Asked in Maths and Science Reasoning Mock

Twenty flies are placed in each of four glass tubes. The tubes are sealed. Tubes I and II are partially covered with black paper; Tubes III and IV are not covered. The tubes are placed as shown. Then they are exposed to blue light for five minutes. The number of flies in the uncovered part of each tube is shown in the drawing.These data show that these flies respond to (respond means move to or away from):

Correct answer: A. Blue light but not gravity

  • A. Blue light but not gravity
  • B. Gravity but not the blue light
  • C. Both blue light and gravity
  • D. Neither blue light nor gravity

Explanation

Comparing tubes III and IV, we can see that when there was a height difference in tube III, there were more flies in the upper half (19) than in the lower half (1). Meanwhile when tube IV was examined, the left and right halves - which were at the same height - had an equal number of flies (10). This shows that the flies did indeed respond to gravity.When we compare tubes II and IV, both of these are horizontally placed but in tube II, one half is covered with black paper while the other half is exposed to blue light. As a result, there are 18 flies in the exposed region and 2 in the darkened region. When this is compared to tube IV which had an equal number of flies in either half, we can conclude that exposure to blue light is detected by and responded to by the flies.

Written and checked by , MS Computer ScienceLast updated
Report an error

The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.

Prefer email? [email protected]

About Scientific Reasoning

Scientific reasoning evaluates hypotheses through observations, variables, controls, measurements and experimental results. Questions involve identifying independent and dependent variables, recognising a fair test, interpreting tables or graphs, distinguishing evidence from opinion, and deciding whether data supports, rejects or leaves a hypothesis unresolved.

Practise Scientific Reasoning

334 free Scientific Reasoning MCQs from Analytical and Logical Reasoning, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Discussion

Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.

No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.

Exams that ask Analytical and Logical Reasoning questions like this

Analytical and Logical Reasoning is on 27 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

More Scientific Reasoning questions