Chapter 01
Biology: The Science of Life

Multiple Choice Questions
 
1. The circulatory system of a whale is considered an organ system because it is composed of different 
A. cells.
B. tissues.
C. organs.
D. molecules.
E. heart.

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General
 
2. Which of the following lists the terms from simplest to most complex? 
A. cells, organs, tissues, organ systems, organism
B. organs, organ system, organism, cells, tissues
C. tissues, organs, organ systems, organism, cells
D. cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organism
E. organ systems, tissues, cells, organism, organs

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General

 
3. The smallest unit of life is a(n) 
A. tissue.
B. organ.
C. cell.
D. species.
E. organism.

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General
 
4.  The process of _____________________ transforms solar energy into chemical energy.  
A.  metabolism 
B.  homeostasis 
C.  respiration 
D.  photosynthesis 
E.  reproduction 

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Explain the basic characteristics that are common to all living organisms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General
 
5. After spending an hour working outside in the hot, sunny weather, a person typically perspires and will need to drink water. This is part of 
A. metabolizing energy.
B. maintaining homeostasis.
C. regulating blood proteins.
D. capturing solar energy.
E. adaptation to the warm weather.

Blooms Level: 3. Apply
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.03 Summarize how the terms homeostasis, metabolism, and adaptation all relate to living organisms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General

 
6. As fall approaches, whitetail deer begin to accumulate a layer of body fat. This is an example of which characteristic of life? 
A. maintaining homeostasis
B. metabolism
C. response to the environment
D. energy regulation
E. organization

Blooms Level: 4. Analyze
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Explain the basic characteristics that are common to all living organisms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General
 
7. Geese are known to use the magnetic field of the Earth in navigating their twice yearly migrations. This is an example of which characteristic of life? 
A. maintaining homeostasis
B. reproduction and development
C. interacting with the environment
D. energy regulation
E. organization

Blooms Level: 4. Analyze
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Explain the basic characteristics that are common to all living organisms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General
 
8. All of the following are true with respect to DNA except 
A. genes are made up of DNA.
B. for sex cells (sperm and egg), the DNA found in every cell in your body is identical.
C. offspring from sexual reproduction obtain their DNA from both parents.
D. asexual reproduction results in offspring with DNA that is different from the parent.
E. DNA codes for proteins.

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Explain the basic characteristics that are common to all living organisms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General

 
9.  Which of the following is matched incorrectly?  
A.  brain - organ 
B.  neuron - cell 
C.  skin - organ 
D.  gray matter - tissue 
E.  gene - organelle 
 A gene is part of the DNA so is best described as a biological molecule. 

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General
 
10. Many insects do not see into the red color-range and as a result, many insect-pollinated flowers are colors other than red (e.g., purple and yellow). This flower coloration would be considered a(n) 
A. natural selection.
B. evolution.
C. adaptation.
D. gene.
E. DNA.

Blooms Level: 3. Apply
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Explain the basic characteristics that are common to all living organisms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Evolution

 
11. Richard is an avid gardener who spends a lot of time caring for the plants in his garden. To minimize damage from pests from his garden, Richard uses a pesticide spray. At first the spray is very effective and kills off most of the insects that he sees on his vegetable plants. However, after a few years of using the same pesticide he notices that some insects are surviving and continuing to eat his plants. This selection for herbicide resistance in the insects is an example of 
A. natural selection.
B. evolution.
C. an adaptation.
D. a gene.
E. a learned response.

Blooms Level: 5. Evaluate
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Explain the process of natural selection and its relationship to evolutionary processes.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Evolution
 
12. Richard is an avid gardener who spends a lot of time caring for the plants in his garden. To minimize damage from pests from his garden, Richard uses a pesticide spray. At first the spray is very effective and kills off most of the insects that he sees on his vegetable plants. However, after a few years of using the same pesticide he notices that some insects are surviving and continuing to eat his plants. The ability of some of the insects to survive pesticide spraying would be considered 
A. natural selection.
B. evolution.
C. an adaptation.
D. a gene.
E. a learned response.

Blooms Level: 5. Evaluate
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Summarize the general characteristics of the domains and major kingdoms of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Evolution

 
13. Richard is an avid gardener who spends a lot of time caring for the plants in his garden. To minimize damage from pests from his garden, Richard uses a pesticide spray. At first the spray is very effective and kills off most of the insects that he sees on his vegetable plants. However, after a few years of using the same pesticide he notices that some insects are surviving and continuing to eat his plants. The constant use of pesticides by Richard has led to genetic changes in the population over many generations. This is an example of 
A. natural selection.
B. evolution.
C. an adaptation.
D. a gene.
E. a learned response.

Blooms Level: 3. Apply
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Define the term evolution.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Evolution
 
14. All the chemical reactions that occur in a cell are called 
A. reproduction
B. adaptations
C. photosynthesis
D. energy
E. metabolism

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.03 Summarize how the terms homeostasis, metabolism, and adaptation all relate to living organisms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General

 
15.  All single-celled organisms including archaea and bacteria are prokaryotes.  
A.  True, because prokaryotes are the simplest cell form. 
B.  True, because all eukaryotes are multicellular. 
C.  False, because some eukaryotes, including protista, are single-celled. 
D.  False, because some prokaryotes are multicellular. 
E.  False, because all single celled organisms are prokaryotes. 

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Summarize the general characteristics of the domains and major kingdoms of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: General
 
16.  The various species of honeycreepers have an assortment of different bills, but all species have a similar size and body shape. This is an example of  
A.  homeostasis. 
B.  descent with modification. 
C.  taxonomy. 
D.  adaptations. 
E.  DNA. 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Explain the process of natural selection and its relationship to evolutionary processes.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Evolution
 
17. Based on the evolutionary tree of the three domains, which of the following is true? 
A. All three domains have a common ancestor.
B. Domain Bacteria and Domain Eukarya are more closely related to each other than to Domain Archaea.
C. The Eukarya have remained the same throughout evolutionary time.
D. All three domains are equally related to one another.
E. The Eukarya are the common ancestors to the three domains.

Blooms Level: 5. Evaluate
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Summarize the general characteristics of the domains and major kingdoms of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Taxonomy and Systematics

 
18.  Prokaryotes belong to ________  
A.  Domain Eukarya. 
B.  Kingdom Plantae. 
C.  Kingdom Protista. 
D.  Domain Archaea. 
E.  Kingdom Animalia. 

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Summarize the general characteristics of the domains and major kingdoms of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Taxonomy and Systematics
 
19.  The mountain zebra (Equus zebra) and the donkey (Equus asinus) belong to the same species.  
A.  True because they both start with Equus. 
B.  True because they are both related to horses. 
C.  False because the specific epithet is different. 
D.  False because they have no similarities to each other. 
E.  True because they have the same genus. 

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Summarize the general characteristics of the domains and major kingdoms of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Taxonomy and Systematics
 
20. Which of the following correctly lists the classification categories from least to most inclusive? 
A. kingdom, phylum, domain, class, order family, genus, species
B. domain, kingdom, class, order, family, phylum, genus, species
C. genus, species, family, class, order, domain, phylum, kingdom
D. species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, domain
E. phylum, species, genus, kingdom, domain, order, class, family

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Summarize the general characteristics of the domains and major kingdoms of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Taxonomy and Systematics

 
21. Phylum Arthropoda is broken into subgroups which include both Arachnida (e.g., spiders) and Insecta (e.g., insects). As a result, Arachnida and Insecta most likely belong to which classification category? 
A. Class
B. Order
C. Family
D. Kingdom
E. Domain

Blooms Level: 3. Apply
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Summarize the general characteristics of the domains and major kingdoms of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Taxonomy and Systematics
 
22. Domain _______________ includes both unicellular and multicellular organisms. 
A. Eukarya
B. Bacteria
C. Protista
D. Fungi
E. Plantae

