Question

A researcher finds that blood alcohol levels cause progressive damage to the liver. All the mice in his study were fed the same amount and types of food. Different concentrations of alcohol were injected into each mouse. One group of mice does not receive any alcohol at all. The different concentration of alcohol injected into different mice represents the ______________________.

Answer 1

The different concentration of alcohol injected into different mice represents the independent variable in the study conducted to observe the effects on liver health. Chronic excessive alcohol consumption can lead to chronic liver failure and kidney dysfunction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The different concentration of alcohol injected into different mice represents the independent variable in the study. This is because the independent variable is the one that is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effects on a dependent variable, which in this case would likely be the liver damage observed in the mice. Controlled variables, like the amount and type of food given to the mice, are kept constant to ensure that any changes in the dependent variable can be attributed to the manipulations of the independent variable.

It's important to realize that blood alcohol concentration (BAC) varies between individuals and can influence their health differently. However, chronic excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to liver disease, and since the liver is crucial for detoxifying substances and working alongside the kidneys, complications with liver health can also affect kidney function. Prolonged alcohol abuse can result in conditions such as cirrhosis, which is a form of chronic liver failure, and can also lead to serious kidney dysfunction.

Answer 2

Independent variable, because it is not dependent on the other variables, because the researcher manipulates that variable and decides how much each mouse gets.