Q: A scientist is studying the flow of energy in a grassland ecosystem. Which equation best represents the conversion of light energy to chemical energy in plants?

$$6\ \text{CO}_2 + 6\ \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{light energy} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\ \text{O}_2$$

Question 1

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of emergent properties in biological organization?

Accepted Answer

A heart tissue functioning to pump blood, which individual cells cannot do alone.

Question 2

In the context of the unifying themes of biology, which process is most directly responsible for the cycling of matter in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition by fungi and bacteria.

Question 3

Which of the following correctly orders the levels of biological organization from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

Molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, biosphere

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a unifying theme in biology?

Accepted Answer

Emergent properties

Question 5

A scientist is studying the flow of energy in a grassland ecosystem. Which equation best represents the conversion of light energy to chemical energy in plants?

Accepted Answer

$$6\ 	ext{CO}_2 + 6\ 	ext{H}_2	ext{O} + 	ext{light energy} ightarrow 	ext{C}_6	ext{H}_{12}	ext{O}_6 + 6\ 	ext{O}_2$$

Question 6

Which of the following statements about gene expression is correct?

Accepted Answer

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional protein.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus containing DNA, while prokaryotic cells have DNA but no nucleus.

Question 8

Which of the following is the correct sequence for the hierarchy of classification for Ursus americanus (American black bear)?

Accepted Answer

Species, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom, Domain

Question 9

Which domain includes organisms with membrane-enclosed organelles and nuclei?

Accepted Answer

Domain Eukarya

Question 10

Which of the following best explains the process of natural selection as illustrated by the survival of beach mice with camouflaged fur?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, increasing the frequency of those traits.

Question 11

Which of the following is the smallest unit of inheritance in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Gene

Question 12

Which of the following is a real-world example of the flow of energy and cycling of matter in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Heat is lost from the ecosystem as plants convert sunlight to chemical energy and decomposers return chemicals to the soil.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the relationship between DNA, genes, and proteins?

Accepted Answer

Genes are segments of DNA that encode instructions for making proteins.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of inductive reasoning in biology?

Accepted Answer

Predicting that all cells contain DNA because many observed cells do.

Question 15

Which of the following is true about the domains of life?

Accepted Answer

Domain Bacteria and Domain Archaea both contain prokaryotic organisms.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the role of codons in gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides that specify amino acids during protein synthesis.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of reductionism in biological research?

Accepted Answer

Studying the function of a single enzyme to understand its role in metabolism.

Question 18

Which of the following is a property shared by all living things?

Accepted Answer

Ability to maintain homeostasis.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the process of chemical cycling in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Chemicals are taken up by plants from the soil and air, passed to organisms that eat the plants, and returned to the soil by decomposers.

Introduction to Biology: Unifying Themes, Organization, and Evolution

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