Question 1

Which of the following best describes the major characteristics of life shared by all living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Organization, metabolism, genetic information, response to environment, and reproduction

Question 2

A scientist proposes that increasing the temperature of a pond will increase the rate of fish metabolism. This statement is best classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Hypothesis

Question 3

Which statement best distinguishes a scientific theory from a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A theory is a broad explanation supported by a large body of evidence, while a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction.

Question 4

According to the theory of evolution, which statement is correct?

Accepted Answer

All living organisms share a common ancestor and genetic material.

Question 5

Which of the following best explains how natural selection leads to evolution in a population of crickets exposed to bird predation?

Accepted Answer

Crickets with quieter chirps are less likely to be eaten and reproduce more, increasing the frequency of quiet chirps in the population.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of artificial selection?

Accepted Answer

Humans breeding dogs for specific coat colors

Question 7

Which domain of life includes organisms that are single-celled, lack a nucleus, and often live in extreme environments?

Accepted Answer

Archaea

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a common component found in all cells?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria

Question 9

Which structure is responsible for reading genetic instructions and building proteins from amino acids in all cells?

Accepted Answer

Ribosome

Question 10

Which of the following best describes metabolic diversity in bacteria and archaea?

Accepted Answer

They can use a wide variety of energy sources, electron donors, and carbon sources for growth and survival

Question 11

A chemolithotroph is an organism that:

Accepted Answer

Uses inorganic molecules (like $Fe^{2+}$ or $NH_3$) for energy and electrons

Question 12

Which statement correctly compares the cell wall structure of bacteria and archaea?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria have peptidoglycan cell walls, while archaea have other molecules for structure.

Question 13

Which of the following is a similarity between chromosomal and plasmid bacterial DNA?

Accepted Answer

Both are made of double-stranded DNA.

Question 14

Which of the following is a difference between chromosomal and plasmid bacterial DNA?

Accepted Answer

Chromosomal DNA contains essential genes for survival and reproduction, while plasmids often carry accessory genes such as antibiotic resistance.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the role of the cell membrane in all cells?

Accepted Answer

It controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct sequence of steps in natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Genetic variation → Selection pressure → Differential survival and reproduction → Change in population over generations

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins in cells?

Accepted Answer

Storing genetic information

Question 18

Which of the following statements about the three domains of life is correct?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria and archaea are both prokaryotes, but archaea are genetically and biochemically distinct from bacteria.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why genetic diversity is important for natural selection?

Accepted Answer

It allows populations to survive and adapt to changing environments.

General Biology: Introduction, Evolution, and Cell Structure Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions