Benchmark Assessment #1: Biology Process

The graph shows the average fastest speed of 5 animals, and we need to find the species that is approximately 1/3 as fast as the cheetah. By comparing the heights of the bars, we can see that the cheetah has the highest bar, indicating it is the fastest. Among the given options, the elephant has a bar that is approximately 1/3 the height of the cheetah's bar, suggesting that the elephant is approximately 1/3 as fast as the cheetah. Therefore, the answer is elephant.

The average number of eggs laid per day over the 5 days is 10. This can be calculated by adding up the total number of eggs laid over the 5 days (50) and dividing it by the number of days (5). This gives us an average of 10 eggs laid per day.

Ella's statement about the sun setting at 6:30 p.m. and there being a full moon on Thursday night implies that she believes in the regularity and predictability of natural phenomena. This aligns with the basic assumption of science that nature is orderly, meaning that there are consistent patterns and laws governing the behavior of the natural world. Ella's confidence in making these predictions suggests that she expects the sun to set at the same time each day and the occurrence of a full moon on a specific night is not random but follows a predictable pattern.

The correct answer is community because a community refers to all the different species that interact and live together in a specific area. In this scenario, the barnyard grass, other weeds, rice, and insects are all different species that are being studied by the scientist. They are all part of the same community as they interact and coexist in the same environment.

The experiment's results support Paul's statement because exercise increases both the pulse and the systolic pressure. This can be seen in the table where both Paul and Simon's pulse and systolic pressure increase after running in place for 5 minutes. This indicates that the heart is pumping more blood during exercise, as the pulse and systolic pressure are higher than at rest.

The scatterplot shows that as height increases, weight also tends to increase. This suggests a positive relationship between height and weight, indicating that taller individuals tend to be heavier.

The best comparison for the experiment would be placing another piece of bread in a closed Petri dish on the countertop. This is because the student wants to determine if temperature affects the rate of mold growth, so it is important to have a control group that is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group (the bread in the refrigerator). By placing the bread in a closed Petri dish on the countertop, the student can ensure that the only difference between the two groups is the temperature, allowing for a valid comparison of the results.

The most accurate conclusion about the growth rate of the bacteria is that the 30-day old culture grows faster regardless of the strain. This can be inferred from the information given in the question, where the number of bacterial colonies is measured and recorded in graphs. The fact that the 30-day old culture consistently shows faster growth regardless of whether it is Strain X or Strain Y suggests that the age of the culture has a significant impact on the growth rate.

The most appropriate unit of measure for Chan to use in determining the mass of fungus growing on a nutrient agar plate over an 8 hr period is milligram. Milligram is a smaller unit of measure compared to kilogram and is commonly used for measuring small masses. Since the mass of fungus is likely to be relatively small, using milligrams would provide a more precise and accurate measurement. Kilometer and millimeter are units of measure for length and are not suitable for measuring mass.

A scientific theory is the best definition because it provides an explanation for how and why a natural phenomenon behaves in a certain way. It goes beyond simply describing an invariable relationship or making a speculation or guess about nature. A scientific theory is based on evidence and extensive research, and while it may not be proven as an absolute fact, it is supported by a significant amount of empirical data.

Testing 5 similar groups of cows with 5 different feed mixtures and measuring their weight gain at the end of a 6-week trial would provide scientists with the best data for investigating which type of feed yields the greatest gain in lean muscle mass in cattle. This design allows for a direct comparison between different feed mixtures, as each group of cows is exposed to a different feed. By measuring weight gain, scientists can determine which feed mixture leads to the highest increase in lean muscle mass. Additionally, using similar groups of cows ensures that any differences in weight gain can be attributed to the feed mixture rather than other factors.

To determine whether temperature influences the population size of Paramecium, it is necessary to compare the growth of Paramecium at different temperatures. By repeating the procedures described using 2 flasks and incubating one flask at 15oC and the other at 25oC, it allows for a direct comparison between the two temperature conditions. This will provide data on the population size of Paramecium at different temperatures and allow for the evaluation of any temperature-dependent effects on population growth.

The correct answer is "How does the chemistry of the soil affect the color of hydrangea blossoms?" because Lydia conducted her investigation to understand why the hydrangeas in Container 1 have pink blossoms while those in Container 2 have blue blossoms. She tested the soil and discovered that the pH levels were different in each container, indicating that the chemistry of the soil affects the color of the hydrangea blossoms. This suggests that the soil's pH level plays a role in determining the color of the hydrangea blossoms.

Assigning the subjects to groups at random is important in order to ensure scientifically valid results because it helps to eliminate any potential bias or confounding variables that could affect the outcome of the study. Random assignment ensures that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to either the medication group or the placebo group, which helps to control for any individual differences between the groups. This increases the internal validity of the study and allows for more accurate conclusions to be drawn about the effectiveness of the medication in helping people sleep.

To accurately test the effects of temperature on starch digestion, Edison should begin a second test with 2 g of starch in a test tube and continue with the set of conditions that differ only in temperature. This means that the enzyme suspension should be the same volume (1 mL) but incubated at a different temperature. Therefore, the correct set of conditions would be 1 mL of enzyme suspension incubated at 37oC for 20 min. This will allow Edison to compare the effects of different temperatures on starch digestion while keeping other variables constant.