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Critical Thinking Questions
16 . Although the scientific method is used by most of the sciences, it can also be applied to everyday situations. Think about a problem that you may have at home, at school, or with your car, and apply the scientific method to solve it.
17 . Give an example of how applied science has had a direct effect on your daily life.
18 . Name two topics that are likely to be studied by biologists, and two areas of scientific study that would fall outside the realm of biology.
19 . Thinking about the topic of cancer, write a basic science question and an applied science question that a researcher interested in this topic might ask.
20 . Select two items that biologists agree are necessary in order to consider an organism “alive.” For each, give an example of a nonliving object that otherwise fits the definition of “alive.”
21 . Consider the levels of organization of the biological world, and place each of these items in order from smallest level of organization to most encompassing: skin cell, elephant, water molecule, planet Earth, tropical rainforest, hydrogen atom, wolf pack, liver.
22 . You go for a long walk on a hot day. Give an example of a way in which homeostasis keeps your body healthy.
23 . Using examples, explain how biology can be studied from a microscopic approach to a global approach.
Biology 2e for Biol 111 and Biol 112 Copyright © 2023 by Mary Ann Clark; Jung Choi; and Matthew Douglas is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
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Critical Thinking Questions
If a person scatters a handful of plant seeds from one species in an area, how would natural selection work in this situation?
Explain the Hardy-Weinberg principle of equilibrium.
Describe natural selection and give an example of natural selection at work in a population.
Why do scientists consider vestigial structures evidence for evolution?
Why do island chains provide ideal conditions for adaptive radiation to occur?
Two species of fish had recently undergone sympatric speciation. The males of each species had a different coloring through which females could identify and choose a partner from her own species. After some time, pollution made the lake so cloudy it was hard for females to distinguish colors. What might take place in this situation?
How does the scientific meaning of “theory” differ from the common, everyday meaning of the word?
Explain why the statement that a monkey is more evolved than a mouse is incorrect.
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- Authors: Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
- Publisher/website: OpenStax
- Book title: Concepts of Biology
- Publication date: Apr 25, 2013
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/concepts-biology/pages/1-introduction
- Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/concepts-biology/pages/11-critical-thinking-questions
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61 Critical Thinking Questions
16. Does physical exercise involve anabolic and/or catabolic processes? Give evidence for your answer.
17. Name two different cellular functions that require energy that parallel human energy-requiring functions.
18. Explain in your own words the difference between a spontaneous reaction and one that occurs instantaneously, and what causes this difference.
19. Describe the position of the transition state on a vertical energy scale, from low to high, relative to the position of the reactants and products, for both endergonic and exergonic reactions.
20. Imagine an elaborate ant farm with tunnels and passageways through the sand where ants live in a large community. Now imagine that an earthquake shook the ground and demolished the ant farm. In which of these two scenarios, before or after the earthquake, was the ant farm system in a state of higher or lower entropy?
21. Energy transfers take place constantly in everyday activities. Think of two scenarios: cooking on a stove and driving. Explain how the second law of thermodynamics applies to these two scenarios.
22. Do you think that the EA for ATP hydrolysis is relatively low or high? Explain your reasoning.
23. With regard to enzymes, why are vitamins necessary for good health? Give examples.
24. Explain in your own words how enzyme feedback inhibition benefits a cell.
Biology Part I Copyright © 2022 by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
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IMAGES
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COMMENTS
Thinking about the topic of cancer, write a basic science question and an applied science question that a researcher interested in this topic might ask 20 . Select two items that biologists agree are necessary in order to consider an organism “alive.”
Give three reasons why these birds follow an annual migration pattern. The American white pelican follows an annual migration pattern in search of suitable mates, warmer climates, and suitable habitat. Warmer climates help them in maintaining a constant body temperature.
Thinking about the topic of cancer, write a basic science question and an applied science question that a researcher interested in this topic might ask. 20. Select two items that biologists agree are necessary in order to consider an organism “alive.”
25. A scientist observes that a cell has an RNA polymerase deficiency that prevents it from making proteins. Describe three additional observations that would together support the conclusion that a defect in RNA polymerase I activity, and not problems with the other polymerases, causes the defect. 26.
In the context of cell biology, what do we mean by form follows function? What are at least two examples of this concept?
Thinking about the topic of cancer, write a basic science question and an applied science question that a researcher interested in this topic might ask. 20 . Select two items that biologists agree are necessary in order to consider an organism “alive.”
This free textbook is an OpenStax resource written to increase student access to high-quality, peer-reviewed learning materials.
This free textbook is an OpenStax resource written to increase student access to high-quality, peer-reviewed learning materials.
Critical Thinking Questions. 16. Does physical exercise involve anabolic and/or catabolic processes? Give evidence for your answer. 17. Name two different cellular functions that require energy that parallel human energy-requiring functions.
Explain in your own words how enzyme feedback inhibition benefits a cell. 2.3.11: Critical Thinking Questions is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.