ACT Science › How to find research summary 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. 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 (asleep during the night) because their food source is available during the day, while many insectivores, such as bats, are nocturnal (asleep 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 to 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 damage 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.
Studies have shown that students who sleep well the night before an exam receive better marks. Why might this be, according to the hypotheses of both scientists?
Students who sleep more have more energy and restored molecular balance.
Students who sleep less are less alert.
Students who sleep more have a better diet.
Students who sleep less start to become nocturnal.
Students who sleep more have better study habits.
This question combines the two passage theories. "Students who sleep more have more energy and restored molecular balance" is the best answer because it reflects the viewpoints of both scientists.
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. 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 (asleep during the night) because their food source is available during the day, while many insectivores, such as bats, are nocturnal (asleep 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 to 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 damage 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.
Which of the following is likely true of melatonin?
Diurnal animals will express high levels at night.
Diurnal animals will express high levels during the day.
Nocturnal animals will express high levels at night.
Melatonin causes animals to use more energy.
Melatonin causes animals to seek food sources.
The passage states that "During periods of sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system becomes active and induces a relaxed state in response to increased levels of the hormone melatonin."
This tells us that 1) melatonin causes the nervous system to induce a relaxed state and 2) melatonin levels are increased during sleep. Diurnal animals sleep at night, and thus will express high levels of melatonin at night.
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.
An animal is deprived of sleep for three days. According to Scientist 1?
The animal will have low energy levels.
The animal will be prone to illness.
The animal will die.
The animal will need to eat less food.
The animal will become nocturnal.
Scientist 1 argues that sleep is necessary in order to conserve energy. Thus, if an animal is deprived of sleep, they will have lower energy.
Scientist 2, however, might argue that the animal would become sick.
Symbiosis is defined as a state in which two species intimately live together. This indicates that they are in close contact with one another and can affect each other. Symbiosis has been documented in three dominant forms: commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism. Commensalism exists when one organism benefits and one, presumably the host, is affected neither negatively or positively. Mutualism is described as two organisms that both benefit from their interactions. Last, parasitism is described as an interaction that benefits an organism at the expense of the host organism.
Bacteria live in the digestive tract of humans and other mammals. The bacteria enable the the host to better digest food and in return are granted a suitable habitat and a source of food. This is an example of which type of symbiosis?
Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism
None of the choices are correct.
This is an example of mutualism. Both organisms benefit from the relationship. The bacteria help with digestion while the host provides food and shelter. This is supported by the passage.
A scientific experiment is conducted to test if calcium can affect gene regulation. Scientists hypothesize that high levels of calcium would interact with the proteins Cs3 and Gfy, which would increase the transcription of genes F4597 and BC392. The experiment procedure is summarized below.
According to the experiment, what data results would support the hypothesis?
Plate B shows increased F4597 and BC392 gene activity.
Plate A shows increased F4597 and BC392 gene activity.
Both Plate A and Plate B show equal F4597 and BC392 gene activity.
Neither Plate A nor Plate B show F4597 and BC392 gene activity.
Plate A shows decreased F4597 and BC392 gene activity.
To support the hypothesis, the data would need to show that calcium increased the gene activity. Plate B has the supplemented calcium growth medium; therefore, increased gene activity in those plates would support the hypothesis.
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. 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 (asleep during the night) because their food source is available during the day, while many insectivores, such as bats, are nocturnal (asleep 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 to 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 damage 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.
Adenosine is a damaging by-product of the brain that is produced during waking hours. If Scientist 2’s theory is correct, which of the following is likely true?
In nocturnal animals, adenosine levels are high in the morning.
Adenosine levels remain constant while an animal is sleeping.
If an animal has enough food, adenosine levels will decrease.
An animal that is more active will produce more adenosine.
Accumulated adenosine can help an animal avoid illness.
According to Scientist 2, "sleep is necessary for animals to prevent accumulation of damage." Thus, if adenosine accumulates during waking hours, periods of sleep may be used to lower these levels. Adenosine will be high right before sleep and low right after. For a nocturnal animal, this means that adenosine will be high in the morning.
Note that Scientist 2 does not discuss energy or food consumption levels, so we can eliminate answers dealing with these concepts. Finally, we know that adenosine is damaging, and thus would not help an animal avoid illness.
A scientific experiment is conducted to test if calcium can affect gene regulation. Scientists hypothesize that high levels of calcium would interact with the proteins Cs3 and Gfy, which in turn would increase the transcription of genes F4597 and BC392. The experiment procedure is summarized below.
If the experiment showed that calcium increased F4597 gene activity but decreased BC392 activity, what could one conclude?
The hypothesis has been disproved.
The hypothesis has been proved.
One cannot make a conclusion about the veracity of the hypothesis.
Calcium decreases the activity of protein Gfy.
Calcium increases the activity of protein Cs3.
The hypothesis stated the calcium manipulation would increase F4597 and BC392 activity; therefore, a result that showed decreased activity in the BC392 gene would contradict the hypothesis. Further, the hypothesis mentions that the calcium would "interact" with the proteins, but does not specific what type of interaction whether it be an increase or decrease of protein activity.
A scientific experiment is conducted to test if calcium can affect gene regulation. Scientists hypothesize that high levels of calcium would interact with the proteins Cs3 and Gfy, which in turn would increase the transcription of genes F4597 and BC392. The experiment procedure is summarized below.
What new information would weaken this experiment?
Research showing that Ca++ alone does not affect proteins, but requires a coupling with Ka+ in order to be effective.
Another experiment with results showing Ca++ levels affected a different protein Hrt and increased activity of the Cp340 gene.
Research showing Na levels did not change the activity of protein Sl298.
Another experiment shows potassium increases F4597 gene activity.
Calcium is shown to have significant impacts on all proteins.
Researching showing isolated Ca++ does not affect proteins undermines the root of this experimental design and hypothesis because it looks at the sole effects of Ca++ on proteins.
A scientific experiment is conducted to test if calcium can affect gene regulation. Scientists hypothesize that high levels of calcium would interact with the proteins Cs3 and Gfy, which in turn would increase the transcription of genes F4597 and BC392. The experiment procedure is summarized below.
Would new information about the lack of absorption of calcium through a growth medium strengthen or weaken this experiment and why?
This information would weaken the experiment because it would decrease the influence of the independent variable (amount of calcium).
This information would strengthen the experiment because it would increase the range of results.
This information would strengthen the experiment because it would add another variable to study.
The information would weaken the experiment.
This information would have no affect on the experiment.
Information showing that calclum is not properly absorbed into growth mediums would weaken the experiment because it would skew the results for Plate B and create a smaller contrast between Plate A and Plate B.
A scientific experiment is conducted to test if calcium can affect gene regulation. Scientists hypothesized that high levels of calcium would interact with the proteins Cs3 and Gfy, which in turn would increase the transcription of genes F4597 and BC392. The experiment procedure is summarized below.
What result would disprove the hypothesis?
Both Plate A and Plate B had equal gene activity.
Plate B has increased gene activity while Plate A does not.
Plate B has vastly increased gene activity while Plate A has only a little gene activity.
All of these outcomes would support the hypothesis.
All of these outcomes would disprove the hypothesis.
If both Plate A and Plate B had equal gene activity, it would mean that calcium levels did not affect the proteins or the gene activity. This would disprove the hypothesis, which stated that calcium would increase the transcription of the genes.