BIO 141 Exam 1 Study Questions
Gabriela Rios-Martinez
March 1, 2014
BIO 141
Exam 1 Study Questions
Chapter 1: Biology and the Tree of Life (#1 – 4)
1. What is the difference between a hypothesis and a scientific Theory? Between a hypothesis and a prediction? What kinds of hypotheses are useful for scientific investigations that try to explain the natural world, and which are not? Give one or more examples of hypotheses that are and are not scientifically useful. (a.) A scientific theory has two components; a pattern, and a process that creates the pattern. A hypothesis is a testable statement that explains a phenomenon of a set of observations.
(b.) A prediction is different from both because it describes a result of a hypothesis that must be correct if the hypothesis is valid.
(c.) The kinds of hypothesis that are useful for scientific investigations are the ones that are testable and an experiment can actually be created to test it.
(d.) Scientifically useful hypothesis: Which paper towel is most absorbent?
Not scientifically useful hypothesis: Which is the best flavor of icecream?
2. Two of the greatest unifying ideas in biology (i.e., concepts that account for and are consistent with a very large number of observations) are the Cell Theory, and the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. Most scientific Theories have two components: the pattern component and the process component. What are the two components of Cell Theory and of the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection? What are the two conditions required by the process component of evolutionary theory?
(a.) The Cell Theory Pattern: “All organisms are made up of cells” Process: “All cells come from pre-existing cells” The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection Pattern: “Individuals within a population vary in characteristics that are heritable” Process: “Certain versions of these heritable traits help individuals survive better or reproduce more than other versions”
(b.) The two
March 1, 2014
BIO 141
Exam 1 Study Questions
Chapter 1: Biology and the Tree of Life (#1 – 4)
1. What is the difference between a hypothesis and a scientific Theory? Between a hypothesis and a prediction? What kinds of hypotheses are useful for scientific investigations that try to explain the natural world, and which are not? Give one or more examples of hypotheses that are and are not scientifically useful. (a.) A scientific theory has two components; a pattern, and a process that creates the pattern. A hypothesis is a testable statement that explains a phenomenon of a set of observations.
(b.) A prediction is different from both because it describes a result of a hypothesis that must be correct if the hypothesis is valid.
(c.) The kinds of hypothesis that are useful for scientific investigations are the ones that are testable and an experiment can actually be created to test it.
(d.) Scientifically useful hypothesis: Which paper towel is most absorbent?
Not scientifically useful hypothesis: Which is the best flavor of icecream?
2. Two of the greatest unifying ideas in biology (i.e., concepts that account for and are consistent with a very large number of observations) are the Cell Theory, and the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. Most scientific Theories have two components: the pattern component and the process component. What are the two components of Cell Theory and of the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection? What are the two conditions required by the process component of evolutionary theory?
(a.) The Cell Theory Pattern: “All organisms are made up of cells” Process: “All cells come from pre-existing cells” The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection Pattern: “Individuals within a population vary in characteristics that are heritable” Process: “Certain versions of these heritable traits help individuals survive better or reproduce more than other versions”
(b.) The two