Name:____________________________
Biology 1711, Fall 2008
Exam I
Remember, several answers may at first seem to be correct (or appropriate) so it is very
important to read each/all of the possible answers first and then CHOOSE THE BEST ONE.
1. Today, all life forms use what macromolecule as their genetic material?
a. RNA
b. DNA
c. polypeptides
d. lipids
e. complex carbohydrates
2. “Things” that result from the arrangement and interaction of the parts within a living
system, with new ones appearing at each level of biological organization, would best be
referred to as:
a. emergent properties.
b. ecosystems.
c. organelles.
d. communities
e. biospheres.
_______________________________________________________________________
Match the following names to the proper functional group
a.
-COOH
d.
-C=O
b.
-SH
e.
-NH3
c.
-PO4
3. An amino group
4. A phosphate group
5. A carboxyl group
_______________________________________________________________________
6. The dissection of a complex system to simpler components that are easier to study is an
example of the process we call:
a. logic.
b. reductionism.
c. inductive reasoning.
d. scientific simplification
e. deductive reasoning.
7. Most of the energy that flows through the ecosystems we find on earth today is enters
them in the form of:
a. kinetic energy.
b. chemical energy.
c. heat.
d. light.
e. ATP.
8. The plasma membrane is:
a. a membrane that surrounds the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.
b. a membrane that surrounds bacterial cells (inside the cell wall).
c. found associated with mitochondria of eukaryotic cells.
d. a membrane that runs throughout the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, mostly in the
form of the endoplasmic reticulum.
e. a membrane that surrounds all living cells.
9. Using general principles to make much more specific predictions would best be described
as an example of:
a. simple logic.
b. inductive reasoning.
c. deductive reasoning.
d. pyrimidal logic.
e. hierarchical analysis.
10. The hypothesis that some harmless species of visually mimic poisonous species as an
evolutionary adaptation to reduce their chances of being eaten was proposed by
a. Charles Darwin.
b. Johan Mendel.
c. Henry Bates.
d. Watson and Crick.
e. Thomas Malthus.
11. Which of the following molecules is most likely to be found in the form of a double
helix?
a. a polypeptide
b. fatty acid chains
c. DNA
d. cellulose
e. glycogen
12. Which of the pH values given below would be considered acidic?
a. 1.0
b. 7.0
c. 10.0
d. All of the above are acidic pH values.
e. None of the above pH values is considered acidic.
13. Which of the following is NOT an example of a eukaryote according to the commonly
accepted system of classification used today?
a. protista
b. fungi
c. Archaea
d. plants
e. All of the above are examples of Eukaryotes.
14. The anion form of an element is compared to the uncharged form of the same element.
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
a. The anion has fewer protons.
b. The anion has a different half-life
c. The anion has more neutrons.
d. The anion has fewer electrons.
e. The anion has more electrons.
15. The entire set of genetic instructions that encode all of the proteins and “instructions” for
building and operating a particular life form is called its:
a. genome.
b. proteome.
c. metabolome.
d. nuclear content.
e. genetic code.
16. The biodiversity we observe on earth today is considered high (but declining…) and the
estimates for the actual number of different species range up to:
a. nearly one million.
b. over one million.
c. perhaps five million.
d. as much as 100 million.
e. ten billion or more.
17. The branch of biology that names and classifies species into different groups of related
individuals and then assigns them into additional groups of increasing breadth is called:
a. genomics.
b. evolutionary biology.
c. taxonomy.
d. reductionary biology.
e. ecology.
18. The broadest unit/level of classification used by biologists today is the:
a. species.
b. kingdom.
c. phylum.
d. order
e. domain
19. “Life” has fairly effectively defied a one sentence definition. However, living systems
can be readily identified by what they can/must do. Which of the following is not
considered to be an essential property that must be exhibited/possessed by a living system
(life form)?
a. order (non-random organization)
b. capable of evolutionary adaptation
c. sensitivity (response to environment)
d. reproduction
e. All of the above are required properties of a life form on earth.
20. During the 1800’s it was observed that 1) species generally suited their environment, 2)
individuals in a population had trains that varied from one individual to another, 3) many
of these traits were heritable, 4) competition between individuals was inevitable, 5) more
offspring were produced than actually survived to reproductive age and 6) some
individuals seemed to be responsible for a higher percentage of the surviving offspring
than other individuals. These observations were used as the basis for our current theory
explaining:
a. taxonomy.
b. genomics.
c. evolution.
d. artificial selection.
e. the scientic method.
21. Two compounds share the same chemical formula but are obviously not the same
compound. A comparison of the two structures reveals that the two are mirror images of
each other. Most likely these two compounds are:
a. structural isomers.
b. stereoisomers/enantiomers.
c. isotopes.
d. carbohydrates.
e. ions.
22. Using a series of relatively simple observations to determine general principles would
best be described as an example of:
a. simple logic.
b. inductive reasoning.
c. deductive reasoning.
d. pyrimidal logic.
e. reductionism.
23. An example of a energy storage polymer commonly found in animals and made entirely
of unmodified glucose repeat units:
a. glycogen.
b. ATP.
c. cellulose.
d. colloid.
e. lignin.
24. Using general principles to make much more specific predictions would best be described
as an example of:
a. simple logic.
b. inductive reasoning.
c. deductive reasoning.
d. pyrimidal logic.
e. hierarchical analysis.
25. The hypothesis that some harmless species of visually mimic poisonous species as an
evolutionary adaptation to reduce their chances of being eaten was proposed by
a.
Charles Darwin.
b.
Johan Mendel.
c.
Henry Bates.
d.
Watson and Crick.
e.
Thomas Malthus.
26. Anything that takes up space and has mass is most correctly referred to as:
a. an element.
b. a compound.
c. matter.
d. an atom.
e. a subatomic particle.
27. Up to 96% of living organisms (e.g. human body) can be made up of only 4 elements.
These four do NOT include:
a. nitrogen.
b. phosphorous.
c. carbon.
d. hydrogen.
e. oxygen.
28. A collection of water molecules would be at its most dense when:
a. it is about to boil.
b. it is frozen.
c. it is about 4 degrees Celsius.
d. steam.
e. The density of water is greatest and equal in answers “a”, “b” and “c”.
29. Kinetic energy:
a. is stored in ATP.
b. is the energy of motion.
c. is an example of potential energy.
d. is measured in calories.
e. is dependent upon a molecules specific heat.
30. A carbon atom is found to be connected to a methyl group, a carboxyl group, hydrogen
and a hydroxyl group. This carbon is best described as being:
a. anomeric.
b. assymetric.
c. enantiomeric.
d. geometric.
e. isomeric.
31. An example of a trace element (less than 0.01% of body) required for proper human
nutrition is:
a. nitrogen.
b. iodine.
c. sulphur.
d. hydrogen.
e. calcium.
32. The subatomic particle with a positive charge (+1) is:
a. the proton.
b. the nucleon.
c. the neutron.
d. the electron.
e. the neutrino.
33. The monomer repeat units of a polysaccharide are connected to each other by what type
of bonds?
a. peptide bonds
b. phosphodiester bonds
c. ester bonds
d. hydrogen bonds
e. glycosydic
34. Two atoms share two electrons. This is an example of:
a. Van der Waals forces.
b. an ionic bond.
c. a hydrogen bond.
d. a single covalent bond.
e. a double covalent bond.
35. Bicarbonate is critical to maintaining the pH of the blood stream at “physiological pH”.
A substance like bicarbonate, which acts to maintain the pH of a solution at its present
value, counteracting the effects of adding acid or base, is called a/an:
a. anion.
b. cation.
c. buffer.
d. salt.
e. hydrophile.
36. A virus, such as enfluenza virus, would be classified into which of the following groups?
a. Protista
b. Eukarya
c. Bacteria
d. Archaea
e. None of the above is a correct answer to the question.
37. The idea that all species, present and past, show evidence of “descent with modificatioin”
from common ancestors was first championed by:
a. Darwin.
b. Malthus.
c. Wallace.
d. Mendel.
e. Watson and Crick.
38. A colloid is:
a. a hydrophilic compound.
b. a hydrophobic compound.
c. a stable suspension of fine particles in a liquid.
d. an excellent solvent for hydrophobic compounds.
e. A large polysaccharide.
39. Which of the above properties of water was/is NOT important to the development of
living systems?
a. Cohesion—water molecules “stick together”
b. High specific heat--water requires much energy to raise its temperature
c. High heat of vaporization--much energy absorbed when water evaporates
d. Low density of ice—it floats
e. All of the above are properties of water that are important to the development and
survival of living systems.
40. Water is a liquid at room temperature (and not a gas) because:
a. it can form ionic bonds between ionized molecules.
b. it can form hydrogen bonds between individual molecules.
c. it can dissociate to form hydrogen and hydroxide ions.
d. it has a relatively high molecular weight.
e. it forms a strong hydration shell.
41. The enzymatic pathways of cells are often/generally regulated in one or more fashions.
One of these strategies allows a product that is accumulating to a level higher than
needed by the cell to inhibit one or more enzymes involved in its synthesis—slowing
production. This is an example of:
a. postitive feedback.
b. site-directed inhibition.
c. metabolomics.
d. negative feedback.
e. competitive inhibition.
42. An example of an life form whose cells do not contain a well defined nucleus is:
a. protista
b. algae
c. fungi
d. bacteria
e. All of the above types or organisms have cells with well defined nuclei.
43. The genes found in cells are actually composed of subunits called:
a. amino acids.
b. nucleotides.
c. lipids.
d. hexoses.
e. vitamins.
44. An example of an electronegative atom commonly found in livings systems is:
a. hydrogen.
b. oxygen.
c. carbon-12.
d. carbon-14
e. silicon.
45. Two different types of atoms have reacted to form a molecule. A close inspection of the
atoms reveals that one atom has 11 protons and 10 electrons, while the other has 17
protons and 18 electrons. This molecule is most likely held together by:
a. a single covalent bond.
b. a double covalent bond.
c. an ionic bond.
d. a hydrogen bond.
e. None of the above is a correct answer.
46. Certain electronegative atoms, such as nitrogen and oxygen, which draw electrons (such
as those shared in a chemical bond) “more towards them”, make it possible to form what
type of bond common in biological systems?
a. covalent bonds
b. hydrogen bonds
c. ionic bonds
d. hydrophobic interactions
e. isotopic bonds
47. Two atoms are classified as the same element. Which of the following CANNOT be
true?
a. The two atoms have a different number of protons.
b. The two atoms have a different number of neutrons.
c. The two atoms have a different number of electrons.
d. All of the above are possible for two atoms of the same element.
e. None of the above is a correct answer to the question.
48. An example of a type of chemical bond which involves a full separation of charge
(transfer of electrons) is a/an:
a. hydrogen bond.
b. ionic bond.
c. covalent bond.
d. hydrophobic bond.
e. electron bond.
49. A laboratory experiment which demonstrated that heat, lightning and other conditions
theorized to have existed at the time of the “early earth” could produce simple organic
compounds such as fatty acids and amino acids was done by:
a. Darwin.
b. Wallace.
c. Malthus.
d. Miller and Urey.
e. Isaac Newton
50. Sucrose (table sugar) is an example of a/an:
a. monosaccharide.
b. disaccharide.
c. pentose sugar.
d. polysaccharide.
e. glycoprotein.
51. Oils and similar hydrocarbons do not dissolve well in water. This is because they are:
a. hydrophilic.
b. solvents.
c. solutes.
d. hydrophobic.
e. colloidal.
52. The solid substance that is dissolved in a liquid is best described as now being a/an:
a. solute.
b. solvent.
c. product.
d. reactant.
e. solution.