Biology

Mary Ann Clark, Jung Choi, Matthew Douglas

Chapter 1

The Study of Life - all with Video Answers

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Chapter Questions

Problem 1

In the example below, the scientific method is used to solve an everyday problem. Order the scientific method steps (numbered items) with the process of solving the everyday problem (lettered items). Based on the results of the experiment, is the hypothesis correct? If it is incorrect, propose some alternative hypotheses.
1. Observation
2. Question
3. Hypothesis (answer)
4. Prediction
5. Experiment
6. Result
a. There is something wrong with the electrical outlet.
b. If something is wrong with the outlet, my coffeemaker also won't work when plugged into it.
c. My toaster doesn't toast my bread.
d. I plug my coffee maker into the outlet.
e. My coffeemaker works.
f. Why doesn't my toaster work?

Kyle Ukes

Kyle Ukes

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Problem 2

Decide if each of the following is an example of inductive or deductive reasoning.
1. All flying birds and insects have wings. Birds and insects flap their wings as they move through the air. Therefore, wings enable flight.
2. Insects generally survive mild winters better than harsh ones. Therefore, insect pests will become more problematic if global temperatures increase.
3. Chromosomes, the carriers of DNA, separate into daughter cells during cell division. Therefore, each daughter cell will have the same chromosome set as the mother cell.
4. Animals as diverse as humans, insects, and wolves all exhibit social behavior. Therefore, social behavior must have an evolutionary advantage.

Rashmi Sinha

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Problem 3

Which of the following statements is false?
a. Tissues exist within organs which exist within organ systems.
b. Communities exist within populations which exist within ecosystems.
c. Organelles exist within cells which exist within tissues.
d. Communities exist within ecosystems which exist in the biosphere.

Prashant Bana

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Problem 4

The first forms of life on Earth were ________.
a. plants
b. microorganisms
C. birds
d. dinosaurs

Asma Venkitta

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Problem 5

A suggested and testable explanation for an event is called a ___________.
a. hypothesis
b. variable
c. theory
d. control

RS

Rajpal Sian

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Problem 6

Which of the following sciences is not considered a natural science?
a. biology
b. astronomy
c. physics
d. computer science

RS

Rajpal Sian

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Problem 7

The type of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion is called ________.
a. deductive reasoning
b. the scientific method
c. hypothesis-based science
d. inductive reasoning

RS

Rajpal Sian

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Problem 8

The process of ___________ helps to ensure that a scientist's research is original, significant, logical, and thorough.
a. publication
b. public speaking
c. peer review
d. the scientific method

RS

Rajpal Sian

Numerade Educator

Problem 9

A person notices that her houseplants that are regularly exposed to music seem to grow more quickly than those in rooms with no music. As a result, she determines that plants grow better when exposed to music. This example most closely resembles which type of reasoning?
a. inductive reasoning
b. deductive reasoning
c. neither, because no hypothesis was made
d. both inductive and deductive reasoning

Caroline Jones

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Problem 10

The smallest unit of biological structure that meets the functional requirements of "living" is the __________.
a. organ
b. organelle
c. cell
d. macromolecule

RS

Rajpal Sian

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Problem 11

Viruses are not considered living because they ___________.
a. are not made of cells
b. lack cell nuclei
c. do not contain DNA or RNA
d. cannot reproduce

RS

Rajpal Sian

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Problem 12

The presence of a membrane-enclosed nucleus is a characteristic of _____________.
a. prokaryotic cells
b. eukaryotic cells
c. living organisms
d. bacteria

RS

Rajpal Sian

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Problem 13

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area is called a(n) ____________.
a. family
b. community
c. population
d. ecosystem

RS

Rajpal Sian

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Problem 14

Which of the following sequences represents the hierarchy of biological organization from the most inclusive to the least complex level?
a. organelle, tissue, biosphere, ecosystem, population
b. organ, organism, tissue, organelle, molecule
c. organism, community, biosphere, molecule, tissue, organ
d. biosphere, ecosystem, community, population, organism

Arun Bana

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Problem 15

Where in a phylogenetic tree would you expect to find the organism that had evolved most recently?
a. at the base
b. within the branches
c. at the nodes
d. at the branch tips

RS

Rajpal Sian

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Problem 16

Although the scientific method is used by most of the sciences, it can also be applied to everyday situations. Think about a problem that you may have at home, at school, or with your car, and apply the Scientific method to solve it.

Kyle Ukes

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Problem 17

Give an example of how applied science has had a direct effect on your daily life.

RS

Rajpal Sian

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Problem 18

Name two topics that are likely to be studied by biologists, and two areas of scientific study that would fall outside the realm of biology.

Amrita Narasimhan

Amrita Narasimhan

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Problem 19

Thinking about the topic of cancer, write a basic science question and an applied science question that a researcher interested in this topic might ask.

Jennifer Stoner

Jennifer Stoner

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Problem 20

Select two items that biologists agree are necessary in order to consider an organism "alive." For each, give an example of a nonliving object that otherwise fits the definition of "alive."

Aditya Sood

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Problem 21

Consider the levels of organization of the biological world, and place each of these items in order from smallest level of organization to most encompassing: skin cell, elephant, water molecule, planet Earth, tropical rainforest, hydrogen atom, wolf pack, liver.

RS

Rajpal Sian

Numerade Educator

Problem 22

You go for a long walk on a hot day. Give an example of a way in which homeostasis keeps your body healthy.

RS

Rajpal Sian

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Problem 23

Using examples, explain how biology can be studied from a microscopic approach to a global approach.

RS

Rajpal Sian

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