Question 1

Which type of infectious agent is responsible for causing both chronic wasting disease in deer and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans?

Accepted Answer

Prion

Question 2

What is the basic physical characteristic of prions that distinguishes them from other infectious agents?

Accepted Answer

They are misfolded proteins lacking any genetic material.

Question 3

How do prions cause disease and death in host organisms?

Accepted Answer

By attaching to and altering the structure and function of normal proteins in the host.

Question 4

Which characteristic of living things do prions possess?

Accepted Answer

They have the capacity to reproduce by altering host proteins.

Question 5

Why are prions not considered organisms?

Accepted Answer

They do not consist of cells or possess hereditary genetic information.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT one of the five characteristics of living things?

Accepted Answer

Ability to photosynthesize

Question 7

Which statement correctly describes the difference between prokaryote and eukaryote cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryote cells have membrane-bound organelles, prokaryote cells do not.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes a gene?

Accepted Answer

A segment of DNA that encodes information for a specific trait.

Question 9

What is required for evolution to occur in a population?

Accepted Answer

Genetic diversity (alleles) and heritable traits must be present.

Question 10

A population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic. Some survive due to a mutation in their DNA. What process does this scenario illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Evolution by natural selection

Question 11

Which equation best represents the process by which acquired energy is converted to a usable form in cells?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6$} + 6\mathrm{O_2$} \rightarrow 6\mathrm{CO_2$} + 6\mathrm{H_2O} + \mathrm{ATP}$$

Question 12

Which mechanism of energy acquisition is used by organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms?

Accepted Answer

Heterotrophy

Question 13

Which process allows primary producers to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in carbohydrates?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Question 14

Which of the following is a direct result of mutation in the DNA sequence of an organism?

Accepted Answer

Formation of a new allele

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a way that organisms reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Protein misfolding

Question 16

Which of the following statements about prion reproduction is correct?

Accepted Answer

Prions reproduce by causing normal proteins to misfold.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Possession of hereditary genetic information

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why genetic diversity is essential for evolution?

Accepted Answer

It provides a variety of alleles that can be selected for or against in changing environments.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of autotrophy?

Accepted Answer

A plant converting sunlight into glucose

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world consequence of prion diseases in mammals?

Accepted Answer

Rapid brain shrinkage and spongiform pathology

Characteristics of Life and Prion Diseases: Chronic Wasting Disease & Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Study Guide - Practice Questions