Question 1

Which of the following best describes the organizational levels of biological systems, 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 climate by absorbing heat without a large change in temperature?

Accepted Answer

High specific heat capacity ($$C = \frac{q}{m \Delta T})$$

Question 3

A scientist wants to compare the DNA of two organisms. Which property of DNA is most useful for this comparison?

Accepted Answer

The sequence of nitrogenous bases

Question 4

Which of the following is a correct difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus; prokaryotic cells do not.

Question 5

Which functional group is acidic and easily loses its hydrogen atom?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group ($$-COOH)$$

Question 6

A solution has a hydrogen ion concentration of $$[H^+] = 1 	imes 10$$^{-6}$$ M. What is its pH?

Accepted Answer

$$pH = 6$$

Question 7

Which of the following is a property of water that helps prevent lakes from freezing solid in winter?

Accepted Answer

Ice is less dense than liquid water

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why enzymes speed up chemical reactions?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes lower the activation energy ($$E_a) $$required for the reaction

Question 9

Which compound contains a sulfhydryl group?

Accepted Answer

Cysteine ($$HSCH_2CH(NH_2$)COOH)$$

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct statement about competitive inhibition in enzyme activity?

Accepted Answer

A competitive inhibitor binds to the active site, preventing substrate binding.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a property of water?

Accepted Answer

Water is more dense as a solid than as a liquid

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds; saturated fatty acids do not.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

Which of the following is a property of carbon that allows it to form a wide variety of molecules?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can form up to four covalent bonds

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct statement about hydrogen bonds?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds occur between polar molecules

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct statement about dehydration synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration synthesis joins monomers by removing a water molecule

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

The scientific method involves observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct statement about the difference between DNA and RNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA contains deoxyribose; RNA contains ribose

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about the role of enzymes in metabolism?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes act as biological catalysts to speed up reactions

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the role of buffers in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Buffers help maintain a stable pH by neutralizing acids and bases

Core Biology Exam 1 Study Guide: Chapters 1-8

Study Guide - Practice Questions