Question 1

Which of the following best describes an emergent property in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

A property that arises only when individual components interact, such as the ability of a heart to pump blood, which cannot be attributed to individual heart cells alone.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about the hierarchy of life is correct?

Accepted Answer

The hierarchy proceeds from biosphere, ecosystem, community, population, organism, organ system, organ, tissue, cell, organelle, molecule, atom.

Question 3

Which of the following is the smallest unit of life capable of all life functions?

Accepted Answer

Cell

Question 4

Which structural feature distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells lack these structures.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Energy flows in one direction, entering as sunlight and exiting as heat, while nutrients cycle within the ecosystem.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of water that makes it essential for life?

Accepted Answer

Water is a nonpolar molecule, making it hydrophobic.

Question 7

A scientist is testing the effect of a new drug on blood pressure. She randomly assigns subjects to receive either the drug or a placebo, but neither she nor the subjects know which group they are in. What type of experimental design is this?

Accepted Answer

Double-blind

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the difference between a hypothesis and a theory in science?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a testable explanation for a specific observation, while a theory is a broad explanation supported by a large body of evidence.

Question 9

Which of the following is true regarding the pH scale?

Accepted Answer

A solution with pH 3 has $$10^4$$ times more H$$^+$$ ions than a solution with pH 7.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Ice is less dense than liquid water because hydrogen bonds keep water molecules farther apart in the solid state.

Question 11

Which of the following is a property of carbon that makes it central to organic compounds?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can form four covalent bonds, allowing for a diversity of stable molecules.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a dehydration (condensation) reaction?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

Which of the following is true about the structure of DNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA is composed of two antiparallel polynucleotide strands forming a double helix.

Question 14

Which of the following is a function of the Golgi apparatus in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why cells are so small?

Accepted Answer

A high surface area to volume ratio allows efficient exchange of materials with the environment.

Question 16

Which of the following is the main component of biological membranes?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipids

Question 17

Which of the following best describes active transport across a cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

Movement of molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy input (usually ATP).

Question 18

Which of the following is a function of motor proteins in cells?

Accepted Answer

They move vesicles and organelles along cytoskeletal fibers using ATP.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of G-protein coupled receptors in cell signaling?

Accepted Answer

They transmit signals from outside the cell to inside by activating G-proteins, which then trigger downstream signaling pathways.

Question 20

A protein's function is altered after a change in its primary structure. Which of the following best explains why?

Accepted Answer

The sequence of amino acids determines the protein's three-dimensional shape, so a change can disrupt folding and function.

General Biology Exam 1 Study Guide: Foundations, Chemistry, Cells, and Membranes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards