Question 1

Why is a scientific topic best discussed by people of varying points of view, a variety of subdisciplines, and diverse cultures?

Accepted Answer

A)  They can rectify each other's approach to make it truly scientific. 
B)  Robust and critical discussion between diverse groups improves scientific thinking. 
C)  Scientists can explain to others that they need to work in isolation to utilize the scientific method more productively. 
D)  This is another way of ensuring that everyone gets the same results. 
E)  Scientists need to exchange their ideas with other disciplines and cultures so that all groups are in consensus with the course of future research. 
A)  They can rectify each other's approach to make it truly scientific. 
B)  Robust and critical discussion between diverse groups improves scientific thinking. 
C)  Scientists can explain to others that they need to work in isolation to utilize the scientific method more productively. 
D)  This is another way of ensuring that everyone gets the same results. 
E)  Scientists need to exchange their ideas with other disciplines and cultures so that all groups are in consensus with the course of future research. B

Question 2

In her studies of chimpanzee behavior, Jane Goodall collected both qualitative and quantitative data. Which of the following is an example of quantitative data?

Accepted Answer

A)  Chimpanzees typically travel together in small groups. 
B)  Pairs of animals take turns grooming each other. 
C)  Young chimpanzees play games in the trees and on the ground. 
D)  Mothers and their infants typically nap for two to three hours each afternoon. 
A)  Chimpanzees typically travel together in small groups. 
B)  Pairs of animals take turns grooming each other. 
C)  Young chimpanzees play games in the trees and on the ground. 
D)  Mothers and their infants typically nap for two to three hours each afternoon. D

Question 3

Darwin's finches, collected from the Galápagos Islands, illustrate which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  mutation frequency 
B)  ancestors from different regions 
C)  descent with modification 
D)  the accuracy of the fossil record 
A)  mutation frequency 
B)  ancestors from different regions 
C)  descent with modification 
D)  the accuracy of the fossil record C

Question 4

Over time, the lineage that led to modern whales shows a change from four-limbed land animals to aquatic animals with two limbs that function as flippers. This change is best explained by

Accepted Answer

A)  an emergent property. 
B)  reductionism. 
C)  the hierarchy of the biological organization of life. 
D)  natural selection. 
A)  an emergent property. 
B)  reductionism. 
C)  the hierarchy of the biological organization of life. 
D)  natural selection.

Question 5

Strong evidence in support of the common ancestry of all life comes from

Accepted Answer

A)  the fact that decomposers include both bacteria and fungi. 
B)  the ability of plants to convert light energy to chemical energy. 
C)  the existence of a nearly universal genetic code. 
D)  the universal use of protein catalysts by all cells. 
A)  the fact that decomposers include both bacteria and fungi. 
B)  the ability of plants to convert light energy to chemical energy. 
C)  the existence of a nearly universal genetic code. 
D)  the universal use of protein catalysts by all cells.

Question 6

Burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. Approximately what proportion of this CO₂ remains in the atmosphere, contributing to the trapping of heat close to the Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  less than 1% 
B)  5% 
C)  50% 
D)  90% 
A)  less than 1% 
B)  5% 
C)  50% 
D)  90%

Question 7

Which of the following was Charles Darwin's most significant original contribution to understanding both the unity and diversity of life?

Accepted Answer

A)  He documented examples of organisms that had evolved over time. 
B)  He proposed a mechanism to explain the process of evolution. 
C)  He explained the relationship between genes and evolution. 
D)  He observed that individuals in a population generally displayed variation for a number of traits. 
E)  He suggested that survival depends upon competition. 
A)  He documented examples of organisms that had evolved over time. 
B)  He proposed a mechanism to explain the process of evolution. 
C)  He explained the relationship between genes and evolution. 
D)  He observed that individuals in a population generally displayed variation for a number of traits. 
E)  He suggested that survival depends upon competition.

