Question 1

Which of the following best explains why a smartphone is not considered a living organism, even though it can process information and respond to inputs?

Accepted Answer

It cannot reproduce or undergo evolution.

Question 2

Place the following biological levels of organization 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 is best illustrated by the statement: 'The structure of DNA enables it to store genetic information and replicate accurately'?

Accepted Answer

Structure relates to function

Question 4

A car engine and a cell both convert energy to perform work. Which of the following best describes a key difference between these systems?

Accepted Answer

Cells use chemical energy stored in ATP, while engines use chemical energy from fuel.

Question 5

Which of the following nutrients is NOT typically cycled through ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Energy

Question 6

Which step in the scientific method involves forming a testable explanation for an observed phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Formulating a hypothesis

Question 7

In a controlled experiment testing the effect of fertilizer on plant growth, which of the following is the control group?

Accepted Answer

Plants not receiving the fertilizer

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

A population of rabbits is introduced into an environment where the temperature is cold and there is snow year-round. Which adaptation would most likely increase their survival?

Accepted Answer

Long, white fur

Question 10

Which of the following statements about hypotheses is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable.

Question 11

Hoji Hoekstra and colleagues tested the hypothesis that coat color in mice affects their survival in different habitats. What was the independent variable in their experiment?

Accepted Answer

The coat color of the mice

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A scientific theory is a well-supported explanation that unifies a broad range of observations.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of homology?

Accepted Answer

The forelimbs of a human and the forelimbs of a whale

Question 14

A scientist collects data on the heights of plants grown under different light conditions. Which type of data is this?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative

Question 15

Which equation correctly represents the population growth rate ($r$) in a simple exponential growth model?

Accepted Answer

$r = \frac{\Delta N}{N \Delta t}$

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why energy cannot be recycled in ecosystems, while nutrients can?

Accepted Answer

Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level, while nutrients are cycled through biotic and abiotic components.

Question 17

Which of the following is a testable scientific hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Plants exposed to blue light will grow taller than those exposed to red light.

Question 18

In an experiment, a scientist wants to determine if a new drug affects heart rate. What is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

The heart rate of the subjects

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the difference between a scientific law and a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A law describes what happens; a theory explains why it happens.

Question 20

A scientist observes that birds migrate south in the fall. She proposes that decreasing temperature triggers migration. Which step of the scientific method is she performing?

Accepted Answer

Formulating a hypothesis

Foundations of Biology: Study Notes and Key Concepts

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards