Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

They are capable of photosynthesis.

Question 2

Which statement best describes the difference between a scientific theory and a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A theory is an explanation for a broad class of phenomena supported by evidence, while a hypothesis is a testable statement about a specific observation.

Question 3

Louis Pasteur’s experiment with swan-necked flasks provided evidence against which hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

The spontaneous generation hypothesis

Question 4

Which of the following best illustrates the central dogma of molecular biology?

Accepted Answer

$$ DNA \rightarrow RNA \rightarrow Protein $$

Question 5

A scientist observes that a certain plant species can survive in both dry and wet environments. She hypothesizes that genetic variation in water-use efficiency is responsible. Which experimental design best tests this hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Grow plants with known genetic differences in water-use efficiency in both environments and compare survival rates.

Question 6

Which of the following is a direct consequence of the base-pairing rules in DNA ($$A$$ pairs with $$T$$, $$C$$ pairs with $$G$$)?

Accepted Answer

DNA can be copied accurately during cell division.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the process of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with heritable traits that increase reproductive success become more common in a population over time.

Question 8

In the experiment with desert ants, what was the main conclusion regarding how ants navigate back to their nest?

Accepted Answer

Ants use information about stride length and number of steps to calculate distance.

Question 9

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 10

Which of the following best explains why genetic sequence data is useful for constructing phylogenetic trees?

Accepted Answer

Species with more similar DNA sequences are likely to be more closely related.

Question 11

Which of the following is the correct way to write the scientific name for humans according to Linnaeus’ system?

Accepted Answer

Homo sapiens

Question 12

Which of the following statements about domains is correct?

Accepted Answer

There are three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Question 13

A population of finches on the Galapagos Islands experienced an increase in small, soft seeds due to rainfall. Over time, the proportion of finches with small, pointed beaks increased. What is the best explanation for this change?

Accepted Answer

Finches with small, pointed beaks had higher fitness in the new environment.

Question 14

Which of the following is a prediction that could be tested to support the food competition hypothesis for giraffe neck length?

Accepted Answer

Giraffes with longer necks feed higher in trees than those with shorter necks.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the chromosome theory of inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Hereditary information is encoded in genes located on chromosomes.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Including a control group to compare results.

Question 17

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 18

Which of the following statements about evolution is correct?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is a change in the characteristics of a population over time.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why copying DNA accurately is important for living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Accurate DNA copying ensures that genetic information is passed on correctly to offspring.

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world example of how energy acquisition contributes to the diversity of life?

Accepted Answer

Plants and some bacteria use sunlight to produce sugar, while others absorb molecules from the environment as food.

Chapter 1: Biology – The Study of Life (General Biology Study Notes)

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