Week 3: Questions

Question 1

In our modern day and age, the bacteria that causes childbed fever has been completely eliminated. True or False?

Answer 1

False, it can still happen but it can be treated with antibiotics.

Question 2

What do you call a possible cause or mechanism that could explain an observation?

Answer 2

A hypothesis

Question 3

Is this statement an observation, hypothesis, or theory: People who get enough sleep do better on exams.

Answer 3

A hypothesis because it is a possible cause (enough sleep) that could explain an observation (better exam marks)

Question 4

Design an experiment to test whether students who get enough sleep do better on exams. Make sure that you include all the components of the scientific method.

Answer 4

Hypothesis
Possible cause that could explain an observation (ex. miasma)

People who get enough sleep do better on exams

Prediction
Educated speculation about what an outcome will be (ex. If miasma is the cause of childbed fever, ventilation will reduce death rates)

If an individual gets enough sleep, then they will get a higher grade

Test
A procedure that sets up the conditions the prediction requires (ex. opening windows to allow air flow in hospital)

Hold an exam and compare the results of a group who got enough sleep before completing the exam versus a group who did not get enough sleep

Interpretation
Evaluate the test results

Compare the grades to determine if there was a difference in marks between the two groups

Question 5

Explain the rules of cause and effect

Answer 5

Every event or outcome in nature has a cause

A scientist can learn about causes by observing effects (if the correct causes (conditions) are set up, then the effects (results) can be predicted ahead of time

Question 6

Explain consistency and repeatability

Answer 6

Science assumes that events are consistent and repeatable (if the same causes are set up, the same effects will occur)

Can repeat experiments to see if results are true or there was an error

Allows for self correction (scientists can repeat their experiments to figure out where they made mistakes and correct them)

Question 7

Explain materialism

Answer 7

All effects have natural causes, not supernatural ones

Question 8

If more and more empirical observations tend to support your hypothesis, what can you probably conclude?

Answer 8

That the hypothesis is supported and less falsifiable

Question 9

Can you list other disciplines that regularly work with biologists?

Answer 9

Philosophy and theology

Address supernatural causes, miracles and a spiritual world that biology does not

Question 10

What is the difference between science, pseudoscience and quackery?

Answer 10

Science
Uses direct observation, fact and empirical evidence

Pseudoscience
Begins with a claim and only looks for things that support it
Nothing is revised
Appeals to emotion and distrust of empirical knowledge
Ex. creationism: divine being created all species in a single event (does not take evolution into account)

Quackery
Promoting the use and/or purchase of remedies even when there is no scientific evidence or plausible rationale for their effects

Question 11

Name two advertisements that make claims, which claims to be supported by scientific evidence, but on closer inspection are not.

Answer 11

Copper bracelets (claim to be remedy for arthritis)

Hormone pills (claim to help weight loss)