Unit 1

Question 1

fact

Answer 1

a confirmed observation; can change

Question 2

theory

Answer 2

well-tested and substantial explanation. Stable, but can change

Question 3

law

Answer 3

descriptive generalization about nature. Can be used to make predictions. Stable, but can change

Question 4

proof

Answer 4

no meaning; all science is tentative

Question 5

hypothesis

Answer 5

a statement capable of being falsified; not a question

Question 6

scientific method

Answer 6

no such thing; there are a wide variety of ways to generate evidence-based understanding

Question 7

model

Answer 7

a tool used to advance scientific understanding of a phenomenon by the user of the tool

Question 8

argument (argumentation)

Answer 8

the use of claims. evidence, and reasoning (CER) to convince others

Question 9

pattern

Answer 9

observable features of the natural world that occur repeatedly

Question 10

processes

Answer 10

the cause of a pattern

Question 11

laws are most closely related to

Answer 11

patterns

Question 12

theories are most closely related to

Answer 12

processes

Question 13

Theories become laws (T/F)

Answer 13

false. a theory and law cannot become one another due to the simple nature of their definitions

Question 14

Theories generally lack evidence (T/F)

Answer 14

false. theories are generally well-supported and highly trusted means of explaining phenomenons

Question 15

Theories are complex (T/F)

Answer 15

true. explanations are complex so are theories

Question 16

Patterns emerge from repeated inferences about naturally occurring observations (T/F)

Answer 16

false. patterns are not inferences, they are observations.

Question 17

Good models should

Answer 17

account for all data at hand
predict results of future tests
provide more insight into phenomena than already known

Question 18

Three types of models

Answer 18

physical models
mathematical model
conceptual model

Question 19

Physical model (definition)

Answer 19

real things we can experience & touch

Question 20

Mathematical model (definition)

Answer 20

quantitative indicators of phenomena using numerical symbols

Question 21

Conceptual model (definition)

Answer 21

drawings or diagrams used to advance understanding

Question 22

In order to be a model, the tool must be used to

Answer 22

advance understanding of a system for the user of the tool

Question 23

Scientists sometimes create conceptual models rather than physical models because in some cases it is easier to experiment on a conceptual model than a physical model (T/F)

Answer 23

True

Question 24

Computer simulations of a biological process would be a type of _____ model

Answer 24

mathematical

Question 25

An idea of how linked computers could act like a network of a nerve cell is an example of a ____ model

Answer 25

conceptual

Question 26

Association study (definition)

Answer 26

tests relationship between two variables
No variables manipulated

Question 27

Comparison study (definition)

Answer 27

tests for differences in one more variable between two or more groups or conditions
no variables manipulated

Question 28

Causation experiment (definition)

Answer 28

tests for casual relationship by randomizing units to at least two conditions: treatment + control
Variables are manipulated by the researcher

Question 29

Natural “experiment” (definition)

Answer 29

tests occur in the real world
Variables are manipulated by nature, not the researcher

Question 30

What is the order that most accurately reflects the working process of scientists?

Answer 30

make observations – make inferences – build model – form hypothesis – test hypothesis

Question 31

A scientific theory can include one or more scientific laws (T/F)

Answer 31

True

Question 32

Scientific studies are used to test hypotheses. These hypotheses, or educated guesses, are questions about explanations. Models are used to communicate the final explanation to others (T/F)

Answer 32

False

Question 33

A hypothesis can never become a theory and a theory can never become a law. This is the case no matter how much evidence is available to prove they are true. (T/F)

Answer 33

True

Question 34

Science has limits (T/F)

Answer 34

True

Question 35

Science is limited to

Answer 35

the natural world

Question 36

The only way to produce scientific knowledge is through experiments (T/F)

Answer 36

False

Question 37

Explanations (definition)

Answer 37

the causes that account for why something happens

Question 38

Three major types of explanations

Answer 38

backward-looking
downward-looing
upward-looking

Question 39

Backward-looking explanation (definition)

Answer 39

going back in time to find out what sequence of events casually led to the existence of this phenomena

Question 40

Downward-looking explanation (definition)

Answer 40

how does something work – molecular functions

Question 41

Upward-looking explanation (definition)

Answer 41

impact this phenomenon has on the particular group studied

Question 42

Characteristics of a strong biological explanation

Answer 42

Specify the causes that bring about the phenomena
include more than one type of explanation

Question 43

Characteristics of a Weak Biological Explanation

Answer 43

vague or unclear about the causes that bring about the phenomenon or mostly describe rather than explain
include only one type of explanation
involve mismatches between the question being asked and the explanation type