INTERACTIVE
MULTIPLE CHOICE
QUESTIONS
Principles of Biology
The answers are provided, but so also are
explanations of why the alternatives are
unsatisfactory
© D.G. Mackean
These multiple choice questions are similar to the ones set
by the GCSE and IGCSE Examination Boards except that,
in some cases, there may be more than one acceptable
answer.
For this reason, even if you select a correct answer at your
first attempt, it is worth looking at all the alternatives
(a) to see if there is a better answer and
(b) to see why some of the alternatives are unacceptable.
Question 1
Question 1
The drawings represent stages in division
of an animal cell.
Which of the following is the correct
sequence of events?
a
b
(a) b, d, a, c
(b) b, d, c, a
c
(c) b, a, c, d
(d) b, c, d, a
Question 2
d
Yes
This the correct sequence
No
The cell constricts (a) before the cells separate (c)
No
The nucleus divides (d) before the cell starts to
constrict (a)
No
The separation into two cells is the final stage
Question 2
The drawing represents a typical leaf cell
from a plant. What structure or structures
are missing from the drawing?
(a) cell wall
(b) cytoplasm
(c) nucleus
(d) chloroplasts
Question 3
No
The cell wall is present
cell wall
No
The cytoplasm is present
cytoplasm
Yes
The nucleus was omitted
from the drawing
nucleus
No
The chloroplasts are present
chloroplasts
Question 3
After being exposed to temperatures ranging from 50-60ºC,
most enzyme cannot function because …
(a) their molecules have been broken down
(b) their molecules have changed shape
(c) their composition has been changed
(d) they cannot separate from their substrate
Question 4
No
The molecules remain intact at these temperatures
Yes
The molecules have been denatured. That is, their shape
has changed so that they can no longer bind to their
substrate
No
The composition of the enzyme molecule is usually
unaltered at these temperatures
No
They are unable to combine with their substrate
Question 4
Which of these statements is correct?
The enzyme amylase …
(a) breaks down starch and protein
(b) works best at 50ºC
(c) breaks down starch only
(d) breaks down cellulose
Question 5
No
Enzymes act on only one type of substrate
No
Most enzymes are denatured (inactivated) at this
temperature
Yes
Amylase acts on starch, breaking it down to maltose
No
The enzyme which breaks down cellulose would
be a cellulase
Question 5
In biology, the term respiration means …
(a) the act of breathing
(b) the release of energy from food substances
(c) releasing energy from carbohydrates by
combing them with oxygen
(d) A procedure used to revive a person
who has stopped breathing
Question 6
No
The act of breathing is called ventilation. It is a method
of obtaining oxygen for aerobic respiration
Yes
The release of energy from the breakdown of food
substances, such as glucose, is called respiration
Partly right
But this definition applies only to aerobic respiration.
Energy can also be released from food by anaerobic
respiration for which oxygen is not needed.
No
Reviving a person who has stopped breathing is
called resuscitation. In First Aid this is done by the
‘mouth to mouth’ method. An outdated method,
depending on compression of the thorax was called
(misleadingly) ‘artificial respiration’
Question 6
Which of the following is NOT reliable evidence of
respiration in a land-dwelling organism
(a) Output of carbon dioxide
(b) Production of water vapour
(c) Uptake of oxygen
(d) Loss of dry mass
Question 7
This is reliable evidence
The equation for aerobic respiration
C6H12O6 + 6O2
6CO2 + 6H2O
shows that production of carbon dioxide is good
evidence of respiration
This is not reliable evidence
Although the equation for aerobic respiration
C6H12O6 + 6O2
6CO2 + 6H2O
shows that water is a product of respiration it
is not good evidence of respiration because
non-living material can produce water vapour
by evaporation alone
This is reliable evidence
The equation for aerobic respiration
C6H12O6 + 6O2
6CO2 + 6H20
shows that uptake of oxygen is good
evidence of respiration.
Admittedly, anaerobic respiration does not
consume oxygen but it seems unlikely that a
land dwelling organism would be using
anaerobic respiration exclusively
This is reliable evidence
Although the equation
C6H12O6 + 6O2
6CO2 + 6H20
shows glucose as the respiration substrate, almost any
tissues can be used for respiration so a loss in dry
mass means respiration is occurring. It has to be dry
mass to avoid the loss of mass associated with
evaporation
Question 7
In a green plant, when the rates of respiration and
photosynthesis are equal the plant will be ….
(a) taking in carbon dioxide
(b) giving out oxygen
(c) taking in carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen
(d) giving out water vapour
Question 8
No
The carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis will
all come from respiration
6CO2 + 6H2O
C6H12O6 + 6O2
C6H12O6 + 6O2 (photosynthesis)
6CO2 + 6H2O (respiration)
No
All the oxygen produced by photosynthesis will be
used for respiration
6CO2 + 6H2O
C6H12O6 + 6O2
C6H12O6 + 6O2 (photosynthesis)
6CO2 + 6H2O (respiration)
No
There will be no net uptake of carbon dioxide or output of
oxygen. All the carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis
will come from respiration, and the oxygen produced by
photosynthesis will be used in respiration
6CO2 + 6H2O
C6H12O6 + 6O2 (photosynthesis)
C6H12O6 + 6O2
6CO2 + 6H2O (respiration)
Yes
There will be no net uptake of carbon dioxide or output
of oxygen. All the carbon dioxide needed for
photosynthesis will come from respiration, and the
oxygen produced by photosynthesis will be used in
respiration. (See previous slide).
However, the plant will be transpiring and there will be a
loss of water vapour
Question 8
Which of the
structures in these
palisade cells from
a leaf is responsible
for photosynthesis?
(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 4
Question 9
1
2
3
4
Yes
This structure is a chloroplast and is the site of
photosynthesis
No
This structure is the nucleus. It controls the activities in
the cell but does not photosynthesize
No
This is the vacuole. It may store sugars produced in
photosynthesis but it does not photosynthesize
No
This is the cytoplasm. Most of the chemical
processes of the cell occur in the cytoplasm, but not
photosynthesis
Question 9
Which of the following mineral ions does a plant need
for making proteins?
(a) Phosphate ions
(b) Potassium ions
(c) Nitrate ions
(d) Magnesium ions
Question 10
No
Phosphate ions are needed for making DNA and for
many enzyme reactions, but do not form part of
proteins
No
Potassium ions are needed for certain reactions in
the plant cell, including those leading to root
formation, but they do not form part of a protein
molecule
Yes
Nitrate ions are combined with the carbohydrate
molecules produced during photosynthesis, and form
amino acids and proteins
No
Magnesium ions are needed for forming chlorophyll but
not for forming proteins
Question 10
Diffusion of oxygen in air takes place as a result of…
(a) convection currents
(b) air movements
(c) random movement of molecules
(d) changes in temperature
Question 11
No
Convection currents would move the air as a
whole. It would not specifically affect any one
gas in the air
No
Air movements would affect all atmospheric gases in the
same way
Yes
Small random movements of oxygen molecules
results in their moving, eventually, from a place where
the molecules are more abundant to places where they
are scarcer, until they are evenly distributed
No
Changes in temperature affect all the atmospheric
gases. A rise in temperature may speed up diffusion but
not specifically of oxygen
Question 11
In osmosis, water will diffuse through a partially
permeable membrane…
(a) from water to a concentrated solution
(b) from a concentrated to a dilute solution
(c) from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution
(d) from a dilute solution to a more dilute solution
Yes
No
The water movement in osmosis is from the dilute
solution to the concentrated solution
Yes
No
In osmosis the diffusion of water between solutions is
always from the more dilute solution to the less dilute
(i.e. more concentrated) solution
End of questions
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