Deck 1: A View of Life

Question 1

By definition, an organism that is eukaryotic:

A) is a protist
B) is unicellular
C) possesses a nucleus
D) possesses organ systems
E) belongs to the domain Bacteria

Answer 1

C

Question 2

CRISPR research can decrease the spread of what type of disease?

A) cancer
B) HIV
C) heart disease
D) Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases
E) liver disease

Answer 2

D

Question 3

What type of molecule carries the hereditary information of an organism?

A) DNA
B) RNA
C) protein
D) nucleus
E) hormone

Answer 3

A

Question 4

What is a distinct characteristic of asexual reproduction?

A) fusion of egg and sperm
B) a cell splitting into identical halves
C) genes contributed by two parents
D) high degree of genetic variation
E) formation of a fertilized egg

Question 5

In living organisms, chemical reactions responsible for growth, repair, and nutrition are collectively referred to as:

A) development
B) metabolism
C) adaptation
D) genetics
E) homeostasis

Question 6

What is the smallest chemical unit that retains the characteristic properties of a given element?

A) cell
B) atom
C) tissue
D) molecule
E) organism

Question 7

Suppose a particular protein is produced in excess of the cellʼs needs. What kind of mechanism will intervene to stop production?

A) growth
B) catabolic
C) metabolic
D) respiratory
E) homeostatic

Question 8

Identify three of the five basic themes in biology:
I) The cellular composition of life
II) The evolution of life
III. The interactions of living systems
IV) The mechanisms of disease
V) The transmission of information

A) I, II, and III
B) II, III, and IV
C) III, IV, and V
D) I, IV, and V
E) II, III, and V

Question 9

When tissues organize, what do they form?

A) a cell
B) a nucleus
C) an atom
D) an organ
E) an enzyme

Question 10

Which technology has been used to successfully deactivate specific human genes, modify yeasts for biofuel production, and modify agricultural crop?

A) gene therapy
B) vectors
C) CRISPR/Cas9
D) cell signaling
E) epigenetics

Question 11

What is the purpose of the cilia and flagella of cells?

A) They generate the cellʼs metabolism.
B) They provide movement for the cell.
C) They help maintain homeostasis.
D) They generate cell signaling.
E) They contract muscles.

Question 12

What statement best describes "biology"?

A) The science of life
B) The naming of organisms
C) The study of natural selection
D) The measurement of populations
E) The study of how organisms are related to one another

Question 13

What are units of hereditary information?

A) RNA
B) genes
C) proteins
D) hormones
E) nucleotides

Question 14

Which stimulus most directly causes the Venus flytrap to catch an insect?

A) gravity
B) light
C) touch
D) scent
E) sound

Question 15

Which tool is used by researchers to rapidly and inexpensively edit genetic material?

A) Morpholino
B) CRISPR
C) mGene
D) ORF FINDER
E) Veil

Question 16

All members of the same species occupying the same area at the same time constitute a(n):

A) individual
B) population
C) community
D) ecosystem
E) biosphere

Question 17

Which is a benefit of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction?

A) More offspring are produced by the parents.
B) The offspring are all identical to the parents.
C) There is less variation from generation to generation.
D) Evolution occurs at a slower rate when there are two parents.
E) The interaction of the genes from both parents allows genetic variation.

Question 18

Which statement best describes the cell theory?

A) All living organisms grow and develop.
B) All living organisms respond to stimuli.
C) All living organisms are composed of basic units called cells.
D) All living organisms change locations to find food or to escape predators.
E) All living organisms can form a population of organisms.

Question 19

Information in living organisms is transmitted by which mechanism(s)?

A) genes only
B) hormones only
C) genes and hormones
D) neurotransmitters only
E) genes, hormones, and neurotransmitters

Question 20

The primary purpose of homeostasis is to:

A) accept responses to stimuli
B) provide unlimited growth within an organism
C) allow unrestricted movement of an organism
D) convert an organism to live in a harmful environment
E) maintain a constant internal environment

Question 21

What is an end product of cellular respiration?

A) sugar
B) light
C) oxygen
D) glucose
E) carbon dioxide

Question 22

Similar families of organisms are next grouped together in the same:

A) class
B) order
C) genus
D) phylum
E) kingdom

Question 23

Which sequence represents the pattern of energy flow within an ecosystem?

A) producers → consumers → decomposers
B) decomposers → producers → consumers
C) consumers → producers → decomposers
D) decomposers → consumers → producers
E) producers → decomposers → consumers

Question 24

In deductive reasoning, we begin with ____ and make ____ based on that information.

A) premises; observations
B) observations; premises
C) observations; conclusions
D) observations; inductions
E) premises; conclusions

Question 25

Suppose we want to examine the effect of a fertilizer on the size of zucchini produced, and therefore, we need to establish the experimental and control groups. The control group for this experiment would be defined under which conditions?

A) soil, fertilizer, water, sun, but no zucchini seeds
B) soil, fertilizer, water, sun, and zucchini seeds
C) soil, water, sun, and no zucchini seeds
D) soil, water, sun, and zucchini seeds
E) soil, water, and sun

Question 26

What is a branching diagram that depicts the relationships among organisms based on shared characteristics?

A) cladogram
B) taxon
C) domains
D) Linnaean system
E) systematic hierarchy

Question 27

Which statement best describes autotrophic organisms?

A) Autotrophs are exemplified by fungi and animals.
B) Autotrophs are exemplified by animals and bacteria.
C) Autotrophs cannot carry out cellular respiration during the day.
D) Autotrophs depend on heterotrophs for food and energy.
E) Autotrophs synthesize macromolecules from CO₂, water, and energy.

Question 28

During an experiment, what is the purpose of a control group?

A) To allow the comparison of the results with previous experiments
B) To disprove the hypothesis
C) To prove the hypothesis
D) To replicate the results of the experimental group
E) To ensure that the results observed in the experimental group is due to the variable being tested

Question 29

What would be the ultimate effect on an ecosystem if decomposers were eliminated?

A) The rate of photosynthesis would increase.
B) The consumers would have to eat twice as much.
C) Energy flow between producers and consumers would increase.
D) All life would eventually cease due to a lack of available nutrients.
E) Producers would outgrow consumers.

Question 30

You discover an organism that is eukaryotic, unicellular, and photosynthetic. Based on this evidence, to which group would you assign this organism?

A) Bacteria
B) Protists
C) Fungi
D) Plantae
E) Archaea

Question 31

Which organizational unit includes the fewest species of organisms?

A) class
B) biosphere
C) community
D) population
E) ecosystem

Question 32

What is a subspecialty of systematics and is the science of naming and classifying organisms?

A) binomial system of nomenclature
B) taxonomy
C) systems biology
D) cladogram
E) phyla

Question 33

What are inherited characteristics that enhance an organismʼs ability to survive in its environment?

A) biosphere
B) asexual reproduction
C) acellular levels
D) adaptations
E) DNA

Question 34

Which is a characteristic of a good hypothesis?

A) It is falsifiable.
B) It is a statement of fact.
C) It can only be tested once.
D) It can be proven to be true.
E) It represents important conclusions.

Question 35

Which cells do not have a nucleus or other membrane-enclosed organelles?

A) eukaryotic cells
B) prokaryotic cells
C) protists
D) neurotransmitters
E) mutated cells

Question 36

An organism that is neither prokaryotic nor photosynthetic, and must obtain its nutrients by secreting digestive enzymes into the environment, belongs to which group of organisms?

A) Bacteria
B) Protists
C) Fungi
D) Plantae
E) Animalia

Question 37

Which process is most directly associated with the theory of evolution?

A) Populations changing over time
B) Mutations changing the gene pool
C) Production of large numbers of offspring
D) Sexual reproduction producing genetic variation
E) Competition within a population for limited resources

Question 38

One of the conclusions drawn from Darwinʼs theory of evolution is that:

A) existing organisms can adapt to environmental changes
B) living organisms are composed of basic units called cells
C) living organisms contain substances produced by cells
D) genetic information can be passed from organism to organism
E) organisms living today descended from previously existing forms

Question 39

Using the Linnaean system of nomenclature, corn is named Zea mays . What is the specific epithet in this name?

A) Zea mays
B) Zea
C) mays
D) Quercus
E) corn

Question 40

The human body is made up of specialized cells that perform different functions. For example, a neuron is a specialized cell of the nervous system that receives and transmits signals throughout the body. To perform these tasks, the neuron uniquely possesses branched protoplasmic protrusions, called dendrites and axons, which conduct the signals to and from its cell body. This illustrates which of the five major biological themes?

A) interaction among biological systems
B) evolution
C) interrelation of structure and function in biological systems
D) activity of living cells
E) transmission of information within and among organisms

Question 41

Which statement concerning a scientific theory is FALSE?

A) It is unchangeable.
B) It predicts new facts.
C) It is based on multiple hypotheses.
D) It may suggest practical applications.
E) It is supported by many observations.

Question 42

Changing your view of reality involves a paradigm shift .

Question 43

A falsifiable hypothesis cannot be tested.

Question 44

The two domains of prokaryotes are Bacteria and Fungi.

Question 45

All of the genes present in a population make up its gene pool .

Question 46

Identify two adaptations in different organisms and explain how each may have evolved through natural selection.

Question 47

Consider the statement "biological systems interact." What does this mean?

A) Systems combine to reproduce.
B) Biological organisms are interdependent.
C) Structure and function are not interrelated.
D) Biological organisms are not interdependent.
E) Every organism is in conflict with other organisms.

Question 48

Systems biology is also called integrative biology .

Question 49

Which best describes a result of sexual reproduction?

A) The only source of variation is mutation.
B) Clones of the original cell are produced.
C) One cell divides to produce two identical cells.
D) Two sex cells combine to form a fertilized cell.
E) The offspring obtain genes from only one parent.

Question 50

With deductive reasoning, you draw conclusions from specific observations.

Question 51

A DNA molecule is made up of:

A) lipids
B) proteins
C) nucleotides
D) fatty acids
E) carbohydrates

Question 52

To which phylum do humans belong?

A) Animalia
B) Chordata
C) Vertebrata
D) Mammalia
E) Homo sapiens

Question 53

Explain the flow of energy through ecosystems. Include a specific example of energy flow through an ecosystem.

Question 54

An organism that reproduces asexually produces genetically variable offspring.

Question 55

Using the characteristics that define life, compare and contrast a plant and a salt crystal.

Question 56

The scientific name for coffee is Coffea arabica . More specifically, the species name is arabica .

Question 57

Adaptation involves changes in ecosystem rather than in individual organism.

Question 58

Similar orders are placed in the same class .

Question 59

Which is a byproduct of photosynthesis?

A) water
B) light
C) glucose
D) oxygen
E) carbon dioxide

Question 60

Which scenario best describes a double-blind study?

A) The investigator and the subjects wear blindfolds.
B) No one knows who is in the experimental or control groups
C) The subjects do not know if they are in the experimental or control groups.
D) Neither the investigator nor the subjects know who is in the experimental or control groups.
E) The investigator does not know if subjects are in the experimental or control groups.

Question 62

On a scientific expedition into new territory, you discover a previously unknown organism living within the rainforest. This organism has a cell wall, is multicellular and heterotrophic, and has a nucleus. In what kingdom would you most likely place this organism and why?

Question 64

You place equal numbers of dark and light varieties of feeder crickets into a terrarium containing a lizard. After two days, you notice that there are fewer light-colored crickets than dark-colored crickets. What process is taking place on a small scale within the terrarium? Design an experiment in which you could determine if color or taste is the primary factor responsible for the selective feeding of the lizard.

Question 66

Design a new organism (for example, a new species of bird, alligator, or plant) that is fit for a .swamp habitat. Explain how that organism would communicate with other organisms within that ecosystem and transmit information within itself and between generations.