Chapter 1--The Study of Life

1. True or False. It is easy to define the term life. (pp. 1,3,5-7)

True
j False
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2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of life? (p. 5)

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1. Living things are adapted.

2. Living things are homeostatic.
3. Living things are unorganized.
4. Living things reproduce.
5. Living things grow and develop.

3. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of life? (pp. 5-6)

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1. Living things are adapted to a particular way of life.

2. Living things respond to stimuli.
3. Living things reproduce.
4. Living things have an internal environment that stays absolutely constant.
5. Living things grow and develop.

4. The body temperature of humans fluctuates only slightly during the day. This is an example of which
characteristic of life? (pp. 5-6)
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1. Living things are adapted.

2. Living things are homeostatic.
3. Living things are organized.
4. Living things reproduce.
5. Living things grow and develop.

5. Living things cannot maintain their organization or carry on life's activities ______. (pp. 5-6)
1. without an outside source of material.
j 2. without an outside source of energy.
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j 3. without an outside source of materials and energy.
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j 4. without an internal source of materials and energy.
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6. A(n) ______ is the lowest level of biological organization to have the characteristics of life. (p. 5)
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1. organ
2. cell
3. tissue
4. organ system
5. organism

7. The stomach in our body represents which level of biological organization? (p. 5)
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1. tissues
2. organ systems
3. cells
4. organs
5. molecules

8. Organs, such as the heart, are composed of ______ which is the next lower level of biological
organization. (p. 5)
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1. tissues
2. organ systems
3. cells
4. atoms
5. molecules

9. The next higher level of biological organization above the cell is the ______. (p. 5)
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1. organ
2. organ systems
3. tissues
4. atoms
5. molecules

10. The highest level of biological organization listed here is the ______. (p. 5)
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1. atom
2. cell
3. tissues
4. organ
5. organism

11. Which sequence correctly increases complexity in the level of biological organization? (p. 5)
1. atoms, molecules, cells, organs, tissues
2. molecules, atoms, cells, organs, tissues
j 3. atoms, molecules, tissues, organs, cells
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j 4. atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs
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j 5. atoms, molecules, organs, tissues, cells
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12. True or False. Atoms are made up of molecules. (p. 5)

True
j False
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13. The ability of living things to produce offspring that resemble themselves is called ______. (pp. 5-6)
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1. homeostasis

2. adaptation
3. reproduction
j 4. evolution
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j 5. taxonomy
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14. All the chemical reactions that occur in a cell is called ______. (p. 6)
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1. homeostasis
2. adaptation
3. reproduction
4. metabolism
5. taxonomy

15. Plants can capture solar energy and carry on ______, a process that allows them to make their own
food. (p. 6)
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1. photosynthesis
2. adaptation
3. homeostasis
4. evolution
5. metabolism

16. Food provides nutrient molecules, which are used either as building blocks or for ______. (p. 6)
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1. photosynthesis
2. energy
3. reproduction
4. homeostasis
5. metabolism

17. All systems of the body contribute to homeostasis. The ______ system provides nutrient molecules.
(p. 6)
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1. circulatory
2. excretory
3. nervous
4. hormonal
5. digestive

18. All systems of the body contribute to homeostasis. The ______ system transports the nutrient
molecules about the body. (p. 6)
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1. circulatory
2. excretory
3. nervous
4. hormonal
5. digestive

19. All systems of the body contribute to homeostasis. The ______ system rids the blood of metabolic

wastes. (p. 6)
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1. circulatory
2. excretory
3. nervous
4. hormonal
5. digestive

20. All systems of the body contribute to homeostasis. The ______ systems coordinate the activities of
the other systems. (p. 6)
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1. circulatory
2. excretory
3. respiratory
4. nervous and hormonal
5. digestive

21. Living things respond to external stimuli. Which of the following is NOT a response to a stimulus?
(p. 6)
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1. Leaves of plants track the movements of the sun during the day.
2. A houseplant, when placed near a window, bends its stem to face the sun.
3. The pupils of the human eye dilate in a dark environment.
4. Touching a hot stove causes the hand to quickly move away.
5. Organs are composed of tissues, and each tissue contains groups of similar cells.

22. True or False. Food that humans eat is used in our body cells only for energy. (p. 6)
True
j False
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23. True or False. The human population tends to modify existing ecosystems for the best interests of
the original populations. (p. 9)
1. True
j 2. False
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24. The circulatory system is composed of the heart and the blood vessels, which in turn are composed
of cells. This is an example of which characteristic of life? (pp. 5-6)
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1. Living things are organized.

2. Living things are homeostatic.
3. Living things are adapted to a particular way of life.
4. Living things reproduce.
5. Living things grow and develop.

25. ______ is the capacity to do work. (p. 6)

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1. Metabolism

2. Homeostasis
3. Reproduction
j 4. Adaptation
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j 5. Energy
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26. A bird like an osprey can catch a fish. The osprey has massive flight muscles, a white breast and
belly to camouflage its presence, and strong feet and claws to hold onto the slippery fish. This is an
example of which characteristic of life? (pp. 5-6)
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1. Living things respond to stimuli.

2. Living things are homeostatic.
3. Living things are organized.
4. Living things reproduce.
5. Living things are adapted to a particular way of life.

27. Which of the following statements is NOT correct about evolution? (p. 7)
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1. New variations within certain members of a species allows them to capture fewer resources.
2. Members of a population with variations tend to survive and have more offspring.
3. Each successive generation will include more members with the new variation.
4. In the end, most members of a species have the same adaptations to their environment.
5. Evolution can be used to explain the unity and diversity of life.

28. When a sharp pin gets stuck in your finger, your arm moves quickly away. This is an example of
which characteristic of life? (pp. 6-7)
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1. Living things respond to stimuli.

2. Living things are homeostatic.
3. Living things are organized.
4. Living things reproduce.
5. Living things are adapted to a particular way of life.

29. True or False. Behavior is directed toward minimizing injury, acquiring food, and reproducing. (pp.
6-7)
True
j False
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30. An acorn seed becomes a seedling before it is an oak tree. This is an example of which characteristic
of life? (p. 7)
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1. Living things are adapted to a particular way of life.

2. Living things are homeostatic.
3. Living things are organized.
4. Living things reproduce.
5. Living things grow and develop.

31. True or False. Some organisms do NOT undergo development. (p. 7)

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True
False

32. A housefly has offspring that soon replace the parents. This is an example of which characteristic of
life? (pp. 6-7)
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1. Living things are adapted to a particular way of life.

2. Living things are homeostatic.
3. Living things are organized.
4. Living things reproduce.
5. Living things grow and develop.

33. Modifications that make an organism better suited to its way of life are called ______. (p. 7)
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1. reproduction
2. homeostasis
3. adaptations
4. metabolic reactions
5. taxonomy

34. ______ is the process by which characteristics of species change through time. (p. 7)
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1. Adaptation
2. Evolution
3. Metabolism
4. Reproduction
5. Taxonomy

35. True or False. Evolution can explain the unity of life but NOT the diversity of life. (p. 7)
True
j False
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36. The ______ is any place on the surface of the earth, whether in the atmosphere or down into the
seas, where organisms exist. (p. 9)
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1. experimental variable
2. ecosystem
3. biosphere
4. biodiversity
5. taxonomy

37. The ______ represents all of the populations of organisms in one natural setting plus their physical
environment. (p. 9)
1. experimental variable
j 2. ecosystem
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j 3. biosphere
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j 4. biodiversity
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j
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5. taxonomy

38. As more tropical rain forests are destroyed, an increase in ______ levels in the atmosphere is
expected. (pp. 9-10)
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1. carbon dioxide
2. oxygen
3. nitrogen
4. ozone
5. hydrogen

39. Which of the following statements is false? (pp. 9-10)

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1. More ecosystems undergo modifications as the human population increases in size.

2. Tropical rain forests act like a sponge to absorb carbon dioxide.
3. The biosphere needs to be preserved for our own benefit.
4. As ecosystems are destroyed, the number of species living there will increase.
5. Genetic engineering can improve species that presently exist.

40. The ______ is in a dynamic balance because of the interactions of its populations. (p. 9)
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1. ecosystem
2. biosphere
3. biodiversity-reduction crisis
4. Cell Theory
5. Biogenesis Theory

41. All the members of one species belong to a(an) ______. (p. 9)
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1. biosphere
2. ecosystem
3. population
4. phylum
5. kingdom

42. True or False. Humans are totally dependent on other species for food, clothing, medicine, and
various raw materials. (p. 9)
True
j False
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43. A(an) ______ is a biologist dedicated to naming, describing, and classifying organisms. (p. 11)
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1. taxonomist
2. ecologist
3. anatomist
4. physiologist
5. taxidermist

44. True or False. The scientific name for humans is Homo sapiens. (p. 11)
True
j False
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45. True or False. The first word in the scientific name of an organism is the species name and the
second word is the genus name. (p. 11)
True
j False
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46. True or False. Species within the same genus share very similar characteristics. (p. 11)
True
j False
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47. True or False. Species are classified according to their presumed evolutionary relationship. (p. 11)
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True
False

48. True or False. The scientific name for corn is Zea mays. (p. 11)
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True
False

49. What is the correct scientific name for humans? (p. 11)
1. sapiens homo
j 2. sapiens Homo
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j 3. homo sapiens
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j 4. Homo sapiens
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50. Humans belong to the kingdom ______. (p. 11)

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1. Monera
2. Animalia
3. Plantae
4. Protista
5. Hominidae

51. According to the binomial classification system, humans belong in the phylum ______. (p. 11)
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1. Mammalia
2. Homo
3. Hominidae
4. Primates
5. Chordata

52. According to the binomial classification system, humans belong in the class ______. (p. 11)
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1. Animalia
2. Chordata
3. Mammalia
4. Primates
5. Hominidae

53. According to the binomial classification system, humans belong in the family ______. (p. 11)
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1. Animalia
2. Chordata
3. Mammalia
4. Primates
5. Hominidae

54. Bacteria and cyanobacteria belong to the kingdom ______. (p. 11)
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1. Animalia
2. Plantae
3. Monera
4. Protista
5. Fungi

55. Protozoans, algae, and water molds belong to the kingdom ______. (p. 11)
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1. Animalia
2. Plantae
3. Monera
4. Protista
5. Fungi

56. Molds and mushrooms belong to the kingdom ______. (p. 11)
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1. Animalia
2. Plantae
3. Monera
4. Protista
5. Fungi

57. Mosses and ferns belong to the kingdom ______. (p. 11)
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1. Animalia
2. Plantae
3. Monera
4. Protista
5. Fungi

58. Many taxonomists today recognize ______ kingdoms. (p. 11)

1. one
2. two
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j 4. four
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j 5. five
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59. Which of the following taxonomic sequences is correct starting from the most specific but including
the fewest in number? (p. 11)
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1. species, family, order, class, genus

2. genus, species, family, order, class
3. family, species, genus, class, order
4. class, order, family, genus, species
5. species, genus, family, order, class

60. Which of the following statements is false? (p. 11)

1. Organisms placed in the same genus are least closely related.
j 2. The scientific name for humans is Homo sapiens.
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j 3. Moving from species to kingdom, more different types of species are included in each
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higher category.
j 4. Species that are in the same genus share very specific characteristics.
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j 5. Taxonomists are biologists who classify organisms.
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61. Which theory states that organisms contain coded information that dictates their form, function, and
behavior? (p. 12)
1. Cell Theory
j 2. Gene Theory
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j 3. Biogenesis Theory
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j 4. Evolution Theory
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62. Which theory states that all organisms are composed of cells? (p. 12)
1. Cell Theory
2. Gene Theory
j 3. Biogenesis Theory
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j 4. Evolution Theory
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63. Which theory states that all living things have a common ancestor and are adapted to a particular
way of life? (p. 12)
1. Cell Theory
j 2. Gene Theory
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j 3. Biogenesis Theory
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j 4. Evolution Theory
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64. Which theory states that life comes only from life? (p. 12)

1. Cell Theory
2. Gene Theory
j 3. Biogenesis Theory
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j 4. Evolution Theory
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65. A hypothesis is ______. (pp. 12-13)

1. a conceptual scheme supported by many experiments
j 2. a result of deductive reasoning
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j 3. a tentative explanation of the results
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j 4. a tentative explanation of observed phenomena
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66. A ______ is a conceptual scheme that is supported by a large number of observations and not found
lacking. (p. 12)
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1. hypothesis
2. law
3. result
4. theory
5. principle

67. Which of the following sequences is correct? (p. 12)

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1. hypothesis, experiment, theory, law

2. law, theory, experiment, hypothesis
3. experiment, hypothesis, theory, law
4. theory, hypothesis, experiment, law
5. hypothesis, experiment, law, theory

68. Which statement is false about science? (p. 12)

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1. Science helps us to understand the natural world.

2. Science is objective rather than subjective.
3. Science has to be repeatable.
4. Science should be published in a journal.
5. The conclusion of an experiment can never change.

69. The approach that scientists employ to gather information is known as the ______. (p. 12)
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1. random-choice method
2. scientific method
3. Darwin method
4. hit-or-miss method
5. Murphy's Law

70. Once the hypothesis has been stated, ______ reasoning comes into play. (p. 13)
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1. inductive
2. deductive

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3. theoretical
4. abstract

71. True or False. Hypotheses can never be proven true. (pp. 12-13)
True
j False
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72. True or False. Deductive reasoning allows you to generalize after observing specific facts. (p. 13)
True
j False
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73. True or False. A control sample goes through all the steps of the experiment except the one being
tested. (p. 14)
True
j False
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j
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74. True or False. The experimental variable in a controlled experiment is the result or change that is
observed. (p. 14)
True
j False
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75. True or False. Scientists, after conducting an experiment, will usually report their findings in a
newspaper article. (pp. 13, 15)
True
j False
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76. True or False. Scientists usually report their mathematical data obtained from experiments in a table
or graph. (p. 15)
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True
False

77. True or False. Statistical tests from an experiment are run to determine if there is a significant
difference between the experimental variable and the dependent variable. (pp. 14-15)
True
j False
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78. What is usually the last step in the scientific method? (pp. 13, 15)
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1. accumulate scientific data

2. formulate a hypothesis
3. conduct an experiment with a control group
4. draw a conclusion on the basis of the experiment
5. formulate a theory on the basis of the experiment

79. Which of the following has the greatest amount of evidence for being "true"? (p. 12)
1. hypotheses
j 2. conclusion
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j 3. theory
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j 4. law
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80. True or False. Inductive reasoning allows a scientist to generalize after observing specific facts and
begins with an "if ... then" statement. (p. 13)
True
j False
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81. True or False. Lyme disease is caused by a virus. (p. 13)

True
j False
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82. Which of the following statements is NOT true about science? (p. 15)
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1. The results of a scientific experiment must be repeatable.

2. The hypothesis of a scientific experiment must be falsifiable.
3. The methods and results of a scientific experiment must be published in a scientific journal.
4. The design of a scientific experiment should include a control sample.
5. The results of an experiment do not need to be statistically analyzed.

83. True or False. In the design of a controlled experiment to test if a sweetener is a safe food additive,
genetically different mice are nonrandomly divided into the control group and the test groups. (p. 14)
True
j False
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84. A theory that is accepted by many scientists sometimes is called a ______. (p. 12)
1. hypothesis
2. law
j 3. result
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j 4. data
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85. The ______ theory enables scientists to understand the history of life, the variety of living things,
and the development of organisms. (p. 12)
1. cell
j 2. gene
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j 3. evolution
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j 4. biogenesis
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86. True or False. There are no advantages of reporting a scientific experiment in a scientific journal
other than that it allows other researchers to repeat the experiment by knowing how the experiment was
conducted. (p. 13)

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True
False

87. In which way has science NOT improved our lives? (p. 15)
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1. discovery of antibiotics
2. increased ethical and moral values
3. production of new strains of agricultural plants
4. development of polio vaccines
5. understanding the mechanisms that cause cancer

88. The scientific method tests hypotheses about the natural world, and ethical and moral decisions are
NOT testable. (p. 15)
True
j False
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