Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a hypothesis and a theory in the scientific process?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about the outcome of an experiment, while a theory is a well-substantiated explanation that unifies a broad range of observations.

Question 2

In a controlled experiment testing the effect of fertilizer on plant growth, which of the following is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

The growth (height or biomass) of the plants

Question 3

Which of the following best illustrates deductive reasoning in biology?

Accepted Answer

Predicting that if all enzymes are proteins, and amylase is an enzyme, then amylase is a protein

Question 4

Which of the following statements about covalent and ionic bonds is correct?

Accepted Answer

Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, while ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why water is considered a polar molecule?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, resulting in a partial negative charge near the oxygen and a partial positive charge near the hydrogens.

Question 6

During the formation of a peptide bond between two amino acids, which type of reaction occurs and what molecule is released?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration synthesis; water is released

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain

Question 8

A patient is diagnosed with a genetic disorder that affects the hydrogen bonding in their DNA. Which level of DNA structure is most directly impacted?

Accepted Answer

Secondary structure (double helix formation)

Question 9

Which of the following statements about DNA and RNA is correct?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the antiparallel nature of DNA?

Accepted Answer

The two strands of DNA run in opposite directions: one 5' to 3', the other 3' to 5'.

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct complementary DNA sequence for the strand 5'-ATGCCGTA-3'?

Accepted Answer

3'-TACGGCAT-5'

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why phospholipids are well-suited to form biological membranes?

Accepted Answer

They have both hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, allowing them to form bilayers in aqueous environments.

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct comparison between starch and cellulose?

Accepted Answer

Both are composed of glucose monomers, but starch has alpha linkages and cellulose has beta linkages.

Question 14

A scientist is analyzing a macromolecule and finds it contains a phosphate group, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base. Which type of macromolecule is this?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic acid

Question 15

Which of the following best describes a dehydration reaction?

Accepted Answer

A reaction in which water is removed to form a new bond between monomers

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct statement about the base pairing rules in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds, causing kinks in the chain, while saturated fatty acids have no double bonds and are straight.

Question 18

A researcher denatures a protein by heating it. Which level(s) of protein structure are most likely disrupted?

Accepted Answer

Secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures

Question 19

Which of the following is a function of carbohydrates in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Providing energy and structural support

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

DNA is usually double-stranded and contains deoxyribose, while RNA is usually single-stranded and contains ribose.

General Biology Study Guide: Scientific Process, Bonds, Macromolecules, and Nucleic Acids

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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