All ACT Science Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #221 : Act Science
A medical researcher is testing the effectiveness of a particular supplementation regimen in controlling the accumulation of LDL cholesterol. Her experimental animals are three different groups of mice. Strains X and Y are laboratory mice whose tendencies toward accumulation of LDL cholesterol are well known. The last group consists of mice caught in the wild.
Experiment 1
Population A, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet moderate in saturated and trans fats. No supplementation was given. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XA: 109 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YA: 163 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice A: 104 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 2
Population B, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet very high in saturated and trans fats. No supplementation was given. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XB: 155 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YB: 189 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice B: 115 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 3
Population C, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet very high in saturated and trans fats. Supplementation of iodine, copper, and selenium (ICS) was administered regularly. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XC: 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YC: 171 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice C: 112 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 4
Population D, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet moderate in saturated and trans fats. Supplementation of iodine, copper, and selenium (ICS) was administered regularly. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XD: 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YD: 153 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice D: 98 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 1 is useful in determining __________
The similarity between laboratory-bred mice.
The effect that high fat diets have on LDL cholesterol accumulation.
Whether or not mice can accumulate LDL cholesterol.
Whether or not wild mice are healthier than lab mice.
The effect that high fat diets have on LDL cholesterol accumulation.
The researcher knows beforehand that mice can develop LDL cholesterol, so that answer choice is wrong.
The first experiment gives too little insight into whether or not wild mice are "healthier" for a determination to be made (the only insight given in LDL lvels, which may be insufficient).
The researcher knows before hand the tendencies and similarities (or lack therof) of LDL accumulation in the lab mice.
Whithout knowing how mice accumulate LDL with a moderate fat diet, it is impossible to know the effect a high fat diet has on them.
Example Question #82 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
A medical researcher is testing the effectiveness of a particular supplementation regimen in controlling the accumulation of LDL cholesterol. Her experimental animals are three different groups of mice. Strains X and Y are laboratory mice whose tendencies toward accumulation of LDL cholesterol are well known. The last group consists of mice caught in the wild.
Experiment 1
Population A, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet moderate in saturated and trans fats. No supplementation was given. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XA: 109 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YA: 163 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice A: 104 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 2
Population B, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet very high in saturated and trans fats. No supplementation was given. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XB: 155 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YB: 189 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice B: 115 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 3
Population C, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet very high in saturated and trans fats. Supplementation of iodine, copper, and selenium (ICS) was administered regularly. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XC: 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YC: 171 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice C: 112 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 4
Population D, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet moderate in saturated and trans fats. Supplementation of iodine, copper, and selenium (ICS) was administered regularly. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XD: 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YD: 153 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice D: 98 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
The experiment shows that __________
ICS supplementation is only effective when combined with a moderate fat diet.
Strain YC had the highest LDL accumulation of all groups.
ICS supplementation is generally effective in reducing LDL accumulation.
In wild mice, ICS supplementation and moderate fat diets do not aid in reducing LDL accumulation.
ICS supplementation is generally effective in reducing LDL accumulation.
Strain YB had the highest LDL accumulation of all groups.
In wild mice, ICS supplementation and moderate fat diets definitely aided in reducing LDL accumulation.
ICS supplementation was effective when combined with a high fat diet.
In fact, ICS supplementation was effective in high and moderate fat diets.
Example Question #83 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
A medical researcher is testing the effectiveness of a particular supplementation regimen in controlling the accumulation of LDL cholesterol. Her experimental animals are three different groups of mice. Strains X and Y are laboratory mice whose tendencies toward accumulation of LDL cholesterol are well known. The last group consists of mice caught in the wild.
Experiment 1
Population A, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet moderate in saturated and trans fats. No supplementation was given. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XA: 109 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YA: 163 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice A: 104 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 2
Population B, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet very high in saturated and trans fats. No supplementation was given. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XB: 155 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YB: 189 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice B: 115 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 3
Population C, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet very high in saturated and trans fats. Supplementation of iodine, copper, and selenium (ICS) was administered regularly. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XC: 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YC: 171 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice C: 112 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 4
Population D, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet moderate in saturated and trans fats. Supplementation of iodine, copper, and selenium (ICS) was administered regularly. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XD: 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YD: 153 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice D: 98 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
These experiments would be applicable to human cholesterol treatment only if __________
LDL accumulation in humans is similar to that of mice.
Dietary factors in humans are as pronounced as they are in mice.
Humans have similar biology to lab and wild mice.
Humans respond to ICS supplementation to the same degree that mice do.
Humans respond to ICS supplementation to the same degree that mice do.
All of the other answers sound nice, but the only one that makes these experiments applicable to humans is if the one factor (ICS) that affected LDL accumulation in mice has the same effect on humans.
Example Question #84 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
A medical researcher is testing the effectiveness of a particular supplementation regimen in controlling the accumulation of LDL cholesterol. Her experimental animals are three different groups of mice. Strains X and Y are laboratory mice whose tendencies toward accumulation of LDL cholesterol are well known. The last group consists of mice caught in the wild.
Experiment 1
Population A, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet moderate in saturated and trans fats. No supplementation was given. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XA: 109 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YA: 163 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice A: 104 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 2
Population B, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet very high in saturated and trans fats. No supplementation was given. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XB: 155 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YB: 189 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice B: 115 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 3
Population C, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet very high in saturated and trans fats. Supplementation of iodine, copper, and selenium (ICS) was administered regularly. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XC: 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YC: 171 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice C: 112 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 4
Population D, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet moderate in saturated and trans fats. Supplementation of iodine, copper, and selenium (ICS) was administered regularly. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XD: 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YD: 153 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice D: 98 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Which of the following would not be useful to give additional consideration?
Why do dietary factors have a much greater effect on LDL than ICS supplementation?
How much saturated and trans fat can be added in order to increase LDL accumulation?
What factor causes wild mice to have such low LDL accumulation?
What factor causes strain Y to have such high LDL accumulation?
How much saturated and trans fat can be added in order to increase LDL accumulation?
All of the other options might provide useful insight into the factors that determine LDL accumulation.
However, we are already aware that high fat increases LDL accumulation, and do not need to further pursue that question.
Example Question #85 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
A medical researcher is testing the effectiveness of a particular supplementation regimen in controlling the accumulation of LDL cholesterol. Her experimental animals are three different groups of mice. Strains X and Y are laboratory mice whose tendencies toward accumulation of LDL cholesterol are well known. The last group consists of mice caught in the wild.
Experiment 1
Population A, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet moderate in saturated and trans fats. No supplementation was given. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XA: 109 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YA: 163 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice A: 104 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 2
Population B, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet very high in saturated and trans fats. No supplementation was given. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XB: 155 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YB: 189 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice B: 115 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 3
Population C, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet very high in saturated and trans fats. Supplementation of iodine, copper, and selenium (ICS) was administered regularly. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XC: 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YC: 171 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice C: 112 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Experiment 4
Population D, consisting of all three groups, was bred for several generations and given a diet moderate in saturated and trans fats. Supplementation of iodine, copper, and selenium (ICS) was administered regularly. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol occurred at the following rates:
Strain XD: 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Strain YD: 153 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Wild mice D: 98 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Without experiment 4, it cannot be determined that __________
ICS supplementation is effective at reducing LDL even in combination with a high fat diet.
ICS supplementation is effective at reducing LDL even in combination with a moderate fat diet.
Nothing: Experiment 4 yeilded no new information.
ICS supplementation is only effective at reducing LDL even in combination with a moderate fat diet.
ICS supplementation is effective at reducing LDL even in combination with a moderate fat diet.
ICS supplementation is effective against LDL accumulation in high fat diets (we know this from experiment 3 NOT 4).
Experiment 4 shows that it is effective in moderate fat diets as well.
