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 at a higher level of organization.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the four elements that make up approximately 96% of living matter?

Accepted Answer

Calcium

Question 3

A scientist observes that water beads up on a waxed car hood. Which property of water is being demonstrated?

Accepted Answer

Adhesion

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Which subatomic particle is directly involved in the chemical reactions between atoms?

Accepted Answer

Electron

Question 6

What is the correct chemical equation for photosynthesis?

Accepted Answer

$$6CO_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6$ + 6O_2$$

Question 7

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 8

Which of the following is an example of a trace element required by living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Iron

Question 9

A sodium atom has an atomic number of 11 and an atomic mass of 23. How many neutrons does it have?

Accepted Answer

12

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why water is such a good solvent?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules are polar and can form hydrogen bonds with many substances.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the difference between a molecule and a compound?

Accepted Answer

A molecule is made of atoms of the same element, while a compound is made of atoms of different elements.

Question 13

Which property of water allows a water strider to walk on the surface of a pond?

Accepted Answer

Surface tension due to hydrogen bonding

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

They are weak interactions that, when numerous, can stabilize large molecules or allow a gecko to stick to a wall.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of negative feedback in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Regulation of blood glucose levels by insulin.

Question 16

Which domain contains organisms with eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukarya

Question 17

Which of the following best defines a hypothesis in scientific research?

Accepted Answer

A testable and falsifiable explanation for an observation.

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct statement about electronegativity?

Accepted Answer

Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a covalent bond.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why water has a high specific heat?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds between water molecules require a large amount of energy to break.

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of a polar covalent bond?

Accepted Answer

The bond between hydrogen and oxygen in a water molecule

General Biology: Foundations, Chemistry of Life, and Properties of Water

Study Guide - Practice Questions