Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the five fundamental characteristics of life as agreed upon by most biologists?

Accepted Answer

All organisms are capable of evolution.

Question 2

Pasteur’s experiment with the swan-necked flask was designed to test which hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Cells arise from preexisting cells, not by spontaneous generation.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

An explanation for a very general class of phenomena supported by a wide body of evidence.

Question 4

According to the central dogma of molecular biology, what is the correct flow of genetic information in a cell?

Accepted Answer

$$ DNA \rightarrow RNA \rightarrow Protein $$

Question 5

A mutation occurs in the DNA of a population of finches, resulting in a new beak shape. Which of the following outcomes is most likely if this mutation increases the finches’ ability to access food?

Accepted Answer

The mutation will increase in frequency in the population over generations.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about the cell theory is correct?

Accepted Answer

All organisms are made of cells, and all cells come from preexisting cells.

Question 7

A researcher is studying two species of algae. The DNA sequences for a particular gene are as follows: Species A: A-T-A-T-C-G-A-G; Species B: A-T-A-T-G-G-A-G. Based on this data, what can be inferred?

Accepted Answer

Species A and B are closely related.

Question 8

Which of the following best defines an adaptation in the context of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A trait that increases the fitness of an individual in a particular environment.

Question 9

Which of the following is a direct result of a mistake in DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

A change in the sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a hypothesis that could be tested using the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Giraffes have long necks because they compete for access to food high in trees.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the relationship between a hypothesis and a prediction in scientific research?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a testable statement, and a prediction is a measurable result that must be correct if the hypothesis is valid.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a principle of good experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Changing multiple variables at once to see which has the greatest effect.

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why evolutionary change occurs in populations and not in individuals?

Accepted Answer

Populations, not individuals, accumulate changes in allele frequencies over generations.

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct statement about the chromosomal theory of inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Genes are located on chromosomes, which are made of DNA.

Question 15

A biologist is comparing the DNA sequences of three species: land plants, green algae, and brown algae. The sequences are: Land plants: A-T-A-T-C-G-A-G; Green algae: A-T-A-T-G-G-A-G; Brown algae: A-A-A-T-G-G-A-C. Which two are most closely related?

Accepted Answer

Land plants and green algae.

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-world example of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria increases after repeated exposure to antibiotics.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of ATP in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

ATP provides chemical energy for cellular processes.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about phylogenetic trees is correct?

Accepted Answer

Branches that share a recent common ancestor represent closely related species.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

A group of ants that are not exposed to any experimental treatment.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why DNA must be copied before cell division?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic information.

Fundamental Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism, and Genetics – Study Notes

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