AGRI 1005 Final

C

A "self-interested" scientist: a) is more selfish than other scientists b) doesn't care about the science, just wants fame c) has a vested interest in the outcome of the science d) bribes others to support scientific results

D

A Swedish team of scientists found that there were more babies born in years when sightings of storks were high, and fewer born when numbers of storks sighted were low. This is an example of: a) bias in science b) effects of global warming c) a cause and effect relationship d) a correlation

C

A difference between DNA and RNA is: a.) RNA is longer b.) RNA has thymine (T) instead of uracil (U) c.) DNA is double stranded, RNA is single stranded d.) DNA has ribose, RNA has deoxribose as its sugar e.) all of the above are differences

C

A point mutation in which one nucleotide is replaced by a different nucleotide is called a(n): a) insertion b) deletion c.) substitution d.) inversion

A

A scientific hypothesis may be best defined as: a) a testable statement about the observable universe b) a scientist's best guess about anything in the universe c) a broad explanation for a set of related phenomena that is supported by multiple lines of evidence d) all of the above

C

A scientific theory may be best defined as: a) a testable statement about the observable universe b) a scientist's best guess or hunch to explain an observable phenomenon c) a broad explanation for a set of related phenomena that is supported by multiple lines of evidence d) a description of a set of phenomena that is just as likely to be true as untrue.

B

A scientist publishes an article in the New York Times about an article that appeared in the scientific journal, Nature stating that cell phones cause brain cancer. The knowledge you get from the Times article is from a: a) primary source b) secondary source c) tertiary source

A

According to Alan Leshner ("Addiction is a Brain Disease"): a) it is unimportant to distinguish between drugs that are "psychologically" or "physically addicting." b) once addicted, the user is able to move back to being an "occasional user" c) the addict is a victim of the addictive disease and should bear no responsibility for his/her actions d) drug addiction is a failure of will or strength of character e) all of the above are true according to Leshner

D

The key question in the field of sociobiology regarding social behaviors is: a) whether humans behave like other animals b) when apes evolved sociality c) the degree of genetic differentiation among human ethnic groups d) the relative contribution of genes and the environment to the expression of behavioral traits

B

The mating system in which one male mates with multiple females is called: a) monogamy b) polygyny c) polyandry d) promiscuity

B

The part of the neuron that conducts an action potential away from the cell body is called: a) the dendrite b) the axon c) the synapse d) the nucleus

B

The process by which RNA is decoded to make proteins is called: a) transcription b) translation c) transduction d) transmission

E

The process by which cancerous cells leave their original site and are transported to other tissues is called: a) transformation b) translation c) transcription d) benignancy e) metastasis

B

True of False: Untreated diabetics are hypoglycemic. a) True b) False

A

True or False: Adult stem cells divide when new cells are needed by the body. a) True b) False

A

True or False: At times in the past, two human species have co-existed on earth. a) True b) False

A

True or False: Cancer may arise: in any multicellular tissue where cells are dividing. a) True b) False

B

True or False: Cells spend much of their lives dividing. a) True b) False

B

True or False: Despite a dramatic increase in pharmaceutical use in the US, the incidence of most serious diseases (e.g., heart attacks and cancer) is increasing. a) True b) False

A

True or False: Drug induced deaths is the number 2 cause of death in the US. a) True b) False

B

True or False: During DNA replication, only one strand of DNA is copied. a) True b) False

A

True or False: Everything you are is a protein or is made by one. A) True b) False

B

True or False: Genetic tests (e.g., DNA fingerprinting) can match with absolute certainty DNA left at a crime scene with that from the perpetrator of that crime. a.) True (it can) b.) False (it cannot)

A

True or False: It is now possible to sequence an entire, individual human genome. A) True B) False

B

True or False: Saturated fats are said to be better for you than unsaturated fats. a) True b) False

B

True or False: There is only one scientific method. a) True b) False

B

True or false: A German shepherd and a wolf are the same species. a) True b) False

27 % of all irrigated land; 9% loss since 1950; 3% between 01 and 08

U.S. Aquifers

Lots of water- 70% of the earth is covered with it! Only 2.5% is fresh water, and 70% of that is frozen 0.007% of all water is accessible

Water Resources

A

What causes sickle cell anemia? a.) a point mutation in the gene for hemoglobin b.) a virus c.) sickle shaped cells d.) a point mutation in the gene for insulin e) a bacterial infection

new species

What could branching descents lead to?

E

What discriminates science from other ways of knowing? a) it is the only way to really know b) scientists are always right, others are wrong c) science is better for proving things d) science is limited to the supernatural world e) scientists use time- tested, regimented processes to explore the world

D

What does it mean to say that humans and chimps share a common ancestor? a) apes are descendants of humans b) humans are descendants of apes c) there were matings between humans and chimps d) one ancestor gave rise to two evolutionary lines leading to humans and chimps

E

What happens as the nerve impulse reaches the end of the axon? a) the axon terminal becomes depolarized b) neurotransmitter is released into the synapse c) calcium (Ca) flows into the nerve cell d) neurotransmitter binds to post-synaptic receptors e) all of the above

D

What is "peer review?" a) a form of voyeurism b) discussion of bias in the news media c) a way of deconstructing science news d) a critical review of a scientist's work prior to publication

the degree of variation of life forms within a given species, ecosystem, biome, or planet

What is Biodiversity?

E

What is a good way to spot bias in science reporting at an internet site? a) check the language that is being used by the author(s) b) cross-check the facts that are given c) look for patterns with other reports that are given on the same site d) check what is being advertised on the site e) all of the above

A

What is a lipid? a) a substance that has low water solubility b) a substance that has high water solubility c) a special type of fat d) a special type of oil e) none of the above

C

What is a plasmid? a.) A short sequence of DNA that encodes a protein b.) DNA evidence that is left at a crime scene c.) A piece of bacterial DNA that is used as a vector in genetic engineering. d) A virus that is used in genetic engineering

B

What is a potential difficulty with gaining knowledge from secondary or tertiary sources of information? a) they are harder to find than primary sources b) they are potentially more biased than primary sources c) they are more difficult to read than primary sources d) they are not based on real science e) all of the above are potential diffculties

C

What is a potential problem of knowledge by experience? a) groups tend to simplify and generalize about issues b) scientists are unbiased c) our memories of how things happen may be biased d) all of the above are potential problems with knowledge by experience

C

What is a species? a) individuals that have undergone similar selection and evolution b) individuals that have been artificially selected c) individuals that can mate and produce viable, fertile offspring d) individuals that have caused branching descent e) all of the above

E

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes? a) Type 1 can be treated with insulin b) Type 2 cannot be treated with insulin c) Type 2 can be treated by changing lifestyle (i.e., diet) d) Type 2 is associated with obesity e) all of the above are differences

E

What is the difference between a saturated fat and an unsaturated oil? a) the oil has more double bonds b) the oil makes more "fluid" cell membranes c) the oil is more likely to be a liquid at room temperature d) the oil is more likely to be plant derived e) all of the above are true

E

What is the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells? a) ESCs are pluripotent b) adult stem cells are more differentiated c) ESCs have greater potentiality d) adult stem cells are more difficult to grow e) all of the above

E

What is the difference between primary and secondary literature? a) primary is peer- reviewed b) secondary is not published in a scientific journal c) primary is written by research scientists d) secondary is written about primary research e) all of the above

C

What is the difference between propaganda and news? a) propaganda comes from primary sources b) news comes from primary sources c) propaganda cannot be verified d) news can be verified for truthfulness e) there is no difference

A

What is the difference between reproductive and therapeutic cloning? a) therapeutic cloning uses embryonic stem cells b) reproductive cloning uses adult stem cells c) therapeutic cloning creates a new life form d) reproductive cloning provides cells to treat disease e) all of the above are differences

C

What is the example we discussed in class of an accidental, scientific discovery? a) global warming b) the cell theory c) penicillin d) life on Mars e) the cause of addiction

A

What is the main neurotransmitter associated with the "reward center" in the brain that is affected by addiction? a) dopamine b) acetylcholine c) nitric oxide d) gamma amino butyric acid e) all of the above

A

What is the relationship between public consensus and scientific certainty of an issue? a) when both are low, there is a good chance for controversy b) when both are high, there is a good chance for controversy c) scientific certainty always leads to public consensus. d) public consensus lowers scientific certainty e) all of the above

B

What kind of cells are harvested and used from the bone marrow? a) embryonic stem cells b) adult stem cells c) pluripotent cells d) undeveloped cancer cells e) white blood cells

E

What kind of neurotransmitters is released (and gives pleasure) during orgasm? a) acetylcholine b) glutamate c) gamma amino butyric acid d) nitric oxide e) endorphins

A

What should be the primary source of calories in your diet? a) carbohydrates b) lipids c) protein d) vitamins e) DNA

A

What type of cancer kills more people in the world than any other? a) lung b) colon c) breast d) prostate e) pancreatic

E

What was a major point of the article "Out of Sync?" a) the timing of your meals is important to proper digestion and metabolism b) many of our body's tissues can "tell time" c) in terms of metabolism, we are very different between the day and night d) if you want to lose weight, don't eat meals late in the day or at night e) all of the above

A

When a controversy arises, what is often an easy way to tell who the "stakeholders" are: a) figure out who has a financial stake in the controversy b) determine whether it is a primary or secondary source c) watch cable news d) ask a friend e) all of the above

D

When do you find chromosomes within cells? a.) all the time b.) none of the time c.) only when cells are being genetically engineered d.) only when cells are dividing

D

Where do most of the ESCs that are used in research come from? a) abortion clinics b) cloned animals c) cloned bacteria d) in vitro fertilization clinics e) stimulated ovaries

B

Where in the cell are proteins made? a) nucleus b) cytosol c) mitochondria d) double helix e) RNA

B

Where in your cell is DNA found? a.) the cytosol b.) the nucleus c.) the mitochondria d.) the double helix

E

Which is a true statement about life on earth? a) For most of geologic time, animals were present on earth b) Humans co-existed with dinosaurs c) Earth's atmosphere has always been full of oxygen d) For most of the earth's history, man was the dominant life form e) Most of the life forms that have been on earth are no longer here

D

Which of the following diseases is associated with not enough serotonin? a) Parkinsons b) Huntingtons c) Alzheimers d) depression e) schizophrenia

E

Which of the following is a complex carbohydrate (i.e., a polysaccharide)? a) glucose b) sucrose c) galactose d) lactose e) glycogen

E

Which of the following is a micronutrient? a) iron b) vitamin C c) calcium d) iodine e) all of the above are micronutrients

D

Which of the following is a true statement about the human genome? a) the majority of our genes do not encode proteins b) the majority of human genes are not unique to humans c) we don't know the function of 50% of the proteins encoded by our genes d) all of the above are true about the human genome

E

Which of the following is a valid, scientific hypothesis? a) the Earth was created in 7 days b) the Earth is warming c) most of the species that have lived on Earth are now extinct d) Earth's continents are drifting e) all of the above are valid, scientific hypotheses

D

Which of the following is an example of a discrete genetic trait? a) skin color b) height c) mating behavior d) blood type e) none of the above

E

Which of the following is not a part of the peripheral nervous system? a) optic nerve that allows you to see b) olfactory nerve that allow you to smell c) nerves associated with pain in your hand d) nerves that operate the muscles in your hand e) brain cells

E

Which of the following is not an agent of natural selection: a) a predator b) an asteroid that strikes the earth and changes the climate c) breast cancer that kills women in their 30s d) starvation e) all of the above are agents of natural selection

D

Which of the following is not required before a cell can divide? a) space b) cellular factors c) attachment to a substrate d) oncogenes

C

The building blocks of a protein are called: a.) nucleotides b.) bases c.) amino acids d.) codons

C

According to one of the articles you read, what happens when you constantly eat high fat foods? a) you lose the ability to taste fatty foods b) your body gives you a bigger reward for eating fats c) you lose a signal from your stomach to the brain that says "that's enough" d) fatty foods start to taste better to you e) all of the above

B

According to the "Economic Theory of Knowledge:" a) scientific hypotheses cannot be proven b) it takes effort and time to really know something c) higher education is expensive d) most people are dishonest to some extent

D

According to the article you read by Ian Wilmut ("Cloning"), what has been cloned at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species in New Orleans? a) Dolly b) Polly a parrot c) a mammoth d) a wildcat e) an endangered breed of sheep

D

According to the most recent scientific evidence, how old is the earth? a) 4000 years b) 1 million years c) 10 million years d) 4.5 billion years e) 10 billion years

C

According to the reading you did on cloning, what were Ian Wilmut thoughts on cloning entire human beings? a) we should do it as soon as possible b) it was technically easy to do c) it would produce nothing but misery d) it would be great in certain situations (replacing a dead child with a clone)

A

Acetylcholine is released into the synapse, binds to its receptor and causes excitation of the postsynaptic membrane. Nicotine is an agonist of acetylcholine. So, when you smoke a cigarette and nicotine is released into your blood, it will: a) excite postsynaptic membranes where it binds b) prevent excitation of postsynaptic membranes c) cause release of acetylcholine at those synapses d) prevent release of acetylcholine

D

All of the following drugs act by binding to a neurotransmitter receptor except: a) cocaine b) heroin c) opium d) alcohol e) THC in marijuana

B

An antibiotic is developed that kills bacteria and prevents bacterial infections. It is widely used. After a year, cases are reported of bacteria that are not killed by the antibiotic. After 5 years, the antibiotic no longer kills any of the bacteria. What has probably happened? a) after prolonged use, the antibiotic created a mutation that made the bacteria resistant to the antibiotic. b) after prolonged use, the antibiotic has selected for existing bacteria with mutations that allowed them to survive exposure to the antibiotic c) the antibiotics were intelligently designed. d) use of the antibiotic has caused branching descent to occur.

C

An example of a scientific theory is: a) rock music causes violent behavior b) kids are just no damn good c) all living organisms are made up of cells d) blondes have more fun e) all are examples of valid scientific theories

D

An oncogene is: a) a gene for a growth factor or receptor associated with cell division b) a proto-oncogene that has undergone mutation c) often associated with cancer d) all of the above

9 of the 10 most productive ag. counties Crops accounted for $35 billion in 2014 Produces nearly half of the nation's fruits, nuts, and vegetables Nation's greatest producer of dairy Accounts for 2.6% of the nation's crop land Only 1/3 of CA crop land is irrigated

California Agriculture

E

Cell division is unlimited in cancer cells because they have: a) insulin b) collagenase c) proteins d) hemoglobin e) telomerase

A

Cells that have lost control of cell division are said to be: a) transformed b) translated c) transcribed d) benign e) metastatic

C

Certain types of alcoholism show strong genetic predispositions. If you have these genes it means that you: a) have no ability to resist alcohol and will be an alcoholic b) have no choice about your use of alcohol c) will have a greater probability of being an alcoholic if you choose to drink d) will get very loaded every time you drink

C

Collectively, the processes of transcription and translation are referred to as: a.) the double helix b.) the central paradox c.) the central dogma d.) the core conundrum e.) the crux of the biscuit

A

Current humans belong to what genus? a) Homo b) sapiens c) mammals d) Australopithecus e) erectus

E

DNA is composed of subunits made up of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate linkage. Each individual subunit is called: a) a protein b) an amino acid c) a codon d) an anticodon e) a nucleotide

D

Dr. O is a Professor of: a) Biology b) Science c) Zoology d) Entomology

D

During a blood transfusion, which blood type is not rejected regardless of the blood type of the recipient (i.e., is the blood type of the "universal donor")? a) A b) B c) AB d) O e) all of the above

Extinction- the end of organism or group of organisms (taxon). Usually a species. Extinctions are not uncommon 99% of all species that have ever existed in earth's history are now extinct. K-T Extinction (Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction) (65.5. Mya). Most popularized. Dinosaurs wiped out. Most mammal species were small and rodent-like up to this point. Following biodiversity explosion led to emergence of humans Permian-Triassic Extinction (251 Mya). Known as the "Great Dying." Single largest known extinction. 96% of all marine species and 70% of all land species wiped out. Numerous "lesser" extinction events that have wiped out numerous species of marine life (80%+ in some instances). Acidification of entire oceanic regions. Anoxic events (removal of oxygen from water). Mankind has faced a mass extinction event (Toba Supervolcano Eruption, 69,000-77,000 years ago). Human population reduced to about 15,000-10,000 people.

Extinction

Definition- an organism that thrives in physically or geochemically extreme conditions. Thrive in conditions hazardous to most other life. Many thrive under these conditions, some will actually die if removed. Most are microorganisms.

Extremophiles

D

From a sociobiological prospective, female primates including humans exhibit more discrimination in picking a sexual partner than males because females: a) have larger brains b) have help from family members when picking mates c) have trouble making decisions d) have more significant parental investment in offspring

C

Genetic similarity between humans and chimpanzees is very high (99%). A possible reason for this is that: a.) chimpanzees mutated into humans b.) humans mutated into chimpanzees c.) chimps and humans share a line of descent that branched relatively recently. d.) chimps and humans have been interbreeding

C

Hominid species first appeared on earth: a) hundreds of years ago b) thousands of years ago c) millions of years ago d) billions of years ago e) >10 billion years ago

A

Homosexuality is widespread in the animal world. These findings suggest that same-sex preferences are: a) genetically controlled b) environmentally controlled c) conscious decisions d) unnatural behaviors

Evolution: process by which diversity of life developed over time from common ancestors. Natural selection- individuals best suited to survive reproduce and pass on their genes. "Survival of the fittest." Also, Sexual and Artificial selection. One primary drive of evolution is for species to fill available ecological niches. Speciation more likely to be successful if niches are available. Niches may be made available by extinction of other species.

How Does Diversity Occur?

C

How did Lucy, the fossilized Australopithecus get her name? a) from the TV show "I Love Lucy" b) from Dolly Parton c) from the Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" d) the anthropologist's wife was named Lucy

Most common classification scheme is use of taxons. Taxon- any group of organisms (e.g. species, family, genera, etc.).

How is Biodiversity Quantified?

C

How is the uncertainty of science used to create controversy? a) Scientists are truth seekers and they see uncertainty as an assault on the truth. b) Scientists are generally arrogant and they don't want to admit they don't know everything. c) Opponents of science may use uncertainty as a means to create doubt about results. d) Scientists see no place for uncertainty in the scientific process in general

Species: a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. Roughly 1.9 million species known (2011). Estimated 7-100 million species total (discovered and undiscovered).

How is this Quantified?

E

How many mutations occur in your cells during your lifetime? a) none b) hundreds c) thousands d) millions e) billions

B

How much can you reduce your risk of lung cancer by quitting smoking? a) not by much (<10%) b) up to 50% less risk c) almost 100% d) 100%

B

Humans breed chickens with large breasts to others with large breasts to produce chickens with lots of mostly white meat. This is: a) natural selection b) artificial selection c) branching descent d) sexual selection e) adaptation

A or B

If a prairie dog is raised in isolation and never exhibits the species-specific alarm call, this indicates the song is: a) learned b) influence by the physical environment c) largely genetically controlled d) unimportant for survival

D

If your DNA was unraveled and straightened, how long would it be: a.) 6 inches b.) 1 foot c.) 3 feet d.) 6 feet

C

Imagine a world where men mate preferentially with red-headed women. Within 100 years, the population of redheads in the world has increased from 8 to 50%. This is: a) branching descent b) evolution by natural selection c) evolution by sexual selection d) evolution by artificial selection e) wonderful, but not evolution

E

In the article "Beauty: It's More Than Skin Deep", what did the authors say attracted men to women? a) clear skin b) a symmetrical body c) an "hourglass" shaped body d) youthful features e) all of the above

B

In the article "What is the Philosophy of Biology" what does the author say about the sciences? a) that science should be taught in philosophy courses b) that the sciences were once the same as philosophy c) that the sciences are more meaningful than philosophy d) that the sciences address the same questions as philosophy e) all of the above

A

In the article, "My Genome, Myself", the author asked to not know which variant of apolipoprotein E (APOE) he carried in his genes because it was predictive of: a) Alzheimer's disease b) Huntington's disease c) sickle cell anemia d) personality disorders e) addictive behaviors

D

In the book, "True Enough," the author (F. Manjoo) says that we are "selective truth seekers." What does he mean by this? a) we are truthful and honest about our own biases. b) we are truthful and honest about the biases of others c) we seek "truth" from sources that are unbiased d) we seek truth that matches our world view e) all of the above

E

In the movie we saw in class about the salamanders in California, why did the populations of salamanders look different when they reached southern California? a) they had been subjected to different selection pressures b) they had employed different survival strategies c) they were evolving into different species d) they were geographically separated from one another e) all of the above

D

In the movie we saw in class, Kevin McCauley called addiction "a disease of choice" because a) addicts choose their drug of choice b) addicts can be forced to choose not to use their drug of choice c) recovering addicts choose not to use d) addiction damages areas of the brain that are involved in making choices

C

The cell formed when the egg and sperm combine is called a: a) adult stem cell b) embryonic stem cell c) zygote d) gamete e) transformed cell

Finite amounts exist on the planet; they are limited in distribution (space/time); the processes that create them take millions of years

Limiting Resources

B

Mate fidelity and bonding in humans has been linked to levels of two hormones, oxytocin in female and vasopressin in males, and to brain circuitry. This finding suggests: a) counseling is an easy fix for infidelity b) our physiology and genes play a role in monogamy c) we have total control over our physiology and thus mating behavior d) medicine is of no value for treating serial rapists

Are we currently undergoing a mass extinction event? ("Holocene Extinction"). Possibly as many as 140,000 undiscovered species going extinct per year. On average, 5,000-10,000 new species discovered per year. Mass extinction, loss of biodiversity, historically part of natural processes.

Modern Extinction

an organism alters the environment to improve survival. Historically, one reason our species has been so successful. Not a strictly human trait (ex: ants termites).

Niche Construction

Extinction of species leaves niches empty. New species evolve and fill newly-available niches. Extinction events followed by explosions in biodiversity. At least 5 mass extinction events over the past 500 million years.

Niches and Extinction

World's largest freshwater aquifer. 30% of the nation's irrigated cropland gets water from Ogallala aquifer, and 80%+ of the people in this region get drinking water from the aquifer as well. It is estimated that 30% of the aquifer is already completely depleted. Because much of the underlying sediment is covered in caliche (hard pan), water is not able to easily infiltrate into the aquifer across the entire region, so only certain areas are able to recharge. Pumping began after the Dust Bowl, and because so many use it, pumping has gone largely unregulated.

Ogallala Aquifer

E

One of the reasons that there is often miscommunication about science is: a) most people have difficulty understanding the primary literature b) scientists are often poor communicators c) it is easier to listen to someone describe science than to actually read about it in a scientific journal d) the media is biased e) all of the above contribute to miscommunication

B

The chemical name for RNA is: a.) riphosphonucleic acid b.) ribonucleic acid c.) deoxyribonucleic acid d.) dinucleotidenucleic acid

C

Opium (and opiates like heroin) are derived from a plant and bind to specific receptors in humans where they produce a psychoactive effect. Why do humans have receptors for drugs that come from plants? a) it is a result of evolution b) it is a result of creation c) the drugs are mimicking neurotransmitters that bind at these sites naturally d) drugs do not act at specific sites

D

Oxytocin, the so- called hormone of love, promotes trust and enhances monogamous bonding among couples. Levels of oxytocin also increase during positive social interactions and during and after sexual arousal. It is produced in the brain and has actions at various tissues around the body. If I wanted to genetically engineer bacterial cells to produce oxytocin, where would I find the gene for it? a) brain cells that produce it b) cells in the body that respond to it c) skin cells d) all of the above

C

RNA is decoded to form: a) more RNA b) DNA c) protein d) all of the above

E

Science is: a) a way of proving ideas called hypotheses b) a way of explaining everything c) a way of exploring the supernatural world d) free from bias and fraud e) none of the above

B

Skin color differences in humans resulted from ultraviolet rays from the sun that: a) caused mutations in skin cells that resulted in individuals having different skin colors, with some surviving better than others b) selected from differences in skin color in populations. with some individuals surviving better. c) both a and b

B

Skin color is under strong natural selection in South America today. a) True b) False

B or D

Some fish with eyes get swept into a cave and are trapped in a pool there. After 10,000 years their descendents are pale and eyeless. This: a) goes against evolution- the blind cave fish are not "fitter" than their ancestors b) is evolution- the blind cave fish are fitter than their ancestors (for the cave environment) c) is not evolution because a useful trait has been lost d) is branching descent

Environmental stewardship How biological systems remain diverse and productive indefinitely Socio-ecologically it is unattainable, but infinitely approachable

Sustainability

Porous soil can hold a lot of moisture - as water was drawn out of the aquifer for irrigation, the soil compacted which led to subsidence, but also creates a permanent condition where the soil will never be able to hold historic levels again.

The California Water Crisis

E

Which of the following is true about a nerve at rest (that is not firing an impulse): a) there is more sodium outside the nerve membrane than inside b) there is more potassium inside the nerve membrane than outside c) the membrane is negatively charged inside the nerve than outside d) sodium and potassium channels are closed e) all of the above are true

C

Which of the following is true about a nerve that is firing an action potential? a) sodium channels are open as the cell is repolarizing b) potassium channels are open as the cell is depolarizing c) depolarization leads to an increase in positive charge inside the cell d) repolarization leads to a decrease in positive charge on the outside of the membrane e) all of the above are true

D

Which of the following is true about cell division? a) most of the cells in your body are constantly dividing b) cells from all tissues divide the same number of times throughout your lifetime c) as cells divide, they become less differentiated d) as cells divide, they lose potentiality e) all of the above are true

A

Which of the following may limit the scope of scientific inquiry? a) available technology b) affiliation c) experience d) science d) all of the above

C

Which of the following statements is true about basal metabolic rate? a) it remains constant throughout your life b) it is the same between men and women c) it is highest when you are very young d) it is unaffected by exercise e) all of the above are true

A

Which statement best describes the point of the following quote "If it rained knowledge, I'd hold out my hand; but I would not give myself the trouble to go in quest of it"? a) Much of what we "know" was not sought deliberately b) It is a human tendency to deliberately seek knowledge c) Most of what we consider knowledge was hard learned d) Most of our knowledge is of low value because it is imposed on us

A

Who is best suited (i.e., least biased) to talk about a scientific finding? a) the scientist who did the study b) someone not involved in the study, but who has more experience in talking and writing c) a pundit on MSNBC or FOXNEWS d) your buddy who just read about it in the newspaper

C

Why can't humans metabolize cellulose? a) because it is a complex carbohydrate b) because it comes from plants c) we lack the enzyme to digest it d) it is intelligently designed

E

Why is cholesterol a necessary part of our diet? a) it clogs blood vessels b) it is an unsaturated fat c) it is rich in vitamins d) it prevents diabetes e) it is used to make cell membranes

B

Why is it bad to kill your brain cells? a) they are rapidly dividing b) they are not rapidly dividing c) it causes addiction d) it gives you acne e) all of the above

E

Why is it important to understand science and the scientific process? a) it helps make better decision about political issues b) science impacts almost everything in our daily lives c) results from scientific studies may be used to create controversies d) understanding science broadens our experience of life e) all of the above are reasons to understand science

A

Why is it impossible to harvest embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from aborted fetuses? a) there are no ESCs in aborted fetuses b) the potentiality of ESCs is too great c) the ESCs have become pluripotent d) the ESCs have become totipotent e) it is illegal

A

You are starving- literally. You have just burned through all your blood sugar. Where is the next place your body goes to get fuel ? a) glycogen in the liver b) triglycerides in fat cells c) proteins d) DNA

A

You attend a meeting of the "Flat Earth Society" who tell you that the Earth is flat and that ships fall off the edge. To test this, you buy a boat and sail it around the world. You do not fall off. This is an example of knowledge by: a.) exploration/science b) affiliation c) experience d) none of the above

A

Your blood sugar is: a) glucose b) sucrose c) galactose d) lactose e) glycogen