Study Skills for College Science: How to Prepare for Science Exams

For many university students, college-level science courses are very difficult. One key to success is to learn how to properly study all of the course material.

Most universities require that their students take some college-level science courses to be eligible to graduate. Others plan on future careers in nursing, and medical fields, where doing well in these courses is required to get into competitive and selective majors (and into good jobs upon graduation). Regardless, these courses require discipline, good study habits, and perseverance to succeed.

The study skills offered here are designed to help make the best use of one’s time in preparing for exams and retaining information. These tips work for science courses in geology, biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, and physiology, among other university disciplines.

Using Notecards for Science Course Material

One common error made by university students in science classes is spending too much time making notecards. If all of one’s study time is spent making notecards, there is very little time left to cram notecard material or to go through large packs of index cards. While rewriting notes onto index cards or notecards helps some with recalling information, the likelihood of retaining almost everything rewritten is minimal. If anything, some students may be more focused on getting notecards written rather than watching what is being written. For those struggling to manage their study time effectively, using an essay writing service can be a beneficial alternative, allowing them to focus on learning rather than getting bogged down by excessive note-taking.

Instead, index cards are more effective in preparing for science exams. Prefixes (examples: mono-, poly-) and formulas are tools one can readily memorize and take into a test to help find correct answers among multiple-choice options or problem-solving sets. Likewise, short definitions and vocabulary words can go on cards. The main things to keep in mind are:

  • keep lots of white space (space with no writing) as too much text distracts the eye and makes it more difficult to recall the information
  • try writing in color pens, markers
  • make index cards up as the material is covered in the textbook or class lecture then leave all the index cards to be made the week of an exam

Mnemonics for Science Courses

Another thing a student could use to retain all the course information from a science course is the tool called a mnemonic. Short phrases, acronyms, and sequences of letters can help recall a sequence of words or the ordering/arrangement of a list of words. Examples for the sciences include:

  • HOMES – the American Great Lakes: H(Huron), O (Ontario), M (Michigan), E (Erie), S(Superior)
  • My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas (Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune and the former planet, Pluto)

With these previous examples, the words “homes” and the phrase “my very excellent mother just served us nine pizzas” expand outward. In the case of “homes,” the word uses the first letter of each of the five lakes. In the planets’ case, the first letter of each word matches the first letter in the corresponding planet name. What is good with this mnemonic example is the fact that not only does the first letter in each word match the first letter of the corresponding planet, but the entire list is in close order to their proximity to the sun, as Mercury is the closest planet and “my” is the first word in the phrase.

While these examples are more often taught and used in American grade schools rather than in college and university-level science courses, the same principles apply. Mnemonics are particularly useful for human anatomy and physiology courses, where bones or nerves in a particular region of the human body have unique names, sometimes quite close in spelling. Sayings and acronyms make it easier to recall a listing and sometimes the order of the list.

Study Groups for Science Class

In addition to making notecards and mnemonics alone, science students may benefit from studying in pairs or groups with classmates. Before chemistry or biology exams, a group could meet to quiz one another.

Likewise, groups can come in handy for science courses where the professors/course instructors have provided study guides. A group can divvy up a packet so that everyone benefits from a completed study guide, without as much individual investment of time and work.

That way too, if any vocabulary words are unclear or test prep questions that are confusing, the group can collectively work together to find the answer or ask the professor for help. Working together on review packets for science classes more than any other discipline is a good use of time and resources, as the packets tend to be more involved with lots of vocabulary.

Lastly, explaining science concepts, systems or processes (like the Krebs cycle or mitosis) aloud is excellent studying practice, as teaching concepts to others and speaking the stages out loud helps with retention and recall of concepts on test day.

Textbook and Lecture Note Review for Science Class

Along with good group studying sessions, university students enrolled in science courses ought to practice good textbook and lecture note review too. Taking detailed notes in margins, in diagrams and graphics, and with highlighters helps sort out the most important and the most difficult concepts in a clear manner.

One thing that is particularly true with science courses is the importance of reading ahead. Even if the professor does not assign class reading in advance, one should skim-read the next section or chapter so that there is a baseline understanding of a concept before it is covered in class. This way, one can focus more on the dialogue in the lecture and what the instructor has to say rather than trying to cram every little item into notes taken during class.

In closing, strong note-taking, notecard-making, textbook reviewing, and group study habits can help many achieve improvement in college-level science courses, whether the course is in physics, archaeology, or biology for example. The key is to use time efficiently and effectively and find a way to store all the material and recall it come test day.

Introduction to Biology Quiz

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Introduction to Biology
 

1. Ultimately, all scientific knowledge comes from:
experimentation
observation
textbooks
both experimentation & observation

2. A hypothesis must be:
proven correct
testable
observed
experimental

3. A scientist testing the affects of a chemical on apple yeild sprays an orchard with the chemical. A second orchard does not receive the chemical. In the fall, the number of apples harvested from each forest is counted. Which of the following is the independent variable in the experiment?
the chemical
the number of apples
the first orchard
the second orchard

4. The orchard sprayed with the chemical yeilds an average of 60 apples per tree, the other orchard yields an average of 40 apples per tree. Based on the data, the scientist would:
report his data
test the chemical on other plants
determine that the chemical increases apple yield
determine that the results were inconclusive

5. In order for the apple tree experiment to be valid scientifically, both orchards must:
receive the same amount of sunlight
receive the same amount of water
have the same species of apple tree
all of these

6. Theories help scientists to:
explain large bodies of data
prove hypotheses
determine truth from lies
propose new ideas about how the world works

7. If a theory is challenged by new evidence, which of the following could occur?
the theory could be altered
the theory is accepted, not the evidence
the evidence is wrong
a vote is taken on whether to accept the new evidence

8. All living things must:
move
have two parents
eat food
maintain homeostasis

9. The mechanism by which evolution occurs is called:
creationism
natural selection
interdependence
metabolism

10. The smallest unit capable of carrying out life functions is:
a cell
tissue
DNA
blood

Score =
Correct answers:

Chapter 1 Introduction Study Guide

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Chapter 1 Introduction Study Guide

 

 

Modified True/False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.  If false, change the identified word or phrase to make the statement true.
 1.
Accepting ideas is the cornerstone of scientific thought. _________________________


 2.
Skepticism is a habit of mind in which a person accepts the validity of accepted ideas. _________________________


 3.
The law of gravity and the law of conservation of energy are national laws. _________________________


 4.
Scientific investigations require ethical behavior. _________________________


 5.
Most scientific investigations begin with observations that lead to universal laws. _________________________


 6.
A hypothesis is a possible explanation that can be tested by observation or experimentation. _________________________


 7.
The control group and the experimental group are identical except for one variable. _________________________


 8.
A hypothesis is a general explanation for a broad range of data. _________________________


 9.
International System of Units (SI) is the official name of the metric system. _________________________


 10.
A centimeter is equal to 10 millimeters. _________________________


 11.
Light and electron autoclaves help magnify objects. _________________________


 12.
A technique is a way of doing something. _________________________


 13.
In the event of a lab accident, one thing you should always do is remain calm. _________________________


 14.
Biology is the study of nonliving things. _________________________


 15.
A student who wants to study bacteria would take microbiology classes. _________________________


 16.
Reproduction insures ongoing generations of both one-celled organisms and frogs. _________________________


 17.
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment in spite of changes in the external environment. _________________________


 18.
The bacterium that causes cholera is an example of a pathogen. _________________________


 19.
Scientists discovered that predicting the spread of cholera involves understanding reproductive behavior of plankton. _________________________


 20.
The study of all the factors in the spread of cholera in human populations is an example of ecology. _________________________


 21.
Scientists in the 21st century are better able to prevent disease because of their improved understanding of biology. _________________________


 22.
The completion of the Human Genome Project was one minor contribution to the ability to cure disease. _________________________


 23.
Scientists expect people to live longer lives because of advances in the science of biology. _________________________


 24.
The application of technology to medicine has greatly increased the ability of people to live healthy lives. _________________________


 25.
Genetic engineering is the only practical application of biotechnology. _________________________


 26.
Genetic engineering is widely used in agriculture to produce crops that are pest-resistant. _________________________


 27.
Surrounding a drug compound with a layer of atoms that allows for the slow release of the drug is an example of genetic engineering. _________________________


 28.
Making a new kind of fastener modeled on the way an aquatic animal fastens onto rocks on the ocean floor is an example of nanotechnology. _________________________


 29.
Biometrics involves analyzing large amounts of data on biological characteristics. _________________________


 30.
Unique genetic traits, such as hair color, are the most important source of data for biometrics. _________________________


 31.
Advances in biotechnology have been slowed by ethical concerns. _________________________


 32.
The ethics of different kinds of biotechnology will be decided by individuals and scientists. _________________________


 33.
One good way to protect the environment is to learn more about it. _________________________


 34.
Environmental science involves neither the study of organisms nor their physical surroundings. _________________________


 35.
One reason that wildlife biologists collect DNA samples from endangered species is the hope that these species can be cloned if they become extinct. _________________________


 36.
Genetic engineering is used to track the movements of animals in the wild. _________________________


 37.
Community environmental groups make problems for environmental research. _________________________


 

