BIO 201

Scientific studies are used to test hypotheses. These hypothesis tests are used to refine models. These models are then used to develop explanations.

True

Multiple response question. Select all misconceptions about the nature of science. A) A "scientific method" (or steps that scientists use to do science) exists and is real. B) The goal of science is to establish explanations for natural phenomena. C) Theories change more than facts. D) Theories are hunches, guesses, or speculation. E) A hypothesis is a question or prediction. F) The defining feature of a scientific model is that it is a physical replica, miniature, or object to help communicate ideas.

A) A "scientific method" (or steps that scientists use to do science) exists and is real. C) Theories change more than facts. D) Theories are hunches, guesses, or speculation. E) A hypothesis is a question or prediction. F) The defining feature of a scientific model is that it is a physical replica, miniature, or object to help communicate ideas.

Which of the following statements about the connections among scientific studies, hypothesis testing, model building, and explanation are CORRECT? A) Scientific studies are used to test hypotheses. These hypothesis tests are used to refine models. These models are then used to develop explanations. B) Scientific studies are used to test hypotheses. These hypotheses are questions about explanations. Models are used to communicate the final explanation to others. C) Scientific studies are used to test hypotheses. These hypotheses are developed into models. Models are used to develop explanations. D) All of the above E) None of the above

A) Scientific studies are used to test hypotheses. These hypothesis tests are used to refine models. These models are then used to develop explanations.

Which of the following statements about scientific theories is CORRECT? A) Theories are explanations of observable patterns B) Theories are descriptions of scientific laws C) Theories are descriptions of observable patterns D) Theories are descriptions of observable processes E) None of these statements is correct

A) Theories are explanations of observable patterns

Which of the following is a pattern? A) Photosynthesis B) The green coloration of most organisms that perform photosynthesis C) The binding between ions and chlorophyll pigments that are necessary for photosynthesis D) None of the above

B) The green coloration of most organisms that perform photosynthesis

Which of the following MOST accurately reflects the working process of a scientist in the correct order? A) make inferences -> make observations -> form hypotheses -> build model -> test model B) make observations -> make inferences -> build model -> form hypotheses -> test hypotheses C) make conceptual model -> make observations -> make inferences -> build model -> test model D) none of the above

B) make observations -> make inferences -> build model -> form hypotheses -> test hypotheses

You are confused about the movement of nitrogen through ecosystems so you go to see a UGTA and on the whiteboard the UGTA draws the pattern of nitrogen flow in the ecosystem. From this diagram, you realize for the first time that the flow of nitrogen is a cycle. From your perspective, what is another word for what the UGTA has drawn? A) rule B) model C) hypothesis D) law E) observation

B) model

Which of the following is the best description of a scientific hypothesis A) An educated guess that is tested using evidence B) A testable question about a scientific model C) A statement that is able to be falsified D) A prediction in the form of a question E) A question about a model that can be confirmed

C) A statement that is able to be falsified

A scientific hypothesis is A) a theory B) an educated guess C) a testable statement D) an inference E) a question about nature

C) a testable statement

Which of the following is an inference about the seat you are sitting in? Assume you are sitting in a wooden chair. A) it is hard B) it has a color C) it is old D) after a few minutes of sitting in it, it became warm E) it is holding me up at this moment

C) it is old

Which of the following shows concepts that are CORRECTLY paired? A) scientific law - explanation B) scientific theory - pattern C) scientific law - pattern D) hypothesis - educated guess

C) scientific law - pattern

Which of the following statements about observations and patterns is FALSE? A) Patterns are single observations about naturally occurring phenomena. B) Repeated inferences about a phenomenon may be considered to be patterns. C) Patterns emerge from repeated explanations about observations. D) All of the above E) None of the above

D) All of the above

A researcher is interested in the effect of calcium on the growth of onions. In each of 100 identical pots of standard soil from the same source, she plants 10 randomly selected onion seeds. In 50 of these pots she adds 10 mg/kg Calcium Carbonate to the soil and in the other 50 pots she does not add anything. She places the pots in a random arrangement in a greenhouse in which every pot exposed to the same light conditions with the same watering schedule. Every week for three months she measures the height of the growing plants and then she calculates the average growth rate for the calcium carbonate treatment and for the non-calcium carbonate treatment and compares them. What type of study or experiment has she performed? A) an association study B) a natural experiment C) a thought experiment D) a causation experiment E) none of the above

