Question

Researchers fed mice a specific amount of Dieldrin, a poisonous pesticide, and studied their nervous systems to find out why Dieldrin causes seizures. The absolute refractory period, time required for nerves to recover after a stimulus, was measured and varies Normally. The measurements, in milliseconds, for six mice were 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.5, 2.6, and 2.7.

Part A: Find the mean refractory period and the standard error of the mean. (2 points)

Part B: Calculate a 98% confidence interval for the mean absolute refractory period for all mice when subjected to the same treatment. (4 points)

Part C: Suppose the mean absolute refractory period for unpoisoned mice is known to be 2.3 milliseconds. Dieldrin poisoning should slow nerve recovery and therefore increase this period. Do the data give good evidence to support this theory? What can you conclude from a hypothesis test? Justify your response with statistical reasoning.

Answer 1