Midterm: Process of Science

Question 1

Imagine that in an Alzheimer’s study, it was repeated 1,000 times and the scientists controlled for every possible confounding variable. If the scientists found that beta-amyloid was linked with memory loss in all of the 1,000 repetitions of the experiment, would they be able to form a scientific theory using their results?

Answer 1

No. The repetition by the same scientists is called pseudo-replication

Question 2

Predictions should

Answer 2

include the independent and dependent variable

Question 3

Multiple studies have shown that certain annual plants tend to advance their flowering time more with warming temperatures than closely related perennial plants. This idea has been tested on roughly 10% of total plant species. Since several studies have found this link between annual plants and greater flowering advancement with temperature, we can form the Theory of Annual Flowering Advancement as this fits the key components of a scientific theory.

Answer 3

False. We need a larger population size and more studies to experiment than several.

Question 4

Evolution is described as a scientific theory. Given our discussions of how to talk about science and the definition of a theory, select all the correct statements below.

a. There is extremely high experimental support for evolution.
b. Evolution unifies many hypotheses.
c. Scientists have proven that evolution is correct.
d. Scientists have extremely high confidence that the theory of evolution is correct

Answer 4

A, B and D (C is incorrect because you can’t prove a theory)

a. There is extremely high experimental support for evolution.
b. Evolution unifies many hypotheses.
d. Scientists have extremely high confidence that the theory of evolution is correct

Question 5

Pseudo-replication occurs…

Answer 5

When dependent samples are used as replicates

Question 6

In an experiment, sex is an example of…

Answer 6

a confounding variable

Question 7

In the Alzheimer’s in class activity, one of the hypothesis options was ‘Beta-amyloid will cause mice to forget previously learned chores because the proteins degenerate brain cells associated with memory.’

What was incorrect about this hypothesis? Select all that apply.

a. It includes the study organism
b. It includes the dependent variable
c. it uses circular logic

Answer 7

A and B (C is incorrect, no circular logic used)

a. It includes the study organism
b. It includes the dependent variable

Question 8

A scientific hypothesis SHOULD

Answer 8

state the basic relationship of interest and include a mechanistic explanation

Question 9

Dr. Reddy is investigating the neurological basis for narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a disorder of the brain in which people experience uncontrollable bouts of sleep sometimes called “sleep attacks.” Dr. Reddy is specifically interested in a neurotransmitter called hypocretin which promotes wakefulness and has been implicated in other sleep disorders. To test the effects of hypocretin on the frequency of narcoleptic sleep attacks, she separates 40 mice with narcolepsy into two groups. The first group includes 20 mice with low levels of hypocretin in their brains and these mice receive no injection. The second group includes 20 mice who also have low levels of hypocretin, but receive an injection to increase their brain hypocretin levels to established normal values. Dr. Reddy determines the frequency of sleep attacks during the 24 hour period for each mouse.

What should the hypothesis be?

Answer 9

Narcolepsy is associated with low levels of hypocretin because this hormone promotes wakefulness and therefore low levels of hypocretin would be inadequate to maintain wakefulness.

Question 10

What are the 5 steps to the scientific process?

Answer 10

1. Observe and Question
2. Form a hypothesis
3. Make your prediction
4. Test your theory
5. Analyze conclusions