Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why lateral gene transfer complicates the construction of prokaryotic phylogenies?

Accepted Answer

Lateral gene transfer allows genes to move between unrelated lineages, resulting in gene trees that may not match organismal trees.

Question 2

A scientist discovers a unicellular organism with a cell wall containing pseudopeptidoglycan, living in a highly saline environment. To which domain does this organism most likely belong?

Accepted Answer

Archaea

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the process of quorum sensing in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

It is a mechanism where bacteria detect and respond to population density by producing and sensing signaling molecules.

Question 4

Which of the following is a key piece of evidence supporting the endosymbiotic theory for the origin of mitochondria?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria contain circular DNA similar to bacterial genomes.

Question 5

A brown alga such as Ectocarpus siliculosus exhibits alternation of generations. Which of the following correctly describes this process?

Accepted Answer

The organism alternates between haploid gametophyte and diploid sporophyte forms, both of which can look identical.

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why biofilms are adaptive for prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Biofilms provide protection from environmental stress and facilitate nutrient sharing among cells.

Question 7

Which of the following metabolic pathways is unique to certain prokaryotes and plays a critical role in the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation: $$ \mathrm{N_2$ + 8H^+ + 8e^- \rightarrow 2NH_3 + H_2$} $$

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the evolution of land plants is correct?

Accepted Answer

The earliest land plants were nonvascular and relied on diffusion for water transport.

Question 9

Which of the following is a synapomorphic trait that unites all land plants (embryophytes)?

Accepted Answer

Development of a multicellular, dependent embryo

Question 10

In the life cycle of a moss, which generation is dominant and what is its ploidy?

Accepted Answer

Gametophyte; haploid

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the difference between monocots and eudicots?

Accepted Answer

Monocots have one cotyledon and parallel leaf veins; eudicots have two cotyledons and net-like leaf veins.

Question 12

Which of the following is a major adaptation that allowed seed plants to colonize dry terrestrial environments?

Accepted Answer

Production of pollen grains for sperm dispersal

Question 13

Which of the following statements about xylem transport in plants is correct according to the cohesion-tension theory?

Accepted Answer

Water moves upward due to transpiration, cohesion, and adhesion, creating a tension that pulls water from roots to leaves.

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why fungi are more common than bacteria in refrigerated salsa?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are more tolerant of acidic and low-temperature environments than most bacteria.

Question 15

Which of the following is a major ecological role of saprobic fungi?

Accepted Answer

Decomposing dead organic matter and recycling nutrients

Question 16

Which of the following correctly matches a plant structure with its primary function?

Accepted Answer

Xylem: transports water and minerals from roots to leaves

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of secondary endosymbiosis?

Accepted Answer

A eukaryotic cell engulfing another eukaryote that already contains a chloroplast

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the tissues found in a typical angiosperm seed?

Accepted Answer

Seed coat from the parent sporophyte, endosperm from the triploid tissue, embryo from the new sporophyte

Question 19

Which of the following is a synapomorphy for the fungi?

Accepted Answer

Cell walls made of chitin

Study Guidance for College Biology: Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards