1. A scientist often uses the results of one investigation to determine the steps needed for the next investigation.
Which 2 statements best explains the value of using this procedure? SPI 3210.Inq.1
A. Valid data are produced, because the same experiments are repeated.
B. New evidence leads to revised knowledge and further research.
C. The results of experiments are treated as hypotheses instead of as
conclusions.
D. Experiments can be refined with better focus and procedures
2. In the 1920’s, tires were sunk along the Florida coast to create artificial barrier reefs. Because many of the tires
are constantly in motion, no marine life has been attracted to this artificial habitat. Now marine biologists are in
the process of removing the tires from the ocean floor. Which statement best describes the reason the tires are
being removed? SPI 3210.Inq.1
A.
B.
C.
D.
Scientists are making space for natural reefs to develop.
Marine life has evolved and is no longer attracted to the material.
New observations have led scientists to reconsider their original hypothesis.
The scientists formed their hypothesis after the investigation had taken place
3. Identical amounts of potato slices were weighed and placed in beakers containing 50 mL of tap water. Sugar was
added in different amounts to each beaker. SPI 3210.Inq.2
The potato slices were weighed again after 24 hours. The percent change in mass for the slices from each
beaker was determined. Which is the independent (manipulated) variable in this investigation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
the mass of the potato slices
the temperature of the water
the amount of water in each beaker
the amount of sugar in each beaker
4. Sally noticed that there was a decline in the number of eggs her hens were laying. She decided to investigate if the
decline might be caused by the amount of food she was feeding the hens. Which would be the dependent
(responding) variable in Sally’s investigation? SPI 3210.Inq.2
A. number of eggs laid
B. size of the cage
C. amount of food
D. age of hens
5. Students conducted an investigation with green bananas. They hypothesized that an onion placed near a banana
could increase the rate at which the banana ripened. They placed one onion and one banana in each of three
containers. In a fourth container they placed a banana, but no onion. Which statement best explains why the onion
was left out of the fourth container? SPI 3210.Inq.2
A.
B.
C.
D.
The onion would contaminate the fourth trial.
The container without the onion is the control.
Three containers with onions are enough to conduct the test.
The container without the onion is the independent variable.
6. Which set of tools would be best to use for dissecting in a biology lab? SPI 3210.Inq.3
A.
B.
C.
D.
pen, paper, and a computer
scissors, forceps, and a scalpel
petri dish, flask, and Bunsen burner
glass slides, dye, and a light microscope
7. What are petri dishes used for in a lab?
SPI 3210.Inq.3
A. reflecting light to form images
B. measuring the mass of molecules
C. growing bacteria in a controlled setting
D. observing the strength of physical forces
8. A farmer wants to know which brand of fertilizer is the best to use for his crops. The farmer buys three different
brands of fertilizer and uses them on three corn plants. The farmer uses the fertilizers for four weeks and finds
one fertilizer helped the corn plants grow the fastest. The farmer chooses the fertilizer to use on all of his tomato
plants. What should the farmer have done to make the experiment more reliable? SPI 3210.Inq.4
A. The farmer should have used more corn plants.
B. The farmer should have used the fertilizer for three weeks.
C. The farmer should have used tomato plants instead of corn plants.
D. The farmer should have used only two different brands of
fertilizer.
9. A pharmaceutical company develops a new antibiotic to treat pneumonia. After limited testing, the
researchers conclude that the antibiotic seems to be effective. How can the researchers strengthen their
conclusions? SPI 3210.Inq.4
A.
B.
C.
D.
Test the antibiotic on human volunteers.
Publish their results in a medical journal.
Ask an independent lab to retest the antibiotic.
Test the effectiveness of the antibiotic at killing other bacteria.
10. A student hypothesized that the greater amount of insect biodiversity at a stream indicated a climax community.
The student collected samples of insects from four different stream areas. The student created the pie graphs
below that represent the number of insect species from each area. SPI 3210.Inq.5
Based on the student’s hypothesis, which stream was most likely a climax community?
A.
B.
C.
D.
1
2
3
4
11. Lactose intolerance is a condition of the digestive system in which an individual has an inability to digest lactose,
the sugar found in milk. An individual affected with lactose intolerance does not produce enough of the enzyme
lactase, which is needed to break down lactose. If more adults than children are diagnosed with lactose
intolerance, what does this most likely suggest? SPI 3210.Inq.5
A.
B.
C.
D.
The production of lactase decreases over time.
The digestion of food breaks down lactase.
Lactose intolerance is an allergic reaction.
Lactose intolerance is contagious.
12. In medical research, the “double blind method” is often used. Half of the participants receive the medicine and
half receive a sugar pill. Neither the researcher nor the participants know who is receiving the medicine. The
main reason the double blind method is used is that it. SPI 3210.Inq.6
A. confirms that the medicine produces a positive effect in the participants.
B. ensures that the participants have a 50% chance of taking real medicine.
C. helps eliminate bias both in the participants and in the researchers.
D. reduces the dosage of medicine that each participant takes.
13. A student was investigating the growth rate of a certain plant species. He planted three plants of the same
species in separate pots. Each plant was grown under the same light source and received the same amount of
water and fertilizer over a five-day period. His results are shown in the graph. SPI 3210.Inq.7
The student concluded that Plant 1 was grown in soil with fewer nutrients than the other two plants. Which is
another acceptable explanation for the difference in the growth of the plants?
A. Plant 1 had a fungus in the soil that prevented it from
growing.
B.
Plants 2 and 3 were given a different type of fertilizer to
grow.
C. Plant 1 received mineral-enriched water that prevented its growth.
D. Plants 2 and 3 were given growth hormone supplement
14. Pepsin is an enzyme that acts in the stomach for protein digestion. Which of these is most likely the main role of
pepsin in this metabolic reaction? SPI 3210.1.5
A.
B.
C.
D.
to speed up the rate of reaction
to reduce the loss of energy as heat
to control the direction of the reaction
to protect the reaction from other chemicals
15. Catalase is an enzyme that speeds up the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide
into water and oxygen.
Students conducted two investigations to determine the ideal conditions for the function of catalase. One
investigation compared catalase activity at different values of pH. The other investigation compared catalase
activity at different temperatures. SPI 3210.1.5
According to the data in the chart, which pH and temperature combination provides the best conditions
for catalase to function?
A.
pH 5 and 4°C
B.
pH 5 and 25°C
C.
pH 7 and 37°C
D. pH 7 and 50°C
FRQ:
1. Design an experiment that tests the ability of a drug to combat the flu. List the procedure and
steps necessary to ensure the product has been reliability tested. Identify the dependent,
independent and controlled variables. Justify your answers using evidence from the scientific
method.