Unit Test Answers

When analyzing the results of a scientific experiment, Kevin should base his conclusion on

the empirical evidence that was collected in other prior experiments.

the empirical evidence that is collected during the experiment.

the theory that has been accepted through other experiments.

the theory that Kevin used to predict what the results would be.

A recent encyclopedia entry about dogs cites multiple research papers done by scientists at veterinary schools. According to the article, Labrador retrievers come in two specific breeds: English and American. The English breed is described as stocky and heavy, while the American breed is described as tall and lanky. The article describes current scientific research as showing that males of both breeds usually weigh about 29-41 kg (65-90 lb), and females weigh 25-32 kg (55-70 lb). Coat colors for both breeds come in solid black, yellow, or chocolate. All labs have strong tails and webbed feet, which help them swim. Devon would like to use this information to determine if his new dog is an English or American Labrador retriever. Which best describes the reliability of the information?

It is not reliable because only scientists can use scientific information for reference.

It is not reliable because it doesn’t talk about how to test and only gives data about the breeds.

It is reliable because the article is based on multiple studies done by scientists at multiple veterinary schools.

It is reliable because it gives information about both types of Labradors in addition to information about other types of dogs.

Measurements that are close to the correct value are

strategic.

precise.

accurate.

consistent.

A food web diagrams the interactions between organisms based on which organisms others are eating. A scientist is using a food web to predict the predator-prey relationship of a population. What can a food web best be classified as?

a mean

a graph

a model

a range

Jaime calculates the density of a slab of aluminum (Al) metal. What information does Jaime need to evaluate the accuracy of his calculation?

the accepted value for the density of aluminum

the dimensions of the slab of aluminum that he used

a bar graph that shows the densities of different slabs of aluminum

a line graph that shows how the density of aluminum varies with temperature

Which best describes Internet wikis as a source of scientific information?

Wikis are good sources of reliable scientific information.

Wikis are written only by experts in their fields.

Wikis are always extensively peer reviewed.

Wikis are written or edited by anyone.

In double-blind studies neither the test subject or the researcher knows who was given the drug and who was given the control. Why are these studies effective for testing a drug that may elevate mood and relieve feelings of depression?

Since there are two symptoms that are affected, a double-blind study is required.

Double-blind studies are ways to ensure that only the researcher can figure out who is getting the effective drug.

Double-blind studies are the most economical way to gather results from testing on humans.

The patients and researchers are not given this information so they cannot be influenced in reporting the effectiveness.

Thomas records the masses of several rocks as 7.40 g, 7.85 g, 7.60 g, and 7.40 g. What is the mode of Thomas’s data set?

0.45

7.40

7.55

7.60

Which statement about the scientific method is true?

The scientific method involves developing and testing conclusions.

The scientific method is a linear approach to accumulating scientific knowledge.

The scientific method is used in different ways by different scientists.

The scientific method involves developing a question to answer a hypothesis.

Jake and Aisha conducted an experiment together to test the effects of fertilizer runoff on the amount of dissolved oxygen in a lake. They each created a graph from the results. Graph 1: Jake’s Graph Graph 2: Aisha’s GraphJake concluded that the runoff had little effect on the dissolved oxygen levels, and Aisha concluded that the runoff had a major effect on dissolved oxygen levels. What is the most likely reason that Jake and Aisha formed different conclusions?

Each person used different references for comparison.

Jake recorded the wrong measurements on two days.

Aisha converted the units before creating her graph.

The students used different ranges for their y axes.

The graph shows a student’s data from an investigation about plant growth in five plants of the same type.WeekAvg. Plant Height (cm)Avg. Growth (cm)02NA1312633934145Which is the best way to display this data for analysis?

Place the data in a chart that includes individual measurements before averages were calculated so the information is more complete.

Transfer the data into a pie chart with five sections, one for each week, that are sized based on plant growth for that week.

Use the first column of data for the x axis the second column for the y axis and plot the data in a line graph to show the growth trend.

Use the first column of data for the y axis the second column for the x axis and plot the data in a line graph to show the growth trend.

Which experiment should be conducted as a field investigation?

observing changes in the nesting behavior of wood ducks

measuring the fermentation rate of yeast in salt water

determining the germination rate of a new soybean hybrid

investigating gene expression in fruit fly offspring

A commonly held idea about influenza is that it is a disease that occurs primarily in cold weather. Doctors report incidences of illness, such as influenza, to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The graph below shows data for three flu seasons. Note that this graph shows data from October, week 40, of one year to July, week 28, of the following year.Which evidence supports this idea?

The graph line for 2008-09 has the highest peaks for flu.

All three graph lines show different patterns throughout the year.

The graph line for 2008-09 has a peak in week 44.

All three graph lines peak over the same few weeks of winter.

Mendel reached conclusions about inheritance without ever seeing chromosomes or knowing about DNA. Which technology has enabled the greatest advances in understanding inheritance?

