Regents Examination in Living Environment: Questions & Answers On Standard 1 - Key Idea 3—Analysis in Scientific Inquiry

The observations made while testing proposed explanations, when analyzed using conventional and invented methods, provide new insights into natural phenomena.

1. If curve A in the diagram represents a population of hawks in a community, what would most likely be represented by curve B?

the dominant trees in that community
a population with which the hawks have a mutualistic relationship
variations in the numbers of producers in that community
a population on which the hawks prey

Base your answers to questions 2 and 3 on this graph and on your knowledge of biology. The graph below depicts changes in the population growth rate of Kaibab deer.

2. About how many deer could the range have supported in 1930 without some of them starving to death?
12,000
35,000
50,000
100,000

3. In which year were the natural predators of the deer most likely being killed off faster than they could reproduce?
1905
1920
1930
1940

4. Which process is illustrated by the diagram?

migration
adaptive radiation
speciation
isolation

Base your answers to next 4 questions on the information and data table below and on your knowledge of biology. The table shows the average systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for humans between the ages of 2 and 14 years.
 

Data Table

Using the information in the data table, construct a line graph on the grid provided, following the directions below.
Mark an appropriate scale on each labeled axis.
Plot the data for systolic blood pressure on your graph. Surround each point with a small triangle and connect the points.
Plot the data for diastolic blood pressure on your graph. Surround each point with a small circle and connect the points.

Using one or more complete sentences, state one conclusion that compares systolic blood pressure to diastolic blood pressure in humans between the ages of 2 and 14 years.



The graph below shows the results of an experiment.

At 16°C, what percentage of the brook trout reached maximum size?
30%
55%
75%
95%

An experiment is represented in the diagram below.

An inference that can be made from this experiment is that
adult frog B will have the same genetic traits as the tadpole
adult frog A can develop only from an egg and a sperm
fertilization must occur in order for frog eggs to develop into adult frogs
the nucleus of a body cell fails to function when transferred to other cell types

The charts below show the relationship of recommended weight to height in men and women age 25–29.

 

The recommended weight for a 6'0" tall man with a small frame is closest to that of a
5'10" man with a medium frame
5'9" woman with a large frame
6'0" man with a medium frame
6'0" woman with a medium frame

Base your answers to next 4 questions on the information below and on your knowledge of biology.
A group of biology students extracted the photosynthetic pigments from spinach leaves using the solvent acetone. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the percent absorption of six different wavelengths of light by the extracted pigments. The wavelengths of light were measured in units known as nanometers (nm). One nanometer is equal to one-billionth of a meter. The following data were collected:
yellow light (585 nm)—25.8% absorption
blue light (457 nm)—49.8% absorption
orange light (616 nm)—32.1% absorption
violet light (412 nm)—49.8% absorption
red light (674 nm)—41.0% absorption
green light (533 nm)—17.8% absorption

Complete all three columns in the data table below so that the wavelength of light either increases or decreases from the top to the bottom of the data table.

Using the information in the data table, construct a line graph on the grid provided, following the directions below.
Mark an appropriate scale on the axis labeled “Percent Absorption.”
Plot the data from the data table on your graph. Surround each point with a small circle and connect the points.

 

Which statement is a valid conclusion that can be drawn from the data obtained in this investigation?
Photosynthetic pigments in spinach plants absorb blue light and violet light more efficiently than red light.
The data would be the same for all pigments in spinach plants.
Green light and yellow light are not absorbed by spinach plants.
All plants are efficient at absorbing violet light and red light.

The graph below represents the results of an investigation of the growth of three identical bacterial cultures incubated at different temperatures.

Which inference can be made from this graph?
Temperature is unrelated to the reproductive rate of bacteria.
Bacteria cannot grow at a temperature of 5°C.
Life activities in bacteria slow down at high temperatures.
Refrigeration will most likely slow the growth of these bacteria.

A study was conducted using two groups of ten plants of the same species. During the study, the plants were kept under identical environmental conditions. The plants in one group were given a growth solution every 3 days. The heights of the plants in both groups were recorded at the beginning of the study and at the end of a 3-week period. The data showed that the plants given the growth solution grew faster than those not given the solution.
 

When other researchers conduct this study to test the accuracy of the results, they should
give growth solution to both groups
make sure that the conditions are identical to those in the first study
give an increased amount of light to both groups of plants
double the amount of growth solution given to the first group

Worker bees acting as scouts are able to communicate the distance of a food supply from the hive by performing a “waggle dance.” The graph below shows the relationship between the distance of a food supply from the hive and the number of turns in the waggle dance every 15 seconds.

Using one or more complete sentences, state the relationship between the distance of the food supply from the hive and the number of turns a bee performs in the waggle dance every 15 seconds.


Based on experimental results, a biologist in a laboratory reports a new discovery. If the experimental results are valid, biologists in other laboratories should be able to perform
an experiment with a different variable and obtain the same results
the same experiment and obtain different results
the same experiment and obtain the same results
an experiment under different conditions and obtain the same results

Answers Explained:

Key Idea 3—Analysis in Scientific Inquiry
 

4 The diagram shows the population growth cycle for two organisms. An examination of the graph shows that the population growth cycle of the hawks closely follows the cycle of population B. There is a slight lag in the cycles. This type of graph is used to show a predator-prey relationship. The hawks prey on population B.
 

WRONG CHOICES EXPLAINED:
(1) Hawks are not herbivores. They do not live off the dominant trees in the community.
(2) If the two populations benefited equally from the relationship (were mutualistic), the peaks of the two graphs would coincide.
(3) Hawks are carnivores. They do not depend directly on the producers in the community.
 

1 According to the graph, the range could support 12,000 deer in 1930.
 

WRONG CHOICES EXPLAINED:
(2) The carrying capacity of the range was 35,000. The carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals that can be supported by the area. The number is usually constant unless severe environmental changes occur.
(3) The actual number of deer occupying the range in 1930 was 50,000.
(4) A population of 100,000 deer was reached in 1925.
 

2 In nature, a predator-prey relationship keeps the prey population in check. In 1920, the population of deer increased. It was at this time that the predators were removed by human hunting.
 

WRONG CHOICES EXPLAINED:
(1) The deer probably entered the region in 1905. It takes time for an organism to adjust to a new environment.
(3) In 1930, the deer population, which had exceeded the carrying capacity, was declining. The decline was caused by starvation. The deer had consumed almost all of the available vegetation in the area.
(4) By 1940, the deer population reached the new carrying capacity of the range. The carrying capacity had been greatly reduced by overgrazing by the previously unchecked deer population.
 

4 As the result of isolation, the members of populations A and B are separated and are prevented from interbreeding. Variations that occur in one area are not transmitted to the individuals in the other area. Consequently, over a long period of time, the genetic differences become accentuated, and the new variations are maintained.

 

WRONG CHOICES EXPLAINED:
(1) Migration is not possible when populations are separated by a geographical barrier such as water.
(2) Adaptive radiation refers to a branching evolution and is not depicted in the diagram.
(3) Speciation indicates formation of new species from a parent population. This is not indicated in the diagram.



Systolic pressure is higher than diastolic pressure. or Both systolic pressure and diastolic pressure increase between the ages of 2 and 14.
[Note: Other correct complete-sentence responses are acceptable.]
 

4 Brook trout growth is represented by the lighter solid line on the graph. Tracing along the horizontal axis to 16°C and then tracing up to the point at which the brook trout line is encountered, we see that the growth rate is between 80% and 100% but closer to 100%; we estimate it is about 95%.
WRONG CHOICES EXPLAINED:
(1) Brook trout growth rate is at 30% when the water temperature is about 18°C. Largemouth bass growth rate is about 30% at 16°C.
(2) None of the species indicated have a growth rate of 55% at 16°C. Brook trout growth rate is at 55% at about 17.5°C.
(3) Brook trout growth rate falls to 75% at about 17°C. The growth rate of northern pike is at 75% at about 16°C.
 

