Biology 156 Chapter 1 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is one way a gecko can relax? (Select all that apply)

Relax their suction cups (correct)

Peel their toes back (correct)

Inhale deeply

What is the function of the gecko's tail? (Select all that apply)

Snaps like a whip for communication

Provides stability on slanted surfaces, and provides a 'righting mechanism' while falling (correct)

Helps living geckos stand upright and walk

A molecule of DNA represents which level in life's hierarchy of organization?

molecular

How do chemical nutrients flow in an ecosystem?

cycles continuously within the ecosystem's structural web Signup and view all the answers

What is the basis of life's variety and common themes?

the genetic information in DNA Signup and view all the answers

What do all organisms have in common? (Select all that apply)

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of eukaryotic organisms?

they can be either single or multi-celled organisms Signup and view all the answers

How would you describe organisms in the Kingdom Animalia?

nonphotosynthetic eukaryotes that eat other organisms, and have no cell walls Signup and view all the answers

What is called the set of features that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment?

adaptations Signup and view all the answers

Why have bacteria become increasingly resistant to antibiotics? (Select all that apply)

Bacteria with natural resistance to the antibiotic had the most offspring Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best definition for the term hypothesis? (Choose the single best answer.)

A hypothesis is the proposed answer to a question that was derived from an observation. Signup and view all the answers

(Choose the single best answer.) A scientific theory is:

an explanation supported by a very large amount of experimental evidence. Signup and view all the answers

Consider an experiment in which human subjects are given a pill to test its effectiveness on reducing the duration of a cold. Which of the following is the best way to treat the control group? (Choose the single best answer.)

Give the control group a placebo (a pill that does not affect colds). Signup and view all the answers

(Choose the single best answer.) The most trustworthy source of scientific information is:

peer-reviewed scientific journals. Signup and view all the answers

(Choose the single best answer.) A scientific hypothesis has all of the following features EXCEPT that it is:

able to be proven true. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a scientific hypothesis? (Choose the single answer that is a testable hypothesis, even if it is not a correct hypothesis!)

People catch colds because of exposure to cold temperature. Signup and view all the answers

(Choose the single best answer.) The most effective control subjects in a test of an experimental treatment are:

treated identically to the experimental subjects but not given the experimental treatment. Signup and view all the answers

(Choose the single best answer.) An experiment is called double-blind when:

neither the subjects nor the technicians know who is in the experimental group and who is in the control group. Signup and view all the answers

(Choose the single best answer.) The purpose of double-blind experiments is to:

minimize bias in the results of an experiment. Signup and view all the answers

(Choose the single best answer.) An experimental result is called statistically significant when:

the result is unlikely to be due to chance alone. Signup and view all the answers

What is a proposed, testable explanation for an observation?

hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that changes during an experiment?

variable Signup and view all the answers

What yields data against which other groups are compared in an experiment?

control group Signup and view all the answers

What differs from the control group by the one variable that is being tested in the experiment?

experimental group Signup and view all the answers

What is your preference if you like some chocolate chip cookie recipes better than others?

Observation Signup and view all the answers

What question do you pose regarding the type of flour used for baking?

Question Signup and view all the answers

What is the statement 'Cake flour works better than regular flour'?

Hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What do you perform when you make one batch of cookies with regular flour and another with cake flour?

Experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is the finding that using cake flour makes the cookies soft, which you prefer?

Results Signup and view all the answers

What appropriate hypotheses could the farmer test about almond tree growth? Select all that apply.

Almond trees grow taller when they are planted in direct sunlight. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenarios describe people using steps of the scientific method? Select all that apply.

Miguel's car doesn't start in the morning, so he methodically checks one possible component at a time to try to figure out why his car will not start. Signup and view all the answers

What involves exploration and discovery in a scientific context?

Yoel read literature about Todd Campbell's work with green and brown anoles. Signup and view all the answers

What points to societal benefits and outcomes in scientific research?

Politicians may develop new policies to protect species from environmental changes. Signup and view all the answers

What is involved in scientific community analysis and feedback?

Yoel submitted an article describing his results, which was reviewed by other scientists. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes forming and testing hypotheses in research?

Yoel collected data on the size of green anole toe pads. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following alternate hypotheses could explain Yoel's results? (Select the best answer.)

The introduction of a predator that lives on the ground caused the green anole lizard population to evolve. Signup and view all the answers

Which experiment would best determine if the green anole lizards' diet was affected by their change in habitat?

Yoel should compare the diet of green anole lizards from islands where no brown anole lizards live to the diet of green anole lizards from islands where green and brown anole lizards live. Signup and view all the answers

Which analogy best describes the process of science?