Blooms Level: 3. Apply
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Summarize the general characteristics of the domains and major kingdoms of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Taxonomy and Systematics
 
23. Which of the following classification categories for humans is not correct? 
A. Homo sapiens: Binomial Name
B. Homo: genus
C. Animalia: Kingdom
D. sapiens: family
E. Domain: Eukarya

Blooms Level: 3. Apply
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Summarize the general characteristics of the domains and major kingdoms of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Taxonomy and Systematics

 
24. Martin keeps a worm bin in his basement because they need cooler temperatures to survive. He feeds them about 1 pound of kitchen scraps each week. One summer the temperatures rose above the optimal temperature for the red worms (~ 85F) and many in his colony died. However, those that survive continued to reproduce and within 6 months his colony was again thriving. The next summer, unusually warm temperatures again cause the basement temperatures to rise above 85F for 2 days in a row. Surprisingly, Martin noticed that only a small portion of the worm colony died. What is the best explanation for this? 
A. After the first summer a new species of worm evolved.
B. The worms sensed that the temperature was going to be hot in the future and adapted.
C. The worms learned how to tolerate higher temperatures.
D. The worms surviving the first year had a higher heat tolerance and passed this trait to their offspring.
E. Worms are insensitive to heat changes.

Blooms Level: 5. Evaluate
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Explain the process of natural selection and its relationship to evolutionary processes.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Evolution
 
25. Which of the following terms is not correctly matched with a correct example? 
A. a herd of wildebeest - population
B. a spider - organism
C. a mosquito feeding on a human host - community
D. a rock garden with various plants and rocks of different sizes - ecosystem
E. a tropical rainforest - community

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General

 
26. A biologist is studying how pollution affects algal growth and snail populations in a portion of Lake Erie. What level of organization is she studying? 
A. population
B. community
C. ecosystem
D. biosphere
E. cells

Blooms Level: 3. Apply
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General
 
27. Didinium are carnivorous protista, that prey on other, slower moving protista. A student is studying Didinium feeding rates after 1, 3, and 5 days of food deprivation. How should she classify the organism she is studying? 
A. eukaryotic decomposer
B. prokaryotic consumer
C. bacterial decomposer
D. prokaryotic producer
E. eukaryotic consumer

Blooms Level: 3. Apply
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.04 Contrast chemical cycling and energy flow within an ecosystem.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Community Ecology

 
28. Linda is studying the interaction between porcupines, pinion pine trees, and pine bark beetles. Over the course of her study in northern Texas, she observes the behaviors of 25 porcupines, records the location of 151 pinion pines, and traps 332 beetles. Her study encompasses _________ population(s) and ___________ organisms. 
A. 1; 508
B. 3; 3
C. 508; 508
D. 3; 508
E. 508; 3

Blooms Level: 4. Analyze
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Community Ecology
 
29. Which of the following is the most encompassing level of organization? 
A. community
B. population
C. ecosystem
D. species
E. cells

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Biomes and Ecosystems

 
30. Kevin is studying predator-prey interactions. One day he notices a spider eating a cricket caught in its web. Later that day, a bird eats the spider. How many consumers are there is this scenario?4-25-2013 
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. 4

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.04 Contrast chemical cycling and energy flow within an ecosystem.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Community Ecology
 
31.  Kevin is studying predator-prey interactions. One day he notices a spider eating a cricket caught in its web. Later that day, a bird eats the spider. How many producers are there is this scenario?-13  
A.  0 
B.  1 
C.  2 
D.  3 
E.  4 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.04 Contrast chemical cycling and energy flow within an ecosystem.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Community Ecology

 
32.  Kevin is studying predator-prey interactions. One day he notices a spider eating a cricket caught in its web. Later that day, a bird eats the spider. How many populations are included in his study?  
A.  0 
B.  1 
C.  2 
D.  3 
E.  4 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Community Ecology
 
33.  Kevin is studying predator-prey interactions. One day he notices a spider eating a cricket caught in its web. Later that day, a bird eats the spider. Based on the organisms involved in this study, what level of organization is he studying?  
A.  population 
B.  community 
C.  ecosystem 
D.  biosphere 
E.  cells 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Community Ecology

34.  Refer to the figure below. How many different kingdoms are represented in this figure?

A.  1 
B.  2 
C.  3 
D.  4 
E.  5 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Figure: 01.12
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Summarize the general characteristics of the domains and major kingdoms of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Community Ecology
 
35.  Which of the following is NOT true about ecosystems?  
A.  Energy is constantly recycled. 
B.  Nutrients are constantly recycled. 
C.  Producers are a food source for both consumers and decomposers. 
D.  Solar energy is required for photosynthesis. 
E.  Chemicals are constantly recycled. 

Blooms Level: 3. Apply
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.04 Contrast chemical cycling and energy flow within an ecosystem.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Community Ecology
 
36. A pond ecosystem includes small water fleas which feed on submerged aquatic plants. When the water fleas die, they sink to the bottom of the pond and where they decompose with the help of bacteria. List in order the producer, decomposer, and consumer in this system. 
A. water fleas, bacteria, aquatic plants
B. aquatic plants, water fleas, bacteria
C. bacteria, water fleas, aquatic plants
D. aquatic plants, bacteria, water fleas
E. bacterial, aquatic plants, water fleas

Blooms Level: 3. Apply
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.04 Contrast chemical cycling and energy flow within an ecosystem.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Community Ecology

 
37. Populations of amphibians, including frogs and toads, have been plagued by disease and high rates of deformity. A recent study investigated whether problems among the populations have arisen due to poisons from chemicals associated with agriculture. Biologists from the University of Florida collected local adult cane toads (Bufo marinus) from more than 20 different locations. Toads were collected from areas close to agriculture; both large-scale and small-scale farms as well as from suburbs. At collection sites where 50-97% of the adjacent land was farmed, males showed high levels of feminization. Feminized male toads were similar in color to females and had lower levels of testosterone and often also deformed gonads. These changes can lead to sterile males or changes in behavior that prevent mating from occurring. Which of the following statements would be considered a hypothesis for this study? 
A. Amphibian populations are facing problems due to agricultural chemicals.
B. Toxins are causing diseases and deformities within many amphibian populations.
C. Toads collected from suburbs had fewer deformities compared to toads collected from agricultural areas.
D. Agricultural chemicals cause deformities and feminization amongst cane toads.
E. More male toads from the large-scale agricultural areas showed signs of feminization.

Blooms Level: 5. Evaluate
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Distinguish between a theory and a hypothesis.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General

 
38. Populations of amphibians, including frogs and toads, have been plagued by disease and high rates of deformity. A recent study investigated whether problems among the populations have arisen due to poisons from chemicals associated with agriculture. Biologists from the University of Florida collected local adult cane toads (Bufo marinus) from more than 20 different locations. Toads were collected from areas close to agriculture; both large-scale and small-scale farms as well as from suburbs. At collection sites where 50-97% of the adjacent land was farmed, males showed high levels of feminization. Feminized male toads were similar in color to females and had lower levels of testosterone and often also deformed gonads. These changes can lead to sterile males or changes in behavior that prevent mating from occurring. Based on this study, what is the control group? 
A. male toads collected from the suburbs
B. male toads collected from areas near large-scale farms
C. male toads collected from small-scale farms
D. male toads collected from all the different sites
E. female toads collected from all the different sites

Blooms Level: 5. Evaluate
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.02 Describe the basic requirements for a controlled experiment.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General

 
39. Populations of amphibians, including frogs and toads, have been plagued by disease and high rates of deformity. A recent study investigated whether problems among the populations have arisen due to poisons from chemicals associated with agriculture. Biologists from the University of Florida collected local adult cane toads (Bufo marinus) from more than 20 different locations. Toads were collected from areas close to agriculture; both large-scale and small-scale farms as well as from suburbs. At collection sites where 50-97% of the adjacent land was farmed, males showed high levels of feminization. Feminized male toads were similar in color to females and had lower levels of testosterone and often also deformed gonads. These changes can lead to sterile males or changes in behavior that prevent mating from occurring. Based on this study, what is/are the test group(s)? 
A. male toads collected from the suburbs
B. male toads collected from areas near large-scale farms
C. male toads collected from small-scale farms
D. male toads collected from all the different sites
E. female toads collected from all the different sites

Blooms Level: 5. Evaluate
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Distinguish between a theory and a hypothesis.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General

 
40. Populations of amphibians, including frogs and toads, have been plagued by disease and high rates of deformity. A recent study investigated whether problems among the populations have arisen due to poisons from chemicals associated with agriculture. Biologists from the University of Florida collected local adult cane toads (Bufo marinus) from more than 20 different locations. Toads were collected from areas close to agriculture; both large-scale and small-scale farms as well as from suburbs. At collection sites where 50-97% of the adjacent land was farmed, males showed high levels of feminization. Feminized male toads were similar in color to females and had lower levels of testosterone and often also deformed gonads. These changes can lead to sterile males or changes in behavior that prevent mating from occurring. In this study, what is the genus of the study animal? 
A. Bufo marinus
B. cane toad
C. amphibian
D. Bufo
E. marinus

Blooms Level: 3. Apply
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Summarize the general characteristics of the domains and major kingdoms of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: General

 
41. Populations of amphibians, including frogs and toads, have been plagued by disease and high rates of deformity. A recent study investigated whether problems among the populations have arisen due to poisons from chemicals associated with agriculture. Biologists from the University of Florida collected local adult cane toads (Bufo marinus) from more than 20 different locations. Toads were collected from areas close to agriculture; both large-scale and small-scale farms as well as from suburbs. At collection sites where 50-97% of the adjacent land was farmed, males showed high levels of feminization. Feminized male toads were similar in color to females and had lower levels of testosterone and often also deformed gonads. These changes can lead to sterile males or changes in behavior that prevent mating from occurring. At the end of their study, scientists stated that they had supported their theory that agricultural chemical cause deformities. 
A. True based on the data collected during the study.
B. False because they would need more data to prove a theory.
C. False because they were testing a hypothesis not a theory.
D. True because this was a controlled study.
E. False because this was a controlled study.

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Distinguish between a theory and a hypothesis.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General
 
42. Which of the following statements is not correctly matched with the scientific method term? 
A. Biologists suggested that 2-3 cups of coffee can decrease death rates among women - Hypothesis
B. Leslie set up mist nets to catch bats flying over a small stream. Each bat that was caught was weighed and sexed - Experimental design
C. Bethany watched butterflies feeding in a large field of wild flowers. She noticed that more butterflies approached the yellow and purple flowers than the red flowers - Observation
D. A researcher reported that red-foot tortoises preferred red colored fruits and vegetables to those that were green or white colored - Conclusion
E. All organisms are comprised of cells - Data

Blooms Level: 4. Analyze
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.02 Describe the basic requirements for a controlled experiment.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General

 
43. An aspiring scientist in a biology class wanted to conduct a study on the affects of cigarette smoke on the web-building ability of spiders. Which of the following statements is an incorrect use of terms pertaining to the scientific method? 
A. Robert wanted to see if his theory was true that cigarette smoke will influence web-building in spiders.
B. Robert made the observation that spiders weave webs.
C. As a control, Robert had a group of spiders that were never exposed to cigarette smoke.
D. Robert examined the webs from both the control group and the test group and the data was recorded in a table.
E. Robert concluded that there was no significant difference in the ability to weave a web under conditions of cigarette smoke compared to spiders that were not exposed.