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 38.
Which of the following do scientists not use to support ideas?
a.
opinions
c.
experiments
b.
evidence
d.
investigations
 39.
Which of the following applies to all branches of science?
a.
cell organization
c.
gravity
b.
earthquakes
d.
reproduction
 40.
Which of the following is unethical behavior in scientific investigations?
a.
allowing peers to review investigations
b.
following guidelines for medical experiments
c.
reporting inaccurate data
d.
basing investigations on someone else’s work
 41.
Scientific thinking can be used
a.
only by scientists.
c.
by all living things.
b.
only in experiments.
d.
by everyone in daily life.
 42.
A scientist noticed that the number of salamanders in ponds in the Rocky Mountains was declining. This was a(n)
a.
hypothesis.
c.
observation.
b.
theory.
d.
control.
 43.
A hypothesis is a
a.
definite answer to a given problem.
b.
testable possible explanation of an observation.
c.
proven statement.
d.
concluding statement.
 44.
observation : hypothesis ::
a.
theory : observation
c.
certainty : prediction
b.
guess : hypothesis
d.
hypothesis : investigation
 45.
Most typically, the order in which the steps of scientific investigations are applied is
a.
controlled experiment, hypothesis, analysis of results, observations, questions, conclusions.
b.
observations, controlled experiment, hypothesis, analysis of results, conclusions, questions.
c.
observations, questions, hypothesis, controlled experiment, analysis of results, conclusions.
d.
questions, observations, analysis of results, controlled experiment, conclusions, hypothesis.
 46.
If experiments are not possible or ethical, scientists
a.
cannot test a hypothesis.
b.
test more than one variable at a time.
c.
do not use a control group.
d.
look for connections in data gathered.
 47.
Scientific hypotheses are most often tested by the process of
a.
communicating.
c.
experimenting.
b.
inferring.
d.
analyzing data.
 48.
A planned procedure to test a hypothesis is called a(n)
a.
prediction.
c.
control.
b.
experiment.
d.
variable.
 49.
The variable that is measured in an experiment is the _____ variable.
a.
dependent
c.
control
b.
independent
d.
experimental
 50.
A general explanation for a broad range of data is called a
a.
hypothesis.
c.
prediction.
b.
theory.
d.
controlled experiment.
 51.
A scientific theory is
a.
absolutely certain and never questioned.
b.
unchangeable.
c.
revised as new evidence is presented.
d.
a controlled experiment.
 52.
Scientists build theories from many
a.
experiments that support hypotheses.
b.
hypotheses that are rejected.
c.
experiments with different variables.
d.
untested ideas.
 53.
The metric system of measurement is based on powers of
a.
1.
c.
100.
b.
10.
d.
1000.
 54.
A specialized tool used to magnify organisms so that they can be observed is a
a.
pipet.
c.
satellite.
b.
microscope.
d.
laminar-flow hood.
 55.
Which of the following would scientists use to prevent contamination in an experiment?
a.
electron microscope
c.
remote collection of data
b.
light microscope
d.
sterile technique
 56.
Which of the following is the most recent tool available to scientists?
a.
remote tracking devices
c.
autoclaves
b.
microscopes
d.
sterilized pipets
 57.
You can work safely in the science lab by
a.
taking shortcuts in procedures.
b.
waiting until the end of experiments to clean area.
c.
estimating measurements of chemicals.
d.
following all instructions.
 58.
All of the following are important for working safely in a science laboratory except
a.
tasting chemicals.
c.
working cautiously.
b.
measuring chemicals precisely.
d.
wearing safety goggles.
 59.
Biology is the study of
a.
life.
c.
weather.
b.
minerals.
d.
energy.
 60.
The branch of biology that is the study of the human body is
a.
ecology.
c.
cell biology.
b.
evolutionary theory.
d.
physiology.
 61.
Which of the following is not one of the seven properties of life?
a.
metabolism
c.
responsiveness
b.
homeostasis
d.
photosynthesis
 62.
As a characteristic of all living things, homeostasis relates most directly to which of the following biological themes?
a.
interacting systems
c.
stability
b.
scale and structure
d.
evolution
 63.
chemical reactions : metabolism ::
a.
cells : an organism
c.
reproduction : living
b.
heredity : homeostasis
d.
experimentation : observation
 64.
All living things maintain a balance within their cells and with the environment through the process of
a.
growth.
c.
homeostasis.
b.
development.
d.
evolution.
 65.
The energy that drives metabolism in animals comes from
a.
homeostasis.
c.
water.
b.
food.
d.
heredity.
 66.
Children tend to resemble their parents due to
a.
heredity.
c.
metabolism.
b.
responsiveness.
d.
homeostasis.
 67.
A field of sunflowers facing the sun is an example of
a.
metabolism.
c.
responsiveness.
b.
growth.
d.
heredity.
 68.
The changes in human babies during their first year of life is an example of
