Exam 2: Science, Matter, Energy and Systems

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds.

A positive feedback loop causes a system to change in the opposite direction from which it is moving.

A molecule consists of two or more atoms connected by _____________________.

When a natural system gets locked into a positive feedback loop, it can reach an ecological tipping point.

A simple carbohydrate that plants and animals use to obtain energy is ____________________.

Why do we have pairs of each chromosome type in the cell nucleus?

Each cell of the human body has different chromosomes in its nucleus.

Describe three limitations of science in general (as well as environmental science).

Theories are well supported by evidence and are considered key outcomes of science. However, we can't prove things conclusively in science. Is it possible to find evidence that contradicts a theory? Does your answer affect how you view theories?

Protons, neutrons, and electrons are all ____.

Which of the following is the best definition of science?

A scientific hypothesis must be testable. What does this mean?

Which of the following lists of items contains only ions?

A(n) ____________________ is a set of components that function and interact in some regular way.

The process of peer review is important to help reduce bias and related problems.

Which term means the molecule produced when simple organic molecules called monomers are linked together by chemical bonds?

A(n) ____ is an approximate representation or simulation of a system.

What are the three steps involved in critical thinking?

Macromolecules formed from a number of monomers are called ____________________.

Narrative: (questions 9 and 10) A tiny, tawny colored butterfly called the Carson Wandering Skipper was always known for its small and very localized populations. Typically, it was found along the western Nevada and eastern California high desert areas. It was always located close to hot springs and other wet areas that supported saltgrass, the host plant it depended on. Recently, the populations went into a steep decline, and a last hold-out area was threatened by imminent construction of a freeway bypass. Biologists became alarmed and began an intensive search for populations in locations other than the spot designated for the freeway bypass. They began their search by identifying all known locations of hot springs, in hopes of finding small populations of the Carson Wandering Skipper close by. As biologists searched for previously unknown populations of the Carson Wandering Skipper, biologists wondered if hot springs were absolutely essential to its survival. This phase of the investigation is ____.