b. testing a hypothesis. d. making an observation.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

• Developing a scientific understanding of a natural phenomenon typically begins by
• making a prediction. c. proving an answer.
• testing a hypothesis. d. making an observation.

ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: 1.1 OBJ: 1.1 | 1.2

MSC: Remembering

• The scientific method cannot be used to evaluate untestable hypotheses. Which of the following types

of questions are untestable?

• questions about topics other than the natural world
• questions about the events that immediately followed the origin of the universe
• questions about the behavior of plants and animals
• questions whose possible answers are socially controversial

ANS: A DIF: Difficult REF: 1.1 OBJ: 1.1

MSC: Applying

• A medical diagnosis is a(n)
• observation. c. theory.
• experiment. d. hypothesis.

ANS: D DIF: Difficult REF: 1.1 | 1.2 OBJ: 1.2

MSC: Applying

• When you call a telephone number, you are
• making an observation.
• testing a hypothesis by conducting an experiment.
• constructing a theory, which can then be tested.
• testing a theory.

ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: 1.1 | 1.2 OBJ: 1.3

MSC: Understanding

5.Which of the following statements best summarizes the information presented in this graph?

• There is a strong correlation between the amount of applied fertilizer and the average

number of leaves per corn plant.

• Higher applications of fertilizer produce proportional increases in corn yield.

CHAPTER 1

(Discover Biology 6e Anu Singh-Cundy, Gary Shin ) (For Complete File, Download link at the end of this File) 1 / 4

• Fertilizer application is a cost-effective means of increasing farm profits.
• Leaf growth represents energy that is not directed to corn production, and the two

variables show a negative correlation.

ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: 1.1 | 1.2 OBJ: 1.4

MSC: Applying

• Which of the following actions is an example of conducting an experiment?
• calling a telephone number
• comparing prices of computers
• checking your midterm grades online
• predicting the outcome of a basketball game

ANS: A DIF: Difficult REF: 1.1 | 1.2 OBJ: 1.4

MSC: Understanding

7.This figure shows the steps in the scientific method. In her research on fish die-offs in North Carolina caused by the dinoflagellate Pfiesteria, researcher Dr. Burkholder came to believe that previous experiments by independent laboratories looking for a fish-killing toxin were using the wrong strains of Pfiesteria. Which step in the scientific method would her contention represent?

• observation c. prediction
• hypothesis d. test

ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: 1.1 | 1.2 OBJ: 1.4

MSC: Understanding

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8.This graph shows the 16-hour mortality resulting from exposing tilapia to different concentrations of the dinoflagellate Pfiesteria. If high mortality had occurred in the control group, we could conclude that

• a more robust fish species should have been used; the experiment had a fundamental

design flaw.

• the tilapia were immune to the effects of the toxic Pfiesteria.
• Pfiesteria was not the toxic agent responsible for the death of the fish.
• tilapia are not suitable for captive experiments.

ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: 1.2 OBJ: 1.4

MSC: Applying

• A scientist named Dr. Burkholder hypothesized that the dinoflagellate Pfiesteria was associated with

the massive die-offs of fish in North Carolina rivers. Subsequent observations supported her hypothesis. Which of the following observations would support that hypothesis?

• Pfiesteria was shown to be capable of living within the climatic ranges of North Carolina.
• A predicted increase in Pfiesteria populations coincided with a fish die-off.
• New observations revealed that Pfiesteria could kill laboratory fish.
• A virulent toxin was isolated from Pfiesteria cultures grown in the laboratory.

ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: 1.2 OBJ: 1.4

MSC: Applying

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10.Which of the following statements best summarizes the information presented in this graph?

• Higher applications of fertilizer produce proportional increases in corn yield.
• Fertilizer application up to about 100 kg/ha increases farm yields and profits.
• Proportional increases in irrigation are needed to maximize the growth potential of applied

fertilizer.

• Factors other than fertilizer availability have no effect on corn yield.

ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: 1.2 OBJ: 1.4

MSC: Applying

• Which of the following activities is an example of an experiment?
• reading a blood pressure gauge c. taking prescription medicine
• examining an X-ray d. making a medical diagnosis

ANS: C DIF: Difficult REF: 1.2 OBJ: 1.4

MSC: Applying

• Although the idea seems contradictory, science cannot prove a hypothesis to be true. Why?
• All true hypotheses will be rejected by the scientific method because they can be proven

false.

• Future experiments or discoveries may provide data that refute the hypothesis.
• Science is a human endeavor, and like all human endeavors, it is limited by human

understanding.

• The scientific method is limited to examination of the natural world.

ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: 1.2 OBJ: 1.5

MSC: Understanding

• After it has been supported by a predictable experimental outcome, a scientific hypothesis
• is never reexamined.
• still cannot be considered to have been proven true.
• can be used to predict the outcome of all future similar events.
• is elevated to the status of theory.

ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: 1.2 OBJ: 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5

MSC: Applying

• Which of the following statements about the scientific method is true?
• After a hypothesis has been proposed, it can never be challenged.
• A valid scientific hypothesis is self-evident and does not need to be tested by

experimentation.

• The scientific method can help people make informed medical and environmental
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