Blooms Level: 5. Evaluate
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Identify the steps of the scientific method.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General
 
44.  Scientists were studying temperature selection amongst pregnant big brown bats. What would be the best control group for this study?  
A.  pregnant bats 
B.  female bats that were not pregnant 
C.  male bats 
D.  juvenile male bats 
E.  juvenile female bats 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.02 Describe the basic requirements for a controlled experiment.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General

 
45.  Scientists were studying temperature selection among pregnant big brown bats. What would the treatment group be in this experiment?  
A.  pregnant bats 
B.  female bats that were not pregnant. 
C.  male bats 
D.  juvenile male bats 
E.  Juvenile female bats 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.02 Describe the basic requirements for a controlled experiment.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General
 
46.  Which of the following statements is NOT true with respect to scientific theory?  
A.  Theories are accepted explanations for how the world works. 
B.  Theories are possible explanations for natural events. 
C.  The theory of evolution is considered the unifying concept in biology. 
D.  Theories can help scientists generate new testable hypotheses. 
E.  Theories are supported by many observations and experiments. 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Distinguish between a theory and a hypothesis.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General
 
47.  Which of the following is NOT true with regards to extinction?  
A.  Extinction of different species can impact humans. 
B.  All extinctions are caused by human activities such as habitat destruction. 
C.  As many as 400 species per day may be lost due to human activities. 
D.  Introduction of nonnative species to an area can increase the rate of extinction. 
E.  Extinction is the death of a species or a larger taxonomic group. 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.04.02 Summarize some of the major challenges currently facing science.
Section: 01.04
Topic: General

 
48.  Which of the following is NOT true about biodiversity?  
A.  Biodiversity is defined as variation in life on Earth. 
B.  Beetles have the highest biodiversity of all animals because there are more species of beetle than any other animal. 
C.  Biodiversity is one of the most significant bioethical issues that we face today. 
D.  As extinction rates increase, biodiversity increases. 
E.  The biodiversity that we have on Earth is the result of billions of years of evolution. 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.04.02 Summarize some of the major challenges currently facing science.
Section: 01.04
Topic: General
 
49.  Living organisms must constantly take in energy in order to power functions necessary to remain alive. The chemical reaction that involve energy conversion are called  
A.  adaptations. 
B.  cell respiration. 
C.  photosynthesis. 
D.  metabolism. 
E.  homeostasis. 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.03 Summarize how the terms homeostasis, metabolism, and adaptation all relate to living organisms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General

 
50.  The beaks of birds are well suited to the type of food they eat. This result arises from  
A.  organisms changing so that they can do things more efficiently. 
B.  adaptations that occur as part of natural selection leading to a closer and closer fit between organisms and their environment. 
C.  birds eating only what their beaks are well suited to eat. 
D.  adaptations only allowing those organisms who are well suited to a food source to feed on it. 
E.  natural selection causing adaptations to develop in the birds to match the beaks. 

Blooms Level: 5. Evaluate
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Explain the process of natural selection and its relationship to evolutionary processes.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Evolution
 
51.  The metabolic reactions that rake place in a cell obey all of the same laws and require the same conditions necessary for any chemical reaction to occur. To make these reactions possible, cells  
A.  maintain the correct temperature, moisture level and acidity as well as other factors. 
B.  rely on the external conditions in the environment. 
C.  are at the mercy of change that occur as each reaction progresses in the cell. 
D.  rely on external factors that control their internal conditions. 
E.  sidestep the conditions by manipulating the external environment. 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.01.03 Summarize how the terms homeostasis, metabolism, and adaptation all relate to living organisms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: General

 
52.  The process of _______________________ leads to organisms that are ___________________________ that environment.  
A.  natural selection: adapted to 
B.  adaption: evolved for 
C.  homeostasis: suited to 
D.  natural selection: perfect for 
E.  adaptation: only found in 

Blooms Level: 4. Analyze
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Explain the process of natural selection and its relationship to evolutionary processes.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Evolution
 
53. Why is evolution an important process for living things? 
A. It gives them more traits.
B. It gives them the perfect traits.
C. It gives them fewer traits.
D. It gives them traits that better match their environment.
E. It gives them only the right traits.

Blooms Level: 5. Evaluate
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Explain the process of natural selection and its relationship to evolutionary processes.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Evolution
 
54. Evolutionary processes lead to organisms that 
A. are perfect.
B. function well in a given environment.
C. can only survive in that one environment.
D. have a single adaptive trait.
E. become extinct.

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Define the term evolution.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Evolution

 
55. Natural selection is a process where organisms that are better suited to a certain set of environmental conditions tend to survive and reproduce more often than others. This leads to evolution as 
A. organisms with those traits appear more often in the population.
B. the environment changes fast enough to prevent overpopulation.
C. the traits mutate into other traits.
D. organisms with different traits appear more often.
E. organisms with those traits appear less often in the population.

Blooms Level: 4. Analyze
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Define the term evolution.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Evolution
 
56. In science, a theory 
A. is tested by an experiment.
B. is more narrow in scope than a hypothesis.
C. encompasses many hypotheses.
D. cannot be tested.
E. is held to be an absolutely correct answer to a question.

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Distinguish between a theory and a hypothesis.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General

 
57. The purpose of a control group in an experiment is 
A. to prove the hypothesis.
B. for comparison to the other test groups.
C. for comparison to the results of other experiments.
D. to prove the prediction.
E. to control the dependent variable.
A control group is used as a baseline comparison group for the test groups.

Blooms Level: 4. Analyze
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.02 Describe the basic requirements for a controlled experiment.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General
 
58. Bioethics is a branch of biology concerned with 
A. the development and consequences of biological technology.
B. studying the ethics of stem cell research.
C. determining if experimental results are valid.
D. studying the validity of scientific laws.
E. studying the effects of human actions on extinction rates.

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.04.01 Distinguish between science and technology.
Section: 01.04
Topic: General

 
59.  A scientist discovers a new application for a common medical procedure that involves taking tissues from one patient and placing them into another patient. The procedure always results in a full recovery for the patient receiving the tissue but results in long-term disability for the donor 10% of the time. According to bioethics, making the decision as to whether this procedure should be allowed in this country should be the responsibility of  
A.  doctors only. 
B.  politicians only. 
C.  all citizens. 
D.  biologists specializing in bioethics. 
E.  philosophers. 

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.04.01 Distinguish between science and technology.
Section: 01.04
Topic: General
 
60.  Which answer choice lists the steps of the scientific method in the correct order?  
A.  observation, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, scientific theory 
B.  hypothesis, observation, experiment, conclusion, scientific theory 
C.  conclusion, hypothesis, observation, experiment, scientific theory 
D.  observation, experiment, hypothesis, conclusion, scientific theory 
E.  scientific theory, conclusion, hypothesis, experiment, observation 

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Identify the steps of the scientific method.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General

 
61. Which statement regarding the scientific method is false? 
A. Original hypotheses are formed after an experiment.
B. Inductive reasoning is used to form a hypothesis.
C. Observations are used to form a hypothesis.
D. Experiments need to be repeatable.
E. The control and experimental group are identical except for one variable.

Blooms Level: 2. Understand
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Identify the steps of the scientific method.
Section: 01.03
Topic: General

True / False Questions
 
62. Managing emerging diseases such as SARS are just one of the many challenges facing science today. 
TRUE
In the past several years, avian influenza (H5N1), swine flu (H1N1), and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have generated a lot of press. These are considered new, or emerging, diseases.  Scientists don't know the full extent of how deadly these diseases are going to be.

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.04.02 Summarize some of the major challenges currently facing science.
Section: 01.04

 
63. The development of new technologies is based upon science. 
TRUE
Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to the interests of humans. Scientific investigations are the basis for the majority
 of our technological advances. As is often the case, a new technology, such as your cell phone or a new drug, is based on years of scientific investigations.

Blooms Level: 1. Remember
Gradable: automatic
Learning Outcome: 01.04.01 Distinguish between science and technology.
Section: 01.04
Topic: General