Question 1

Which of the following best distinguishes a scientific theory from a scientific hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation supported by a large body of evidence, while a hypothesis is a testable prediction about a specific observation.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by all living things?

Accepted Answer

Ability to move from place to place

Question 3

A researcher is testing the effect of a new fertilizer on plant growth. She applies the fertilizer to one group of plants and leaves another group untreated. Which is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The application of fertilizer

Question 4

Which of the following correctly lists the levels of biological organization from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

Atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere

Question 5

Which of the following elements is NOT among the four most abundant elements in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Iron (Fe)

Question 6

A molecule of water (H$$_2O) is $$considered polar because:

Accepted Answer

The oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, creating a partial negative charge near the oxygen.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the difference between dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration synthesis joins monomers by removing water, while hydrolysis breaks polymers by adding water.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about saturated and unsaturated fats is correct?

Accepted Answer

Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbon atoms, while unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds.

Question 9

Which of the following is the correct formula for calculating the pH of a solution?

Accepted Answer

$$pH = -\log_{10}[H^+]$$

Question 10

Which of the following bonds is responsible for linking amino acids together in a protein?

Accepted Answer

Peptide bond

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the primary structure of a protein?

Accepted Answer

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain

Question 12

Which of the following is a storage form of carbohydrate in animals?

Accepted Answer

Glycogen

Question 13

A patient is diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, a disease caused by a mutation in the gene encoding hemoglobin. What is the most direct effect of this mutation?

Accepted Answer

A change in the primary structure of the hemoglobin protein

Question 14

Which of the following statements about DNA and RNA is correct?

Accepted Answer

DNA contains the base thymine, while RNA contains uracil instead of thymine.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the difference between taxonomy and systematics?

Accepted Answer

Taxonomy is the science of naming and classifying organisms, while systematics studies evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Question 16

Which of the following lists the correct order of classification levels from highest to lowest?

Accepted Answer

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about isotopes?

Accepted Answer

Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Question 18

Which of the following is true about enzymes?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes lower the activation energy of chemical reactions, increasing the reaction rate.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes a gene?

Accepted Answer

A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein

Question 20

A student is given two molecules: one is methane (CH$$_4) $$and the other is water (H$$_2O). $$Which statement correctly identifies their polarity?

Accepted Answer

Methane is non-polar, while water is polar.

General Biology I: Foundational Concepts and Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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