Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by all living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Ability to photosynthesize

Question 2

Darwin’s concept of 'descent with modification' is best supported by which of the following examples?

Accepted Answer

The universal genetic code found in all living organisms

Question 3

Which of the following best describes an emergent property in biology?

Accepted Answer

A trait that arises only when individual components interact in a system

Question 4

In the hierarchy of biological organization, which level comes directly after 'organ system'?

Accepted Answer

Organism

Question 5

If your hypothesis is supported in a scientific experiment, what should you expect to observe?

Accepted Answer

Your experimental results match your prediction

Question 6

A useful hypothesis must be:

Accepted Answer

Testable and falsifiable

Question 7

What is the main difference between a hypothesis and a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is narrow in scope; a theory is broad and supported by many tested hypotheses

Question 8

In an experiment testing the effects of artificial sweetener on mice, what would the control group receive?

Accepted Answer

No artificial sweetener in their food

Question 9

Why is it important to control variables in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

To isolate the effect of the independent variable and establish a cause-and-effect relationship

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the movement of energy and chemicals in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Energy flows through the ecosystem and is lost as heat; chemicals cycle and are recycled

Question 11

In a chemical reaction, what are the starting molecules called?

Accepted Answer

Reactants

Question 12

Balance the following chemical equation: $$\mathrm{NH_4$} + \mathrm{SO_2$} \rightarrow \mathrm{NO} + \mathrm{H_2O}$$

Accepted Answer

$$4\mathrm{NH_4$} + 5\mathrm{SO_2$} \rightarrow 4\mathrm{NO} + 6\mathrm{H_2O}$$

Question 13

What type of chemical bond forms between an anion and a cation?

Accepted Answer

Ionic bond

Question 14

Why is an anion negatively charged?

Accepted Answer

It has gained one or more electrons

Question 15

In a graph of an experiment, which axis is typically used for the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

x-axis (horizontal)

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a dependent variable in a mouse experiment testing artificial sweetener?

Accepted Answer

Mouse weight

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about the cycling of chemicals in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Chemicals are recycled between organisms and the environment

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT an abiotic component of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of a control group in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

It serves as a baseline to compare the effects of the independent variable

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct sequence of steps in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Observation, question, hypothesis, prediction, experiment, results, conclusion, communication

General Biology Study Guide: Themes of Biology, Scientific Method, and Chemistry of Life

Study Guide - Practice Questions