Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the five unifying themes in biology?

Accepted Answer

All living things are composed of prokaryotic cells.

Question 2

Which property of water allows it to moderate Earth's climate and support life?

Accepted Answer

Water's high specific heat capacity

Question 3

A scientist is designing an experiment to test the effect of sunlight on plant growth. Which is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Growth of the plant (e.g., height or biomass)

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the difference between a covalent bond and an ionic bond?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons, while ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons.

Question 5

Which of the following equations correctly represents the calculation of pH?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

Which property of carbon makes it especially important for building biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

Its ability to form four covalent bonds with a variety of atoms

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds stabilize and keep the molecules of ice farther apart than in liquid water.

Question 8

Which of the following is a correct statement about isotopes?

Accepted Answer

Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes a buffer in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

A substance that minimizes changes in the concentrations of $$H^+$$ and $$OH^- in a $$solution

Question 10

Which of the following is a function of phospholipids in cells?

Accepted Answer

Forming the main structure of cell membranes

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not.

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct statement about the function of DNA in living things?

Accepted Answer

DNA stores genetic information that guides the synthesis of proteins.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes a dehydration reaction in the synthesis of polymers?

Accepted Answer

A reaction in which two monomers are joined by removing a molecule of water

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct description of a Van der Waals interaction?

Accepted Answer

A weak attraction between molecules due to transient local partial charges

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why enzymes are important in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

They lower the activation energy required for chemical reactions.

Question 16

Which of the following is the correct formula for calculating the mass number of an atom?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Mass number} = 	ext{Number of protons} + 	ext{Number of neutrons}$$

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the tertiary structure of a protein?

Accepted Answer

The overall three-dimensional shape of a polypeptide resulting from interactions among side chains

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct statement about the function of ATP in cells?

Accepted Answer

ATP acts as the main energy currency molecule, providing energy for cellular work.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon atoms, while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why water is an excellent solvent for ionic compounds?

Accepted Answer

Water is a polar molecule, so it can surround and separate ions.

General Biology Exam 1 Study Guide: Chapters 1–5

Study Guide - Practice Questions