Nature of Science
A student performs an investigation to determine how the amount of rainfall impacts the clarity of well water. What is the test variable (independent variable) in this investigation?
A. the well
B. the date of rain
C. the amount of rainfall
D. the clarity of the well water
C. the amount of rainfall
The characteristics in the list below MOST relate to which cell organelle?
Is a gel-like substance that fills the cell
Contains organelles within the cell
Allows materials to move around within the cell
A. cell wall
B. cytoplasm
C. chloroplast
D. cell membrane
B. cytoplasm
Earth's surface is constantly changing, and new landforms are constantly taking shape due to natural processes. Which landform is most likely caused by deposition?
A. caves
B. lakes
C. valleys
D. deltas
D. deltas
A scientist wants to know if two observed atoms are of the same element. Which of the following information about atomic particles would scientists use to best determine if they are the same element?
A. The number of electrons in each element
B. The number of neutrons in each element
C. The number of protons in each element
D. The number of atoms in each element
C. The number of protons in each element
To study something as vast as the universe and its structures, scientists often find it helpful to organize information in a simplified visual form. Which of the following represents structures of the universe in order from largest to smallest?
A. universe --> galaxy --> solar system --> planet
B. solar system --> universe --> planet --> galaxy
C. planet --> galaxy --> solar system --> universe
D. planet --> solar system --> galaxy --> universe
A. universe --> galaxy --> solar system --> planet
Jacob conducted an investigation to determine the effect of acid on different types of rocks. He found that the data he collected do not support his hypothesis. Why would Jacob's hypothesis still have some value?
A. It might lead to the development of new investigations.
B. It demonstrates that Jacob needs more practice investigating.
C. It might encourage Jacob to investigate the effect of bases instead.
D. It shows that Jacob's investigation could have been better planned.
A. It might lead to the development of new investigations.
Which two body systems remove waste products from the body?
A. the digestive and nervous systems
B. the respiratory and excretory systems
C. the circulatory and reproductive systems
D. the musculoskeletal and immune systems
B. the respiratory and excretory systems
Earth is divided into five different spheres. Which statement is true about the interaction between two of these spheres?
A. Weather is an interaction between the hydrosphere and the geosphere.
B. The formation of the Grand Canyon is an example of an interaction between the geosphere and the atmosphere.
C. An ice cap providing shelter for an arctic animal is an interaction between the biosphere and the hydrosphere.
D. A plant receiving water from precipitation is an interaction between the biosphere and the hydrosphere.
D. A plant receiving water from precipitation is an interaction between the biosphere and the hydrosphere.
Jenny knows that the atomic number of the element potassium, K, is 19. She also knows that the average atomic mass can be used to find how many neutrons are in most atoms of an element. If the average atomic mass of potassium is 39.098, how many neutrons are found in most atoms of potassium?
A. 19
B. 20
C. 39
D. 40
B. 20
The work of many different scientists led to the development of the cell theory. Which of the following statements is NOT part of the cell theory?
A. All cells come from other living cells.
B. The cell is the basic unit of all living things.
C. The cell provides everything a living thing needs.
D. All living things are made up of one or more cells.
C. The cell provides everything a living thing needs.
A few hundred years ago, observations seemed to indicate an idea called spontaneous generation, which stated that living things could appear from nonliving things. In the seventeenth century, experiments were conducted that resulted in observations that disproved this idea. This led to the present day idea that living things can only come from other living things. Which statement best describes what this change in ideas tells us about science?
A. Science ideas do not need to be based only on factual and observable evidence.
B. Science knowledge changes because it is open to new evidence as it is discovered and observed.
C. Science ideas are not accurate because they constantly change as new evidence is discovered.
D. Science is based on factual observations so it should remain the same and not change over time.
B. Science knowledge changes because it is open to new evidence as it is discovered and observed.
After food is consumed, chemical nutrients are absorbed into the blood. These nutrients then enter mitochondria. Which reaction must occur next for the cell to carry on other activities?
A. Glucose and water combine to produce high-energy molecules.
B. Glucose and oxygen combine to produce high-energy molecules.
C. Oxygen, light, and glucose combine to produce high-energy molecules
D. Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and glucose combine to produce high-energy molecules.
B. Glucose and oxygen combine to produce high-energy molecules.
Different parts of Earth receive different amounts of radiation from the Sun. This results in the uneven heating of Earth. What is caused by this uneven heating?
A. differences in the air densities on different parts of Earth
B. differences in the force of gravity on different parts of Earth
C. differences in the brightness of sunlight on different parts of Earth
D. differences in the number of daylight hours on different parts of Earth
A. differences in the air densities on different parts of Earth
Sal is given a sample of an unknown liquid to test in the laboratory. Sal thinks the liquid might be water. Which of these physical properties would be most helpful for Sal to determine the identity of the liquid?
