NOT a goal of science
to establish a collection of unchanging truths
Science differs from other disciplines, such as history and the arts, because science relies on
testing explanations
Scientists will never know for sure why dinosaurs became extinct. Therefore, scientists should
continue to learn as much as they can about dinosaur extinction
Science is best described as a
way of knowing
The work of scientists usually begins with
careful observations
Information gathered from observing a plant grow 3 cm over a two-week period is called
data
Based on your observations, you suggest that the presence of water could accelerate the growth of bread mold. This is
a hypothesis
A hypothesis
may be disproved by a single experiment
During a controlled experiment, a scientist isolates and tests
a single variable
A student sees a bee on a flower. The student wonders how the bee finds flowers. This student is displaying the scientific attitude of
curiosity
Suppose that a scientist proposes a hypothesis about how a newly discovered virus affects humans. Other virus researchers would likely
design new experiments to test the proposed hypothesis
Why is creativity considered a scientific attitude?
Creativity helps scientists come up with different experiments
After a scientists publishes a paper, someone else finds evidence that the paper's hypothesis may not be correct. The scientist is unhappy, but studies the new evidence anyway. The scientist is showing which scientific attitude?
open-mindedness
Suppose a scientist must choose whether to publish a report in a newspaper or in a peer-reviewed journal. What is a benefit of publishing in the journal?
The quality of the report will meet high scientific standards
Who reviews articles for peer-reviewed journals?
anonymous and independent experts
How does sharing ideas through peer-reviewed articles help advance science?
Scientists reading the articles may come up with new questions to study
A scientist discovers an important breakthrough in cancer treatment. The scientist thinks the information could save thousands of lives and immediately announces the results on national television, skipping peer review. How might other scientists react to this news?
They will be skeptical because the report was not peer-reviewed
What does a reviewer do during peer-review?
Check for mistakes and bias
Suppose that a scientific idea is well-tested and can be used to make predictions in numerous new situations, but cannot explain one particular event. This idea is a
theory that may need revision
A theory
may be revised or replaced
How do scientific theories compare to hypotheses?
Theories unify a broad range of observations and hypotheses
A well-tested explanation that explains a lot of observations is
a theory
A question that can be answered by science
How does DNA influence a person's health
A personal preference or point of view is
a bias
How does society help science advance?
Society raises questions that science can help answer
How does studying science help you be a better member of society?
Understanding how science works will help you make better decisions
NOT a way that science influences society
Science gives society answers to difficult ethical issues
NOT a characteristic of all living things
ability to move
A characteristic of living things that best explains why some North American birds fly south for the winter
Living things respond to their environment
Cells in multicellular organisms have many different sizes and shapes. These differences in cells is called cell specialization. Cell specialization allows cells to
perform different functions
The process by which organisms keep everything inside their bodies within certain limits is called
homeostasis
Which big idea in biology is MOST concerned with DNA?
information and heredity
Would a scientist who studies evolution also have to learn about other branches of biology? Why or why not?
Yes; the different branches of biology are interrelated
Focusing on which two central themes in biology would help a student understand why animals come in different shapes and sizes?
structure and function; unity and diversity of life
What are the smallest objects that biologist study?
molecules
Biologist who work in the fields of genomics and molecular biology study
DNA
This biologist would most likely use satellite technology
global ecologist
A paleontologist would likely be most interested in finding
a universal Tree of Life
The basic unit of length in the metric system is the
meter
How many meters are in 2.4 km?
2,400
The standard or English system of measurement uses units such as yards, miles, quarts, and gallons. The metric system uses units such as meters, kilometers, milliliters, and liters. Why is the metric system easier to use than the English system?
The metric system is based on multiples of 10
Using a universal system of measurement is MOST important during which part of scientific methodology?
collecting data
Scientists often try to repeat each other's results. Which of the following should a scientist do to make it easier for others to replicate his or her experiment?
Use the metric system when communicating procedures and results.
On the Celsius temperature scale, how many degrees are between the freezing and boiling points of water?
100
NOT a unit of measurement in the metric system?
inch
The basic unit of mass in SI is the
gram
To observe a small, living organism, a scientist might use a(an)
compound light microscope
A compound light microscope
can magnify objects up to about 1000 times
NOT considered a safety procedure
If in doubt about any part of an activity, trust your instincts
Because you may come in contact with organisms you cannot see, what safety procedures MUST be followed?
Wash your hands thoroughly after completing the activity
