Question 1

Which of the following is a feature shared by all living cells?

Accepted Answer

They are surrounded by a plasma membrane.

Question 2

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids with polar and non-polar regions. How are these molecules arranged in the membrane?

Accepted Answer

Polar heads face the aqueous environment on both sides, non-polar tails face each other in the interior.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a basic difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have mitochondria.

Question 4

A DNA molecule is double stranded with nitrogenous bases in the middle. Which of the following correctly describes base pairing in DNA?

Accepted Answer

A pairs with T, C pairs with G

Question 5

What property of nitrogenous bases determines the structure of a protein?

Accepted Answer

The order (sequence) of the bases in DNA

Question 6

Human somatic cells have 46 chromosomes. How many copies of each gene are typically present in these cells?

Accepted Answer

Two copies of each gene, one from each parent

Question 7

In which type of cells is there only one copy of each chromosome?

Accepted Answer

Haploid cells (gametes)

Question 8

Most cell division in your body creates two identical cells. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

Mitosis

Question 9

Where does meiosis occur, and what is the result in terms of chromosome number and genetic identity?

Accepted Answer

Occurs in gamete-producing cells, producing four genetically unique haploid cells

Question 10

The PTC tasting gene is on chromosome 7. If tasting is a dominant trait and you are heterozygous (Tt), what proportion of your gametes will contain the tasting allele?

Accepted Answer

$\frac{1}{2}$

Question 11

How do evolutionary biologists explain why genes in different species have very similar nucleotide sequences?

Accepted Answer

Shared ancestry and descent with modification from a common ancestor.

Question 12

Which of the following lists the three domains of life?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT one of the three largest kingdoms of eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria

Question 14

What are eukaryotes that do not fit into the three main kingdoms called?

Accepted Answer

Protists

Question 15

Which of the following is a photosynthetic protist?

Accepted Answer

Euglena

Question 16

Which of the following is a key difference between fungi and animals?

Accepted Answer

Fungi have cell walls made of chitin, animals lack cell walls.

Question 17

If a mutation occurs in a gene located on the X chromosome, which type of cell will have only one copy of this gene in males?

Accepted Answer

All cells (since males have only one X chromosome)

Question 18

Which process is responsible for the genetic diversity observed in gametes produced by meiosis?

Accepted Answer

Crossing over and independent assortment

Question 19

Which equation correctly represents the number of possible gamete combinations due to independent assortment, where $n$ is the haploid number of chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

$2^n$

Question 20

A cell with 2n = 8 undergoes meiosis. How many chromosomes will each gamete contain?

Accepted Answer

$4$

General Biology: Cell Structure, Genetics, and Diversity Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards