Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the five fundamental traits shared by all living things?

Accepted Answer

Ability to photosynthesize

Question 2

Pasteur’s experiment with straight-necked and swan-necked flasks provided evidence against which theory?

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous generation

Question 3

Which statement best describes the central dogma of molecular biology?

Accepted Answer

DNA is transcribed to RNA, which is translated to protein

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why water is an efficient solvent?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules have partial charges that allow them to interact with ions and polar molecules

Question 5

Which equation correctly represents the dissociation of water into ions?

Accepted Answer

$2H_2O \rightarrow H_3O^+ + OH^-$

Question 6

Which of the following statements about chemical reactions in biological systems is correct?

Accepted Answer

Chemical reactions can be spontaneous if they increase entropy and release energy

Question 7

Which law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed?

Accepted Answer

First law of thermodynamics

Question 8

Amino acids are joined together by which type of bond during protein synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Peptide bond

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The overall three-dimensional shape formed by interactions among R groups

Question 10

Which of the following is a function of RNA that is NOT a function of DNA?

Accepted Answer

Acting as a template to synthesize proteins

Question 11

Which of the following is the correct structure of a nucleotide found in DNA?

Accepted Answer

A phosphate group, a deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Carbon atoms form the backbone for molecular shape and can bond with many other atoms

Question 13

Which of the following is a property of phospholipids that is critical for membrane formation?

Accepted Answer

They have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions

Question 14

Which of the following best describes diffusion across a lipid bilayer?

Accepted Answer

Movement of molecules from high concentration to low concentration

Question 15

Which of the following is true about osmosis?

Accepted Answer

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a membrane from low to high solute concentration

Question 16

Which of the following is a function of the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

It regulates the movement of substances into and out of the cell

Question 17

Which of the following statements about hydrolysis and condensation reactions is correct?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis reactions break polymers into monomers by adding water

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Enzymes act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about the structure of monosaccharides?

Accepted Answer

Monosaccharides can form rings in aqueous solutions

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct description of the role of buffers in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Buffers help maintain homeostasis by reducing changes in pH

General Biology Study Guide: Foundations, Chemistry of Life, Macromolecules, and Cell Membranes

Study Guide - Practice Questions