the dull-colored male 70 times. In three instances, the females did not mate with either type. If the proportion of brightly colored male lizards increased steadily in future generations, this would ________. A) reject the original hypothesis B) demonstrate the flow of energy through a system C) be an example of evolution due to natural selection D) illustrate the relationship between structure and function

C) be an example of evolution due to natural selection

Please use the following information to answer the following question. The collared lizard is a species found in the Desert Southwest. Male collared lizards show considerable color variation, ranging from brightly colored to a very dull pattern. Your goal is to determine the function, if any, of male color patterns in collared lizards, using the scientific method. Your tentative explanation is that male color plays a role in attracting females for mating purposes. You predict that females will preferentially choose brightly colored males over dull-colored ones. To test your prediction, you observed the interactions of female collared lizards with their male counterparts. You selected males that were the same age and size, and that differed only in their coloration pattern. You placed equal numbers of the two types of male lizards, bright and dull, in aquariums, along with one female lizard per aquarium. Out of 350 aquariums observed, the female chose to mate with the brightly colored male 277 times, and the dull-colored male 70 times. In three instances, the females did not mate with either type. "Male collared lizards show considerable color variation." This is a(n) ________. A) conclusion B) result C) observation D) hypothesis

C) observation

Antibiotic resistance evolves in bacteria when ________. A) farmers do not use enough antibiotics in animal feed B) the antibiotics create resistance genes in bacteria C) the presence of antibiotics favors bacteria that already have genes for resistance D) none of the above

C) the presence of antibiotics favors bacteria that already have genes for resistance

Which of the following is not a property of life? A) Organisms take in energy and use it to perform all of life's activities. B) Organisms reproduce their own kind. C) Living things exhibit complex but ordered organization. D) Populations of organisms rarely change over time.

D) Populations of organisms rarely change over time.

Which kingdom of Eukarya consists primarily of unicellular organisms? A) Fungi B) Plantae C) Bacteria D) Protista

D) Protista

How do hypotheses differ from theories? A) Theories must be testable; hypotheses do not need to be testable. B) Hypotheses are educated guesses, and theories are tentative explanations. C) Hypotheses are derived from experimentation, whereas theories are derived from observation. D) Theories are more comprehensive than hypotheses.

D) Theories are more comprehensive than hypotheses.

What is a gene? A) an organelle that houses DNA B) a type of eukaryotic cell C) a type of prokaryotic cell D) a unit of inheritance

D) a unit of inheritance

In what way(s) is the science of biology influencing and changing our culture? A) by providing new tools for forensic investigations B) by revealing how mutations in genes can lead to disease C) by helping us understand the relevance of evolution to human health D) all of the above

D) all of the above

Which of these is required for natural selection to occur? A) inheritance B) individual variation C) unequal reproductive success D) all of the above

D) all of the above

Which of the following structures can perform all the activities required for life? A) organelles B) nuclei C) DNA molecules D) cells

D) cells

Which of the following is not recycled but is lost from ecosystems? A) nitrogen B) magnesium C) carbon D) energy

D) energy

Relative to prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells are usually ______. A) smaller and simpler B) smaller and more complex C) larger and equally complex D) larger and more complex

D) larger and more complex

Taxonomy is the ______. A) study of organisms and their interaction with the environment B) study of cells C) study of genes D) naming and classifying of species

D) naming and classifying of species

Which of these is most closely associated with Darwin? A) energy flow B) the three domains of life C) ecosystem structure D) natural selection

D) natural selection

Discovery science is primarily based on ________. A) deduction B) hypothesis testing C) experimentation D) observation

D) observation

What name is given to the functional compartments of a cell? A) nuclei B) genomes C) genes D) organelles

D) organelles

What is biology? A) the scientific study of the environment B) the scientific study of ecosystems C) the scientific study of DNA D) the scientific study of life

D) the scientific study of life