Question 1

Which statement about spontaneous generation is false?

Accepted Answer

A) Pasteur demonstrated that it does not occur under normal laboratory conditions. 
B) It apparently occurred at least once-when life on Earth began. 
C) It occurs every time a new species evolves from a preexisting species. 
D) It addresses the formation of living cells from previously nonliving material. 
A) Pasteur demonstrated that it does not occur under normal laboratory conditions. 
B) It apparently occurred at least once-when life on Earth began. 
C) It occurs every time a new species evolves from a preexisting species. 
D) It addresses the formation of living cells from previously nonliving material. C

Question 2

Recall the chili pepper experiment that tested whether capsaicin acts as a deterrent to predators.What eating habits were predicted for the curve-billed thrasher-a known seed disperser?

Accepted Answer

A) The thrasher was predicted to eat both mild and hot chilies. 
B) The thrasher was predicted to eat only the mild chilies. 
C) The thrasher was predicted to eat only the hot chilies. 
D) The thrasher was predicted to not eat any of the chilies. 
A) The thrasher was predicted to eat both mild and hot chilies. 
B) The thrasher was predicted to eat only the mild chilies. 
C) The thrasher was predicted to eat only the hot chilies. 
D) The thrasher was predicted to not eat any of the chilies. A

Question 3

Which of the following is a powerful way to test a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A) Incorporate the hypothesis into a more general theory. 
B) Formulate a competing or alternative hypothesis. 
C) Formulate a null hypothesis. 
D) Perform an experiment that tests a prediction that follows from the hypothesis. 
A) Incorporate the hypothesis into a more general theory. 
B) Formulate a competing or alternative hypothesis. 
C) Formulate a null hypothesis. 
D) Perform an experiment that tests a prediction that follows from the hypothesis. D

Question 4

The pattern component of the cell theory claims that all organisms consist of cells.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Starting from the wild mustard Brassica oleracea,breeders have created the strains known as Brussel sprouts,broccoli,kale,and cabbage.Which of the following statements is supported by this observation?

Accepted Answer

A) In this species,there is enough heritable variation to create a variety of features. 
B) Heritable variation is low-otherwise the wild strain would have different characteristics. 
C) Natural selection has not occurred very frequently in the wild populations. 
D) In this species,most of the variation present is due to differences in soil,nutrition,amount of sunlight,or other aspects of the environment. 
A) In this species,there is enough heritable variation to create a variety of features. 
B) Heritable variation is low-otherwise the wild strain would have different characteristics. 
C) Natural selection has not occurred very frequently in the wild populations. 
D) In this species,most of the variation present is due to differences in soil,nutrition,amount of sunlight,or other aspects of the environment.

Question 6

On the tree of life,the branch leading to animals is closer to fungi than it is to the branch leading to land plants.Which of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

A) Animals and plants do not have a common ancestor. 
B) Animals and land plants are more closely related to each other than either is to fungi. 
C) Fungi and animals do not have a common ancestor. 
D) Animals and fungi are more closely related to each other than animals are to land plants. 
A) Animals and plants do not have a common ancestor. 
B) Animals and land plants are more closely related to each other than either is to fungi. 
C) Fungi and animals do not have a common ancestor. 
D) Animals and fungi are more closely related to each other than animals are to land plants.

Question 7

The "heat" in chili peppers is due to a molecule called capsaicin.Suppose you breed chili peppers that have low amounts of capsaicin over many generations in order to make them milder (have less capsaicin).What process is occurring?

Accepted Answer

A) heritable variation 
B) environmental change 
C) natural selection 
D) artificial selection 
A) heritable variation 
B) environmental change 
C) natural selection 
D) artificial selection

Question 8

A friend of yours calls to say that his car would not start this morning.He asks for your help.You say that you think the battery must be dead,and that if so,then jump-starting the car from a good battery will solve the problem.In doing so,you are

Accepted Answer

A) only stating a hypothesis for why the car won't start. 
B) searching for observations that might inspire a hypothesis for why the car won't start. 
C) stating both a specific hypothesis about why the car won't start and a prediction of the hypothesis. 
D) performing an experimental test of a hypothesis for why the car won't start. 
A) only stating a hypothesis for why the car won't start. 
B) searching for observations that might inspire a hypothesis for why the car won't start. 
C) stating both a specific hypothesis about why the car won't start and a prediction of the hypothesis. 
D) performing an experimental test of a hypothesis for why the car won't start.

Question 9

Which of the following is the best example of a heritable variation?

Accepted Answer

A) skin cancer 
B) amputation 
C) red hair 
D) love for music 
A) skin cancer 
B) amputation 
C) red hair 
D) love for music

Question 10

Which of the following would not be a good reason for studying SSU RNA to understand the major branches in the evolutionary history of life?

Accepted Answer

A) This molecule is found in every species. 
B) It is passed on through evolutionary history with only minor modifications. 
C) It is a necessary part of the cellular machinery for reproduction and other purposes. 
D) It mutates very frequently. 
A) This molecule is found in every species. 
B) It is passed on through evolutionary history with only minor modifications. 
C) It is a necessary part of the cellular machinery for reproduction and other purposes. 
D) It mutates very frequently.

Question 11

For many years,no one bothered to test the food-competition hypothesis for why giraffes have long necks.Why?

Accepted Answer

A) Technically it was much too difficult until recently. 
B) The hypothesis was so plausible that no one thought to question it. 
C) They tried,but the results were inconclusive. 
D) The hypothesis doesn't make any clear predictions that can be tested. 
A) Technically it was much too difficult until recently. 
B) The hypothesis was so plausible that no one thought to question it. 
C) They tried,but the results were inconclusive. 
D) The hypothesis doesn't make any clear predictions that can be tested.

Question 12

In the Linnaean classification system,which taxon would generally include the largest number of species?

Accepted Answer

A) family 
B) phylum 
C) order 
D) genus 
A) family 
B) phylum 
C) order 
D) genus

Question 13

Many phylogenetic trees are based on DNA sequence similarities.What is the practical result of this similarity?

Accepted Answer

A) Closely related species will not look similar to each other. 
B) Artificial selection can bring closely related species even closer to each other. 
C) Species with very similar DNA will have similar structures,enzymes,and appearance. 
D) Mitochondrial DNA might be different from nuclear DNA. 
A) Closely related species will not look similar to each other. 
B) Artificial selection can bring closely related species even closer to each other. 
C) Species with very similar DNA will have similar structures,enzymes,and appearance. 
D) Mitochondrial DNA might be different from nuclear DNA.

Question 14

Why did the five-kingdom system of classification fall out of favor?

Accepted Answer

A) It was too complex-Linnaeus' original two-kingdom system was more useful. 
B) It was too difficult to distinguish plants from fungi and animals from protistans. 
C) There were too few monerans to justify their classification at the kingdom level. 
D) It did not reflect the actual evolutionary relationships among organisms very well. 
A) It was too complex-Linnaeus' original two-kingdom system was more useful. 
B) It was too difficult to distinguish plants from fungi and animals from protistans. 
C) There were too few monerans to justify their classification at the kingdom level. 
D) It did not reflect the actual evolutionary relationships among organisms very well.

Question 15

The "heat" in chili peppers is due to a molecule called capsaicin.Suppose you breed only the hottest chili peppers over many generations-predict the characteristics of the resulting individuals.

Accepted Answer

A) larger fruits 
B) smaller fruits 
C) less capsaicin 
D) more capsaicin 
A) larger fruits 
B) smaller fruits 
C) less capsaicin 
D) more capsaicin

Question 16

One aspect of Darwin's theory of natural selection is that adaptations not useful to fitness are lost faster if they have a greater cost.With this in mind,which of the following explanation is most likely true?

Accepted Answer

A) Our little toe is not going away in the near future. 
B) The human appendix must currently serve an essential function or it would not be in our bodies. 
C) It is a mystery why we do not have tails. 
D) Humans are relatively hairless because we look better without hair. 
A) Our little toe is not going away in the near future. 
B) The human appendix must currently serve an essential function or it would not be in our bodies. 
C) It is a mystery why we do not have tails. 
D) Humans are relatively hairless because we look better without hair.

Question 17

In both experiments,flies appeared in all of the open jars and only in the open jars.Which one of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

A) The experiment was inconclusive because Redi used only one kind of meat. 
B) The experiment was inconclusive because it did not run long enough. 
C) The experiment supports the hypothesis that spontaneous generation occurs in rotting meat. 
D) The experiment supports the hypothesis that maggots arise only from eggs laid by adult flies. 
A) The experiment was inconclusive because Redi used only one kind of meat. 
B) The experiment was inconclusive because it did not run long enough. 
C) The experiment supports the hypothesis that spontaneous generation occurs in rotting meat. 
D) The experiment supports the hypothesis that maggots arise only from eggs laid by adult flies.

Question 18

Fireflies are nocturnal beetles that emit flashes of light to attract mates.A scientist studying the firefly population over the past 5 years observes that the firefly population has declined significantly as the area that she has been studying has become more developed (more buildings).The scientist proposes a series of hypotheses to explain the decline.Which of her hypotheses is most likely to be correct?

