Question 1

Which of the following best describes the Miller-Urey experiment and its significance in biology?

Accepted Answer

It demonstrated that organic molecules could be synthesized abiotically under conditions thought to resemble those of early Earth.

Question 2

Which of the following correctly lists the levels of biological organization from simplest to most complex?

Accepted Answer

Molecule → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organism → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biosphere

Question 3

A scientist is studying a newly discovered organism. Which characteristic would most strongly suggest it is a living organism rather than a non-living object?

Accepted Answer

It maintains homeostasis and responds to environmental stimuli.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific process?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring contradictory evidence

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Bacteria and Archaea are both prokaryotic, while Eukarya are eukaryotic.

Question 6

Which of the following is a property shared by all living organisms but NOT by viruses?

Accepted Answer

Ability to carry out metabolism independently

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why water is an excellent solvent for many biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

Water is a polar molecule, allowing it to form hydrogen bonds with ions and other polar molecules.

Question 8

A solution has a hydrogen ion concentration of $$1 	imes 10$$^{-5}$$ M. What is its pH?

Accepted Answer

$$5$$

Question 9

Which of the following functional groups is correctly matched with its structure?

Accepted Answer

Carboxyl group: $$-COOH$$

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the difference between a covalent bond and a hydrogen bond?

Accepted Answer

A covalent bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, while a hydrogen bond is an attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis is correct?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonding causes water molecules in ice to be arranged in a lattice that is less dense than liquid water.

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a nucleic acid with its sugar component?

Accepted Answer

DNA: deoxyribose

Question 14

A protein's tertiary structure is primarily stabilized by which of the following interactions?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, and hydrophobic interactions

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct description of a phosphodiester bond?

Accepted Answer

A bond that links nucleotides together in a nucleic acid chain

Question 17

A researcher adds a strong acid to a solution, causing the pH to drop from 7 to 3. By what factor has the hydrogen ion concentration increased?

Accepted Answer

$$10^4$$

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why carbon is so important in biological molecules?

Accepted Answer

Carbon can form four covalent bonds, allowing for a diversity of stable, complex molecules.

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct match between a macromolecule and its monomer?

Accepted Answer

Protein: amino acid

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of buffers in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Buffers minimize changes in pH by accepting or donating hydrogen ions.

General Biology Study Guide: Chemistry, Biomolecules, and Cell Structure

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