a.
heredity.
c.
evolution.
b.
responsiveness.
d.
development.
 69.
Filtering contaminated water through a sari is
a.
an ineffective way to reduce cases of cholera.
b.
the best way to prevent the spread of cholera.
c.
a low-tech solution to reducing cases of cholera.
d.
another factor that causes cholera to spread rapidly.
 70.
All of the following should be researched in studying the epidemiology of waterborne diseases except the
a.
genomes of the pathogens.
b.
habitat of pathogens.
c.
food chain of the pathogens.
d.
environmental factors that affect pathogens.
 71.
One of the most important tools in preventing the spread of disease is
a.
computer modeling.
c.
genetic engineering.
b.
DNA fingerprinting.
d.
giving vaccinations.
 72.
computer modeling : epidemiology ::
a.
genetics : DNA fingerprinting
b.
cloning : biotechnology
c.
genome : vaccination
d.
human health : disease prevention
 73.
Which of the following terms is used to refer to a piece of equipment made for a specific use?
a.
process
c.
device
b.
cure
d.
treatment
 74.
Which of the following is least likely to help humans live longer?
a.
epidemiology
c.
genetics
b.
medicine
d.
DNA fingerprinting
 75.
knowledge of biology : human potential ::
a.
assistive technologies : everyday lives
b.
human potential : epidemiology
c.
populations : disease outbreaks
d.
genomes : genetics
 76.
The technology of changing the genetic material of a living cell is called
a.
biometrics.
c.
genetics.
b.
genetic engineering.
d.
DNA fingerprinting.
 77.
Planting Bt corn helps farmers decrease the use of
a.
fertilizers.
c.
pesticides.
b.
herbicides.
d.
cultivators.
 78.
All of the following are known advantages of planting Bt corn except it
a.
adds some bacterial genes to food supplies.
b.
lowers a farmer’s cost of production.
c.
improves a farmer’s crop yield.
d.
reduces chemical contaminants in the environment.
 79.
The application of a biological structure or process to solve design problems is called
a.
adaptation.
c.
cloning.
b.
biomimetics.
d.
decoding.
 80.
Which of these biotechnologies has the potential to repair tissues inside the body?
a.
biometrics
c.
epidemiology
b.
biomimetics
d.
nanotechnology
 81.
clam shell formation : ceramics ::
a.
CAT scanning : modeling fossils
b.
strong fabrics : spider silk
c.
spider silk : strong fabrics
d.
modeling fossils : CAT scanning
 82.
The analysis of biological traits to identify people is called
a.
arithmetics.
c.
genetics.
b.
biometrics.
d.
statistics.
 83.
Which of the following traits of an individual would be most useful for identifying a victim in a forensic investigation?
a.
eye color
c.
blood type
b.
hair color
d.
DNA fingerprint
 84.
The ethical concerns about biotechnology must be addressed by
a.
scientists only.
c.
both individuals and scientists.
b.
societies only.
d.
both individuals and societies.
 85.
All of the following biotechnologies are considered by some to be unethical except
a.
biomimetic products.
c.
human stem cell research.
b.
biometrics data bases.
d.
genetically modified foods.
 86.
Which of the following would be an unethical use of biometric data and methods?
a.
linking criminals to crime scenes
b.
eliminating innocent people from a list of criminal suspects
c.
excluding people with certain genes from getting jobs
d.
protecting citizens from bioterrorism
 87.
Which of the following is considered to be one of the most important applications of biology?
a.
biometrics
c.
environmental science
b.
genetic engineering
d.
assistive technologies
 88.
In order to make wise decisions about the use of natural resources, citizens will need to have a better understanding of
a.
biomimetics.
c.
environmental science.
b.
genetics.
d.
genetic engineering.
 89.
ecology : environmental science ::
a.
biomolecules : strong glues
c.
forensics : biometrics
b.
genetics : genetic engineering
d.
spider silk : clam shells
 90.
What do the initials GIS stand for?
a.
geological inference standard
c.
geographic information system
b.
genetic improvement survey
d.
global investigation society
 91.
Satellite tagging is a technology that is most likely to be used in
a.
assisting the disabled.
c.
developing maps of the world.
b.
conservation of wildlife.
d.
tracking the spread of disease.
 92.
Each of the following is a part of a GIS program except
a.
access to data from different sources.
b.
computer mapping.
c.
environmental databases.
d.
genetic analysis tools.
 93.
Which of the following must be done before an environmental study is begun locally?
a.
contact several scientists
c.
identify a problem
b.
buy a GIS program
d.
gather up volunteers
 94.
At the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, students in an environmental club help take care of injured and orphaned birds of prey. Based on this information, what does the term raptor refer to?
a.
a bird of prey
c.
orphaned wildlife
b.
the environment
d.
debilitating injury
 

Completion
Complete each statement.
 95.
The medical treatment for ulcers changed after scientists discovered that ____________________ cause stomach ulcers.

 96.
The questioning and often doubtful attitude required for scientific thought is called ____________________.

 97.
The truths that govern science and are valid everywhere in the universe are universal ____________________.

 98.
____________________ are a system of moral principles and values.

 99.
Most scientific investigations begin with ____________________ that lead to questions.

 100.
A reason to set up an experiment is to test a ____________________.

 101.
A(n) ____________________ experiment is a procedure that tests one factor at a time and that uses a(n) ____________________ group and an experimental group.

 102.
In a controlled experiment, the ____________________ group is the group that has one variable changed.

 103.
In an experiment, the ____________________ group receives no experimental treatment.

 104.
Factors that may change as a result of experimental treatment are ____________________ variables.

 105.
A(n) ____________________ is a specific, testable prediction for a limited set of conditions, and a(n) ____________________ is a general explanation for a broad range of data.

 106.
Scientists use the ______________________________ system to make measurements.

 107.
SI is the abbreviation for the ____________________ System of Units.

 108.
The SI base unit for length is the ____________________.

 109.
A kilogram is equal to ____________________ grams.

 110.
In a light microscope, light passes through one or more ____________________ to produce an enlarged image of an object.

 111.
Scientists use ____________________ techniques to minimize the risk of contamination.

 112.
The study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and with the nonliving part of their environment is called ____________________.

 113.
The branch of biology that studies the changes in types of organisms over time is called ___________________ theory.

 114.
Scientists who study whales, bats, or bears in their natural habitat are called ____________________ biologists.

 115.
The process of _________________ traits changing over time is called evolution.

 116.
Every living organism is composed of one or more ____________________.

 117.
All cells have the same basic ____________________.

 118.
The sum of all chemical reactions carried out in an organism is ____________________.

 119.
The energy used by living organisms originates from the ____________________.

 120.
The study of ____________________ involves finding out how diseases are spread.

 121.
Cholera bacteria can cause the disease only when ____________________ increases.

 122.
A ____________________ is a medical procedure that allows a person to resist infection by a certain disease.

 123.
Many new tools for studying and treating diseases caused by problems in genes have come from the study of ____________________.

 124.
In developed countries, the length of human lives has nearly ____________________ in the past century.

 125.
One example of an assistive technology that helps people in everyday life is ____________________.

 126.
The gene that was added to Bt corn came from a(n) ____________________.

 127.
Bt corn contains a gene that produces a ____________________ that kills the European core borer.

 128.
The robotic items produced through nanotechnology often resemble tiny ____________________.

 129.
Imitating biological structures, processes, and systems to solve engineering problems is called ____________________.

 130.
Because of ____________________, dissection is no longer needed to determine the shapes and locations of internal organs.

 131.
Fingerprints and iris patterns are useful in identification because they are ____________________ to individuals.

 132.
Material used in ____________________ is obtained from hair and skin cells.

 133.
Research that involves human stem cells is limited because many people think that such research is ____________________.

 134.
The study of living organisms and their environments is called _________________________.

 135.
The existence of undiscovered resources is an important reason to study and ____________________ natural environments.

 136.
The movements of wildlife can be studied through the technology of ____________________.

 137.
Wildlife agents use the technology of ____________________ to identify the remains of endangered animals and to identify who killed them.

 138.
The people in communities who make contributions to environmental research are called ____________________.

 139.
Students make contributions to environmental conservation by helping to care for ____________________ or ____________________ wildlife.

 

Short Answer
 140.
What universal law applies in a study of the flight of birds? How does it apply?

 141.
How could you use scientific thought to investigate a claim about a product?

 142.
Write a hypothesis to explain why the water level in an aquarium is going down.

 143.
What two groups are part of a controlled experiment?

 144.
What is the difference between an independent variable and dependent variables in a controlled experiment?

 145.
How does a scientist verify the conclusions of an experiment?

 146.
What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?

 147.
What makes SI easy to use?

 148.
What are the base SI units for volume, length, and mass?

 149.
What are two common kinds of microscopes. How do they differ?

 150.
What is sterile technique? What are four tools of sterile technique?

 151.
Suppose you are a scientist who studies sharks in their natural habitat. What are two names that describe the kind of biologist you are?

 152.
What is heredity?

 153.
Name the seven properties of life.

 154.
How are data from weather and climate satellites used in epidemiology?

 155.
How does a vaccination help people and animals resist disease?

 156.
How will the completion of the Human Genome Project contribute to biological research in the 21st Century?

 157.
List two examples of assistive technologies that will improve the lives of people with injuries and diseases.

 158.
How does genetic engineering that produced Bt corn help to increase the yield in a farmer’s corn field?

 159.
List two practical applications of biotechnology other than genetic engineering.

 160.
How has genetic engineering improved the treatment of people who have diabetes?

 161.
From what biological structure did engineers get the idea for a submarine?

 162.
What makes iris scans an effective technology for identifying people?

 163.
List two biological characteristics of individuals, besides fingerprints and iris patterns, that can be analyzed by computers to identify people.

 164.
List two concerns that people have expressed about the ethics of biotechnology.

 165.
List three important resources that all living things get from the environment.

 166.
What do the initials GIS stand for?

 167.
What is satellite tagging?

 168.
List three steps that students could take to get involved in environmental research.

 

Essay
 169.
Explain why accurate data and peer review are important in science.

 170.
The results of an experiment do not support the hypothesis that the experiment was designed to test. Was the experiment a waste of time? Explain your answer.

 171.
Explain the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable in a controlled experiment. Also indicate whether or not each kind of variable would be found in a control group and an experimental group.

 172.
Summarize the steps in the development of a theory.

 173.
Before doing experiments, what should you know about lab safety? What procedure should you follow if an accident occurs during an experiment in your class?

 174.
List and describe the seven properties of life shared by all living organisms.

 175.
Toads that live in hot, dry regions bury themselves in the soil during the day. How might this be important to toads?

nar001-1.jpg
 176.
Refer to the map above. West Nile Virus is a virus that attacks the nervous system of birds, humans, and many other mammals. The virus first appeared in the United States in 1999, when an outbreak was reported in the New York City area. Based on this background and the information shown in the map, write a paragraph that summarizes the state of West Nile Virus incidence in the United States as of 2006.

 177.
Explain how increased understanding of biology and science in general should enable humans to live longer and healthier lives.

 178.
Compare and contrast fingerprints and DNA fingerprints as a means of identifying individuals.

 179.
Ethics is the study of whether human actions are moral (right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable). Summarize the role of ethics in guiding the future of biotechnology.

 180.
What important lesson can be learned from the recent discovery of new kinds of organisms in a remote area of New Guinea?

 

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Biology Quizzes

 

Practice Quizzes     biology quiz

Use the following online quizzes to review each topic covered in Biology. Some topics have two biology tests each, so try them both!
When you get all answers correct, email me your page along with your name and class period.

All Materials © Cmassengale

Biology Test

Introduction to Biology   PhotosynthesisFlat & Round Worms
Worms (harder)
Introduction to Biology (harder)

Introduction to Biology (hardest)

Photosynthesis & Cell RespirationAnnelids
Mollusks & Annelids (harder)
Chemistry

Chemistry (Harder)

Cellular Respiration
Mollusks
BiochemistryCell ReproductionArthropods
Biochemistry (harder)

Biochemistry (hardest)

DNA
Nucleic Acids (harder)
Insects
CellsProtein Synthesis
Protein Synthesis (hardest)
Echinoderms
Cells (a little harder) Evolution Introduction to Animals
Cells (hardest)

Cells (I’m ready for the test!)

