Trivia Questions On Biology! Quiz

Approved & Edited by ProProfs Editorial Team
The editorial team at ProProfs Quizzes consists of a select group of subject experts, trivia writers, and quiz masters who have authored over 10,000 quizzes taken by more than 100 million users. This team includes our in-house seasoned quiz moderators and subject matter experts. Our editorial experts, spread across the world, are rigorously trained using our comprehensive guidelines to ensure that you receive the highest quality quizzes.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Iretro
I
Iretro
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 1 | Total Attempts: 1,409
Questions: 21 | Attempts: 1,409

SettingsSettingsSettings
Trivia Questions On Biology! Quiz - Quiz

Are you a biology student preparing to take his final exams when it comes to biology? The quiz below is designed to help you review what you have come to understand so far. Give it a shot and get to see just how attentive you have been in class so far and ensure to go back for more tests that give you the same outcome.


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    Organisms are named and classified based on physical characteristics in:

    • A.

      Evolutionary trees

    • B.

      Linnaean taxonomy

    • C.

      Cladograms

    • D.

      Molecular clocks

    Correct Answer
    B. Linnaean taxonomy
    Explanation
    Linnaean taxonomy is a system of classifying organisms based on their physical characteristics. It was developed by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century and is still widely used today. This system categorizes organisms into a hierarchical structure, starting with the broadest category, the kingdom, and narrowing down to the most specific category, the species. By organizing organisms based on their physical characteristics, Linnaean taxonomy helps scientists study and understand the diversity of life on Earth.

    Rate this question:

  • 2. 

    Which of the following is the most abundant group of organisms on Earth?

    • A.

      Protista

    • B.

      Plants

    • C.

      Bacteria

    • D.

      Archaea

    Correct Answer
    C. Bacteria
    Explanation
    Bacteria are the most abundant group of organisms on Earth. They are single-celled microorganisms that can be found in every habitat on the planet. Bacteria play crucial roles in various ecological processes such as nutrient cycling and decomposition. They are also important in human health, with both beneficial and harmful effects. Due to their small size and ability to adapt to different environments, bacteria have successfully colonized almost every corner of the Earth, making them the most abundant group of organisms.

    Rate this question:

  • 3. 

    Which of the following lists Linnaean taxa in the correct order from general to specific?

    • A.

      Phylum, order, family, genus

    • B.

      Kingdom, order, class, phylum

    • C.

      Family, phylum, genus, species

    • D.

      Class, order, species, genus

    Correct Answer
    A. pHylum, order, family, genus
    Explanation
    The Linnaean system of classification organizes organisms into a hierarchy of taxa, from general to specific. In this system, the correct order from general to specific is phylum, order, family, genus. The phylum is a higher level of classification that groups together organisms with similar body plans. The order is a more specific level that categorizes organisms within a phylum based on shared characteristics. The family is an even more specific level that groups together organisms within an order that share common traits. Finally, the genus is the most specific level that groups together closely related species.

    Rate this question:

  • 4. 

    In the Linnaean system of classification, which of the following is most commonly defined as a group of organisms that can breed and produce offspring?

    • A.

      Phylum

    • B.

      Species

    • C.

      Genus

    • D.

      Order

    Correct Answer
    B. Species
    Explanation
    A species is commonly defined as a group of organisms that can breed and produce offspring. This definition is based on the ability of individuals within a species to successfully reproduce with one another and produce fertile offspring. Species is a fundamental unit of classification in the Linnaean system, representing a distinct group of organisms that share common characteristics and can interbreed.

    Rate this question:

  • 5. 

    Which of the following uses mutation rates to measure evolutionary time?

    • A.

      Phylogenies

    • B.

      Binomial nomenclature

    • C.

      Molecular clocks

    • D.

      Clades

    Correct Answer
    B. Binomial nomenclature
    Explanation
    Binomial nomenclature is a system used to give scientific names to organisms. It does not use mutation rates to measure evolutionary time. Instead, it provides a standardized way to classify and name different species based on their characteristics. Phylogenies, molecular clocks, and clades are all concepts and tools used in evolutionary biology to study the relationships and divergence times between different species. They involve the use of genetic data, including mutation rates, to estimate evolutionary time.

    Rate this question:

  • 6. 

    In the blank cladogram in Figure 17.1, what type of information would go on the lines labeled A?

    • A.

      Clades

    • B.

      Outgroupings

    • C.

      Common ancestors

    • D.

      Derived characters

    Correct Answer
    A. Clades
    Explanation
    The lines labeled A on the blank cladogram would represent the clades. Clades are groups of organisms that include an ancestral species and all of its descendants. The lines labeled A would connect the common ancestors with the different branches representing the descendants. This information is important in understanding the evolutionary relationships and patterns among different species.

    Rate this question:

  • 7. 

    In the cladogram in Figure 17.1, what type of information would go in the area labeled B?

    • A.

      Clades

    • B.

      Outgroupings

    • C.

      Common ancestors

    • D.

      Derived characters

    Correct Answer
    D. Derived characters
    Explanation
    The area labeled B in the cladogram represents the branch points where new traits or characteristics, known as derived characters, are observed. These derived characters are unique to the organisms in that specific clade and help to distinguish them from other groups. Therefore, the information that would go in the area labeled B would be the derived characters that are specific to the organisms within that clade.

    Rate this question:

  • 8. 

    How many domains are there in the most current tree of life?

    • A.

      6

    • B.

      5

    • C.

      3

    • D.

      2

    Correct Answer
    C. 3
    Explanation
    The most current tree of life consists of three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. These domains are used to classify all living organisms based on their cellular structure and genetic makeup. Bacteria and Archaea are both prokaryotic domains, while Eukarya is the domain that includes all eukaryotic organisms. This classification system helps scientists understand the diversity and relationships between different species on Earth.

    Rate this question:

  • 9. 

    How many kingdoms are there in the most current tree of life?

    • A.

      2

    • B.

      5

    • C.

      3

    • D.

      6

    Correct Answer
    B. 5
    Explanation
    The most current tree of life consists of five kingdoms.

    Rate this question:

  • 10. 

    The modern classification system is mainly based on:

    • A.

      Mutation rates

    • B.

      Common ancestry

    • C.

      Physical similarities

    • D.

      Binomial nomenclature

    Correct Answer
    B. Common ancestry
    Explanation
    The modern classification system is mainly based on common ancestry. This means that organisms are grouped together based on their shared evolutionary history and genetic relationships. By studying the similarities and differences in DNA sequences and other genetic markers, scientists can determine how closely related different species are to each other. This helps in organizing them into hierarchical groups, such as kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species. Common ancestry is considered a fundamental principle in biology and is used to understand the diversity and relationships among different organisms on Earth.

    Rate this question:

  • 11. 

    Figure 17.2 shows one set of genetic differences between humans and other animals. By this measure, which listed species is most related to humans?

    • A.

      Rabbit

    • B.

      Mouse

    • C.

      Turtle

    • D.

      Chimpanzee

    Correct Answer
    D. Chimpanzee
    Explanation
    Chimpanzee is the most related species to humans based on the given genetic differences. This is because chimpanzees are our closest living relatives, sharing a common ancestor with humans around 6-7 million years ago. The genetic similarities between humans and chimpanzees are significant, making them the most closely related species to us in terms of genetic makeup.

    Rate this question:

  • 12. 

    The name Canis lupis is an example of:

    • A.

      A domain and kingdom

    • B.

      One clade

    • C.

      Binomial nomenclature

    • D.

      A phylogeny

    Correct Answer
    C. Binomial nomenclature
    Explanation
    The name Canis lupis is an example of binomial nomenclature, which is a naming system used in biology to give each species a unique scientific name consisting of two parts: the genus name (Canis) and the species name (lupis). This system helps to standardize the naming of organisms and allows scientists from different countries and languages to communicate effectively about specific species.

    Rate this question:

  • 13. 

    Which of the following types of evidence is considered the most accurate in classifying organisms, according to the majority of scientists?

    • A.

      Anatomical

    • B.

      Linnaean

    • C.

      Physiological

    • D.

      Molecular

    Correct Answer
    D. Molecular
    Explanation
    Molecular evidence is considered the most accurate in classifying organisms according to the majority of scientists because it involves studying the DNA sequences of organisms. DNA carries the genetic information that determines the traits and characteristics of an organism. By comparing the similarities and differences in DNA sequences, scientists can determine the evolutionary relationships between organisms. This method provides a more precise and objective classification system compared to other types of evidence such as anatomical, Linnaean, or physiological, which may be influenced by subjective interpretations or external factors.

    Rate this question:

  • 14. 

    Which of the following phrases describes a taxon?

    • A.

      A group of organisms in a classification system

    • B.

      A group of species that share no derived characters with others in a group

    • C.

      A group that can breed and produce offspring

    • D.

      A group that is larger than a kingdom or a domain

    Correct Answer
    A. A group of organisms in a classification system
    Explanation
    A taxon is a group of organisms that are classified together in a classification system. This means that they share certain characteristics or traits that distinguish them from other groups. Taxonomy is the branch of science that deals with the classification of organisms into different taxa based on their similarities and differences. By organizing organisms into taxa, scientists can better understand their relationships and study their characteristics and behaviors.

    Rate this question:

  • 15. 

    Which of the following contains the most members?

    • A.

      Genus

    • B.

      Order

    • C.

      Family

    • D.

      Class

    Correct Answer
    D. Class
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "class". In the hierarchical classification system, "class" is a higher rank than "family," "order," and "genus." Therefore, a class can contain more members than any of the other options listed.

    Rate this question:

  • 16. 

    How many nodes are shown in the cladogram in Figure 17.1?

    • A.

      3

    • B.

      4

    • C.

      5

    • D.

      6

    Correct Answer
    B. 4
    Explanation
    The cladogram in Figure 17.1 shows four nodes.

    Rate this question:

  • 17. 

    In the cladogram in Figure 17.1, what represents the common ancestor of all the included species?

    • A.

      The line farthest left in section A

    • B.

      The line farthest right in section A

    • C.

      The lowest node on the cladogram

    • D.

      The highest node on the cladogram

    Correct Answer
    A. The line farthest left in section A
    Explanation
    The cladogram in Figure 17.1 represents the evolutionary relationships between different species. The line farthest left in section A represents the common ancestor of all the included species. This is because the common ancestor is the earliest point in the evolutionary history where all the species diverged from a single lineage. The line farthest left in section A represents this point, indicating that it is the common ancestor of all the included species.

    Rate this question:

  • 18. 

    Which type of molecular clock is used to measure evolutionary time between the most distantly related organisms?

    • A.

      Amino acid

    • B.

      Nuclear DNA

    • C.

      Ribosomal RNA

    • D.

      Mitochondrial DNA

    Correct Answer
    B. Nuclear DNA
    Explanation
    Nuclear DNA is used as a molecular clock to measure evolutionary time between the most distantly related organisms. This is because nuclear DNA is present in the nucleus of cells and is inherited from both parents, making it more stable and less prone to mutations compared to other types of DNA. Additionally, nuclear DNA contains a large amount of genetic information, allowing for more accurate comparisons and measurements of evolutionary time.

    Rate this question:

  • 19. 

    Which domain contains all organisms that have a nucleus?

    • A.

      Bacteria

    • B.

      Archaea

    • C.

      Eukarya

    • D.

      Protista

    Correct Answer
    C. Eukarya
    Explanation
    The domain that contains all organisms that have a nucleus is eukarya. This domain includes all eukaryotic organisms, which are characterized by having cells with a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Bacteria and archaea are both domains that include prokaryotic organisms, which lack a nucleus. Protista is a kingdom within the domain eukarya, but not all eukaryotic organisms are classified as protists.

    Rate this question:

  • 20. 

    Figure 17.2 shows differences between humans and other animals at a molecular level. By this measure, which listed species is least related to humans?

    • A.

      Rabbit

    • B.

      Mouse

    • C.

      Turtle

    • D.

      Chimpanzee

    Correct Answer
    C. Turtle
    Explanation
    The correct answer is turtle. This can be inferred from the information given in Figure 17.2, which shows differences between humans and other animals at a molecular level. Since turtles are the least related to humans based on this measure, they are the correct answer.

    Rate this question:

  • 21. 

    Which of the following is the most specific taxon shared by the ashy-headed goose, Chloephaga poliocephala, and the ruddy-headed goose, Chloephaga rubidiceps?

    • A.

      Kingdom

    • B.

      Species

    • C.

      Genus

    • D.

      Order

    Correct Answer
    C. Genus
    Explanation
    The most specific taxon shared by the ashy-headed goose and the ruddy-headed goose is the genus. This means that both species belong to the same genus, Chloephaga. The genus is a taxonomic rank above species but below family, and it groups together closely related species that share common characteristics. In this case, both geese species share enough similarities to be classified within the same genus.

    Rate this question:

Quiz Review Timeline +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Apr 02, 2012
    Quiz Created by
    Iretro
Back to Top Back to top
Advertisement
×

Wait!
Here's an interesting quiz for you.

We have other quizzes matching your interest.