D) a causation experiment

A well-established scientific theory should do all of the following EXCEPT A) explain all of the available observations B) be consistent with current inferences C) predict the outcomes of new experiments D) be able to be revised when necessary by incorporating new observations and inferences D) be accepted by scientists without considering evidence against it

D) be accepted by scientists without considering evidence against it

Which of the following MOST accurately reflects the working process of a scientist in the correct order? A) make inferences -> make observations -> form hypotheses -> build model -> test model B) make observations -> build model -> make inferences -> form hypotheses -> test hypotheses C) make conceptual model -> make observations -> make inferences -> build model -> test model D) none of the above

D) none of the above

Which of the following are accurate descriptions of scientific models? A) A replica of a naturally occurring phenomenon. B) A miniature version of a naturally occurring phenomenon. C) A representation of a naturally occurring phenomenon. D) All of the above E) None of the above

E) None of the above

Which of the following statements about the boundaries of science is TRUE? A) The position of most scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences, is that science is the only way of knowing about the world. B) The position of most scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences, is that science must be in conflict with religion. C) The position of most scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences, is that a goal of science is to resolve moral questions. D) All of the above E) None of the above

E) None of the above

Which of the following statements is true? A) The primary goal of scientific work is to find evidence to support one's hypothesis. B) Experiments are the only way that scientists can prove that their hypothesis is correct. C) It is impossible to make hypotheses about something that cannot be directly observed. D) All of the above E) None of the above

E) None of the above

Which of the following is FALSE about scientific models? A) Scientists build them to test hypotheses about unobservable processes. B) They can involve physical replicas of biological structures. C) They can be made using computer programs. D) Scientists use observations and inferences to build them. E) Scientists build models in order to prove the validity of scientific laws

E) Scientists build models in order to prove the validity of scientific laws

A hypothesis is best defined as a statement that includes a prediction.

False

A scientific argument is best defined as a disagreement about models that leads to new reasoning.

False

A scientific argument is best defined as a disagreement by scientists about someone's claims.

False

The "scientific method" is a step-by-step procedure for doing science.

False

In lecture 3, you were shown a video of a "black box" and a corresponding conceptual model of what might be in the box. The lecture also discussed hypotheses, predictions, and testing models. The following statement is best described as scientific prediction that could potentially be used to test the accuracy of the conceptual model: Non-moving boxes do not produce sounds. The following statement is best described as scientific prediction that could potentially be used to test the accuracy of the conceptual model: If the metal ball rolls, a sound will be produced. The following statement is best described as a scientific hypothesis that could potentially be used to test the accuracy of the conceptual model: After soaking the box in water for 3 months, the box will fall apart because it is made of cardboard.

False True False

Being a scientist involves recognizing that ethical and moral questions are best addressed by philosophy, religion, and other ways of knowing. Most scientists agree that science and religion are in conflict with one another. Accepting scientific ideas such as the evolution of life implies that human life lacks meaning and purpose. A law is best described as explaining nature.

True False False False

At a store you buy a beautiful green plant for your bedroom. A few weeks after placing the plant on your bedroom desk, you realize that you forgot to water the plant, the soil is dry and you see that it has changed since you bought it (the plant leaves are now droopy and sagging). The following statement is best described as an inference: Water is necessary for your plant's metabolic processes. The following statement is best described as an observation: The plant has stopped photosynthesizing because it lacks water.

True False

Scientists use conceptual, mathematical, and physical models to advance understanding of naturally occurring processes. Scientists sometimes build conceptual models rather than physical models because sometimes the development of conceptual models is needed prior to building physical models.

True True

Observations of repeatedly occurring natural phenomena are called patterns. Patterns are single inferences about naturally occurring phenomena.

True False

You are walking on campus and you witness the following scene: your friend Jose is sitting on the grass and opens a red bag with the label "Peanuts". You then see a squirrel eat and swallow a peanut, but then it quickly runs away from Jose. The following statement is an inference: Jose scared the squirrel away. The following statement is an inference: The squirrel did not like the taste of the peanut. The following statement is an inference: Jose is on campus. The following statement is an inference: There are peanuts in Jose's bag.

True True False True