Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Ability to photosynthesize

Question 2

A scientist is testing the effect of different fertilizer types on plant growth. Which of the following is the dependent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

Plant growth measured in height

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a covalent bond?

Accepted Answer

A bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms

Question 4

Water has a high specific heat capacity. Which property of water molecules is primarily responsible for this?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonding between water molecules

Question 5

Which formula correctly represents the hydrolysis of a disaccharide?

Accepted Answer

$C_{12}H_{22}O_{11} + H_2O \rightarrow 2C_6H_{12}O_6$

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Saturated lipids are typically solid at room temperature

Question 7

A cell is placed in a hypotonic solution. What will most likely happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

It will gain water and swell

Question 8

Which of the following is a function of enzymes in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

They speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the difference between DNA and RNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA is usually double-stranded, while RNA is usually single-stranded

Question 10

Which of the following is the correct order of the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Observation, hypothesis, experiment, results, conclusion

Question 11

Which of the following is a polysaccharide commonly found in plants?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose

Question 12

A protein is denatured when:

Accepted Answer

Its three-dimensional shape is disrupted

Question 13

Which of the following molecules can most easily pass through a cell membrane without the help of transport proteins?

Accepted Answer

Small nonpolar molecules

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why water is an excellent solvent for ionic compounds?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules are polar and can surround and separate ions

Question 15

Which of the following is the correct formula for calculating the mass number of an atom?

Accepted Answer

$	ext{Mass number} = 	ext{Number of protons} + 	ext{Number of neutrons}$

Question 16

Which of the following is true about the pH scale?

Accepted Answer

A solution with pH 7 is neutral

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct description of facilitated diffusion?

Accepted Answer

Movement of molecules down their concentration gradient through a membrane protein

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct statement about ATP?

Accepted Answer

ATP stores energy in the bonds between its phosphate groups

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the function of phospholipids in cell membranes?

Accepted Answer

They form a bilayer with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct example of a glycosidic linkage in carbohydrates?

Accepted Answer

$\alpha$-1,4 linkage between glucose monomers

General Biology I: Unit 1 Study Guide – Foundations of Life, Chemistry, and Cell Structure

Study Guide - Practice Questions