Question 1

Which of the following correctly describes the difference between the movement of energy and the movement of chemicals in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Energy flows through an ecosystem and is eventually lost as heat, while chemicals are recycled within the ecosystem.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a quantitative variable in a scientific experiment?

Accepted Answer

The height of a plant measured in centimeters

Question 3

What is the atomic number and atomic mass of carbon?

Accepted Answer

Atomic number: 6, Atomic mass: 12

Question 4

Given the electron distribution diagram for sodium ($Na$), how many valence electrons does sodium have?

Accepted Answer

$1$

Question 5

Which statement best describes an isotope?

Accepted Answer

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons

Question 6

A radioactive isotope of carbon, $^{14}C$, is used in which medical application?

Accepted Answer

Tracking metabolic processes in PET scans

Question 7

Which of the following best describes a compound?

Accepted Answer

A substance consisting of two or more elements chemically bonded in fixed proportions

Question 8

How many bonds can a carbon atom typically form, and why?

Accepted Answer

Four, because it has four valence electrons

Question 9

Which type of bond is found between the two oxygen atoms in an $O_2$ molecule?

Accepted Answer

Double covalent bond

Question 10

In the formation of an ionic bond between sodium ($Na$) and chlorine ($Cl$), what happens to the electrons?

Accepted Answer

Sodium donates an electron to chlorine, forming $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ ions

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a property of water that is relevant for biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Low surface tension

Question 12

Which level of protein structure is defined by the sequence of amino acids?

Accepted Answer

Primary structure

Question 13

Which of the following statements correctly distinguishes DNA from RNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA is usually double-stranded, while RNA is usually single-stranded

Question 14

Which of the following best describes a hydrocarbon?

Accepted Answer

A molecule composed only of carbon and hydrogen

Question 15

Which property of water allows plants to transport nutrients upward from their roots?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion and adhesion

Question 16

Which of the following is a monomer of proteins?

Accepted Answer

Amino acid

Question 17

What is the pH of a solution with a hydrogen ion concentration of $[H^+] = 1 	imes 10^{-7}$ M?

Accepted Answer

$pH = 7$

Question 18

Which of the following is the correct hierarchy of life from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

Atom, molecule, cell, organ, organism

Question 19

Which of the following is a strong chemical bond found in biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bond

Question 20

Which statement best describes the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative data is measured in numbers, while qualitative data is described by characteristics.

General Biology Exam 1 Study Guide: Foundations, Chemistry, Water, and Biomolecules

Study Guide - Practice Questions