Question 1

Which of the following is NOT considered a characteristic of living things?

Accepted Answer

Ability to download apps

Question 2

Place the following biological levels in the correct order from smallest to largest: Organ, Molecule, Biosphere, Cell, Tissue, Organism.

Accepted Answer

Molecule, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organism, Biosphere

Question 3

Which major theme in biology explains why the structure of a protein determines its function?

Accepted Answer

Structure relates to function

Question 4

A car engine releases heat as it operates. Which concept from biology does this best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Emergent properties

Question 5

Which of the following is a nutrient that cycles through ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Carbon

Question 6

Which step comes first in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Making observations

Question 7

In an experiment, what is the 'control' group?

Accepted Answer

The group that does not receive the experimental treatment

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning uses specific observations to form general principles; deductive reasoning uses general principles to predict specific results.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of homology?

Accepted Answer

The wings of a bat and the arms of a human

Question 10

A rabbit population is subject to natural selection in an environment with heavy snowfall. Which trait would most likely increase in frequency over generations?

Accepted Answer

White fur

Question 11

Which statement about hypotheses is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Hypotheses are testable explanations for observations.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

Astrology

Question 13

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative data is descriptive; quantitative data is numerical.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A well-supported explanation based on a body of evidence

Question 15

Hoji Hoekstra and colleagues studied mouse fur color in different environments. What was their hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Mouse fur color is an adaptation to the environment

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct formula for calculating the mean of a set of data points $$x_1$$, $$x_2$$, ..., x_n$$?

Accepted Answer

$$ \frac{x_1$ + x_2$ + ... + x_n}{n} $$

Question 17

A scientist observes that plants grow faster in sunlight than in shade. Which type of reasoning is used to form a general principle from these observations?

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a quantitative observation?

Accepted Answer

The plant grew 5 cm in one week

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about emergent properties?

Accepted Answer

They arise from the arrangement and interaction of parts within a system

Question 20

A student claims that a hypothesis is just a random guess. Which of the following best refutes this misconception?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a testable statement based on prior knowledge and observation

Foundations of Biology: Key Concepts and Scientific Inquiry

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards