BIO 108 LAB UMKC EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026
What does it mean that science is based on empirical knowledge? - ANS It means that it's
based on observations.
Name two other characteristics of science. - ANS Based on empirical knowledge, rationality,
repeatability, testability, commitment to experimentation, looking for generalization.
If your hypothesis were that SO2 negatively affects plant growth, what's the dependent
variable? - ANS The length/growth of the plant.
What was the independent variable in the Monarch butterfly experiment? - ANS The
butterflies (both infected & uninfected)
What was the control in the Monarch butterfly experiment? - ANS The group of uninfected
butterflies.
What is a dependent variable? - ANS What you are measuring; it is dependent on other
variables
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1
, What is an independent variable? - ANS The variable that you are manipulating and
controlling in the experiment.
What does it mean that "science depends on interactions within the scientific community"? -
ANS You ask the scientific community about your ideas and you study experiments done in
the past in order to help you, and therefore help science.
If a hypothesis is false, then what is the prediction? - ANS If the hypothesis is false, then the
prediction is true or false.
In microscopy, what is depth of field? - ANS The thickness of the specimen that may be seen
in focus at one time (the vertical range of focus)
What's the relationship between magnification and depth of field? - ANS The higher the
magnification, the smaller the depth of field.
What's the relationship between wavelength of light and optical resolution of a microscope? -
ANS The shorter the wavelength, the higher the resolution.
How does adding oil between the specimen and objective lens increase resolution? What do
you change in the equation? - ANS The oil disperses the light more, what is changed is the
refractive index.
Why is a microscope called a "compound microscope"? - ANS Because it has two or more
lenses.
Which wavelength of light gives higher resolution in your microscope using the same objective
lens and n value?
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026
What does it mean that science is based on empirical knowledge? - ANS It means that it's
based on observations.
Name two other characteristics of science. - ANS Based on empirical knowledge, rationality,
repeatability, testability, commitment to experimentation, looking for generalization.
If your hypothesis were that SO2 negatively affects plant growth, what's the dependent
variable? - ANS The length/growth of the plant.
What was the independent variable in the Monarch butterfly experiment? - ANS The
butterflies (both infected & uninfected)
What was the control in the Monarch butterfly experiment? - ANS The group of uninfected
butterflies.
What is a dependent variable? - ANS What you are measuring; it is dependent on other
variables
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1
, What is an independent variable? - ANS The variable that you are manipulating and
controlling in the experiment.
What does it mean that "science depends on interactions within the scientific community"? -
ANS You ask the scientific community about your ideas and you study experiments done in
the past in order to help you, and therefore help science.
If a hypothesis is false, then what is the prediction? - ANS If the hypothesis is false, then the
prediction is true or false.
In microscopy, what is depth of field? - ANS The thickness of the specimen that may be seen
in focus at one time (the vertical range of focus)
What's the relationship between magnification and depth of field? - ANS The higher the
magnification, the smaller the depth of field.
What's the relationship between wavelength of light and optical resolution of a microscope? -
ANS The shorter the wavelength, the higher the resolution.
How does adding oil between the specimen and objective lens increase resolution? What do
you change in the equation? - ANS The oil disperses the light more, what is changed is the
refractive index.
Why is a microscope called a "compound microscope"? - ANS Because it has two or more
lenses.
Which wavelength of light gives higher resolution in your microscope using the same objective
lens and n value?
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2
