Question 1

Which of the following best describes the relationship between structure and function in biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

Structure determines the function of a molecule, as the shape and chemical properties of a molecule enable it to interact specifically with other molecules.

Question 2

A scientist wants to test the effect of a new fertilizer on plant growth. She sets up two groups: one receives the fertilizer, and the other does not. She measures plant height after four weeks. In this experiment, which is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

The plant height after four weeks

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

If plants are given more sunlight, then they will grow taller.

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why water is considered a polar molecule?

Accepted Answer

Water has a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge near the hydrogen atoms due to unequal sharing of electrons.

Question 5

A solution has a pH of 4. Which of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

The solution is acidic, with a hydrogen ion concentration of $$[H^+] = 10$$^{-4}$$ \ \mathrm{mol/L}.$$

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the difference between cohesion and adhesion?

Accepted Answer

Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same substance, while adhesion is the attraction between molecules of different substances.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about the Law of Conservation of Matter is correct?

Accepted Answer

Matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; it can only change forms.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

A water molecule is removed as two amino acids are joined by a peptide bond.

Question 9

Which of the following is a correct comparison between DNA and RNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA contains deoxyribose sugar and is double-stranded, while RNA contains ribose sugar and is usually single-stranded.

Question 10

A cell is observed to have a large central vacuole, chloroplasts, and a cell wall. Which type of cell is this most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

Plant cell

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why cells are limited in size by the surface area-to-volume ratio?

Accepted Answer

As a cell increases in size, its volume grows faster than its surface area, making it difficult to efficiently exchange materials with the environment.

Question 12

Which of the following organelles is responsible for producing ATP through cellular respiration?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrion

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the function of ribosomes in a cell?

Accepted Answer

Ribosomes synthesize proteins by linking amino acids together according to the sequence of an mRNA.

Question 14

Which of the following is a property of water that results from hydrogen bonding?

Accepted Answer

High specific heat capacity

Question 15

A molecule of glucose ($$C_6H_{12}O_6$) is classified as which type of biomolecule?

Accepted Answer

Monosaccharide

Question 16

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 17

Which of the following best describes the function of the Golgi apparatus?

Accepted Answer

It modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for storage or transport out of the cell.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a hydrolysis reaction?

Accepted Answer

Breaking down a polysaccharide into monosaccharides by adding water.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of phospholipids in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

They form a bilayer with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward, creating a selective barrier.

Question 20

A student is given the following atomic information: an atom has 11 protons, 12 neutrons, and 11 electrons. What is the atomic number and mass number of this atom?

Accepted Answer

Atomic number = 11, mass number = 23

General Biology Exam Study Guide: Key Concepts and Processes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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