Question 8

The primary source of energy for producers in an ecosystem is

Accepted Answer

A)  light energy. 
B)  kinetic energy. 
C)  thermal energy. 
D)  chemical energy. 
E)  ATP. 
A)  light energy. 
B)  kinetic energy. 
C)  thermal energy. 
D)  chemical energy. 
E)  ATP.

Question 9

Charles Darwin proposed that "descent with modification" resulted when organisms of a particular species become adapted to their environment because they possess

Accepted Answer

A)  nonheritable traits that enhance survival and decrease their reproductive success in the local environment. 
B)  nonheritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment. 
C)  heritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment. 
D)  heritable traits that enhance their survival and decrease their reproductive success in the local environment. 
A)  nonheritable traits that enhance survival and decrease their reproductive success in the local environment. 
B)  nonheritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment. 
C)  heritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment. 
D)  heritable traits that enhance their survival and decrease their reproductive success in the local environment.

Question 10

A controlled experiment is one in which

Accepted Answer

A)  the experiment is repeated many times to ensure that the results are accurate. 
B)  the experiment proceeds at a slow pace to guarantee that the scientist can carefully observe all reactions and process all experimental data. 
C)  there are at least two groups, one of which does not receive the experimental treatment. 
D)  there are at least two groups, one differing from the other by two or more variables. 
A)  the experiment is repeated many times to ensure that the results are accurate. 
B)  the experiment proceeds at a slow pace to guarantee that the scientist can carefully observe all reactions and process all experimental data. 
C)  there are at least two groups, one of which does not receive the experimental treatment. 
D)  there are at least two groups, one differing from the other by two or more variables.

Question 11

Which of these individuals is likely to be most successful in an evolutionary sense?

Accepted Answer

A)  a reproductively sterile individual who never falls ill 
B)  an organism that dies after five days of life but leaves ten offspring, all of whom survive to reproduce 
C)  a male who mates with 20 females and fathers one offspring 
D)  an organism that lives 100 years and leaves two offspring, both of whom survive to reproduce 
E)  a female who mates with 20 males and produces two offspring who live to reproduce 
A)  a reproductively sterile individual who never falls ill 
B)  an organism that dies after five days of life but leaves ten offspring, all of whom survive to reproduce 
C)  a male who mates with 20 females and fathers one offspring 
D)  an organism that lives 100 years and leaves two offspring, both of whom survive to reproduce 
E)  a female who mates with 20 males and produces two offspring who live to reproduce

Question 12

Living things are divided into three different domains. Which of these domains are classified as prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

A)  Bacteria and Eukarya 
B)  Archaea and Monera 
C)  Eukarya and Monera 
D)  Bacteria and Protista 
E)  Bacteria and Archaea 
A)  Bacteria and Eukarya 
B)  Archaea and Monera 
C)  Eukarya and Monera 
D)  Bacteria and Protista 
E)  Bacteria and Archaea

Question 13

Which of the following correctly describes the forms by which energy flows through an ecosystem from entry to exit?

Accepted Answer

A)  heat → chemical → heat 
B)  light → heat → chemical 
C)  light → chemical → heat 
D)  chemical → heat → light 
A)  heat → chemical → heat 
B)  light → heat → chemical 
C)  light → chemical → heat 
D)  chemical → heat → light

Question 14

All the organisms on your campus make up

Accepted Answer

A)  an ecosystem. 
B)  a community. 
C)  a population. 
D)  a taxonomic domain. 
A)  an ecosystem. 
B)  a community. 
C)  a population. 
D)  a taxonomic domain.

Question 15

Which of the following types of cells lack a nucleus?

Accepted Answer

A)  animal 
B)  plant 
C)  archaea 
D)  fungi 
E)  protists 
A)  animal 
B)  plant 
C)  archaea 
D)  fungi 
E)  protists

Question 16

All of the organisms inhabiting a particular ecosystem are known as

Accepted Answer

A)  a biological system. 
B)  a biosphere. 
C)  a biological community. 
D)  a population. 
A)  a biological system. 
B)  a biosphere. 
C)  a biological community. 
D)  a population.

Question 17

Which of the following is the best description of a control for an experiment?

Accepted Answer

A)  The control group is kept in an unchanging environment. 
B)  The control is left alone by the experimenters. 
C)  The control group is matched with the experimental group except for the one experimental variable. 
D)  The control group is exposed to only one variable rather than several. 
A)  The control group is kept in an unchanging environment. 
B)  The control is left alone by the experimenters. 
C)  The control group is matched with the experimental group except for the one experimental variable. 
D)  The control group is exposed to only one variable rather than several.

Question 18

Investigating the molecular structure of DNA in order to understand the chemical basis of inheritance is an example of which approach utilized in the study of biology?

Accepted Answer

A)  systems biology 
B)  emergent properties 
C)  reductionism 
D)  mutualism 
A)  systems biology 
B)  emergent properties 
C)  reductionism 
D)  mutualism

Question 19

The process of science involves testing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  a data set 
B)  a hypothesis 
C)  an observation 
D)  a conclusion 
E)  a control group 
A)  a data set 
B)  a hypothesis 
C)  an observation 
D)  a conclusion 
E)  a control group

Question 20

Organisms interact with their environments, exchanging matter and energy. For example, plant chloroplasts convert the energy of sunlight to

Accepted Answer

A)  the energy of motion. 
B)  carbon dioxide and water. 
C)  chemical energy. 
D)  oxygen. 
E)  kinetic energy. 
A)  the energy of motion. 
B)  carbon dioxide and water. 
C)  chemical energy. 
D)  oxygen. 
E)  kinetic energy.

Exam 1: Introduction: Evolution and the Foundations of Biology

Why is a scientific topic best discussed by people of varying points of view, a variety of subdisciplines, and diverse cultures?

In her studies of chimpanzee behavior, Jane Goodall collected both qualitative and quantitative data. Which of the following is an example of quantitative data?

Darwin's finches, collected from the Galápagos Islands, illustrate which of the following?

Over time, the lineage that led to modern whales shows a change from four-limbed land animals to aquatic animals with two limbs that function as flippers. This change is best explained by

Strong evidence in support of the common ancestry of all life comes from

Burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. Approximately what proportion of this CO₂ remains in the atmosphere, contributing to the trapping of heat close to the Earth's surface?

Which of the following was Charles Darwin's most significant original contribution to understanding both the unity and diversity of life?

The primary source of energy for producers in an ecosystem is

Charles Darwin proposed that "descent with modification" resulted when organisms of a particular species become adapted to their environment because they possess

A controlled experiment is one in which

Which of these individuals is likely to be most successful in an evolutionary sense?

Living things are divided into three different domains. Which of these domains are classified as prokaryotes?

Which of the following correctly describes the forms by which energy flows through an ecosystem from entry to exit?

All the organisms on your campus make up

Which of the following types of cells lack a nucleus?

All of the organisms inhabiting a particular ecosystem are known as

Which of the following is the best description of a control for an experiment?

Investigating the molecular structure of DNA in order to understand the chemical basis of inheritance is an example of which approach utilized in the study of biology?

The process of science involves testing which of the following?

Organisms interact with their environments, exchanging matter and energy. For example, plant chloroplasts convert the energy of sunlight to

The Chemical Context of Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Transport and Cell Signaling

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Development, Stem Cells, and Cancer

Viruses

Genomes and Their Evolution

Descent With Modification

Phylogeny

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

Broad Patterns of Evolution

Early Life and the Diversification of Prokaryotes

The Origin and Diversification of Eukaryotes

The Colonization of Land by Plants and Fungi

The Rise of Animal Diversity

Plant Structure and Growth

Resource Acquisition, Nutrition, and Transport in Vascular Plants

Reproduction and Domestication of Flowering Plants

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Homeostasis and Endocrine Signaling

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Reproduction and Development

Neurons, Synapses, and Signaling

Nervous and Sensory Systems

Motor Mechanisms and Behavior

Population Ecology and the Distribution of Organisms

Species Interactions

Ecosystems and Energy

Global Ecology and Conservation Biology

Filters