Question 1

Which of the following best explains why water is an excellent solvent for ionic and polar substances?

Accepted Answer

Water is a polar molecule, allowing it to interact with and stabilize ions and polar molecules through hydrogen bonding.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Interactions between R-groups, including hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, and hydrophobic interactions

Question 3

Which of the following statements correctly distinguishes prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have DNA located in a nucleus, whereas prokaryotic cells have DNA in the nucleoid region.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the process of osmosis?

Accepted Answer

The movement of water molecules from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration across a selectively permeable membrane

Question 5

During DNA replication, which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing short RNA primers needed to start the process?

Accepted Answer

Primase

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why the lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides to the 3' end, so the lagging strand is synthesized in short fragments away from the replication fork.

Question 7

A mutation changes a codon from UAU (tyrosine) to UAA (stop codon). What type of mutation is this?

Accepted Answer

Nonsense mutation

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the role of restriction enzymes in genetic engineering?

Accepted Answer

They cut DNA at specific nucleotide sequences, allowing scientists to manipulate genes.

Question 9

Which of the following modifications to histones is most likely to increase gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Acetylation of histones

Question 10

Which of the following statements about viruses is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Viruses contain genetic material and a protein coat, but require a host cell to reproduce.

Question 11

Which of the following events occurs during metaphase of mitosis?

Accepted Answer

Chromosomes align at the center (equator) of the cell.

Question 12

A human cell with 46 chromosomes undergoes meiosis. How many chromosomes will each resulting gamete contain?

Accepted Answer

$$23$$

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why sex-linked recessive traits are more common in males than in females?

Accepted Answer

Males have only one X chromosome, so a single recessive allele will be expressed.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of stabilizing selection?

Accepted Answer

A population of plants where intermediate height is favored over very short or very tall plants.

Question 15

Which of the following equations represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for allele frequencies in a population?

Accepted Answer

$$p^2 + 2pq$$ + $$q^2 = 1$

Question 16

A woman with blood type AB and a man with blood type O have a child. What are the possible blood types of their child?

Accepted Answer

A or B

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the process of crossing over during meiosis?

Accepted Answer

Exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why the genetic code is described as 'redundant but not ambiguous'?

Accepted Answer

Multiple codons can code for the same amino acid, but each codon specifies only one amino acid.

Question 19

Which of the following is a direct result of nondisjunction during meiosis?

Accepted Answer

Gametes with an abnormal number of chromosomes, leading to conditions such as Down syndrome

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of CRISPR in gene editing?

Accepted Answer

It cuts DNA at specific sites, allowing scientists to knock out or repair genes.

Honors Biology Semester 2 Cumulative Exam Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions