Biology HESI A2 Practice Test Related

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Which of the following is an example of human error in an experiment?

  • A. an imperfectly calibrated scale
  • B. contaminating a sterile sample by breathing on it
  • C. a draft in the laboratory slightly changing the temperature of a liquid
  • D. failure to account for wind speed when measuring distance traveled
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Contaminating a sterile sample by breathing on it is an example of human error in an experiment because it involves an action directly caused by the researcher that compromises the integrity of the sample. Breathing on a sterile sample introduces external contaminants that can affect the results. Choices A, C, and D involve factors not directly under the researcher's control or are technical errors that do not involve direct human actions.