Mastering Biology Chapter 1 & 2 Quizzes
A substance that cannot be broken down into other substances by ordinary chemical
procedures is a(n) _____. - answer element
This is the definition of an element.
What is the correct order for the hierarchy of biological organization from the least to the
most complex? See Concept 1.1 (Page) - answer molecule, organelle, cell, tissue,
organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem
Each level of biological structure builds on the level before it.
No amino acid molecule by itself can speed up or catalyze reactions between other
molecules; however, when amino acids are joined together to make a protein with
catalytic properties, the new structure (enzymatic protein) can speed up the rate of a
specific chemical reaction. What does this illustrate? See Concept 1.1 (Page) - answer
emergent properties
A molecule such as a protein has attributes not exhibited by any of its component parts
(e.g., amino acids). Therefore, novel properties are emerging that were not present at a
simpler level of organization.
Which of the following statements is true about chemical nutrients in an ecosystem?
See Concept 1.1 (Page) - answerThey recycle within the ecosystem, being constantly
reused.
Nutrients cycle through the ecosystem by processes such as the decomposition of
organic debris.
Which of the following statements is not true of scientific experiments? - answerThey
must occur under carefully controlled conditions found in a laboratory.
Not all experiments are performed under laboratory conditions; many occur outdoors in
uncontrolled conditions. Scientists must account for these variations when designing
experiments.
In an experiment, investigators try to control all of the variables except one—the one
that tests the hypothesis. Which of the following reasons is the primary rationale for
controlling variables in an experiment? - answerTo eliminate alternative explanations for
the results of an experiment
,Controlling all variables but one ensures that some other factor is not responsible for the
results obtained from an experiment.
Which of the following statements could not be supported or rejected by a scientific
experiment? - answerThe first living cell on Earth came from outer space
An experiment could not be designed to test this statement. Science neither supports
nor rejects this idea.
Which of the following statements is true of a hypothesis? - answerA hypothesis can be
supported or rejected through experimentation.
A hypothesis is supported or rejected based on the outcome of one or more
experiments.
Which of the following variables did Pasteur change in his experiment to test the
hypothesis of spontaneous generation? - answerThe shape of the flask
By using a swan-necked flask for the experimental treatment, Pasteur ensured that no
cells were entering the flask from the air. Thus, any organisms that appeared in the
experimental flask would have arisen spontaneously.
In Pasteur's experiment to test the hypothesis of spontaneous generation, why did he
boil the broth in both flasks? - answerTo kill any existing organisms in the broth
Pasteur boiled the broth to kill any existing organisms, thus ensuring that the conditions
in each flask were identical (i.e., lacking organisms) at the start of the experiment.
Suppose the sub-hypothesis that wing waving alone reduces predation by jumping
spiders was supported by the Zonosemata experiment. What results would have
supported that sub-hypothesis? - answerZonosemata flies with housefly wings are
attacked less frequently.
Zonosemata flies with housefly wings are the experimental group that tests the effects
of wing waving alone. If those flies had been attacked less frequently, that result would
have supported the sub-hypothesis that wing waving alone reduces predation by
jumping spiders.
Suppose that Zonosemata flies whose own wings had been clipped and reattached
were attacked more frequently than untreated Zonosemata flies. How would this result
have affected the reliability of the other experimental results? - answerAll results for the
experimental groups involving wing surgery would be invalid.
If Zonosemata flies whose own wings had been clipped and reattached were attacked
more frequently than untreated Zonosemata flies, that would suggest that the presence
or absence of wing surgery itself may affect the jumping spider's responses. Thus, there
, is not enough information to draw conclusions from the data because there is an
alternative explanation for the results of the experiment.
The universal genetic language of DNA is common to virtually all organisms on Earth,
however diverse. What is the best explanation for this fact? - answerAll living things
share a common genetic language of DNA because they share a common ancestry.
The genetic code is arbitrary, at least to some extent. The fact that all organisms share
a single genetic code is due to their common ancestry. Read about the core theme of
biology: Evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of life.
Which example illustrates a property that emerges at the community level? -
answerMetabolic cooperation among many species of prokaryotic cells forms a biofilm
that allows bacterial colonies to transport nutrients and wastes. Biofilms may damage
industrial equipment or cause tooth decay.
This emergent property emerges at the community level, due to the interactions among
prokaryotic species forming the biofilm. Read about levels of biological organization in
and emergent properties.
In the course of a conversation, you observe that three of your friends like horror
movies. Horror movies happen to be your favorite type of movie as well. You also know
that all of these friends were born in the same week that you were, even in the same
year.
An astrology-loving friend hypothesizes that people born in that week like horror movies
more than other genres of movies. You decide to use the scientific method to test this
hypothesis. What should you do next? - answerPerform experiments to test your
hypothesis.
Which of the following experiments would best test your hypothesis? - answerFind other
people born in the same week and ask them what their favorite type of movie is.
After finding a random sample of 10 people born in the same week as you and your
friends, you obtain these results from their questionnaires:
4 of them prefer comedies,
3 of them prefer dramas,
2 of them prefer action movies, and
1 of them prefers westerns.
As a control, you also interview 14 random people with birthdays throughout the year.
You obtain results similar to the results of your experimental group and your friends:
3 of them prefer comedies,
4 of them prefer dramas,
3 of them prefer action movies, and
1 of them prefers westerns
What should you do next? - answerRefine your hypothesis.
A substance that cannot be broken down into other substances by ordinary chemical
procedures is a(n) _____. - answer element
This is the definition of an element.
What is the correct order for the hierarchy of biological organization from the least to the
most complex? See Concept 1.1 (Page) - answer molecule, organelle, cell, tissue,
organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem
Each level of biological structure builds on the level before it.
No amino acid molecule by itself can speed up or catalyze reactions between other
molecules; however, when amino acids are joined together to make a protein with
catalytic properties, the new structure (enzymatic protein) can speed up the rate of a
specific chemical reaction. What does this illustrate? See Concept 1.1 (Page) - answer
emergent properties
A molecule such as a protein has attributes not exhibited by any of its component parts
(e.g., amino acids). Therefore, novel properties are emerging that were not present at a
simpler level of organization.
Which of the following statements is true about chemical nutrients in an ecosystem?
See Concept 1.1 (Page) - answerThey recycle within the ecosystem, being constantly
reused.
Nutrients cycle through the ecosystem by processes such as the decomposition of
organic debris.
Which of the following statements is not true of scientific experiments? - answerThey
must occur under carefully controlled conditions found in a laboratory.
Not all experiments are performed under laboratory conditions; many occur outdoors in
uncontrolled conditions. Scientists must account for these variations when designing
experiments.
In an experiment, investigators try to control all of the variables except one—the one
that tests the hypothesis. Which of the following reasons is the primary rationale for
controlling variables in an experiment? - answerTo eliminate alternative explanations for
the results of an experiment
,Controlling all variables but one ensures that some other factor is not responsible for the
results obtained from an experiment.
Which of the following statements could not be supported or rejected by a scientific
experiment? - answerThe first living cell on Earth came from outer space
An experiment could not be designed to test this statement. Science neither supports
nor rejects this idea.
Which of the following statements is true of a hypothesis? - answerA hypothesis can be
supported or rejected through experimentation.
A hypothesis is supported or rejected based on the outcome of one or more
experiments.
Which of the following variables did Pasteur change in his experiment to test the
hypothesis of spontaneous generation? - answerThe shape of the flask
By using a swan-necked flask for the experimental treatment, Pasteur ensured that no
cells were entering the flask from the air. Thus, any organisms that appeared in the
experimental flask would have arisen spontaneously.
In Pasteur's experiment to test the hypothesis of spontaneous generation, why did he
boil the broth in both flasks? - answerTo kill any existing organisms in the broth
Pasteur boiled the broth to kill any existing organisms, thus ensuring that the conditions
in each flask were identical (i.e., lacking organisms) at the start of the experiment.
Suppose the sub-hypothesis that wing waving alone reduces predation by jumping
spiders was supported by the Zonosemata experiment. What results would have
supported that sub-hypothesis? - answerZonosemata flies with housefly wings are
attacked less frequently.
Zonosemata flies with housefly wings are the experimental group that tests the effects
of wing waving alone. If those flies had been attacked less frequently, that result would
have supported the sub-hypothesis that wing waving alone reduces predation by
jumping spiders.
Suppose that Zonosemata flies whose own wings had been clipped and reattached
were attacked more frequently than untreated Zonosemata flies. How would this result
have affected the reliability of the other experimental results? - answerAll results for the
experimental groups involving wing surgery would be invalid.
If Zonosemata flies whose own wings had been clipped and reattached were attacked
more frequently than untreated Zonosemata flies, that would suggest that the presence
or absence of wing surgery itself may affect the jumping spider's responses. Thus, there
, is not enough information to draw conclusions from the data because there is an
alternative explanation for the results of the experiment.
The universal genetic language of DNA is common to virtually all organisms on Earth,
however diverse. What is the best explanation for this fact? - answerAll living things
share a common genetic language of DNA because they share a common ancestry.
The genetic code is arbitrary, at least to some extent. The fact that all organisms share
a single genetic code is due to their common ancestry. Read about the core theme of
biology: Evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of life.
Which example illustrates a property that emerges at the community level? -
answerMetabolic cooperation among many species of prokaryotic cells forms a biofilm
that allows bacterial colonies to transport nutrients and wastes. Biofilms may damage
industrial equipment or cause tooth decay.
This emergent property emerges at the community level, due to the interactions among
prokaryotic species forming the biofilm. Read about levels of biological organization in
and emergent properties.
In the course of a conversation, you observe that three of your friends like horror
movies. Horror movies happen to be your favorite type of movie as well. You also know
that all of these friends were born in the same week that you were, even in the same
year.
An astrology-loving friend hypothesizes that people born in that week like horror movies
more than other genres of movies. You decide to use the scientific method to test this
hypothesis. What should you do next? - answerPerform experiments to test your
hypothesis.
Which of the following experiments would best test your hypothesis? - answerFind other
people born in the same week and ask them what their favorite type of movie is.
After finding a random sample of 10 people born in the same week as you and your
friends, you obtain these results from their questionnaires:
4 of them prefer comedies,
3 of them prefer dramas,
2 of them prefer action movies, and
1 of them prefers westerns.
As a control, you also interview 14 random people with birthdays throughout the year.
You obtain results similar to the results of your experimental group and your friends:
3 of them prefer comedies,
4 of them prefer dramas,
3 of them prefer action movies, and
1 of them prefers westerns
What should you do next? - answerRefine your hypothesis.
