Question 1

Which of the following best describes the hierarchical levels of biological organization from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

Atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organism, population, ecosystem, biosphere

Question 2

Which property of water allows it to moderate Earth's temperature and why?

Accepted Answer

High heat of vaporization, because it absorbs a lot of heat when evaporating

Question 3

A solution has a hydrogen ion concentration of $$1 	imes 10$$^{-5}$$ M. What is its pH?

Accepted Answer

$$5$$

Question 4

Which of the following statements about prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have DNA in a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells have DNA in the nucleoid region

Question 5

Which functional group is found in all amino acids and acts as a base by accepting hydrogen ions?

Accepted Answer

Amino group

Question 6

Which property of water prevents lakes from freezing solid in winter, allowing aquatic life to survive?

Accepted Answer

Water's lower density as a solid than as a liquid

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why carbon can form such a diversity of organic molecules?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can form up to four covalent bonds with other atoms

Question 8

Which of the following is a correct comparison between DNA and RNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA is usually double-stranded, while RNA is usually single-stranded

Question 9

Which of the following best describes a dehydration synthesis reaction?

Accepted Answer

Joining two monomers by removing a molecule of water

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the effect of a competitive inhibitor on enzyme activity?

Accepted Answer

It binds to the active site, blocking substrate binding

Question 11

A scientist adds a buffer to a solution. What is the primary function of the buffer?

Accepted Answer

To maintain a constant pH by accepting or donating H$$^+$$ ions

Question 12

Which of the following is a property of water that results from hydrogen bonding?

Accepted Answer

High surface tension

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Accepted Answer

Saturated fatty acids have only single bonds; unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds

Question 14

Which of the following is the correct formula for calculating pH?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{pH} = -\log_{10}[\mathrm{H}^+]$$

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why ice floats on water?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds keep water molecules farther apart in ice

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-life example of the importance of enzymes in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes speed up digestion of food in the stomach

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of the scientific method in biology?

Accepted Answer

It is a flexible process for investigating questions and testing hypotheses

Question 18

Which of the following is a property of life that allows organisms to maintain a stable internal environment?

Accepted Answer

Homeostasis

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the difference between ionic and covalent bonds?

Accepted Answer

Ionic bonds involve transferring electrons; covalent bonds involve sharing electrons

Question 20

Which of the following is a function of proteins in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Speeding up chemical reactions as enzymes

Core Biology Exam 1 Study Guide: Chapters 1-8

Study Guide - Practice Questions