Question 1

Which of the following best describes the five fundamental traits shared by all living things?

Accepted Answer

They are composed of cells, use energy, respond to stimuli, reproduce, and evolve.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Cell theory, which states that all living things are made of cells.

Question 3

Which statement about the central dogma of molecular biology is correct?

Accepted Answer

It describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Question 4

Which of the following is a real-world example of how the central dogma relates to the outward appearance of an organism?

Accepted Answer

A mutation in a gene changes the amino acid sequence of a protein, resulting in a different eye color.

Question 5

Which equation correctly represents the transfer of energy in a chemical reaction?

Accepted Answer

$\Delta G = \Delta H - T \Delta S$

Question 6

What is the role of buffers in maintaining homeostasis in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Buffers minimize changes in pH by accepting or donating protons.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about water’s properties is correct?

Accepted Answer

Water’s ability to form hydrogen bonds gives it a high specific heat and cohesion.

Question 8

A scientist is studying the effect of temperature on enzyme activity. Which variable is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

Temperature

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why carbon atoms are important in biology?

Accepted Answer

Carbon atoms act as a skeleton for molecular shape, allowing for diverse functional groups.

Question 10

Which statement about amino acids is correct?

Accepted Answer

Amino acids are the monomers that polymerize to form proteins.

Question 11

Which of the following is a function of proteins in cells?

Accepted Answer

Catalyzing chemical reactions as enzymes

Question 12

What is the main difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the structure of a phospholipid bilayer?

Accepted Answer

It consists of amphipathic lipids with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.

Question 14

Which process describes the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration?

Accepted Answer

Osmosis

Question 15

Which of the following is true about nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

DNA and RNA are polymers made of nucleotide monomers.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about the directionality of DNA strands is correct?

Accepted Answer

DNA strands have directionality, with a 5' end and a 3' end.

Question 17

Which equation represents the number of electrons in a neutral atom?

Accepted Answer

$	ext{Number of electrons} = 	ext{Atomic number}$

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why protein folding is often spontaneous?

Accepted Answer

The folded structure is energetically favorable due to increased stability and lower free energy.

Question 19

Which of the following is a function of carbohydrates in cells?

Accepted Answer

They serve as a substrate for synthesizing more complex molecules.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

It acts as a selective barrier, controlling the movement of substances into and out of the cell.

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

Study Guide - Practice Questions