Question 1

Which of the following best describes an emergent property in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

A property that arises at each new level of biological organization and is not present at the preceding level.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by all living things?

Accepted Answer

Ability to photosynthesize

Question 3

A scientist observes that a new antibiotic appears to reduce bacterial growth in a petri dish. What is the next step in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Formulate a hypothesis explaining the observation.

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why energy flow in an ecosystem is considered unidirectional?

Accepted Answer

Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level and must be constantly supplied by the sun.

Question 5

Which domain contains organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and are often found in extreme environments?

Accepted Answer

Domain Archaea

Question 6

A researcher is testing the effectiveness of two antibiotics on ulcer treatment. What is the experimental variable in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

The type of antibiotic administered to each test group

Question 7

Which of the following is the correct order of classification categories from least inclusive to most inclusive?

Accepted Answer

Species, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom, Domain

Question 8

Which of the following statements about scientific theories is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A scientific theory is supported by a broad range of observations, experiments, and data.

Question 9

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of homeostasis?

Accepted Answer

A human sweating to cool down when body temperature rises

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of an adaptation?

Accepted Answer

A polar bear’s thick fur that helps it survive in cold climates

Question 11

Which of the following is the ultimate source of energy for nearly all life on Earth?

Accepted Answer

The sun

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the role of mutations in evolution?

Accepted Answer

Mutations introduce variations that can be acted upon by natural selection.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a scientific name written correctly according to binomial nomenclature?

Accepted Answer

Homo sapiens

Question 14

A scientist collects data from an experiment and finds a probability value $$p = 0.03. $$What does this indicate about the results?

Accepted Answer

The results are statistically significant.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct statement about the process of science?

Accepted Answer

Data should be objective and observable.

Question 16

Which of the following is a consequence of the destruction of tropical rain forests?

Accepted Answer

Decreased availability of lumber and extinction of species

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus; prokaryotic cells do not.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of how human activities can lead to emerging diseases?

Accepted Answer

Pathogens mutating and changing hosts due to increased global travel

Question 19

Which of the following is a scientific principle or law?

Accepted Answer

A widely accepted set of theories with no serious challenges to validity

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the relationship between taxonomy and systematics?

Accepted Answer

Taxonomy is the naming and classification of organisms, while systematics is the study of evolutionary relationships.

Chapter 1: A View of Life – Foundations of Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions