BIO 105 Lecture Review: Scientific Method, Evolution, and Key Concepts (Fill-in-the-Blank)

Flashcards covering science as a method, experimental design, data interpretation, evolution, and key case studies from the lecture.

Science conclusions must be __.

testable and falsifiable

In science, ideas are tested and many are __; only those that we fail to disprove survive.

disproved

Science does not directly prove anything through __.

experimentation

Vitalism posits that life processes are driven by a(n) __ force.

unmeasurable

Science is not capable of using __ explanations.

supernatural

A theory that cannot be refuted by any conceivable event is __.

non-scientific

A variable is something that can __.

vary

A scientific control minimizes the effects of variables other than the single __ variable.

independent

Controls provide a baseline to compare results; with a positive control you should see a __ result.

positive

A controlled experiment keeps the control group and experimental group(s) under similar variables except the __ variable.

independent

Hypothesis: Males with longer tails attract more __ to nest in their territories.

females

In the widowbird study, the control group tail length was __.

normal

Result: long-tailed males averaged about __ nests per territory.

2

Tail length is the __ variable.

independent

Number of nests per territory is the __ variable.

dependent

Variables that are matched across all birds are called __ variables.

matched

Two features of good experimental design include an independent variable that is carefully manipulated and other variables that are __ across test subjects.

matched

In the DDT rat experiment, the two groups should be matched in age, sex ratio, and body size: answer is __.

All of the above

In this experiment, the independent variable is __.

Dietary DDT

The dependent variable in this experiment is __.

Litter size

Correlation does not imply __.

causation

Fossil evidence can test predictions about the __.

past

The link between dinosaurs and birds is supported by multiple __ of evidence.

lines

The ability to update knowledge is a great __ for science.

strength

Science has fundamental __; it is not a guide for ethics or morals.

limitations

In science, a theory is a major unifying idea that has been extensively tested and attempts to disprove it have __.

failed

A scientific fact is an objective and verifiable __.

observation

Evolution is a __; it is the change in a population or species over time.

fact

E. coli long-term evolution experiment reached over __ generations.

50,000

One strain evolved the ability to utilize __ as an energy source.

citrate

Some populations developed defects in their __ repair mechanisms.

DNA

Pod Mrcaru lizards evolved larger heads due to a diet including more __ and fewer insects.

vegetation

Evolution on Pod Mrcaru occurred in about __ generations.

18-19

Giraffes exhibit sexual __: males' necks and skulls are larger and more armored than those of females.

dimorphism

Sexual selection is a form of natural selection that comes about through preference by one sex for particular __ in individuals of the other sex.

traits

There is evidence to support giraffes' necks not evolving only for feeding; sexual selection likely played a role in the origin and maintenance of the long neck and the __ seen in giraffe species.

sexual dimorphism

Natural selection is the process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals best __ to their environment.

adapted

In a population with dark soil, a mutation for lighter fur is selected against; the frequency of the light phenotype will __.

decrease

Migration introduces new __ into a population.

genes

The five mechanisms causing evolution are genetic mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, drift, and __.

migration

Natural selection is an important mechanism, but it is not the only __ in evolution.

mechanism

Darwin believed humans would not live long enough to observe evolution during our __.

lifetime

A scientific hypothesis is a testable explanation for a

observation

With a negative control, you should see \\ result.\n\n

no\n\n

Genetic drift is the change in the frequency of a(n) \\ in a population due to random sampling of organisms.\n\n

allele\n\n

A genetic mutation is a permanent alteration in the \\ sequence.\n\n

DNA\n\n

Non-random mating occurs when individuals choose mates based on \\ traits.\n\n

specific\n\n