$$\text{DNA} \rightarrow \text{RNA} \rightarrow \text{Protein}$$

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the five fundamental characteristics shared by all living organisms?

Accepted Answer

All organisms can photosynthesize.

Question 2

Pasteur’s experiment with swan-necked flasks was designed to test which hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Cells arise from preexisting cells.

Question 3

In a controlled experiment testing the effect of nitrogen on corn plant growth, which of the following is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The presence or absence of nitrogen in the water.

Question 4

Which statement best describes the central dogma of molecular biology?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{DNA} ightarrow 	ext{RNA} ightarrow 	ext{Protein}$$

Question 5

Which of the following is a prediction that must be true if the food competition hypothesis for giraffe neck length is correct?

Accepted Answer

Giraffes feed high in trees where other mammals cannot reach.

Question 6

Which of the following best defines a scientific theory in biology?

Accepted Answer

An explanation for a very general class of phenomena supported by a wide body of evidence.

Question 7

If a DNA sequence changes due to a mutation, what is the most likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

The change may lead to a different protein and heritable variation.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of an adaptation?

Accepted Answer

A trait that increases an individual's fitness in a particular environment.

Question 9

In Darwin’s finch study, what environmental change led to an increase in finches with small, pointed beaks?

Accepted Answer

An increase in rainfall and abundance of small, soft seeds.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for natural selection to occur?

Accepted Answer

All individuals must be genetically identical.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes a population in biological terms?

Accepted Answer

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time.

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct example of binomial nomenclature?

Accepted Answer

Panthera tigris

Question 13

Which of the following statements about the tree of life is correct?

Accepted Answer

Branches that share a recent common ancestor represent closely related species.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a major domain in the current taxonomic system?

Accepted Answer

Protista

Question 15

A biologist compares the DNA sequences of two species and finds fewer differences in their sequences. What does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

The two species are more closely related.

Question 16

Which of the following is a crucial feature of a well-designed experiment?

Accepted Answer

Including a control group.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of ATP in cells?

Accepted Answer

ATP provides chemical energy for cellular processes.

Question 18

Which pairing of DNA bases is correct according to complementary base pairing?

Accepted Answer

Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T)

Question 19

Which of the following is a plausible outcome if an experiment lacks a control group?

Accepted Answer

It is impossible to determine if the treatment caused the observed effect.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the chromosome theory of inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Genes are units located on chromosomes, which are molecules of DNA.

Biology: The Study of Life – Foundations, Theories, and Scientific Method

Study Guide - Practice Questions