Biology - The Scientific Study of Life

Select all the true statements about double-blind studies:

A double-blind study helps avoid bias in medical research. Neither the researchers nor the participants know who received the placebo and who received the treatment substance.

Domain names in the taxonomic hierarchy of life:

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya

Select two scientists that independently developed the idea of natural selection:

Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace

In reproduction, what is transmitted to the offspring that will determine what the offspring are like?

DNA

What domain is characterized by having unicellular and multicellular organisms whose cells contain a nucleus?

Eukarya

Select all of the qualities of a valid hypothesis:

It must be testable. It can be rejected.

_______ is characterized by cellular organization, energy requirements, homeostasis, reproduction, growth, development, and evolution.

Life

Rank the following steps of the generalized scientific method in order from the first step at the top to the last step at the bottom:

Observe and ask questions about something in the natural world. Create a hypothesis to explain your observations and make predictions. Carry out experiment(s) to test the hypothesis and collect data. Analyze your data and draw conclusions.

Asexual reproduction:

Offspring are virtually identical to each other. Genetic information comes from only one parent.

________ are groups of specialized cells that function together.

Tissues

The variable of an experiment is

a changeable element of an experiment

a) producer b) consumer c) decomposer

a) autotroph that obtains energy and nutrients from nonliving sources b) heterotroph that obtains energy and nutrients by eating other organisms c) heterotroph that obtains energy and nutrients from wastes and dead organisms

Match each example to its correct level of biological organization: a) organism b) community c) molecule d) ecosystem e) organ system f) atom

a) bacterial cell b) plants, animals, and microorganisms that inhabit a particular field c) DNA d) organisms, water, air, and nutrients in a desert area e) heart and blood vessels f) carbon

Match the following types of variables to their correct definition: a) independent variable b) dependent variable c) standardized variable

a) the manipulated portion of the experiment b) the response that an investigator measures c) a parameter of the experiment that is held constant

Outside of science, the word theory is often used to describe

an opinion

A scientist who is unaware of his or her biases might be slow to accept

an unexpected result

Emergent properties show that biological function and structure

are interdependent

What are the small chemical units that can combine to form molecules?

atoms

A level of biological organization called the _________ includes all parts of Earth and its atmosphere where life can survive.

biosphere

A living thing, or organism, exhibits certain properties of life and is composed of one or more _________, the basic units of life.

cells

What describes metabolism?

chemical reactions that occur within cells to acquire and use energy and molecules

What is the term for all the populations of different species that occupy the same location at the same time?

community

The group in an experiment that is untreated and provides and basis for comparison is called the

control

What process describes the cell division and growth of specialized tissues that produces a multicellular organism from a single, fertilized egg?

development

What biological level includes the living and nonliving components of a particular area?

ecosystem

New complex functions and characteristics that arise when the lower level components of an organism interact are called __________ properties.

emergent

In the scientific method, a(n) _________ is an investigation carried out under controlled conditions to test a hypothesis.

experiment

Select all of the following that are ways to collect data in a scientific inquiry:

experimentation and discovery science

Characteristics of scientific theory:

falsifiable encompass multiple hypotheses can be used to make predictions supported by a large body of evidence

The data and results of an experiment may support or reject a(n)

hypothesis

It can difficulty to scientifically study events that occured in the past and that left little evidence because

it can be hard to accurately re-create conditions from the past

What happens to a theory when additional observations do not support its predictions?

it weakens

Biologists begin a study by asking questions and

making observations

Select all of the following that can be limitations to scientific studies

misinterpretations of results reluctance to accept unexpected conclusions biases of scientists

What is a group of joined atoms, such as DNA?

molecule

The traits of individuals that have higher reproductive success in a particular environment become more common within a population due to

natural selection

Because science is __________, theories can change to accommodate new ideas and discoveries.

open to new information

Multiple organs are linked together into

organ systems

A(n) _________ is an inert substance given to a portion of the experimental group to act as a control.

placebo

Consider a species of frog that lives in many ponds throughout central California. A group of the frogs in one of the ponds, NOT including the other species of organisms living there, is an example of a(n)

population

In the scientific method, hypotheses should lead to specific if-then statements called

predictions

Theories are not only testable but also suggest

predictions about future discoveries

Characteristics of life:

reproduction, growth, development, homeostasis, energy use, evolution, and organization

Natural __________ is a mechanism of evolution in which certain individuals from a population exhibit enhanced reproductive success based on inherited characteristics.

selection

In _________ reproduction, offspring are produced that contain a combination of genetic material from two parents.

sexual

When examining evolutionary relationships, taxonomists strive to classify organisms according to

shared common ancestors

What is the basic unit of classification and is denoted by a unique two-part scientific name?

species

Select all of the organisms that are able to reproduce asexually:

sponges, some plants, and fungi

After an experiment is completed, scientists determine if their results support their hypothesis by applying

statistical analyses

Advances in _________, such as DNA sequencers and radio-tracking devices, have enhanced biological discovery.

technology

The practical application of scientific knowledge is called

technology

Select all of the past scientific conclusions that were later revised due to technological inventions and new data analysis methods

the Earth is the center of the universe all organisms are either plants or animals the Earth is flat

What suggests that the current diversity of life evolved from a common ancestor?

the similarities among organisms

Biologists would describe evolution as a

theory

Science and technology are often ___________ because new advances in one may spawn new advances in the other.

tied together

True or false: Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution.

true

True or false: The ultimate energy source in most ecosystems is the sun.

true

The scientific definition of theory is "a _________," whereas the nonscientific definition of theory is "a _________."

well-tested explanation; guess