Driving to and from work every day but needing to travel via different streets to avoid traffic Signup and view all the answers

What process do scientists use to ask and answer questions about nature?

scientific inquiry Signup and view all the answers

What type of logic is used to draw generalized conclusions from a large number of specific observations?

inductive reasoning Signup and view all the answers

What is a proposed explanation for a set of observations?

hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What logic is used to proceed from a general hypothesis to specific predictions?

deductive reasoning Signup and view all the answers

What must a hypothesis be in order to be valid?

falsifiable Signup and view all the answers

What type of experiment involves both an experimental group and a control group?

controlled experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is broader in scope than a hypothesis and supported by a large body of evidence?

theory Signup and view all the answers

What test changes only one variable at a time to isolate results?

controlled Signup and view all the answers

What is the one variable manipulated by a scientist in an experiment?

independent variable Signup and view all the answers

What variable is observed to see the effect of the change made?

dependent variable Signup and view all the answers

What establishes a baseline for an experiment?

control group Signup and view all the answers

What is a group in which no response is expected?

negative control Signup and view all the answers

What is a group in which a known response is expected?

positive control Signup and view all the answers

What type of experiment has researchers knowing who receives treatment while the participants do not?

single-blind Signup and view all the answers

What type of experiment involves neither participants nor researchers knowing who receives treatment?

double-blind Signup and view all the answers

How many variables should there be in a well-designed experiment?

1 Signup and view all the answers

What was an important limitation in the experiments shown in the video?

There were too few subjects. In other words, the sample size was too small. Signup and view all the answers

At what age could the environment potentially shape the preferences of a child?

at age 3 or 4, when children are dressed in gender-specific clothing Signup and view all the answers

Fraternal twins share _ of the same genes, while identical twins share _ of the same genes.

50% on average; 100% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following experiments would provide the best data for determining the effect of environment?

comparing identical twins raised in the same environment with identical twins raised in different environments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following experiments would provide the best data for determining the effect of genetics?

comparing identical twins raised in the same environment with fraternal twins raised in the same environment Signup and view all the answers

In the essay, which measurement is probably the least valuable when designing an experiment that measures how genetics and environment shape who we are?

the average lifespan Signup and view all the answers

What type of graph represents continuous data and tracks changes over time?

line graph Signup and view all the answers

What type of graph is used for categorical data where independent variables fall into distinct groups?

bar graph Signup and view all the answers

What type of chart shows how the whole breaks down into parts?

pie chart Signup and view all the answers

After looking at gecko feet at the microscopic level, what was the first gecko-inspired product made by the engineers?

the first synthetic self-cleaning dry adhesive made of polypropylene Signup and view all the answers

How do both geckos and 'sticky-bots' let go of the surface on which they are walking?

By utilizing a change in pressure or surface tension. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hypothesis and Scientific Theory

A hypothesis serves as a proposed answer to a question derived from observation and must be testable and falsifiable.
A scientific theory is an explanation supported by extensive experimental evidence, distinguishing it from a mere hypothesis.

Control Groups in Experiments

The control group should receive a placebo to assess the effect of an experimental treatment.
Effective control subjects are treated identically to experimental subjects but do not receive the treatment.

Scientific Method and Experiment Design

Double-blind experiments prevent bias by ensuring neither subjects nor researchers know group assignments.
Statistical significance indicates results unlikely caused by chance alone.

Experimental Variables

Independent variables are manipulated to observe effects on dependent variables, which are measured outcomes.
A controlled experiment involves changing one variable at a time to isolate results.

The Importance of Peer Review

Peer-reviewed articles are the most reliable sources of scientific information due to rigorous evaluation by other experts.

Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

Inductive reasoning allows for generalized conclusions from specific observations, while deductive reasoning applies a general hypothesis to forecast specific results.

Genetic and Environmental Influence

Fraternal twins share about 50% of their genes; identical twins share 100%.
Effective experiments to determine environmental effects compare identical twins raised in different settings.

Data Representation

Line graphs illustrate continuous data trends, bar graphs display categorical data, and pie charts show proportions of a whole.

Gecko Inspired Engineering

The first product inspired by gecko feet was a synthetic self-cleaning dry adhesive.
Geckos and sticky-bots release their grip by peeling their toes back.

Ecosystem and DNA

Chemical nutrients cycle continuously within ecosystems, emphasizing interconnectedness.
The genetic information stored in DNA forms the basis of life's diversity and common themes.

Characteristics of Life

All living organisms store genetic information in DNA, have the capacity to evolve, and utilize energy for growth and development.
Eukaryotic organisms can be unicellular or multicellular, and organisms in the Kingdom Animalia are nonphotosynthetic eukaryotes without cell walls.

Adaptations and Natural Selection

Adaptations are traits enhancing an organism's survival and reproduction in specific environments.
Increased antibiotic resistance in bacteria exemplifies natural selection, where resistant bacteria reproduce more successfully.

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Description

Test your understanding of key concepts in Biology 156 with these Chapter 1 flashcards. This quiz covers essential definitions, including what constitutes a hypothesis and a scientific theory. Challenge yourself to recall and apply these foundational ideas in biology.