Example Question #82 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
An agronomist is investigating the effect that different types of soil have on the growth and yield of maize. Sweet corn (Zea mays) is planted in loamy soil of varying proportions of sand, silt, and clay. Growth is measured in inches after 15 days, again after 50 days and finally at 100 days. Dry mass of the yield is measured in grams at the same day intervals.
Four experiments are conducted such that the average amount of sunlight per day is 15 hours at 75° F for the duration of each experiment. All plants where watered at exactly an inch of water per week. All plots where the sweet corn was grown were equally fertilized at about 25 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
Weed growth and pest attack was mitigated by assiduous attentiveness and insecticide.
Experiment 1
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 33%, silt 33%, and clay 33% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 1
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
7 15 0
84 50 9
94 100 45
Experiment 2
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 40%, silt 40%, and clay 20% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 2
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
8 15 0
91 50 8
101 100 65
Experiment 3
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 40%, silt 20%, and clay 40% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 3
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
7 15 0
86 50 8
96 100 40
Experiment 4
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 20%, silt 40%, and clay 40% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 4
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
9 15 0
90 50 6
98 100 45
What seems to be the optimun combination of soil for highest sweet corn yield?
Sand 33%, silt 33%, and clay 33%.
Sand 20%, silt 40%, and clay 40%.
Sand 40%, silt 20%, and clay 40%.
Sand 40%, silt 40%, and clay 20%.
Sand 40%, silt 40%, and clay 20%.
Loamy soil of constitution sand 40%, silt 40%, and clay 20% yields 65 grams of dry mass, more than all the others.
Example Question #91 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
An agronomist is investigating the effect that different types of soil have on the growth and yield of maize. Sweet corn (Zea mays) is planted in loamy soil of varying proportions of sand, silt, and clay. Growth is measured in inches after 15 days, again after 50 days and finally at 100 days. Dry mass of the yield is measured in grams at the same day intervals.
Four experiments are conducted such that the average amount of sunlight per day is 15 hours at 75° F for the duration of each experiment. All plants where watered at exactly an inch of water per week. All plots where the sweet corn was grown were equally fertilized at about 25 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
Weed growth and pest attack was mitigated by assiduous attentiveness and insecticide.
Experiment 1
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 33%, silt 33%, and clay 33% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 1
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
7 15 0
84 50 9
94 100 45
Experiment 2
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 40%, silt 40%, and clay 20% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 2
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
8 15 0
91 50 8
101 100 65
Experiment 3
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 40%, silt 20%, and clay 40% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 3
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
7 15 0
86 50 8
96 100 40
Experiment 4
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 20%, silt 40%, and clay 40% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 4
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
9 15 0
90 50 6
98 100 45
By looking at the results of the four experiments, it is reasonable to conclude that __________
Yield at day 50 cannot be used to predict yield at day 100.
The sweet corn was insufficiently wattered over the 100 day period.
There is a linear growth in height of sweet corn from day 0 to day 100.
The lack of use of fertilizer adversely affected the height of the plants.
Yield at day 50 cannot be used to predict yield at day 100.
At day 50, the yield of the plants range from 6 to 9 grams, however, experiments 1 and 3 had the highest dry mass yield at day 50, but experiments 2 and 4 had the highest dry mass yield at day 100.
Example Question #92 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
An agronomist is investigating the effect that different types of soil have on the growth and yield of maize. Sweet corn (Zea mays) is planted in loamy soil of varying proportions of sand, silt, and clay. Growth is measured in inches after 15 days, again after 50 days and finally at 100 days. Dry mass of the yield is measured in grams at the same day intervals.
Four experiments are conducted such that the average amount of sunlight per day is 15 hours at 75° F for the duration of each experiment. All plants where watered at exactly an inch of water per week. All plots where the sweet corn was grown were equally fertilized at about 25 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
Weed growth and pest attack was mitigated by assiduous attentiveness and insecticide.
Experiment 1
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 33%, silt 33%, and clay 33% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 1
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
7 15 0
84 50 9
94 100 45
Experiment 2
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 40%, silt 40%, and clay 20% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 2
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
8 15 0
91 50 8
101 100 65
Experiment 3
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 40%, silt 20%, and clay 40% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 3
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
7 15 0
86 50 8
96 100 40
Experiment 4
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 20%, silt 40%, and clay 40% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 4
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
9 15 0
90 50 6
98 100 45
Which loamy soil combination yielded the tallest plant at day 15?
Sand 40%, silt 20%, and clay 40%.
Sand 20%, silt 40%, and clay 40%.
Sand 40%, silt 40%, and clay 20%.
Sand 33%, silt 33%, and clay 33%
Sand 20%, silt 40%, and clay 40%.
Loamy soil of combination sand 20%, silt 40%, and clay 40% resulted in a sweet corn hieght of 9 inches by day 15: the highest of all.
Example Question #93 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
An agronomist is investigating the effect that different types of soil have on the growth and yield of maize. Sweet corn (Zea mays) is planted in loamy soil of varying proportions of sand, silt, and clay. Growth is measured in inches after 15 days, again after 50 days and finally at 100 days. Dry mass of the yield is measured in grams at the same day intervals.
Four experiments are conducted such that the average amount of sunlight per day is 15 hours at 75° F for the duration of each experiment. All plants where watered at exactly an inch of water per week. All plots where the sweet corn was grown were equally fertilized at about 25 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
Weed growth and pest attack was mitigated by assiduous attentiveness and insecticide.
Experiment 1
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 33%, silt 33%, and clay 33% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 1
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
7 15 0
84 50 9
94 100 45
Experiment 2
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 40%, silt 40%, and clay 20% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 2
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
8 15 0
91 50 8
101 100 65
Experiment 3
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 40%, silt 20%, and clay 40% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 3
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
7 15 0
86 50 8
96 100 40
Experiment 4
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 20%, silt 40%, and clay 40% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 4
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
9 15 0
90 50 6
98 100 45
What is a possible source of significant error in this experiment?
Weed growth and pest attack may not have been mitigated equally in each experiment.
The use of fertilizer may have adversely affected the yield of the plants.
Planting maize at soil temperature higher than 50 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal.
Hieght was measured in cm and converted to inches.
Weed growth and pest attack may not have been mitigated equally in each experiment.
There is no insight given into how weeds and pests are mitigated; therefore, it may not be reasonable to assume that weeds and pests were adequately mitigated in each experiment.
Example Question #94 : How To Find Research Summary In Biology
An agronomist is investigating the effect that different types of soil have on the growth and yield of maize. Sweet corn (Zea mays) is planted in loamy soil of varying proportions of sand, silt, and clay. Growth is measured in inches after 15 days, again after 50 days and finally at 100 days. Dry mass of the yield is measured in grams at the same day intervals.
Four experiments are conducted such that the average amount of sunlight per day is 15 hours at 75° F for the duration of each experiment. All plants where watered at exactly an inch of water per week. All plots where the sweet corn was grown were equally fertilized at about 25 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
Weed growth and pest attack was mitigated by assiduous attentiveness and insecticide.
Experiment 1
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 33%, silt 33%, and clay 33% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 1
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
7 15 0
84 50 9
94 100 45
Experiment 2
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 40%, silt 40%, and clay 20% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 2
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
8 15 0
91 50 8
101 100 65
Experiment 3
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 40%, silt 20%, and clay 40% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 3
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
7 15 0
86 50 8
96 100 40
Experiment 4
Sweet corn is planted in loamy soil of sand 20%, silt 40%, and clay 40% after soil was warmed to 50° F.
Table 4
Height (inches) Day Yield (g)
9 15 0
90 50 6
98 100 45
Based on the results of the experiment, which soil type is the best for sweet corn growth?
Sand
Silt
Clay
Not enough information to determine.
Silt
When silt is at 40%, the dry mass yield of sweet corn is highest. When silt is 33%, yield is lower, and when silt is 20% yield is highest.