Principles of Biology Lab 2 Answer Sheet

Student Name: Ashley Sullivan

What are the steps of the scientific process? Step Step Step Step 1: 2: 3: 4: observe Hypothesis Theory experiment

Car Exercise: David's car will not start. Use the scientific method find out why it will not
start. What two observations could be made about Davids car?
Observation 1: Observation 2: Externally the car looks fine you turn the key and hear clicking sound but the cars engine does not start.

What two hypotheses, predictions and tests could be made about Davids car? Start with hypothesis A.
Hypothesis A: Prediction of Hypothesis A: Test of Hypothesis A: Hypothesis conclusion:

My guess is that if there is gas in the tank, then the engine should start. If there is gas in the tank, it suggests the car should start. Look at the gas gauge and check the tank. Gas in the tank and no gas getting to the cylinder suggest that the cause is related to the fuel system.

Hypothesis B.
Hypothesis B: Prediction of Hypothesis B: Test of Hypothesis B: Hypothesis conclusion:

The car did not start because the spark plugs are dirty. If the spark plugs are not dirty, the car should start. You check the spark plugs to determine if they are dirty. The spark plugs are clean so this is not the problem.

Conclusion: Based on your observations and tests which hypothesis proved correct?

The car stopped running because it was not getting gas due to a blocked gas line.

Disease Detective: The Clampets are on a bear safari in the Pacific Northwest. They have
killed five bears. What two observations could be made about the Clampets safari that might have led to their illness?
Observatio n1 : Observatio n2 : There was something in the bears hey killed that made the Clampets sick. The Clampets are having a reaction to change in the pacific northwest.

What two hypotheses that could be made from these observations?

Hypothesis A.
Hypothesis A:

Prediction of Hypothesis A: Test of Hypothesis A: pothesis correct?

Mountain streams sometimes harbor a parasite called Giardia. Many backpackers have become ill with this parasite after drinking spring water. Stool specimens will have giardia in them. Take a stool sample of the Clampets.
There is no evidence to support the hypothesis that giardia is the cause. Stool sample does not reveal any parasites.

Hypothesis B.
Hypothesis B:

Prediction of Hypothesis B: Test of Hypothesis B: Hypothesis correct?

Bears, pigs and other animals are sometimes infected with the trichina worm. People who eat rare meat that is infected with this worm can cause trichinosis. The clampets did not completely cook their bear meat. Performing biopsies on the Clampets and examine.
The presence of trichina worms in Jed Clampet supports the hypothesis that he contracted trichinosis from eating bear meat.

Mr. Whitecloud rejects the trichina worm hypothesis and says the men were cursed for hunting on sacred land! Is it possible to test Mr Whiteclouds hypothesis? Explain below:
No. A curse cannot be tested because it invokes a supernatural phenomenon that cannot be tested.

Forensics:

Sally Smith was found murdered in the middle of the road. Her car was carjacked. Two days later the car was found. No one saw the murder happen. Can the scientific method be used to solve this crime?

Observation 1 Observation 2 Hypothesis Prediction Test Hypothesis Conclusion

The police found fingerprints in the car. The police received tips about 3 suspects. Fingerprints were taken from each. Fingerprints from Sallys car could link one of the suspects to the crime. Comparing fingerprints from the person who committed the crime and fingerprints left on Sallys car will identify the subject. Take the subjects fingerprints and test them. One of the suspects confessed to the murder when he was confronted with the scientific evidence.

The scientific method is often used to learn about phenomena that occurred in the past or that is not directly observable. For example, no one has ever seen an electron. How do we know so much about electrons, electricity and computers? Scientists use methodological naturalism. This rule states that scientists must look for a naturalistic cause for a natural phenomenon. 1) The natural world has an order to itnature follows the same general rules throughout the universe 2) Natural phenomena have natural explanations 3) Humans can uncover these explanations, using critical and objective thinking, as well as careful investigation

Yeast: Yeast are single celled microorganisms. They reproduce by forming buds that
eventually break off to become a new individual. We have learned much about yeast with the scientific method. There are thousands of scientific papers written about the biology of yeast. Observation about yeast Bread that was prepared with yeast has holes in it.

What hypothesis could you generate to explain what causes the holes in the bread? Write down your hypothesis before proceeding. Hypothesis
Prediction of Hypothesis: Test Hypothesis:

The yeast caused the holes in the bread. If yeast is added to similar carbs, it will produce bubbles. Mix together warm water, sugar and yeast.

Conduct the experiment as indicated on the website. Experiment

Yeast + Sugar

Hypothesis The water will bubble The two will mix with no reaction The bleach will kill the yeast

Prediction The water will bubble The water will not bubble. The bleach will cause more bubbles.

No Yeast + Sugar Yeast + Bleach + Sugar

Conclusion The warm water activates the yeast and the sugar will make it grow The two mix with no bubbles. The bleach kills the reaction of the yeast and the sugar makes it grow.

Frog: A frog with extra legs! Read the article link and answer the following: How could you
use the scientific method to determine the cause of this deformity? Overall what was the best supported hypothesis explaining frog deformities? Some scientists think that frog deformities might be caused by parasites found in water. Investigators have blamed the increase on that and a greater exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Pseudoscience: Pseudoscience is false science. It uses SOME of the steps of the scientific
method. It is frequently used to persuade someone to buy a worthless product. Pseudoscience often challenges real science with claims that do not stand the rigor of the scientific method.

The electric belt Why is this considered pseudoscience?

How would you test their claims to see if they were true?

Laundry balls -

Why would you consider this pseudoscience?

How could you test their claim to see if it is true?

Magnets -

Why would you consider this pseudoscience?

How could you test their claim to see if it is true?

Flat Earth -

Why would you consider this pseudoscience?

How could you test Mr. Johnson's claim to see if it is true?