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Keystone Biology
Nature of Science and Inquiry of Science Pre-Quiz
1. How can a scientific theory be used to answer a specific question about an observed
phenomenon?
A. A theory can offer an explanation for an observed phenomenon that does not need
supporting evidence.
B. A theory can only suggest an explanation for an observed phenomenon and cannot be
tested through experimentation.
C. A theory can suggest an explanation for an observed phenomenon that will always be
proven as fact.
D. A theory can offer explanation for an observed phenomenon that is supported by extensive
data.
2. In the 19th century, Gregor Mendel performed a series of experiments on pea plants that led to
the establishment of the field of genetics. He determined that genetic information is passed from
a parent to its offspring during reproduction. He did not know how this information was stored or
transmitted from one organism to another.
Almost 100 years later, Oswald Avery did experiments on mice using virulent pneumonia and
discovered that the transmission of genetic characteristics from parent to offspring is done
through the inheritance of DNA molecules.
A few years after Avery determined that DNA was the molecule used for the storage and
transmission of genetic information, James Watson and Francis Crick used data from X-ray
studies to create an accurate model of the structure of DNA.
Based on the paragraphs above, it can be concluded that
A. over time scientific knowledge is reevaluated and extended through new scientific
research.
B. scientific knowledge has not changed at all over the past two centuries.
C. once a scientific theory has been established there cannot ever be any new scientific
research done on the subject.
D. scientific research is always done separately and independently of all other scientific
knowledge.
3. Throughout most of the 1800s, the most widely accepted atomic theories were based on
research performed by an English chemist named John Dalton. The main tenets of Dalton's
theory were:

Elements are made of tiny particles called atoms.

Atoms cannot be divided into smaller particles.

All atoms of a given element are identical.

The atoms in one element are different from the atoms in another element.

A chemical reaction is a rearrangement of atoms.
Then, in 1897, while studying electric discharges in a cathode-ray tube, a British physicist named
J.J. Thomson discovered electrons.
Which tenet of Dalton's atomic theory did Thomson disprove?
A. All atoms of a given element are identical.
B. Elements are made of tiny particles called atoms.
C. Atoms cannot be divided into smaller particles.
D. The atoms in one element are different from the atoms in another element.
4. Scientific explanations are accepted when
I. they are consistent with experimental evidence.
II. they are consistent with observational evidence.
III. they lead to accurate predictions.
IV. they seem plausible.
A. I, II, III and IV
B. III and IV only
C. I and II only
D. I, II and III only
5. In the 1600s, many scientists supported the theory of spontaneous generation. This theory
stated that living organisms could come from nonliving matter.
Which of the following experiments led to the dismissal of the theory of spontaneous generation
by the scientific community?
A. demonstrations that DNA, the cell's hereditary material, could undergo replication
B. demonstrations that all organisms were composed of at least one cell
C. demonstrations that every living organism had two parents
D. demonstrations that no organisms would grow on sterilized food placed in a sealed
container
6. Juanita runs a restaurant. She wants to make sure that the food served by her restaurant is as
clean as possible. Juanita wants to find out the best way to kill or wash off any microorganisms
on the fresh produce used by her cooks. Which of the following is a testable hypothesis that
Juanita could make in order to conduct an experiment concerning her problem?
A. Fresh produce will taste better if it is irradiated in order to kill all of the microorganisms
on the produce.
B. What is the best way to kill or wash off any microorganisms in the fresh produce used by
the restaurant?
C. Produce must be washed under running water for 10 minutes in order to remove all
microorganisms on the produce.
D. What does the local health code say concerning the treatment of produce?
7. Diego is studying compost. He conducted an experiment to see how moisture levels affect the
breakdown of organic materials in compost piles. Diego found that adding 1 L of water per 10 kg
of dry matter caused the compost to break down at the fastest rate, but adding more than 1 L
caused decomposition to slow down.
Which of the following questions do these results lead to?
I. Why does adding more than 1 L of water per 10 kg
cause decomposition to slow down?
II. Does this ratio of water to dry matter hold true for
all organic materials being composted?
III. Why should anybody want to start a compost pile?
A. I, II, and III
B. I only
C. I and II only
D. II and III only
8. Jackson performed an experiment in which he analyzed the elemental components of several
unknown compounds. His results are shown in the table below.
Elemental Components of Unknown Compounds
Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Oxygen Phosphorus Sulfur
Unknown 1
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
Unknown 2
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Unknown 3
yes
yes
no
yes
no
no
Unknown 4
yes
yes
no
yes
no
no
Given this data, Jackson concludes that only Unknown 2 could be a protein. Which of the
following explanations supports Jackson's conclusion?
A. Proteins are the only macromolecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
B. Proteins have some amino acids that contain sulfur, whereas most lipids, nucleic acids, and
carbohydrates do not contain sulfur.
C. Proteins have some amino acids that contain nitrogen, whereas most lipids, nucleic acids,
and carbohydrates do not contain nitrogen.
D. Proteins are the only macromolecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and
phosphorus.
9. Nancy performed an experiment to see how the properties of water changed when it was in
different states. Nancy discovered that the density of water decreases when it is frozen.
Which of the following investigative questions do these results most logically lead to?
A. How is the molecular arrangement of liquid water different from the molecular
arrangement of solid water?
B. Does water make a better insulator or conductor of electricity?
C. How much force can an ice crystal withstand before shattering?
D. What is the freezing point of water?
10. Kimberly is observing the behavior patterns of a bird species in the wild. During her
observational period, a forest fire sweeps through the environment in which the bird species
lives. Which of the following is a testable hypothesis that can be made following the forest fire?
A. If the bird species is saddened by the loss of their homes, then they will become extinct.
B. If another forest fire occurs in 1000 years, then the bird species will respond in the same
way.
C. If the birds no longer think that the environment is beautiful, then the species will move to
a new location.
D. If a food source is immediately replenished in the environment, then the bird species will
continue to live there.