Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic that all living organisms must possess?

Accepted Answer

Ability to photosynthesize

Question 2

A scientist observes that giraffes have long necks and hypothesizes that this trait evolved because giraffes with longer necks could reach more food and thus survived better. Which evolutionary mechanism does this hypothesis best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Question 3

Which of the following statements about scientific hypotheses is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable

Question 4

Gregor Mendel’s experiments with pea plants led to the discovery of which fundamental concept in genetics?

Accepted Answer

Inheritance of traits through discrete units called genes

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the Central Dogma of molecular biology?

Accepted Answer

$DNA \rightarrow RNA \rightarrow Protein$

Question 6

A mutation changes the codon $GAG$ (which codes for glutamic acid) to $GTG$ (which codes for valine) in the hemoglobin gene. This type of mutation is responsible for which disease?

Accepted Answer

Sickle cell disease

Question 7

Which experiment provided strong evidence that DNA, and not protein, is the genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Hershey-Chase Blender experiment

Question 8

According to Chargaff’s rules, if a DNA sample contains 30% adenine, what percentage of guanine would you expect?

Accepted Answer

20%

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of a prezygotic reproductive barrier?

Accepted Answer

Temporal isolation

Question 10

A population of beetles is separated by a river, and over time, the two groups evolve into distinct species. Which evolutionary process does this scenario best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 11

Which of the following statements about codons is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides that specify amino acids

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why viruses are not considered living organisms?

Accepted Answer

They cannot reproduce independently outside a host cell

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct statement about gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Gene expression is the process by which DNA directs the synthesis of proteins

Question 14

A scientist is studying a population of birds and finds that a mutation in a gene causes a change from $CGA$ to $UGA$, resulting in a premature stop codon. What type of mutation is this?

Accepted Answer

Nonsense mutation

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the difference between microevolution and macroevolution?

Accepted Answer

Microevolution refers to changes within a species, while macroevolution refers to the formation of new species or higher taxonomic groups

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a postzygotic barrier?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid fertility

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the process of transcription in eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Synthesis of RNA from a DNA template in the nucleus

Question 18

Which of the following statements about the structure of DNA is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

DNA is a double helix with antiparallel strands

Question 19

A population of lizards is separated by a newly formed canyon. Over time, the two groups develop different mating calls and can no longer interbreed even if brought together. Which type of reproductive isolation does this represent?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral isolation

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why the genetic code is considered universal among all organisms?

Accepted Answer

The same codons specify the same amino acids in nearly all organisms

General Biology: Foundations, Genetics, and Evolution Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards