Question 1

Which of the following best describes the central dogma of molecular biology?

Accepted Answer

DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into protein.

Question 2

A scientist observes that a certain cell can respond to environmental stimuli, harvest energy, and reproduce. According to the five fundamental characteristics of living organisms, which additional property must the scientist confirm to definitively classify the cell as alive?

Accepted Answer

The cell must be capable of evolving over generations.

Question 3

Which of the following statements about prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not.

Question 4

A researcher is using a light microscope to observe a cell structure that is 150 nm in size. What is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

The structure will not be visible because it is smaller than the resolution limit of a light microscope.

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why viruses are not considered living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Viruses cannot harvest or use energy on their own and require a host cell to reproduce.

Question 6

Which of the following is a correct conversion between metric units?

Accepted Answer

$$1\ \mathrm{mm} = 1,000\ \mathrm{\mu m}$$

Question 7

A cell is observed to have DNA floating freely in the cytoplasm and lacks membrane-bound organelles. Which domain does this cell most likely belong to?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria

Question 8

Which of the following best describes a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A well-supported explanation for a broad set of phenomena, based on a body of evidence.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of a hypothesis that can be tested experimentally?

Accepted Answer

"If plants are given more sunlight, then they will grow taller."

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the process of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Question 11

A molecule of water ($$\mathrm{H_2O}) is $$held together by which type of bond?

Accepted Answer

Polar covalent bonds

Question 12

Which of the following statements about isotopes is correct?

Accepted Answer

Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why carbon is able to form four covalent bonds?

Accepted Answer

Carbon has four unpaired electrons in its valence shell.

Question 14

A sodium atom ($$\mathrm{Na}) $$loses one electron to become a sodium ion ($$\mathrm{Na^+}). $$What type of bond is most likely to form between this sodium ion and a chloride ion ($$\mathrm{Cl^-}$$)?

Accepted Answer

Ionic bond

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the difference between a molecule and a compound?

Accepted Answer

A molecule consists of two or more atoms bonded together, while a compound consists of atoms of different elements bonded together.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen has a greater ability to attract shared electrons toward itself in a covalent bond.

Question 17

A scientist wants to observe the interior structure of a mitochondrion at very high resolution. Which microscopy technique should they use?

Accepted Answer

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of the application of the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Accepted Answer

The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria over time.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 20

A biologist is studying a population of finches on an island. Over several generations, she observes that the average beak size increases due to a change in available food sources. Which biological concept does this scenario best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Evolution by natural selection

General Biology: Foundations, Cell Theory, and Basic Chemistry

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