Textbook Question
Explain why researchers formulate a null hypothesis in addition to a hypothesis when designing an experimental study.
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Ch. 1 - Biology: The Study of Life
Freeman8th EditionBiological ScienceISBN: 9780138276263
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Biology: The Study of Life13
- Ch. 2 - Water and Carbon: The Chemical Basis of Life14
- Ch.3 - Protein Structure and Function10
- Ch.4 - Nucleic Acids and the RNA World10
- Ch. 5 - An Introduction to Carbohydrates10
- Ch. 6 - Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells11
- Ch. 7 - Inside the Cell10
- Ch. 8 - Energy and Enzymes: An Introduction to Metabolism10
- Ch. 9 - Cellular Respiration and Fermentation11
- Ch. 10 - Photosynthesis12
- Ch. 11 - Cell-Cell Interactions12
- Ch. 12 - The Cell Cycle8
- Ch. 13 - Meiosis12
- Ch. 14 - Mendel and the Gene23
- Ch. 15 - DNA and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair15
- Ch. 16 - How Genes Work16
- Ch. 17 - Transcription, RNA Processing, and Translation16
- Ch. 18 - Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria16
- Ch. 19 - Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes12
- Ch. 20 - The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology, Genomics, and New Frontiers15
- Ch. 21 - Genes, Development, and Evolution12
- Ch. 22 - Evolution by Natural Selection16
- Ch. 23 - Evolutionary Processes13
- Ch. 24 - Speciation15
- Ch. 25 - Phylogenies and the History of Life13
- Ch. 26 - Bacteria and Archaea15
- Ch. 27 - Diversification of Eukaryotes16
- Ch. 28 - Green Algae and Land Plants16
- Ch. 29 - Fungi18
- Ch. 30 - An Introduction to Animals9
- Ch. 31 - Protostome Animals15
- Ch. 32 - Deuterostome Animals17
- Ch. 33 - Viruses16
- Ch. 34 - Plant Form and Function16
- Ch. 35 - Water and Sugar Transport in Plants16
- Ch. 36 - Plant Nutrition13
- Ch. 37 - Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses16
- Ch. 38 - Flowering Plant Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 39 - Animal Form and Function17
- Ch. 40 - Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals16
- Ch. 41 - Animal Nutrition16
- Ch. 42 - Gas Exchange and Circulation16
- Ch. 43 - Animal Nervous Systems16
- Ch. 44 - Animal Sensory Systems16
- Ch. 45 - Animal Movement11
- Ch. 46 - Chemical Signals in Animals16
- Ch. 47 - Animal Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 48 - The Immune System in Animals16
- Ch. 49 - An Introduction to Ecology15
- Ch. 50 - Behavioral Ecology16
- Ch. 51 - Population Ecology16
- Ch. 52 - Community Ecology20
- Ch. 53 - Ecosystems and Global Ecology17
- Ch. 54 - Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology18
Chapter 1, Problem 9
A friend tells you that the theory of evolution is just an educated guess by biologists about how things work. Evaluate this statement.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the definition of a scientific theory: A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. It is much more than just a guess.
Explain the basis of the theory of evolution: The theory of evolution by natural selection, first formulated in Darwin's book 'On the Origin of Species' in 1859, is based on evidence from a wide range of scientific disciplines, including genetics, paleontology, embryology, and biochemistry.
Discuss the process of scientific validation: The theory of evolution has been tested and validated through numerous scientific studies and experiments over the past 150 years. It is supported by the vast majority of scientists in the field of biology and related disciplines.
Clarify the misconception: The statement that evolution is 'just an educated guess' is a misconception. It undermines the extensive research and empirical data that support the theory. Evolution is a well-supported scientific theory, not a guess.
Encourage critical thinking and further research: Suggest reviewing scientific literature and resources that explain how the theory of evolution has been developed, tested, and accepted in the scientific community. This can provide a deeper understanding of why it is considered a robust and foundational theory in biology.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Theory of Evolution
The theory of evolution, primarily formulated by Charles Darwin, posits that species change over time through processes such as natural selection and genetic drift. It is a well-supported scientific framework that explains the diversity of life on Earth, based on extensive evidence from various fields, including genetics, paleontology, and comparative anatomy.
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Scientific Theory vs. Hypothesis
In science, a theory is a comprehensive explanation of an aspect of nature that is supported by a vast body of evidence and has withstood rigorous testing. In contrast, a hypothesis is a tentative explanation that can be tested through experimentation. The theory of evolution is not merely an educated guess; it is a robust scientific theory with substantial empirical support.
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Evidence for Evolution
Evidence for evolution includes fossil records, genetic similarities among species, and observable evolutionary changes in populations. This evidence demonstrates how species adapt to their environments over time and provides a clear understanding of the mechanisms driving evolutionary processes, reinforcing the validity of the theory of evolution.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Some humans have genes that make them resistant to infection by HIV. Would human populations likely evolve differently in areas of the world where HIV infection rates are high? Explain your logic.
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Textbook Question
What did Linnaeus' system of naming organisms ensure?
a. Two different organisms never end up with the same genus and species name.
b. Two different organisms have the same genus and species name if they are closely related.
c. The genus name is different for closely related species.
d. The species name is the same for each organism in a genus.
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Textbook Question
What is 'selected' during natural selection? Explain your answer.
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