Pre-Activity

Pre-Activity Assignment (Advertisement-‘Metabo-Herb’) Pamellla Abreu Lozada

Name
Carefully read the advertisement for ‘Metabo-Herb’ and answer the following questions.
1. In the presentation of their findings, the authors of the Metabo-Herb study _______.
a. clearly state the limitations of their study
b. relate the results of their study to previous work in the field
c. suggest additional research that may help clarify the effectiveness of fertilizers
d. provide a detailed description of the study site including physical and biological
features
e. depart from scientific convention by characterizing the results of their study as
‘proving’ their hypothesis.

2. The study described in the advertisement for Metabo-Herb is best described as _______.
a. discovery-based science
b. proteomics research
c. systems biology
d. hypothesis testing
e. taxonomic research

3. The experimental design of the study described in the advertisement best tests the
hypothesis that tomatoes grown with Metabo-Herb brand fertilizer _______.
a. grow taller than those grown with ‘Super-Grow’
b. produce more fruit than those grown with no fertilizer
c. produce fruit faster than those grown with no fertilizer
d. grow taller than those grown with no fertilizer
e. produce fruit faster than those grown with ‘Super-Grow’

4. Prior to the development of ‘Metabo-Herb,’ hundreds of compounds were tested to assess

their potential to promote plant growth. This type of research is best described as
_________.
a. discovery-based science
b. proteomics research
c. systems biology
d. hypothesis testing
e. taxonomic research

5. In the next class meeting you will work in small collaborative groups to analyze the
scientific validity of the claims in the advertisement by answering four question sets.
Each person in the group will act as the ‘facilitator’ for one question set, leading the
group discussion, promoting input from each of the other students (who will be acting as
‘discussants’) and formalizing the group response. In the role of a discussant, students
provide their knowledge, experience and perspectives, compare and contrast the inputs of
other members of the group and collaborate in the formulation of the group response. At
the end of the activity, you may be called on to present your group’s answers to one of
 Pre-Activity

the question sets (not necessarily the one you were the facilitator for). You will act as
both a facilitator and a discussant in the activity.
Download and critically analyze the advertisement to make sure that you are prepared to
participate in all aspects of the group activity. Bring the ad with you to the next class
meeting.