How to find synthesis of data in biology
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ACT Science › How to find synthesis of data in biology
Sleep plays a vital role in defining the daily activities of virtually all animals. During periods of sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system becomes active and induces a relaxed state in response to increased levels of the hormone melatonin. Yet, despite its ubiquity in the animal kingdom, the purpose of sleep and its role in our daily lives has been disputed by scientists. Two scientists discuss their theories about the purpose of sleep.
Scientist 1
During periods of sleep, animals are able to conserve energy that they would otherwise be spending on unnecessary activity. If an animal’s primary food source is most abundant during daylight, it is a waste of precious energy to be moving about at night. For example, many herbivores, such as squirrels, are diurnal (sleep during the night) because their food source is available during the day, while many insectivores, such as bats, are nocturnal (sleep during the day) because their food source is available during the night. Food sources, as an animal’s most valuable resource, dictate their sleep cycles. Many animal traits observable today evolved as a result of the supply and demand of food in their natural habitat.
Scientist 2
During waking hours, it is true that the body utilizes large amounts of energy. However, the role of sleep is to restore biological products that were utilized during periods of wakefulness, rather than simply avoid utilizing energy in the first place. Many types of biological molecules, such as hormones, are released throughout the body while an animal is active. Sleep serves as a period of inactivity during which the body can manufacture and store a supply of these molecules for future use during the next period of activity. Furthermore, sleep allows the body to repair cellular damages that has accumulated during waking hours. Experimental evidence shows that when animals are deprived of sleep, their immune system quickly weakens and death rates increase. Sleep is necessary for animals to prevent accumulation of damage and to regenerate crucial biomolecules for daily life.
Both scientists give evidence to support their theories. The evidence given by Scientist 1 can best be described as __________.
observational
quantitative
empirical
experimental
natural
Explanation
Scientist 1 gives two examples of animals that appear to follow the trends of his theory. "For example, many herbivores, such as squirrels, are diurnal . . . while many insectivores, such as bats, are nocturnal"
This evidence is strictly observational. There is no experimental set-up, quantitative or empirical data. Though the evidence is observation of animals in their natural state, observational is a commonly used classification of evidence, while natural is not, making observational the best answer choice.
A group of scientists wanted to test the effects of Nitra-Grow, a chemical additive that can be given to plants to help them grow. 3 test groups of plants were given all the same time of sunlight, the same type of soil, and the same amount of water. Plant A was given no extra chemicals. Plant B was given 5g of Nitra-Grow. Plant C was given 5g of Ammonia to see if Nitra-Grow worked any better than a basic nitrogen-based household product. The plants are then measured on 5 consecutive days to find their average height (in cm).
| DAY | Height Plant A (cm) | Height Plant B (cm) | Height Plant C (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| 2 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| 3 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| 4 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 1.3 |
| 5 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 1.4 |
What is the general relationship between plant height and the amount of days?
As time increases, the plant height increases.
As time increases, the plant height increases, then decreases.
As the plant height increases, the time increases.
As the plant height increases, the time decreases.
There is no relationship between time and height of the plants.
Explanation
As time increases, the heights of all plants increase (except for plant B on day 6). The day doesn't change just because the plants grow.
The chart above shows the height growth of three different plant species after a period of 2 weeks. Each plant species was grown in 4 different soil mediums. All the plants were grown in the same environment with equal amounts of light, water, and oxygen.
Based on the chart above, which plant species was consistently taller than the other plant species regardless of soil medium?
Plant 3
Plant 2
Plant 1
This information cannot be determined.
All three plants grew at equally consistent heights.
Explanation
After reading the chart, it is clear that Plant 3 was taller than Plant 1 and Plant 2 at every measurement point.
The chart above shows the height growth of three different plant species after a period of 2 weeks. Each plant species was grown in 4 different soil mediums. All the plants were grown in the same environment with equal amounts of light, water, and oxygen.
Based on the chart above, which plant species was consistently taller than the other plant species regardless of soil medium?
Plant 3
Plant 2
Plant 1
This information cannot be determined.
All three plants grew at equally consistent heights.
Explanation
After reading the chart, it is clear that Plant 3 was taller than Plant 1 and Plant 2 at every measurement point.
Sleep plays a vital role in defining the daily activities of virtually all animals. During periods of sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system becomes active and induces a relaxed state in response to increased levels of the hormone melatonin. Yet, despite its ubiquity in the animal kingdom, the purpose of sleep and its role in our daily lives has been disputed by scientists. Two scientists discuss their theories about the purpose of sleep.
Scientist 1
During periods of sleep, animals are able to conserve energy that they would otherwise be spending on unnecessary activity. If an animal’s primary food source is most abundant during daylight, it is a waste of precious energy to be moving about at night. For example, many herbivores, such as squirrels, are diurnal (sleep during the night) because their food source is available during the day, while many insectivores, such as bats, are nocturnal (sleep during the day) because their food source is available during the night. Food sources, as an animal’s most valuable resource, dictate their sleep cycles. Many animal traits observable today evolved as a result of the supply and demand of food in their natural habitat.
Scientist 2
During waking hours, it is true that the body utilizes large amounts of energy. However, the role of sleep is to restore biological products that were utilized during periods of wakefulness, rather than simply avoid utilizing energy in the first place. Many types of biological molecules, such as hormones, are released throughout the body while an animal is active. Sleep serves as a period of inactivity during which the body can manufacture and store a supply of these molecules for future use during the next period of activity. Furthermore, sleep allows the body to repair cellular damages that has accumulated during waking hours. Experimental evidence shows that when animals are deprived of sleep, their immune system quickly weakens and death rates increase. Sleep is necessary for animals to prevent accumulation of damage and to regenerate crucial biomolecules for daily life.
Both scientists give evidence to support their theories. The evidence given by Scientist 1 can best be described as __________.
observational
quantitative
empirical
experimental
natural
Explanation
Scientist 1 gives two examples of animals that appear to follow the trends of his theory. "For example, many herbivores, such as squirrels, are diurnal . . . while many insectivores, such as bats, are nocturnal"
This evidence is strictly observational. There is no experimental set-up, quantitative or empirical data. Though the evidence is observation of animals in their natural state, observational is a commonly used classification of evidence, while natural is not, making observational the best answer choice.
A group of scientists wanted to test the effects of Nitra-Grow, a chemical additive that can be given to plants to help them grow. 3 test groups of plants were given all the same time of sunlight, the same type of soil, and the same amount of water. Plant A was given no extra chemicals. Plant B was given 5g of Nitra-Grow. Plant C was given 5g of Ammonia to see if Nitra-Grow worked any better than a basic nitrogen-based household product. The plants are then measured on 5 consecutive days to find their average height (in cm).
| DAY | Height Plant A (cm) | Height Plant B (cm) | Height Plant C (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| 2 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| 3 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| 4 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 1.3 |
| 5 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 1.4 |
What is the general relationship between plant height and the amount of days?
As time increases, the plant height increases.
As time increases, the plant height increases, then decreases.
As the plant height increases, the time increases.
As the plant height increases, the time decreases.
There is no relationship between time and height of the plants.
Explanation
As time increases, the heights of all plants increase (except for plant B on day 6). The day doesn't change just because the plants grow.
The chart above shows the height growth of three different plant species after a period of 2 weeks. Each plant species was grown in 4 different soil mediums. All the plants were grown in the same environment with equal amounts of light, water, and oxygen.
Which soil medium provides the tallest plant growth?
Medium D
Medium A
Medium B
Cannot be determined
Medium C
Explanation
The medium providing the tallest plant growth would be medium D, because in all three plants reached their greatest height using medium D.
The chart above shows the height growth of three different plant species after a period of 2 weeks. Each plant species was grown in 4 different soil mediums. All the plants were grown in the same environment with equal amounts of light, water, and oxygen.
Which soil medium provides the tallest plant growth?
Medium D
Medium A
Medium B
Cannot be determined
Medium C
Explanation
The medium providing the tallest plant growth would be medium D, because in all three plants reached their greatest height using medium D.
Sleep plays a vital role in defining the daily activities of virtually all animals. During periods of sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system becomes active and induces a relaxed state in response to increased levels of the hormone melatonin. Yet, despite its ubiquity in the animal kingdom, the purpose of sleep and its role in our daily lives has been disputed by scientists. Two scientists discuss their theories about the purpose of sleep.
Scientist 1
During periods of sleep, animals are able to conserve energy that they would otherwise be spending on unnecessary activity. If an animal’s primary food source is most abundant during daylight, it is a waste of precious energy to be moving about at night. For example, many herbivores, such as squirrels, are diurnal (sleep during the night) because their food source is available during the day, while many insectivores, such as bats, are nocturnal (sleep during the day) because their food source is available during the night. Food sources, as an animal’s most valuable resource, dictate their sleep cycles. Many animal traits observable today evolved as a result of the supply and demand of food in their natural habitat.
Scientist 2
During waking hours, it is true that the body utilizes large amounts of energy. However, the role of sleep is to restore biological products that were utilized during periods of wakefulness, rather than simply avoid utilizing energy in the first place. Many types of biological molecules, such as hormones, are released throughout the body while an animal is active. Sleep serves as a period of inactivity during which the body can manufacture and store a supply of these molecules for future use during the next period of activity. Furthermore, sleep allows the body to repair cellular damages that has accumulated during waking hours. Experimental evidence shows that when animals are deprived of sleep, their immune system quickly weakens and death rates increase. Sleep is necessary for animals to prevent accumulation of damage and to regenerate crucial biomolecules for daily life.
Both scientists give evidence to support their theories. The evidence given by Scientist 2 can best be described as __________.
experimental
observational
quantitative
theoretical
situational
Explanation
The evidence given by Scientist 2 is labeled within the passage. "Experimental evidence shows that when animals are deprived of sleep, their immune system quickly weakens and death rates increase"
Bacterial resistance is a common issue encountered in various infections. Scientists have attributed this phenomenon to the overuse of anti-bacterial sanitizers and prescription antibiotics. Two groups of researchers performed studies to test bacterial resistance.
Study 1
Researchers in this study state that bacterial resistance is the result of bacterial plasmid translocation. Bacteria carry their genes on circular rings of bacterial DNA and on small, physically separate molecules known as plasmids. Plasmids are unique because they are replicons that are capable of replication autonomously within a suitable host. Researchers radioactively marked plasmids in bacterial specimens and noted that they could be easily transmitted from one bacterium to another via horizontal gene transfer. They then observed that the genes transferred from the plasmid could be incorporated into the bacteria’s genetic makeup. These genetic alterations enhanced survivorship within the environment and promoted resistance to antibiotics. They concluded that plasmids carry genes important for survival and facilitate bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
Study 2
Researchers in this study state that resistance is the result of the misuse of antibiotics. Researchers administered various antibiotics to a culture of E. coli and studied their effects over time (Figure 1). They concluded that bacterial resistance is the result of natural selection. In other words, the strongest bacteria survive antibiotics and reproduce, which produces anitbiotic-resistant offspring bacteria.
Figure 1
In Study 2, what was the general trend in bacterial population for the bacteria exposed to ampicillin?
Population size increased slightly, decreased to a low number, then recovered and grew continuously.
Population size decreased until the bacteria died off completely.
Population size increased greatly, decreased slightly, then stabilized to a continuous level.
Not enough information is given.
Explanation
The bacteria exposed to ampicillin are represented by the green line in Figure 1. If you follow the trend associated with this line, it is clear that the bacterial population increased in number until day 5, then began to decrease sharply until day 9. After the decrease, the population size grew continuously until the end of the study.