A. its color
B. its mass
C. its volume
D. its boiling point
D. its boiling point
Green algae, slime molds, and protozoa are classified together in the kingdom Protista. Which of the following is one characteristic of all members of this kingdom?
A. They are all viruses.
B. They all spread diseases.
C. They are all single-celled.
D. Their cells all have a nucleus.
D. Their cells all have a nucleus.
A student conducted an investigation on the growth of different bacteria over time. He incubated three different types of bacteria for 120 minutes. He began counting the number of bacteria grown after 30 minutes.
What is the outcome variable (dependent variable) in this experiment?
A. Number of bacteria
B. Trial number
C. Type of bacteria
D. Incubation time
A. Number of bacteria
Photosynthesis is a biological process that occurs in autotrophs. Which of the following is produced as a result of photosynthesis?
A. Water and light
B. Glucose and chlorophyll
C. Glucose and oxygen
D. Carbon dioxide and water
C. Glucose and oxygen
Which of the following best explains how radiation, convection and conduction create a breeze at the beach during the day?
A. Radiation heats the sand faster than the ocean, conduction occurs between the sand and the air, convection causes the warm air over the sand to rise creating a space for cool air from over the ocean to move on land.
B. Conduction heats the sand faster than the ocean, convection occurs between the sand and the air, radiation causes the warm air over the sand to rise creating a space for cool air from over the ocean to move on land.
C. Radiation heats the ocean faster than the sand, conduction occurs between the ocean and the air, convection causes the warm air over the ocean to rise creating a space for cool air from over the sand to move toward the ocean.
D. Conduction heats the ocean faster than the sand, convection occurs between the ocean and the air, radiation causes the warm air over the ocean to rise creating a space for cool air from over the sand to move toward the ocean.
A. Radiation heats the sand faster than the ocean, conduction occurs between the sand and the air, convection causes the warm air over the sand to rise creating a space for cool air from over the ocean to move on land.
A person combines the ingredients for a cake and then bakes the cake. While the cake is baking, they combine butter, sugar, and milk and mix them together to make the icing. What type of changes created the cake and the icing?
A. Both the icing and the cake are formed by physical changes.
B. Both the icing and the cake are formed by chemical changes.
C. The cake is formed by a chemical change, and the icing is formed by a physical change.
D. The icing is formed by a chemical change, and the cake is formed by a physical change.
C. The cake is formed by a chemical change, and the icing is formed by a physical change.
According to the law of conservation of energy, which of these will happen?
A. Some chemical energy will be destroyed, and some will be changed into light and heat.
B. The amount of chemical energy used will be less than the amount of energy given off as light and heat.
C. The amount of chemical energy used will equal the amount of energy given off as light and heat.
D. The amount of chemical energy used will be greater than the amount of energy given off as light and heat.
C. The amount of chemical energy used will equal the amount of energy given off as light and heat.
A scientist conducts an experiment on the structure of atoms. The results of the experiment seem to disprove parts of the accepted atomic theory. After the scientist publishes the results, other scientists conducting the same and similar experiments obtain similar results. Which of the following will most likely happen?
A. The accepted atomic theory will be changed.
B. The atomic theory will continue to be accepted as it is.
C. The results of the new experiments will be disregarded.
D. The accepted atomic theory will be completely discarded.
A. The accepted atomic theory will be changed.
Jordan has been given an organism to classify based on the given characteristics. She knows the organism is eukaryotic, multicellular, and heterotrophic. Based on these three characteristics, Jordan cannot determine the organism’s correct kingdom.
Which of the following characteristics will Jordan need to know in order to identify the correct kingdom for this organism?
A.Whether the organism has or doesn't have a cell wall.
B. Whether the organism has or doesn't have chloroplast.
C. Whether the organism has or doesn't have mitochondria.
D. Whether the organism has or doesn't have a cell membrane.
A.Whether the organism has or doesn't have a cell wall.
Condensation is part of the water cycle and also plays a role in the weather. Which of the following illustrates condensation?
A. water turning from a vapor into rain droplets
B. water turning into water vapor in an ocean or lake
C. water turning from a liquid into ice on a winter road
D. water turning from ice to liquid as salt is applied to a road
A. water turning from a vapor into rain droplets
Imagine a scientist detects an electromagnetic wave with a higher frequency than that of gamma-ray waves. The scientist calls these waves' delta rays. Which of the following statements would be true of delta rays?
A. Delta rays would travel faster than gamma rays.
B. Delta rays would have more energy than gamma rays do.
C. Delta rays would have the same wavelength as gamma rays.
D. Delta rays would have a longer wavelength than gamma rays have.
B. Delta rays would have more energy than gamma rays do.
Maria wrote the following list of electromagnetic waves on the board: radio waves, infrared light, ultraviolet light, gamma rays. Which of the following describes the order in which she listed the electromagnetic waves?
A. from highest to lowest speed
B. from lowest to highest frequency
C. from shortest to longest wavelength
D. from least visible waves to most visible waves
B. from lowest to highest frequency