Question 1

Which of the following best describes "Occam's Razor" as it applies to scientific models?

Accepted Answer

All things being equal, the simplest explanation is most likely to be correct.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the "Unifying Themes" in Biology discussed in your textbook?

Accepted Answer

Circulation: The fluids of living things circulate through closed vessels to move nutrients.

Question 3

Which of the following characteristics is unique to prokaryotic cells and NOT found in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Circular DNA located in the nucleoid region

Question 4

Which of the following interactions between atoms or molecules involves the complete transfer of one or more electrons?

Accepted Answer

Ionic bonds

Question 5

An electrically neutral atom of potassium (atomic number 19) loses 1 electron. What is the resulting charge of the atom?

Accepted Answer

$$+1$$

Question 6

After losing an electron, which of the following best defines the potassium atom?

Accepted Answer

A cation

Question 7

Which of the following best explains the cooling effect produced by water's high heat of vaporization?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules absorb heat energy, breaking hydrogen bonds and evaporating, which removes heat from the surface.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes a hydrogen bond?

Accepted Answer

A weak attraction between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom.

Question 9

Which of the following is the correct molecular formula for a carboxyl functional group?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{COOH}$$

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the difference between cis and trans isomers?

Accepted Answer

Cis isomers have substituents on the same side of a double bond, while trans isomers have them on opposite sides.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about electrons, neutrons, and protons is correct?

Accepted Answer

Neutrons have no charge and are located in the atomic nucleus.

Question 12

Which of the following is a property of water that allows it to moderate temperature in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

High heat of vaporization

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the evolutionary relationship between Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya?

Accepted Answer

Archaea and Eukarya share a more recent common ancestor than either does with Bacteria.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Ability to photosynthesize

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, creating a partial negative charge near the oxygen and a partial positive charge near the hydrogens.

Question 16

Which of the following functional groups is found in amino acids and is responsible for their basic properties?

Accepted Answer

Amino group

Question 17

Which of the following best describes a covalent bond?

Accepted Answer

A bond formed by the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons between atoms.

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct example of a real-world application of the concept of homeostasis?

Accepted Answer

A person shivering to increase body temperature when exposed to cold.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of van der Waals interactions in biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

They are weak attractions that occur when molecules are very close together.

Question 20

Which of the following is the correct formula for the phosphate functional group?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{$$OPO_3$$^{2-}}$$

General Biology: Foundational Concepts and Chemical Principles

Study Guide - Practice Questions