Evolution (harder)Fish
DiffusionTaxonomy
Taxonomy (harder)
Taxonomy (hardest)
Amphibians
Homeostasis & Transport
Cell Membrane & Transport (hardest)
   Bacteria
Bacteria (harder)
Reptiles
Cell Reproduction Protists
Protists (harder)
      Birds        
MeiosisViruses
Viruses (harder)
Mammals
GeneticsMosses & Ferns
Introduction to Plants
Ecology
Genetics (harder)
Genetics (hardest)
Seed Plants
Seed Plants (harder)
Ecology (harder)
SafetySponges & Cnidarians
Sponges & Cnidarians (harder)
Graphing

Introduction Quiz

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Name: 

Introduction Quiz  

 

 

True/False
Indicate whether the sentence or statement is true or false.
      introduction_quiz_files/i0020000.jpg      introduction_quiz_files/i0020001.jpg
1.
Refer to the illustration above. Reproduction ensures the ongoing success of both species.
2.
Refer to the illustration above. The sand dollar and paramecium both show organization.
3.
Scientists have not discovered any new species on Earth in more than 20 years.
4.
Publication of the results of scientific investigations enables other scientists to verify these results.
5.
Resolution is a microscope’s power to increase an object’s apparent size.
 

Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
6.
Biology is the study of
a.
minerals.
c.
the weather.
b.
life.
d.
energy.
7.
Homeostasis means
a.
a change over long periods of time.
c.
rapid change.
b.
keeping things the same.
d.
the same thing as evolution.
8.
Which of the following is a means by which heterotrophs can obtain energy?
a.
using water, carbon dioxide, and energy from the sun to produce sugars
b.
using water and carbon dioxide to produce energy-rich compounds
c.
consuming autotrophs
d.
consuming simple chemicals from the environment and using them to assemble complex chemicals and structures needed by the organism
9.
Which of the following is not necessarily a distinct property of living things?
a.
homeostasis
c.
complexity
b.
metabolism
d.
reproduction
10.
All organisms are composed of
a.
diatoms.
c.
cells.
b.
cellulose.
d.
None of the above
11.
Which example of scientific methodology is incorrect?
a.
Observation—A number of people in Zaire dying of a disease outbreak
b.
Measurement—A record of the number of people with symptoms of the disease and the number of people who had died from the disease
c.
Analysis of data—Comparison of the effects of mixing monkey cells with virus-containing blood in test tubes and the effects of mixing of liquid from these test tubes with fresh monkey cells
d.
Inference making—Identification of the Ebola virus as the cause of the disease by taking electron micrographs of substances found in the blood of persons affected with the disease
12.
Scientific hypotheses are most often tested by the process of
a.
communicating.
c.
experimenting.
b.
inferring.
d.
analyzing data.
13.
A hypothesis is
a.
a definite answer to a given problem.
b.
a testable possible explanation of an observation.
c.
a proven statement.
d.
a concluding statement.
14.
A hypothesis that does not explain an observation
a.
is known as an inaccurate forecast.
c.
is rejected.
b.
often predicts a different observation.
d.
None of the above
15.
A scientific theory
a.
is absolutely certain.
b.
is unchangeable.
c.
may be revised as new evidence is presented.
d.
is a controlled experiment.
16.
observation : hypothesis ::
a.
theory : observation
c.
certainty : investigation
b.
guess : hypothesis
d.
theory : control
17.
Which of the following components of a scientific investigation would benefit from communication between scientists?
a.
observing
c.
analyzing data
b.
measuring
d.
All of the above
18.
Most typically, the order in which the steps of the scientific method are applied is
a.
observations, predictions, hypothesis, controlled testing, theory, verification.
b.
predictions, observations, hypothesis, theory, controlled testing, verification.
c.
observations, hypothesis, predictions, controlled testing, theory, verification.
d.
observations, hypothesis, predictions, controlled testing, verification, theory.
19.
A light microscope that has an objective lens of 10´ and an ocular lens of 20´ has a magnification of
a.
30´.
c.
300´.
b.
200´.
d.
2000´.
20.
Which of the following associations between an SI base unit abbreviation and its base quantity is incorrect?
a.
A—area
c.
s—second
b.
m—length
d.
mol—amount of a substance

 

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