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Biology for AP® Courses

Critical Thinking Questions

Biology for AP® CoursesCritical Thinking Questions

Critical Thinking Questions

12 .
Is mathematics a natural science? Explain your reasoning.
  1. No, it is not a natural science because it is not used in the study of the natural world.
  2. No, it is not a natural science. Mathematics focuses on understanding mathematical relations and calculations, which is useful in natural sciences but which is distinct.
  3. Yes, it is a natural science. Mathematics deals with verifying the experimental data.
  4. Yes, it is a natural science. It uses chemical and physical measurements.
13 .
Although the scientific method is used by most of the sciences, it can also be applied to everyday situations. A situation is given below. Using the scientific method try to arrange the given steps in the correct order. Situation:
  1. If the car doesn’t start the problem might be in the battery.
  2. Car doesn’t start.
  3. After changing the battery. Car starts working.
  4. The car should start after charging the battery or changing the battery.
  5. The car doesn’t start because the battery is dead.
  6. The car doesn’t start even after charging the battery, the battery must have stopped working.
  1. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  2. 2, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
  3. 2, 1, 5, 4, 6, 3
  4. 2, 1, 5, 6, 3, 4
14 .
Read the following questions. Does the statement lend itself to investigation using the scientific method? In other words, is the hypothesis falsifiable (can be proven false)?
  1. Is macaroni and cheese tastier than broccoli soup?
  2. Are hummingbirds attracted to the color red?
  3. Is the moon made out of green cheese?
  4. Is plagiarism dishonest?
  1. Questions 1 and 2 are subjective and cannot be disproven using scientific method. Questions 3 and 4 can be tested using scientific method.
  2. Questions 3 and 4 are subjective and cannot be disproven using scientific method. Questions 1 and 2 can be tested using scientific method.
  3. Questions 1 and 3 are subjective and cannot be disproven using scientific method. Questions 2 and 4 can be tested using scientific method.
  4. Questions 1 and 4 are subjective and cannot be disproven using scientific method. Questions 2 and 3 can be tested using scientific method.
15 .
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.
  1. hydrogen atom, water molecule, skin cell, liver, elephant, wolf pack, tropical rainforest, planet Earth
  2. hydrogen atom, skin cell, water molecule, liver, elephant, wolf pack, tropical rainforest, planet Earth
  3. hydrogen atom, skin cell, water molecule, liver, wolf pack, elephant, tropical rainforest, planet Earth
  4. water molecule, hydrogen atom, skin cell, liver, elephant, wolf pack, tropical rainforest, planet Earth
16 .
What scientific evidence was used by Carl Woese to determine there should be a separate domain for Archaea?
  1. a sequence of DNA
  2. a sequence of RNA
  3. a sequence of proteins
  4. a sequence of sugars
17 .
Both astronomy and astrology study the stars. Which one is considered a natural science? Explain your reasoning.
  1. Astrology is a natural science as it indirectly influences human affairs and the natural world.
  2. Astronomy is a natural science as it deals with observations and prediction of events in the sky, which is based on the laws of physics.
  3. Astrology is a natural science as it deals with observations and prediction of events in the sky, influences human affairs and the natural world.
  4. Astrology is a natural science as it deals with the study of asteroids and comets, which is based on the laws of natural sciences.
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