DNA structure

DNA analysis

light microscopy

electron microscopy

In late spring, a student began conducting an investigation about the flower preferences of bees. She counted the number of wildflowers in a small plot and created the following table.Plant SpeciesNumber of PlantsDandelion13Indian paintbrush8Queen Anne’s lace20Thistle29She planned to observe the flowers for the next five days for an hour at the same time each afternoon. Then she would plot the data in a multiple line graph to compare the number of bees that visited each flower. Which statement best describes the data in this investigation?

The data would be more accurate if she carried out all the observations in one day so weather conditions would be constant.

The data would be more valid if she made the observations daily for two months.

The data she collected is inaccurate because the investigation is not repeatable.

The data she collected cannot be plotted in a line graph because it is qualitative.

How is the mode of a data set defined?

It is the middle value of the set.

It is the most common value in the set.

It is the average of the different values in the set.

It is the difference between the highest and lowest values of the set.

Hybrid seeds are deliberately crossbred for particular traits, such as growth pattern or disease resistance. They have been hand-pollinated and are patented, often sterile, and genetically identical within food types. These plants are usually grown in a monocultural environment and are cultivated for mass production and sale. They must be sturdy to withstand mechanical picking and cross-country shipping. They do not compare to the quality and taste of heirloom plants, but they do produce large, healthy fruit that appeals to most shoppers. Unlike heirloom seeds, if one saves a hybrid seed, one will not get the same plant again. Which statement can be removed and not affect the excerpt’s reliability?

Hybrid seeds are deliberately crossbred for particular traits, such as growth pattern or disease resistance.

They do not compare to the quality and taste of heirloom plants, but they do produce large, healthy fruit that appeals to most shoppers.

Unlike heirloom seeds, if one saves a hybrid seed, one will not get the same plant again.

They have been hand-pollinated and are patented, often sterile, and genetically identical within food types.

Boyd takes additional measurements of the mass of product formed in a reaction. He uses a balance that has smaller graduations than the first balance he used. What is Boyd most likely trying to change?

He is trying to increase his accuracy but not his precision.

He is trying to increase his precision but not his accuracy.

He is trying to decrease his precision and increase his accuracy.

He is trying to increase his precision and decrease his accuracy.

Which is the best example of a scientific discovery resulting from new technology?

the discovery that elements can be grouped in a table on the basis of their properties

the discovery of atomic structure which led to the development of an electron microscope

the discovery of the structure of DNA, which occurred as the result of an X-ray image of a DNA molecule

the discovery that plant pigments can be separated and identified by using paper and a solvent

Scientific knowledge is generally considered to have a positive effect on society. In which situation would scientific knowledge most likely have a negative effect on society?

if it is used to justify changes in medical practices

if it results in new governmental regulations on industry

if it takes years to become widely understood

if it is misrepresented in order to influence public opinion

A filmmaker wants to depict a realistic dramatization of a scientist making and communicating an important scientific discovery. Which plot description would best depict the methods of discovery and communication that a modern professional scientist uses?

The scientist collaborates with others to plan and carry out an experiment and then writes a paper that has a clear conclusion. He submits it to a professional journal for peer review, after which the results are presented publicly.

The scientist works with a few other scientists in a secret lab that is sponsored by a large business corporation. When the scientists have results, they contact others in the scientific community to report their results.

The scientist works alone in a lab until he makes a dramatic breakthrough and then immediately announces the results through a worldwide press conference.

The scientist seeks input and data from a wide range of people of different scientific backgrounds and then publishes all the data and results on the Internet so that all the collaborators can apply it to their individual research.

The scatterplots indicate the population of rabbits in the population over time. The y-axis represents the number of rabbits and the x-axis is time. Which graph most likely represents a rabbit population that found a new, larger habitat, but then eventually experienced an increase in predation?

Graph A

Graph B

Graph C

Graph D

Researchers conducted an experiment to identify the effects of three different hand sanitizers on the growth of bacteria. The researchers grew one type of bacteria in twenty-four identical covered petri dishes. Then, they opened eighteen petri dishes and applied the three hand sanitizers to six petri dishes each. They left the remaining six petri dishes closed as a control group. When the researchers measured the growth of bacteria two days later, the six dishes that had no hand sanitizer showed the least amount of bacterial growth. The researchers concluded that not using any hand sanitizer would lead to the least bacterial growth. Which statement best explains why the researchers’ conclusion was not justified?

The experiment tested too many variables.

The control group was not treated the same as the experimental group.

The sample size of twenty-four petri dishes is not large enough.

The sample size of twenty-four petri dishes is too large.

A scientist noticed that a dark-colored peppered moth is more visible on a light-colored background than a light-colored peppered moth. He wonders, “Does this difference in visibility affect the survival rate of dark moths?” Which part of the scientific method does he need to carry out next?

Pose a question.

Form a hypothesis.

Interpret data.

Form a conclusion.

Biology and geology are two very different sciences, but biologists and geologists use scientific knowledge in the same way. These scientists both use scientific knowledge to

answer questions and solve problems affecting the natural world.

investigate the chemical composition of the Earth’s different layers.

observe and classify living organisms into groups.

explain the rituals and traditions of human cultures.

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