Accepted Answer

A) Due to excess amounts of artificial light,the firefly is now active during the day;the scientist is trying to study them at the wrong time leading to incorrect counts of the number of fireflies. 
B) Excess amounts of artificial light prevent the female fireflies from seeing the male's flashing mating signal. 
C) Excess amounts of artificial light resulted in the evolution of a different mechanism in the male firefly for attracting females and the females no longer recognize this signal. 
A) Due to excess amounts of artificial light,the firefly is now active during the day;the scientist is trying to study them at the wrong time leading to incorrect counts of the number of fireflies. 
B) Excess amounts of artificial light prevent the female fireflies from seeing the male's flashing mating signal. 
C) Excess amounts of artificial light resulted in the evolution of a different mechanism in the male firefly for attracting females and the females no longer recognize this signal.

Question 19

If the history of Earth is condensed to a year,which choice is closest to how long our species has been present?

Accepted Answer

A) three days 
B) two hours 
C) eleven minutes 
D) four seconds 
A) three days 
B) two hours 
C) eleven minutes 
D) four seconds

Question 20

On the tree of life,branches that lead to several groups of green algae branch off from the one that leads to land plants.Which one of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

A) Green algae and land plants are not related. 
B) Green algae are very closely related to the fungi. 
C) Land plants appeared first in the fossil record. 
D) Land plants and algae have a common ancestor. 
A) Green algae and land plants are not related. 
B) Green algae are very closely related to the fungi. 
C) Land plants appeared first in the fossil record. 
D) Land plants and algae have a common ancestor.

Exam 1: Biology and the Tree of Life

Which statement about spontaneous generation is false?

Recall the chili pepper experiment that tested whether capsaicin acts as a deterrent to predators.What eating habits were predicted for the curve-billed thrasher-a known seed disperser?

Which of the following is a powerful way to test a hypothesis?

The pattern component of the cell theory claims that all organisms consist of cells.

Starting from the wild mustard Brassica oleracea,breeders have created the strains known as Brussel sprouts,broccoli,kale,and cabbage.Which of the following statements is supported by this observation?

On the tree of life,the branch leading to animals is closer to fungi than it is to the branch leading to land plants.Which of the following statements is correct?

The "heat" in chili peppers is due to a molecule called capsaicin.Suppose you breed chili peppers that have low amounts of capsaicin over many generations in order to make them milder (have less capsaicin).What process is occurring?

A friend of yours calls to say that his car would not start this morning.He asks for your help.You say that you think the battery must be dead,and that if so,then jump-starting the car from a good battery will solve the problem.In doing so,you are

Which of the following is the best example of a heritable variation?

Which of the following would not be a good reason for studying SSU RNA to understand the major branches in the evolutionary history of life?

For many years,no one bothered to test the food-competition hypothesis for why giraffes have long necks.Why?

In the Linnaean classification system,which taxon would generally include the largest number of species?

Many phylogenetic trees are based on DNA sequence similarities.What is the practical result of this similarity?

Why did the five-kingdom system of classification fall out of favor?

The "heat" in chili peppers is due to a molecule called capsaicin.Suppose you breed only the hottest chili peppers over many generations-predict the characteristics of the resulting individuals.

One aspect of Darwin's theory of natural selection is that adaptations not useful to fitness are lost faster if they have a greater cost.With this in mind,which of the following explanation is most likely true?

In both experiments,flies appeared in all of the open jars and only in the open jars.Which one of the following statements is correct?

If the history of Earth is condensed to a year,which choice is closest to how long our species has been present?

On the tree of life,branches that lead to several groups of green algae branch off from the one that leads to land plants.Which one of the following statements is correct?

Water and Carbon: the Chemical Basis of Life

Protein Structure and Function

Nucleic Acids and the Rna World

An Introduction to Carbohydrates

Lipids, membranes, and the First Cells

Inside the Cell

Cell-Cell Interactions

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis

Mendel and the Gene

Dna and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair

How Genes Work

Transcription, RNA Processing, and Translation

Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria

Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes

Analyzing and Engineering Genes

Genomics

Principles of Development

An Introduction to Animal Development

An Introduction to Plant Development

Evolution by Natural Selection

Evolutionary Processes

Speciation

Phylogenies and the History of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Green Algae and Land Plants

Fungi

An Introduction to Animals

Protostome Animals

Deuterostome Animals

Viruses

Plant Form and Function

Water and Sugar Transport in Plants

Plant Nutrition

Plant Sensory Systems, signals, and Responses

Plant Reproduction

Animal Form and Function

Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals

Animal Nutrition

Gas Exchange and Circulation

Electrical Signals in Animals

Animal Sensory Systems and Movement

Chemical Signals in Animals

Animal Reproduction

The Immune System in Animals

An Introduction to Ecology

Behavioural Ecology

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Ecosystems

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

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