Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by all living things according to modern biology?

Accepted Answer

They are always visible to the naked eye.

Question 2

The cell theory states that:

Accepted Answer

All organisms are made up of one or more cells, and all cells arise from preexisting cells.

Question 3

Which experiment disproved the idea of spontaneous generation, and what was its main conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Pasteur's swan-neck flask experiment; cells arise only from preexisting cells.

Question 4

A scientist observes that a certain microorganism can reproduce, process information, and acquire energy, but is not made of cells. According to the cell theory, is this organism considered alive?

Accepted Answer

No, because all living things must be made of cells.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

An explanation that has stood the test of time and repeated experimental testing.

Question 6

In the scientific method, what is the role of a control group?

Accepted Answer

To provide a basis of comparison for assessing the validity of the experimental treatment.

Question 7

Which of the following is a testable explanation for a phenomenon in science?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis

Question 8

A student claims that all cells in a multicellular organism are unrelated. Which concept directly refutes this claim?

Accepted Answer

All cells in a multicellular organism descend from a single ancestral cell.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of applying the scientific method in a real-world scenario?

Accepted Answer

A doctor observes symptoms, forms a hypothesis about the disease, tests with lab work, and analyzes results.

Question 10

Which statement about evolution by natural selection is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

It is a unifying theory in biology that explains how populations change over time.

Question 11

If a biologist wants to test whether a new fertilizer increases plant growth, which is the best way to design the experiment?

Accepted Answer

Use two groups of plants: one with fertilizer (experimental) and one without (control), and measure growth over time.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring results that do not support the hypothesis

Question 13

A positive control in an experiment is used to:

Accepted Answer

Show that the experimental setup can produce a positive result.

Question 14

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of biological organization from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

Atoms $$\rightarrow$$ molecules $$\rightarrow$$ cells $$\rightarrow$$ tissues $$\rightarrow$$ organs $$\rightarrow$$ organisms $$\rightarrow$$ populations $$\rightarrow$$ biosphere

Question 15

Which of the following is a reason why controls are important in scientific experiments?

Accepted Answer

They help determine if the observed effect is actually due to the treatment.

Question 16

Which statement about the relationship between single-celled organisms in a population is supported by cell theory?

Accepted Answer

They are related to a single common ancestor.

Question 17

A student is designing an experiment to test a hypothesis. Which question should they ask to ensure their experiment is valid?

Accepted Answer

"Am I measuring what I think I'm measuring?"

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a negative control in a medical experiment?

Accepted Answer

A group receiving a placebo instead of the drug being tested.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the difference between a hypothesis and a theory in science?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a testable explanation for a phenomenon; a theory is an explanation that has stood the test of time and repeated experimental testing.

Question 20

Which of the following is a multi-step process that integrates observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and analysis?

Accepted Answer

The scientific method

Foundations of Biology: Defining Life, Cell Theory, and the Scientific Method

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