Biology Week 1

Give an example of Pseusdoscience.

"Naturally" flavored water saying that it will make you look younger and live longer, because it contains vitamins and nutrients.

Match which person is known for the folling. _____1. evolution by Natural Selection _____2. geology explained by uniformitarianism and ancient age of the Earth _____3. limited resources for a population _____4. Same basic ideas as Darwin but teleological _____5. complexity = design, inferring Designer _____6. inheritance of acquired characteristics _____7. nature of the object existing in advance of the actual animal or plant. Answer choices a. Paley b. Aristotle c. Lamarck d. Wallace e. Darwin f. Malthus g. Lyell

1. Darwin 2. Lyell 3. Malthus 4. Wallace 5. Paley 6. Lamarck 7. Aristotle

Match the scientist with his thoughts on evolution. _____ 1. Aristotle _____ 2. Paley _____ 3. Lyell _____ 4. Wallace _____ 5. Darwin a. nature of the object existing in advance of the actual animal or plant b. complexity equals design, inferring Designer c. geology explained by uniformitarianism and ancient age of the Earth d. same basic ideas as Darwin but teleological e. evolution by natural selection

1. Nature of the object existing in advance of the actual animal or plant 2. Complexity equals design, inferring Designer 3. Geology explained by uniformitarianism and ancient age of the Earth 4. Same basic ideas as Darwin but teleological 5. Evolution by natural selection

Scientific theories: a. which are supported by experimentation provide useful frameworks for prediction and explanation. b. are absolute and unchangeable. c. can be modified if new data become available. d. both A and C.

A and C

Describe the characteristics of a scientific hypothesis.

A hypothesis must be logical, it must account for all current information, it must be testable, it must make the least possible assumptions, and it must be a naturalistic explanation.

Explain the difference between a Scientific Law and a Scientific Theory.

A theory is a broad general statement that is generally accepted that explains why things happen. A scientific law was once a theory but became so well supported that it is accepted as a fact that describes nature.

Name several issues that biological research may resolve in the near future?

A vaccine may be developed for AIDS; we may develop better ways to reduce the spread of disease-causing bacteria and viruses; we may develop ways to prevent antibiotic-resistant bacteria from evolving; we can develop better ways of using DNA evidence to solve crimes; we may find better ethical ways of controlling human population growth; we can halt the progress of global warming by developing biofuels and other greener forms of power.

List Darwin's three observations

A.Individual members of a species show variation from one another and this variation is inherited B. Organisms produce more offspring than survive to reproduce; the environment cannot support them all C. In an environment where differential survival to an age of reproduction occurs, those offspring capable of reproducing leave more offspring

Generative processes are ________?

Activities that increase the size of an organism and activities that increase the amount of organisms

Which of the following are tests of natural selection theory? a. Fossil Record b. Biogeography c. Molecular Homology d. All of the above

All of the above

What is recreation of an event or occurrence in a way that enables a scientist to support or disprove a hypothesis?

An Experiment

Darwin received a degree in what field of study?

An MA in theology

What is the difference between an argument from authority and an argument from expertise?

An argument from authority is based on position, where an argument from expertise is based on knowledge regarding the topic.

All of the following are valid approaches to "doing science" EXCEPT: a. appealing to expertise b. peer reviewed publications c. ancient wisdom d. controlled studies

Ancient wisdom

All of the following are valid approaches to "doing science" EXCEPT: a. appealing to expertise b. peer-reviewed publications c. ancient wisdom d. controlled studies

Ancient wisdom

In the movie, Waterboy, the main character's mother educates him to believe certain things are good or bad. Then the main character goes to college where he learns things that conflict with his prior knowledge. What was the main character's belief or reasoning for believing what his mother says verses what years of research has proven?

Argument from Authority

Which one of these is NOT a fallacy of logic? a. Claiming the following: "We must fund basic research better to enable science to continue." b. Being amazed that people in a particular neighborhood are of average intelligence. c. Asking a question where you don't know the answer. d. Asking a question like, "what happens if an unmovable object meets an irresistible force?"

Asking a questions when you don't know the answer

In which field do people continually challenge and test principles to determine cause/effect relationships?

Astronomy and Physics

Which question could be explained through the design of an experiment?

B; Answers A (What motivates a cat to hunt?) and C (Why did the cat kill the mouse?) ask us to try and determine the motivations of an animal . . . impossible. Answer D (Did the cat like the taste of the mouse?) is similarly impossible to determine since it involves determine an internal state of another creature.

Why is it important for the average person to have an understanding of biology?

Biology is the "study of life." Biology helps us to understand why we have an illness and the correct remedy for it. Biology also imparts an appreciation for ecosystems and the many species that must be a part of them and our role within nature.

In what three ways can a hypothesis be tested?

By the gathering of historical information such as looking for fossils; By making additional observations from the natural world; By experimentation

Under the rules of skeptical thinking, arguments about whether neurobiological experiments should proceed are best determined by whom? a. The US President who claims the experiments have ethical issues dictating studies should not be done b. A Nobel Prize winner of physics who agrees with the President c. Arguments from neurobiologists regarding whether or not experiments should be done d. All of the above hold the same value.

C; arguments from expertise, rather than arguments from authority, are always preferred

Of what is this statement an example? "The government is covering up the existence of UFOs, aliens, and other strange phenomena."

Conspiracy theory

The Scientific method involves systematic thought and includes:

Deductive and inductive reasoning

What is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning draws a conclusion from accepted premises. Inductive reasoning begins with observations and then draws a conclusion.

Compare inductive and deductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning draws conclusions from premises (assumptions) whereas inductive reasoning begins with observations and draws conclusions from them.

List five basic assumptions in science.

Events can be identified; Can be observed by others; Same fundamental rules of nature apply; Same cause each time it occurs; Specific causes for events observed.

What is the key theme in biology? a. Evolution b. Darwin c. Flashlights d. Theory

Evolution

One can test a hypothesis by:

Experimentation, historical information, and observations from the natural world

Darwin's hypothesis states that "The characteristics which allow for more variation in a particular environment are inherited by the next generation." (T/F)

F ("...allow for more reproduction in a...")

A theory is a new untested idea about something. (T/F)

F, it is an explanation based on repeated and careful testing

Thinking critically allows us to make decisions based only on subjective information. (T/F)

F; critical thinking requires objective data

If I have a logical chain of argument to my hypothesis, then the argument is valid even if the initial premise was not verifiable. (T/F)

F; every step in the argument must be true especially the premise.

If an idea is not scientific and/or not testable, then it is wrong. (T/F)

F; just because an idea is not testable or "scientific" does not mean it is invalid. The idea must have value, however. The idea of saintly behavior cannot be tested but it sets up an ideal of behavior that all can aspire toward.

"Survival of the fittest" is a very accurate phrase used to describe evolution by natural selection. (T/F)

F; proliferation of the slightly better for a given environment is a better way of understanding

A hypothesis is always illogical

False

Pseudoscience is a practice that uses true findings to sell a product and show that the product is validated by science

False

Malthus' theory includes evolution by natural selection (analogy to artificial selection). (T/F)

False - Malthus' theory claimed that limited resources in an environment would limit the numbers of a population living in that environment.

Non-scientists can test their hypothesis directly and often establish cause and effect relationships

False, An example of a field where direct testing is not possible is history. Yet data discovered during historical research can be used to support an explanation of what went on. However, one cannot directly observe history or re-run the historical events to see what might have happened.

Science is a way of thinking that involves testing possible answers to ALL questions

False, Science cannot disprove or prove questions regarding the existence of supernatural entities. On the flip side, religion cannot answer questions of science.

When designing experiments, the experimental group is the group in which there is no manipulation of the variable

False- Control group

A Hypothesis is proven but not supported

False. Hypothesis are supported with data but in principle cannot be proven.

Darwin coined the phrase "survival of the fittest." (T/F)

False; Herbert Spencer used it first; Thomas Huxley used it thereafter.

Aristotle believe in the inheritance of acquired characteristics and evolution by natural selection. (T/F)

False; he believed that creatures were moving toward perfection from "seed types" but had no mechanism to describe how this occurred.

Louis Pasteur's theory that microorganisms cause disease and decay led to the development of:

Food- preservation method know as pasteurization and vaccinations against rabies

Which is a process in the scientific method?

Forming a Hypothesis

____________ are activities that result in an increase in the size of an organism--growth--or an increase in the number of individuals in a population.

Generative processes

Cite and define four (4) scientific processes in the scientific method.

Hypothesis, Prediction, Test & Result, Conclusions

Give an example of both a dependent and an independent variable in designing an experiment

If one is determining if Miracle Grow makes plants grow better: The Independent variable is the presence or absence of fertilizer in a flower population. The Dependent variable is the growth of each flower (with or without fertilizer).

What is the difference between simple correlation and a cause and effect relationships?

In the first case, two events may happen together but one event does not necessarily cause the other. For example, just because colds and flu occur more frequently in the winter does not prove that cold weather causes them. In order to prove that cold weather is the cause of the effect (colds and flu), one would have to show why the cold weather causes the physiology and immunology of the body to change or why the cold temperature allows flu and cold viruses to survive or become more virulent. In fact, what allows colds and flu to be more prevalent in cold weather is that people stay indoors and congregate together so that viruses are more easily spread.

State two of Darwin's three basic observations.

Individual members of a species show variation from one another and this is inherited; Organisms produce more offspring than survive to reproduce; In an environment where differential survival to an age of reproduction occurs, those offspring capable of reproducing leave more offspring.

Name two areas where Biology may focus research in the next few years.

Investigating if climate change is a result of global warming and the relationship between heredity and diseases.

Distinguish between responsive processes of irritability, individual adaptation, and evolution.

Irritability is a rapid response to a change in the surroundings around you. Individual adaptation is a response to a change but it is a slower process because it requires growth to take place. Evolution is an even slower change that happens in the genetic makeup of a population which takes place over many generations.

What are the three categories of responsive processes?

Irritability, individual adaption and evolution.

Non-sequitur is Latin for what? a. Not in sequence b. It does not follow c. Not a serious question d. A cartoon strip

It does not follow

What does ad hominen mean?

It means "to the man" and includes of attacking the arguer rather than their argument.

Discuss your thoughts on the aspect of Darwinism that "assumes a teleological direction where the laws of nature are consistently upheld by God but without interference." Do you agree with that view point? What do you think are its strengths/limitations?

Knowing how God acts is not possible since he/she is above human conception. One might expect God to be rational since, if we are created in his image, we might expect that our own rationality approximates, even if weakly, God's own rationality. Consequently, we should be able to derive some answers to our questions. Still, how God acts in nature or in the universe will be difficult for us to fathom. Consequently we cannot know for sure how God acts whether by miracle or by natural laws that are never interfered with. From the perspective of allowing free will in humans, it might not make sense if he were to constantly interfere with the laws of nature. However, the question of whether God allows miracles is placed into question with this perspective. For a believer in miracles who needs them to cope with life, the idea of a God who watches us and cares for us without fixing things provides little comfort.

The purpose of the stories in the bible are to . . . a. learn about history of the universe b. learn about science of the universe c. learn about spiritual truths d. learn the ages of rocks e. all of the above

Learn about spiritual truths

Which of these is an example of a cause-and-effect relationship?

Lightning causes thunder

What is the name of the scientist who invented Pasteurization?

Louis Pasteur

What steps are involved in the scientific method?

Make observations; Ask questions; Form an hypothesis; Test the hypothesis; Revise the hypothesis; Communicate with other scientists; Draw conclusions; Show how the conclusions fit with current scientific theories and laws; Develop a new scientific theory or law.

Nutrient uptake, nutrient processing, and waste elimination are all a part of:

Metabolic processes

What are the five characteristics that living things show and non-living things do not show?

Metabolic processes; Generative processes; Responsive processes; Control processes; A unique structural organization

The theory of evolution, theory of gravity, theory of relativity, theory of helicocentrism, and spherical earth theory are all scientific explanations based on what process?

Methodological Naturalism

What is the difference between metaphysical and methodological naturalism? Which one do you want to avoid?

Methodological naturalism is an approach used in science that limits the kinds of questions which can be asked to phenomena explainable by natural processes and causes; it considers data using only that which can be detected by the five senses (or extensions of those senses like microscopes or telescopes). This approach does not consider the existence of supernatural causes. Metaphysical naturalism is the philosophy that nothing but naturalistic causes and processes and our five senses exist. An example of metaphysical naturalism is the statement: "All questions can be addressed by science; any question that cannot be answered by science is a silly question." Since there are many questions of great importance in the humanities (e.g. moral and ethical values, esthetics, epistemology, etc), such a position needs to be avoided. It should also be avoided since the statement is self-defeating: one cannot use science to evaluate the statement's claims.

________ __________ ties Darwin's three observations together.

Natural Selection

Science requires what kind of explanations based on data detectable with the five senses?

Naturalistic explanations

Is it considered science if one uses supernatural explanations to explain the world around us?

No, the idea of a supernatural cause may be valid but since there is no way to determine using testing if the supernatural cause is valid, it is not a scientific explanation

Can Sparky the Sun Devil ever truly be dismissed from being in control of making a flash light work?

No. Just like the lecture in class, if a person believes that a supernatural entity is making something work, no matter how much data and explanation is given they will offer more and more untestable ideas as to how the demon caused the light to work.

Statistics show that non-minorities have more college education than minority cultures. Does this imply that minorities are not as ambitious?

No. The conclusion is a non-sequitur fallacy of logic. Many other factors can be contributing to the observation.

Is science the answer to everything? Why?

No; because not everything can be subjected to the methods of science; philosophical speculation; literary criticism; religious dogma cannot be studied using scientific methods of testing

List the order of the Scientific Method

Observation- ask questions- form a hypothesis- test hypothesis- draw conclusions- review

List the components of the scientific method

Observation; Questions; Exploring; Hypothesis; Experiment; Evaluate; Review by peers

Explain Occam's Razor.

Occam's Razor is the idea if using the simplest explanation of the data without multiplying the explanation. When you are choosing between several different ways to explain your information or data, it is best to go with the simplest explanation as long as it still maintains accuracy.

The following quote: "Religious truth and scientific truth must ultimately be in harmony" belongs to: a. Dr. Brannan b. Aristotle c. Darwin d. Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II

If someone drenches a product advertisement with unverifiable claims worded in the language of science, what tool are they using?

Pseudoscience.

Sarah's dog has gone missing from her back yard. She thinks someone has abducted her dog and is torturing him. Her mom thinks that the dog got out through the hole in the fence that she told Sarah to fix yesterday. Who has ignored Occam's Razor? Why?

Sarah; because she isn't going with the simpler more logical reason for her dog going missing.

Why are some things impossible for science to explain?

Science cannot work without observable facts, and when there aren't enough facts (the existence of supernatural entites, for example) science must remain mute and not attempt to explain what cannot be submitted to testing.

What is science and its purpose; what are its limitations?

Science seeks to observe and record natural occurrences in the natural world. Furthermore, the data collected by these observations are typically used to manipulate and control various natural occurrences. Because science is a study of the natural, it's limitations are the supernatural. Supernatural topics could include things such as spirituality, God, morality, beauty, romance, emotions, and many others. Because these topics transcend the natural world, science can neither prove nor disprove any of them. Science cannot study such things.

Which of these is not an assumption scientists make when employing the scientific method?

Some causes for events in nature can't be observed

An idea may be valid, but it is not science unless it can be tested and revised. (T/F)

T

Darwin's hypothesis stated that "the characteristics that allow for more reproduction in a particular environment are inherited by the next generation."(T/F)

T

Metaphysical naturalism basically says that nature is all there is. (T/F)

T

There should be independent confirmation of the facts when possible. (T/F)

T

What is the term that describes an end point which appears to have had a purpose or direction?

Teleonomy

When constructing a hypothesis, it must be so that it may provide a possible answer to a question or an explanation for an observation.

Testable

When constructing a hypothesis, it must be________________ so that it may provide a possible answer to a question or an explanation for an observation.

Testable

The scientific method requires systematic thought that is: a. deductive and inductive b. relative and non-relative c. testable and reliable d. provable & visible

Testable and reliable

If someone claimed to be a believer of metaphysical naturalism, what would that mean they believe?

That would mean they believe that anything that cannot be answered scientifically or empirically should not be addressed.

Describe your reaction/feelings about the statement, "[the Bible tells us] how to live, not who lived." Do you completely agree? Why or why not?

The Bible's focus is to tell us how to live. However, the Bible represents at least a part of history perhaps told in a narrative in order to instruct in some spiritual lesson. For example, Noah's flood may have been more local than worldwide; its focus is to teach the importance of baptism as described in Hebrews. To determine how accurate history is the Bible, we would have to corroborate it with other historical documents of the time. However, even if not corroborated, the scriptures still tell us spiritual truths.

Energy is defined as _______?

The ability of an organism to do work.

Which is NOT an observation made by Darwin? a. organisms produce more offspring than survive to reproduce; the environment cannot support them all b. individual members of a species show variation from one another and this variation is inherited c. the characteristics desired by an individual to allow for more reproduction can be inherited by the next generation d. in an environment where differential survival to an age of reproduction occurs, those offspring which happen to be capable of reproducing better leave more offspring

The characteristics desired by an individual to allow for more reproduction can be inherited by the next generation

What is Darwin's Hypothesis regarding evolution?

The characteristics that allow for more reproduction in a particular environment are inherited by the next generation.

What is an "appeal to ignorance?

The claim that whatever has not been proved false must be true and vice versa. "Just because you've never seen an angel, doesn't mean they are not there."

What is one physical portrayal of evolution that we see in medicine today?

The development of bacterial resistance to antibiodics.

Name three experiments that have been used to test Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.

The development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics; fossil records; changes in beak morphology in finches and how that correlates with environmental changes.

Find one fossilized bee or flower in Cretaceous limestone over 270 million years old and what happens?

The entire field of geology has to be re-thought since these fossils are found roughly 200 million years ago in the Paleocene period long after dinosaurs went extinct. This shows that geology and its hypotheses are testable since the experiments in geology consist of digging and looking for fossil data.

Which fallacy of logic does the following represent? "Operation Desert Storm"

The fallacy of logic known as weasel words.

Lamarck's thought about evolution was what theory?

The inheritance of acquired characteristics

Who inherits the characteristics that allow more reproduction in a particular environment?

The next generation

Why is it improper to use science to prove the existence of God?

The scientific method can't be used because the existence of supernatural entities cannot be tested using its processes which rely on naturalistic observations.

What limits science?

The scientist and his imperfections

Who should you believe in matters of science, a person in a position of authority, or a specialist in the department in which you have a question?

The specialist; arguments from authority rather than expertise are fallacies of logic

What is the theory called that ties Darwin's three observations and hypothesis together?

The theory of evolution by natural selection

A __________ is a widely accepted, plausible, general statement about fundamental concepts in science that explain why things happen.

Theory

Name at least two basic assumptions in science

There are actually about six: Natural events have specific causes; The causes for events in nature can be identified; Natural events follow general rules and patterns; A recurrent natural event has a common cause; Different people can observe the same natural events; Natural laws hold true regardless of time and place.

How did the introduction of zebra Mussels affect the United States?

They filter the food of other freshwater animals out of the lake, cause them to die, and they also attach to native mussels causing them to die.

What do scientific theories support & provide?

They provide useful frameworks for prediction & explanation for phenomena without proposing supernatural mechanisms.

Although an idea may be valid, it is not science if it cannot be tested and revised

True

An idea is scientifically valid only if it can be tested or revised

True

Deductive reasoning draws conclusions from premises.

True

Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.

True

Metabolic processes are all the chemical reactions and associated energy changes that take place within an organism

True

Science is limited by the ability of people to figure out how the natural world works.

True

The Latin phrase non sequitur means that the conclusion does not follow from the premises made.

True

The scientific method can only be applied to questions that have a naturalistic and factual base?

True

Pseudoscience uses scientific appearances to mislead

True (however, it may not be realized by the people that they are intentionally trying to mislead)

A good scientist should not let his/her biases get in the way of their experiments

True (those who do are usually corrected by others . . . eventually)

The theological concepts of "Soul" and "God's love" can be considered valid but they are not scientifically testable. (T/F)

True; science is limited to questions of a purely natural type. Theological concepts cannot be adjudicated using the methods of science. The concepts do need to serve a function for human flourishing, however by providing hope and motivating us toward love of others.

Describe pseudoscience, and then briefly give an example of this practice.

Uses appearance or language of science to mislead people into believing something has scientific validity. Examples: Advertised nutritional supplements; Products labeled "natural" or "organic.

Who had essentially the same ideas as Darwin but added a teleological (purpose filled) goal that all creatures were aiming towards?

Wallace

How did Wallace's idea for evolution differ from Darwin's?

Wallace had the idea that a species could choose their own traits that they desired. Darwin's explanation was that some individuals were born with chance characteristics for the environment that enhanced their ability to reproduce.

Wallace had the same basic ideas as Darwin except for what?

Wallace's theory was teleological (creatures could modify their offspring purposefully) and Darwin's was a-teleological (creatures had no control over whether their offspring would reproduce in a given environment).

Briefly describe the idea of Occams razor.

When several explanations of some data equally explain it, the simpler one is preferred.

Which of the following professionals would be most qualified to answer and discuss a question about child behavior?

a psychologist

Identify the fallacy of logic in either of these arguments: "There is no need to understand Rev. Smith's objections to evolution because he is a biblical fundamentalist anyway." OR "There is no need to understand Dr. Jones' objections to religion because he is an atheist anyway."

ad hominem

Scientific theories can be proven.

false; scientific theories are never "proven" but they can become so well supported that no other explanation is valid . . . especially a non-scientific one claiming a supernatural force is responsible

What are the ordered steps in the scientific method?

hypothesis, method, results, and conclusion

According to the germ theory, what causes infectious diseases?

microorganisms

Science requires _________ explanations based on data detectable with the ________ ________.

naturalistic; five senses

What is a thoughtful and careful recognition of an event or a fact?

observation

An ad hominem is a logical fallacy that attacks the ________, rather than the argument itself.

person or arguer

List information sources in society that are NOT valid ways to explain science:

personal bias; religious or supernatural explanation; references to received ancient wisdom whether the Bible, Quaran (Koran), BagadVita, or Ayers Rock; anything that is not testable or falsifiable.

The following statement is an example of what type of logical fallacy?

post hoc, ergo propter hoc

Can science be used to prove or disprove the existence of God?

prove

Which processes allow organisms to react to their surrounding?

responsive processes

What is a widely accepted, plausible, general statement about fundamental concepts in science that explain why things happen?

theory