UF BSC2005 Study Guide Exam with
Guaranteed Pass Solutions 2026-2027
Updated.
What are the differences between observational and experimental studies? Are there situations
where one is more useful than the other? What kind of information can we get / conclusions
can we draw from each? - Answer Observational studies (when, where, how many, how much)
- shows patterns
Experimental studies (changing variables in controlled environment)
- demonstrates causation
What is a natural experiment? How is it similar to / different from observational vs.
experimental studies? - Answer Natural experiment (no direct manipulation of variable, still
groups that differ naturally)
- like banning smoking in a town and watching cancer numbers
What are the steps of the scientific method? Come up with a case of "everyday science" from
your real life and describe how it fits into each of the steps. - Answer Observations
Questions
Hypotheses (must be testable)
Predictions
Testing
Conclusion
What is a hypothesis? - Answer A tentative explanation for a scientific observation or question.
Hypothesis
1. Alternative hypothesis (there is a relationship)
2. Null (there is no relationship)
What does it mean for a hypothesis to be falsifiable? Why is this important? - Answer It can be
proven wrong, otherwise you could claim something is true even if it isn't
Can a hypothesis be proven? Can it be disproven? - Answer It can never be proven, but it can
be disproven
Define the terms "independent variable" and "dependent variable". In your case of "everyday
science" from the earlier question, which is which? - Answer 1. Dependent Variables
, Thing you're measuring
2. Independent Variables
Thing you're changing
What's the difference between an alternative hypothesis and a null hypothesis? Identify both
for your "everyday science". - Answer A hypothesis is always framed as a "null" - which means
there is no difference when we do something.
if we reject the null hypothesis, we can say our alternative hypothesis is true. if we cannot find
this evidence, we will continue with the assumption that the null hypothesis is true.
What are controls, and why are they important? - Answer Control groups are the original
situation with nothing changed
- one can study the outcome of a situation with no applied variables to it
What's the difference between qualitative vs. quantitative variables? - Answer One is
numerical (quaNtitative), the other is descriptive (quaLitative)
Why is the sample size (amount of data you collect) important? - Answer The larger the
sample size, the more likely the results will have statistical significance.
If we see a relationship between two variables, can we say that changes in one variable cause
the change in the other? What would we need to do in order to make that claim? - Answer
No, correlation does not equal causation. We would need rigorous and supportive testing to
make that claim.
What are the qualities that determine whether something counts as alive? Are there any
exceptions? - Answer 1. Growing
2. Reproducing
3. Maintain homeostasis
4. Sense and respond to environment
5. Obtain and use energy
Things like viruses(?)
What are organic molecules? How can we differentiate them from inorganic molecules? -
Answer Organic - backbone of carbon and at least one C-H bond
Inorganic - has carbon but not those characteristics ^
Guaranteed Pass Solutions 2026-2027
Updated.
What are the differences between observational and experimental studies? Are there situations
where one is more useful than the other? What kind of information can we get / conclusions
can we draw from each? - Answer Observational studies (when, where, how many, how much)
- shows patterns
Experimental studies (changing variables in controlled environment)
- demonstrates causation
What is a natural experiment? How is it similar to / different from observational vs.
experimental studies? - Answer Natural experiment (no direct manipulation of variable, still
groups that differ naturally)
- like banning smoking in a town and watching cancer numbers
What are the steps of the scientific method? Come up with a case of "everyday science" from
your real life and describe how it fits into each of the steps. - Answer Observations
Questions
Hypotheses (must be testable)
Predictions
Testing
Conclusion
What is a hypothesis? - Answer A tentative explanation for a scientific observation or question.
Hypothesis
1. Alternative hypothesis (there is a relationship)
2. Null (there is no relationship)
What does it mean for a hypothesis to be falsifiable? Why is this important? - Answer It can be
proven wrong, otherwise you could claim something is true even if it isn't
Can a hypothesis be proven? Can it be disproven? - Answer It can never be proven, but it can
be disproven
Define the terms "independent variable" and "dependent variable". In your case of "everyday
science" from the earlier question, which is which? - Answer 1. Dependent Variables
, Thing you're measuring
2. Independent Variables
Thing you're changing
What's the difference between an alternative hypothesis and a null hypothesis? Identify both
for your "everyday science". - Answer A hypothesis is always framed as a "null" - which means
there is no difference when we do something.
if we reject the null hypothesis, we can say our alternative hypothesis is true. if we cannot find
this evidence, we will continue with the assumption that the null hypothesis is true.
What are controls, and why are they important? - Answer Control groups are the original
situation with nothing changed
- one can study the outcome of a situation with no applied variables to it
What's the difference between qualitative vs. quantitative variables? - Answer One is
numerical (quaNtitative), the other is descriptive (quaLitative)
Why is the sample size (amount of data you collect) important? - Answer The larger the
sample size, the more likely the results will have statistical significance.
If we see a relationship between two variables, can we say that changes in one variable cause
the change in the other? What would we need to do in order to make that claim? - Answer
No, correlation does not equal causation. We would need rigorous and supportive testing to
make that claim.
What are the qualities that determine whether something counts as alive? Are there any
exceptions? - Answer 1. Growing
2. Reproducing
3. Maintain homeostasis
4. Sense and respond to environment
5. Obtain and use energy
Things like viruses(?)
What are organic molecules? How can we differentiate them from inorganic molecules? -
Answer Organic - backbone of carbon and at least one C-H bond
Inorganic - has carbon but not those characteristics ^
