You have observed (or heard) that your neighbor’s rooster crows every morning ju

Question

You have observed (or heard) that your neighbor’s rooster crows every morning just before daylight. Not only are you tired of being woken up before dawn, you also would like to know why it crows more at that time than at any other time of the day. Listed below are three hypotheses proposed to investigate this phenomenon.

Hypothesis 1: The rooster just feels like crowing at that time every day. Is this a testable hypothesis? Why or why not?

Hypothesis 2: The rooster’s crowing ensures that the sun rises. Is this a testable hypothesis? Why or why not? If you could test it, how would you do so?

Hypothesis 3: The rooster has an “internal clock” based on its genetically determined circadian rhythm (natural biological processes occurring on a 24-hour cycle). Is this a testable hypothesis? Why or why not? If you could test it, how would you do so?

Explanation / Answer

Answer:

Hypothesis 3: The rooster has an “internal clock” based on its genetically determined circadian rhythm (natural biological processes occurring on a 24-hour cycle).

Is this a testable hypothesis?

Yes, it is

Why or why not?

Circadian rhythms in animals are controlled by secretion of melatonin or similar hormones, and changes in behaviour as a result of the same can be documented. Therefore this hypothesis is very well testable.

If you could test it, how would you do so?

I would put the rooster in a dark room and simulate sunrise at irregular interval. Similarly one can simulate darkness by slowly dimming the lights in a brightly lit room where the rooster is placed. We could document the behavioral changes (rooster crows) and additionally test for biochemical changes in its body by testing the levels of certain hormones.

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