1 The diagram represents an experiment in cloning. Because the nucleus (which contains the genetic material) used in this experiment comes from a tadpole, the egg will produce new cells that have genetic characteristics identical to those of the tadpole.
WRONG CHOICES EXPLAINED:
(2) It is unclear from this diagram how frog A came into being.
(3) This conclusion is refuted by the results of this experiment; a new frog was created without the use of fertilization.
(4) This conclusion is refuted by the results of this experiment; the tadpole nucleus was taken from an intestinal cell, which is a “body” cell.
 

4 The chart on the left shows that a man 6'0" tall with a small frame has an ideal weight range of 149–160 pounds. Of the choices given, the closest comparison can be made to the ideal weight range of a 6’0” woman with a medium frame at 148–162 pounds.
WRONG CHOICES EXPLAINED:
(1) The weight range shown for a 5'10" man with a medium frame is 151–163 pounds.
(2) The weight range shown for a 5'9" woman with a large frame is 149–170 pounds.
(3) The weight range shown for a 6'0" man with a medium frame is 157–170 pounds.

1 The statement photosynthetic pigments in spinach plants absorb blue light and violet light more efficiently than red light is a valid conclusion that can be drawn from the data. The high point of the chart/graph data is clearly shown to be above the blue and violet wavelengths of light.
WRONG CHOICES EXPLAINED:
(2) The statement the data would be the same for all pigments in spinach plants is not supported by the results of this experiment. The chart/graph data show considerable variation in the experimental results as the wavelength of light varies.
(3) The statement green light and yellow light are not absorbed by spinach plants is not supported by the results of this experiment. Although the chart/graph data show a lower absorption rate at these wavelengths, there is still some absorption in this range.
(4) The statement all plants are efficient at absorbing violet light and red light is not supported by the results of this experiment. The experimental data are limited to the absorption of light by pigments found in one type of plant. These data cannot be extended to all plants unless all other types of plants are tested under the same experimental conditions and the results are found to be similar.
 

4 Of those given, refrigeration will most likely slow the growth of these bacteria is the most reasonable inference that can be made from the graph data. The graph clearly shows a slower rate of growth (reproduction) at 5°C than at 10°C or 15°C.
WRONG CHOICES EXPLAINED:
(1) The inference that temperature is unrelated to the reproductive rate of bacteria is not supported by the data. Temperature is the independent (experimental) variable in this study. It clearly has an influence on the bacterial reproductive rate.
(2) The inference that bacteria cannot grow at a temperature of 5°C is not supported by the data. The graph clearly shows that growth at this temperature, while slow, occurs at a steady pace.
(3) The inference that life activities in bacteria slow down at high temperatures is not supported by the data. The data indicate that, if anything, bacterial activity increases with increasing temperature. No data are shown for bacterial growth at temperatures above 15°C, and so we cannot draw any inference about what happens to the rate of bacterial growth at these extremes.
 

2 These researchers should make sure that the conditions are identical to those in the first study. The validity of any scientific experiment can be verified only if the same results are obtained under the same experimental conditions. Any change in these conditions invalidates the results of the verification study.
WRONG CHOICES EXPLAINED:
(1) If the researchers give growth solution to both groups, there will be no control group against which to compare the experimental group. The results of the verification study will be invalid because the experimental conditions will have been changed.
(3) If the researchers give an increased amount of light to both groups of plants, the original experimental method will be altered. The results of the verification study will be invalid because the experimental conditions will have been changed.
(4) If the researchers double the amount of growth solution given to the first group, the original experimental method will not be followed. The results of the verification study will be invalid because the experimental conditions will have been changed.
The number of turns in the waggle dance decreases as the distance of the food supply from the hive increases. Or The closer to the hive the food source is located, the more turns there are in the waggle dance. [Note: Any correct, complete-sentence answer is acceptable.]
 

3 Other biologists in other laboratories should be able to perform the same experiment and obtain the same results if the experimental results are valid. Any experimental results obtained by one scientist must be validated through independent research by other scientists following the same procedures.
WRONG CHOICES EXPLAINED:
(1) If different scientists perform an experiment with a different variable and obtain the same results, the original experimental results will be invalidated.
(2), (4) If different scientists perform the same experiment and obtain different results, or an experiment under different conditions and obtain the same results, they will neither validate nor invalidate the results of the original experiment. All variables and conditions must be kept the same if the experimental results are to be properly tested.