ACT Science : How to find synthesis of data in biology
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Science
All ACT Science Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #461 : Biology
A science class has been assigned a group project. Three different groups have been asked to plant a small pallet of grass and record growth over the course of 3 weeks. One blade of grass per trial was designated as the blade of grass to measure each week (the grass height for "Week 0" corresponds to the day the grass was planted). Every Monday (including the day it was planted) this same blade of grass is measured and its height (in inches) is recorded in a data table. The data collected by Group 1 corresponds to Table 1, Group 2 corresponds to Table 2, and Group 3 corresponds to Table 3.
Each group had two control conditions and one variable condition. The three conditions are:
- the amount of water given to the grass
- the type of soil the grass was planted in
- the amount of sunlight the grass is exposed to every day
The variables and data collected are as follows:
Group 1 variable: different amounts of water
Trial A - one cup of water is poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial B - two cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial C - three cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Group 2 variable: different types of soil
Trial D - standard potting soil is used
Trial E - large rocks are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Trial F - small stones and pebbles are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Group 3 variable: different sunlight exposure
Trial G - the grass is given 3 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial H - the grass is given 6 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial J - the grass is given 9 hours of sun exposure per day
One of the students in Group 3 was sick on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Week 2. On Thursday she measured the grass before setting it in the sunlight for the next 3 hours. Assuming the grass only grows upward or remains the same height from day to day, about how tall would the grass have been when she measured it?
Between 
Between 
Between 
Between 
Between 
Between
When the student set the grass in the sunlight for 3 hours, that implied that the grass being measured was from Trial G. Therefore, the grass should have been at a height somewhere between the recorded data for week 2 and week 3 of Trial G. Thus, the grass should be at a height between 
Example Question #182 : How To Find Synthesis Of Data In Biology
A science class has been assigned a group project. Three different groups have been asked to plant a small pallet of grass and record growth over the course of 3 weeks. One blade of grass per trial was designated as the blade of grass to measure each week (the grass height for "Week 0" corresponds to the day the grass was planted). Every Monday (including the day it was planted) this same blade of grass is measured and its height (in inches) is recorded in a data table. The data collected by Group 1 corresponds to Table 1, Group 2 corresponds to Table 2, and Group 3 corresponds to Table 3.
Each group had two control conditions and one variable condition. The three conditions are:
- the amount of water given to the grass
- the type of soil the grass was planted in
- the amount of sunlight the grass is exposed to every day
The variables and data collected are as follows:
Group 1 variable: different amounts of water
Trial A - one cup of water is poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial B - two cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial C - three cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Group 2 variable: different types of soil
Trial D - standard potting soil is used
Trial E - large rocks are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Trial F - small stones and pebbles are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Group 3 variable: different sunlight exposure
Trial G - the grass is given 3 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial H - the grass is given 6 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial J - the grass is given 9 hours of sun exposure per day
A couple plans to make renovations in their garden, and they wish to purchase a grass that will grow to approximately 
Yes, the grass from Trial C grows at a decreasing rate and its height approaches the desired height
There is not enough information to answer this question
No, all grasses tested grow at increasing rates and will not exceed the desired height
No, all grasses tested grow at constant rates and will not exceed the desired height
Yes, the grass from Trial F grows at a decreasing rate and its height approaches the desired height
Yes, the grass from Trial C grows at a decreasing rate and its height approaches the desired height
The grass tested in Trial C grows less and less each week. Assuming the trend continues into the future, this grass will approach a height of approximately 
Example Question #461 : Biology
A science class has been assigned a group project. Three different groups have been asked to plant a small pallet of grass and record growth over the course of 3 weeks. One blade of grass per trial was designated as the blade of grass to measure each week (the grass height for "Week 0" corresponds to the day the grass was planted). Every Monday (including the day it was planted) this same blade of grass is measured and its height (in inches) is recorded in a data table. The data collected by Group 1 corresponds to Table 1, Group 2 corresponds to Table 2, and Group 3 corresponds to Table 3.
Each group had two control conditions and one variable condition. The three conditions are:
- the amount of water given to the grass
- the type of soil the grass was planted in
- the amount of sunlight the grass is exposed to every day
The variables and data collected are as follows:
Group 1 variable: different amounts of water
Trial A - one cup of water is poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial B - two cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial C - three cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Group 2 variable: different types of soil
Trial D - standard potting soil is used
Trial E - large rocks are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Trial F - small stones and pebbles are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Group 3 variable: different sunlight exposure
Trial G - the grass is given 3 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial H - the grass is given 6 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial J - the grass is given 9 hours of sun exposure per day
Which group experienced the greatest range of grass heights on Monday of Week 2?
There is not enough information to answer this question
Group 2
Group 3
Group 1
All groups experienced the same range of grass heights on Monday of Week 2
Group 2
The range of the grass heights for each group is as follows:
Group 1:
Group 2:
Group 3:
Therefore, Group 2 experienced the greatest range of grass heights on Monday of Week 2.
Example Question #181 : How To Find Synthesis Of Data In Biology
A science class has been assigned a group project. Three different groups have been asked to plant a small pallet of grass and record growth over the course of 3 weeks. One blade of grass per trial was designated as the blade of grass to measure each week (the grass height for "Week 0" corresponds to the day the grass was planted). Every Monday (including the day it was planted) this same blade of grass is measured and its height (in inches) is recorded in a data table. The data collected by Group 1 corresponds to Table 1, Group 2 corresponds to Table 2, and Group 3 corresponds to Table 3.
Each group had two control conditions and one variable condition. The three conditions are:
- the amount of water given to the grass
- the type of soil the grass was planted in
- the amount of sunlight the grass is exposed to every day
The variables and data collected are as follows:
Group 1 variable: different amounts of water
Trial A - one cup of water is poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial B - two cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial C - three cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Group 2 variable: different types of soil
Trial D - standard potting soil is used
Trial E - large rocks are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Trial F - small stones and pebbles are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Group 3 variable: different sunlight exposure
Trial G - the grass is given 3 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial H - the grass is given 6 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial J - the grass is given 9 hours of sun exposure per day
During which trials were constant growth rates experienced?
Trials C and H
Trial D only
Trials F and G
Trials B and G
Trial B only
Trials B and G
Trials B and G experience a weekly growth of approximately 
Example Question #185 : How To Find Synthesis Of Data In Biology
A science class has been assigned a group project. Three different groups have been asked to plant a small pallet of grass and record growth over the course of 3 weeks. One blade of grass per trial was designated as the blade of grass to measure each week (the grass height for "Week 0" corresponds to the day the grass was planted). Every Monday (including the day it was planted) this same blade of grass is measured and its height (in inches) is recorded in a data table. The data collected by Group 1 corresponds to Table 1, Group 2 corresponds to Table 2, and Group 3 corresponds to Table 3.
Each group had two control conditions and one variable condition. The three conditions are:
- the amount of water given to the grass
- the type of soil the grass was planted in
- the amount of sunlight the grass is exposed to every day
The variables and data collected are as follows:
Group 1 variable: different amounts of water
Trial A - one cup of water is poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial B - two cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial C - three cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Group 2 variable: different types of soil
Trial D - standard potting soil is used
Trial E - large rocks are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Trial F - small stones and pebbles are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Group 3 variable: different sunlight exposure
Trial G - the grass is given 3 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial H - the grass is given 6 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial J - the grass is given 9 hours of sun exposure per day
One of the students in group 2 confessed that a mistake was made in one of their trials. One week, during one trial, instead of using just water to hydrate the grass, a student accidentally poured a small amount of a chemical solution on their grass pallet. The student quickly realized their mistake and poured water on the grass pallet afterwards. This caused the rate of growth for the coming week to decrease significantly from the rate of growth recorded for the previous week. Which trial was affected by the chemical spill, and during which week did the spill occur?
Trial D, week 3
Trial F, week 2
Trial D, week 2
Trial D, week 1
Trial F, week 1
Trial F, week 1
The stunt in growth occurred in Trial F, Week 1. From week 0 to week 1 and week 2 to week 3, the grass in trial F grows by approximately one inch. However, from week 1 to week 2, the grass in trial F grows by 
Example Question #186 : How To Find Synthesis Of Data In Biology
A science class has been assigned a group project. Three different groups have been asked to plant a small pallet of grass and record growth over the course of 3 weeks. One blade of grass per trial was designated as the blade of grass to measure each week (the grass height for "Week 0" corresponds to the day the grass was planted). Every Monday (including the day it was planted) this same blade of grass is measured and its height (in inches) is recorded in a data table. The data collected by Group 1 corresponds to Table 1, Group 2 corresponds to Table 2, and Group 3 corresponds to Table 3.
Each group had two control conditions and one variable condition. The three conditions are:
- the amount of water given to the grass
- the type of soil the grass was planted in
- the amount of sunlight the grass is exposed to every day
The variables and data collected are as follows:
Group 1 variable: different amounts of water
Trial A - one cup of water is poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial B - two cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Trial C - three cups of water are poured on the grass every Monday after measuring
Group 2 variable: different types of soil
Trial D - standard potting soil is used
Trial E - large rocks are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Trial F - small stones and pebbles are mixed into the standard potting soil before the grass is planted
Group 3 variable: different sunlight exposure
Trial G - the grass is given 3 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial H - the grass is given 6 hours of sun exposure per day
Trial J - the grass is given 9 hours of sun exposure per day
A botanist wants to plant some grass that he can cut every three weeks. He plans to cut the grass when it has reached approximately 
Standard potting soil, a small amount of water, a large amount of sunlight exposure
Standard potting soil, a large amount of water, a large amount of sunlight exposure
Standard potting soil, a small amount of water, a moderate amount of sunlight exposure
Standard potting soil with large rocks, a moderate amount of water, a small amount of sunlight exposure
Standard potting soil with small stones and pebbles, a moderate amount of water, a moderate amount of sunlight exposure
Standard potting soil, a small amount of water, a moderate amount of sunlight exposure
The botanist wants grass that will grow approximately 
Example Question #184 : How To Find Synthesis Of Data In Biology
A scientist discovered a new type of bacteria that can be harmful to humans. The scientist decided to perform an experiment to determine which antibiotics will be able to treat human illnesses contracted from the bacteria. The scientist created four plates that each contain the necessary minerals for the bacteria to growth and placed some of the bacteria on each plate (as seen below in the initial setup). Once the bacteria were placed on the plates, she placed a piece of paper soaked in an antibiotic in the center of each treatment’s petri dish. Each piece of paper was soaked in a different antibiotic. She also constructed a control plate using a piece of paper soaked in saline solution. Three different antibiotics and one control plate without antibiotics were tested. The final results are shown in the provided figure, in which the bacteria is represented by the grey areas.
Which type of antibiotic, should the scientist recommend for the treatment of this bacteria?
Streptomycin
Cannot be determined
No antibiotic is necessary
Amoxicillin
Penicillin
Streptomycin
In order to solve this question, it is best to look at the image of the initial plating of bacteria. Initially all the plates had the same amount of bacteria. Observations of the samples post initial plating reveal that the plates with the penicillin treatment, the amoxicillin treatment, and the control plate with no antibiotic contained the same amount or more bacteria that the initial plate. From this information, it can be concluded that these treatments do not effectively treat the bacteria. The plate with streptomycin has a noticeably smaller grey area; therefore, it effectively treated the bacteria. Streptomycin is the correct answer.
Example Question #185 : How To Find Synthesis Of Data In Biology
A new type of food was developed for feeding salmon. This new “special food” is supposed to increase the weight of the salmon, shorten time to full growth, and increase the life expectancy of the salmon. The food was tested among a variety of salmon: farm raised salmon without treatment, genetically modified salmon (GMO), hormone-treated salmon, and salmon feeding off of the new “special diet.” The results from this experiment were recorded in the provided table. Note that the average weight was recorded after the salmon were fully grown.
If a salmon is both genetically modified (GMO) and given the "special diet," then what is the expected average weight for the fully grown salmon (in pounds)?
57.9 pounds
60.3 pounds
Cannot be determined
55.4 pounds
115.7 ounces
Cannot be determined
The average weight of the salmon cannot be determined if it is treated with both the “special diet” and is genetically modified. There is no way of telling how both treatments will impact the salmon. Additionally, the treatments may conflict with each other and there is no way to determine the side effects that may be caused. These side effects may reduce the size of the salmon; there is no way of knowing what may occur without laboratory testing.
Example Question #461 : Act Science
A new type of food was developed for feeding salmon. This new “special food” is supposed to increase the weight of the salmon, shorten time to full growth, and increase the life expectancy of the salmon. The food was tested among a variety of salmon: farm raised salmon without treatment, genetically modified salmon (GMO), hormone-treated salmon, and salmon feeding off of the new “special diet.” The results from this experiment were recorded in the provided table. Note that the average weight was recorded after the salmon were fully grown.
How well does the "special diet" accomplish its goals?
Cannot be determined
The "special diet" does not accomplish the goal of decreased time to full growth, but accomplishes its other goals
The "special diet" does not accomplish any of its goals
The "special diet" accomplishes all of its goals
The "special diet" only accomplishes the goal of increased weight of full-grown salmon
The "special diet" does not accomplish the goal of decreased time to full growth, but accomplishes its other goals
The goal of this food is to increase life expectancy and weight of the salmon as well as decrease the time for the salmon to be full grown. The effects of this treatment were compared to control “farm raised” salmon. As evidenced in the provided table, the salmon that were on the special diet had a longer life expectancy and increased weight; however, it took them a longer time to reach full growth maturity than the farm raised salmon. The “special food” completed two of its three goals. The only goal not achieved by the new diet was a decreased growth period to maturity.
Example Question #181 : How To Find Synthesis Of Data In Biology
A new type of food was developed for feeding salmon. This new “special food” is supposed to increase the weight of the salmon, shorten time to full growth, and increase the life expectancy of the salmon. The food was tested among a variety of salmon: farm raised salmon without treatment, genetically modified salmon (GMO), hormone-treated salmon, and salmon feeding off of the new “special diet.” The results from this experiment were recorded in the provided table. Note that the average weight was recorded after the salmon were fully grown.
Assume that cost of raising each salmon through its entire life is the same for all the salmon in the study. If the fully grown salmon are sold as pets at five dollars per pound profit, then which type of salmon will result in the largest profit and what is the expected profit per salmon?
Cannot be determined
GMO salmon at $277.00 profit per salmon
"Special diet" salmon at $301.50 profit per salmon
"Special diet" salmon at $5.00 profit per salmon
GMO salmon at $5.00 profit per salmon
"Special diet" salmon at $301.50 profit per salmon
It cost the same amount of money to raise the salmon from each of the test groups and the salmon will be sold for profit by the pound; therefore, the higher weight salmon will result in larger profits. The highest weight salmon belong to the group fed the “special diet.” The average full grown weight of these salmon is 60.3 pounds; therefore, the profit per a salmon is $301.50.
All ACT Science Resources
