Test Yourself: Life Functions Quiz
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What is the term for the maintenance of a stable internal environment in an organism?
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Adaptation
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Evolution
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Homeostasis
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Metabolism
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Ever wondered what makes living things tick? From the tiniest bacteria to the largest whale, all living organisms share a set of essential characteristics that define life. Take our Life Functions Quiz and explore the amazing processes that keep us all alive! This quiz questions about the fundamental functions that distinguish living things from non-living matter.
We'll learn key concepts like organization, metabolism, homeostasis, growth and development, reproduction, and response to stimuli. This life functions quiz is designed to expand your understanding of biology and the amazing diversity of life on Earth. We'll challenge you with questions about plants, animals, and even microorganisms, exploring the incredible ways that life adapts and thrives. So, are you ready to discover the secrets of life?
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- 2.
Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
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A population of deer
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A community of bacteria
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The availability of sunlight
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The interactions between predators and prey
Correct Answer
A. The availability of sunlightExplanation
Abiotic factors are the non-living parts of an ecosystem. Sunlight is essential for plants to make food through photosynthesis, which then supports the entire food web. Deer, bacteria, and predator-prey interactions are all biotic (living) factors.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which type of symbiotic relationship benefits both organisms involved?
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Parasitism
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Commensalism
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Mutualism
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Amensalism
Correct Answer
A. MutualismExplanation
Mutualism is like a win-win situation! Both organisms benefit from the relationship. Think of bees and flowers: bees get nectar, and flowers get pollinated. In parasitism, one benefits at the expense of the other, like a tick on a dog. Commensalism benefits one with no effect on the other, like a bird nesting in a tree. Amensalism harms one with no effect on the other.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which process is responsible for the breakdown of organic matter in an ecosystem?
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Photosynthesis
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Respiration
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Decomposition
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Transpiration
Correct Answer
A. DecompositionExplanation
Decomposition is like nature's recycling system! Decomposers (like bacteria and fungi) break down dead plants and animals, returning essential nutrients to the soil. Photosynthesis is how plants make food, respiration is how organisms get energy, and transpiration is how water moves through plants.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of asexual reproduction?
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Offspring are genetically identical to the parent.
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It involves the fusion of gametes.
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It is a faster process than sexual reproduction.
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It requires only one parent.
Correct Answer
A. It involves the fusion of gametes.Explanation
Asexual reproduction is like making a copy of yourself! There's no need for a partner or the fusion of sperm and egg. Offspring are genetically identical to the parent. It's faster than sexual reproduction, but it doesn't offer much genetic diversity.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which of the following processes is NOT involved in the maintenance of homeostasis in humans?
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Sweating to cool the body down
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Shivering to generate heat
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Releasing insulin to regulate blood sugar levels
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Cell differentiation to form specialized tissues
Correct Answer
A. Cell differentiation to form specialized tissuesExplanation
Homeostasis is like your body's thermostat, keeping everything balanced and stable. Sweating, shivering, and insulin release all help regulate your body temperature and blood sugar. Cell differentiation, while important for development, is not directly involved in maintaining homeostasis.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What is the primary function of the mitochondria in eukaryotic cells?
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Protein synthesis
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Photosynthesis
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Cellular respiration
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Waste disposal
Correct Answer
A. Cellular respirationExplanation
Think of mitochondria as the power plants of your cells! They take the food you eat and convert it into usable energy (called ATP) through a process called cellular respiration. This energy powers everything you do, from thinking to running. Protein synthesis happens in ribosomes, photosynthesis is how plants make food, and waste disposal involves other parts of the cell.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which type of tissue in plants is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the leaves?
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Xylem
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Phloem
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Parenchyma
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Collenchyma
Correct Answer
A. XylemExplanation
Imagine xylem as tiny straws inside a plant! They suck up water and minerals from the roots and carry them all the way up to the leaves, where they're used for photosynthesis (making food). Phloem is like the delivery service, carrying the food made in the leaves to other parts of the plant. Parenchyma and collenchyma are other types of plant tissues with different jobs.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which of the following is an example of a negative feedback loop in the human body?
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Blood clotting to stop bleeding
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Release of oxytocin during childbirth
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Shivering when cold to increase body temperature
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Fruit ripening on a tree
Correct Answer
A. Shivering when cold to increase body temperatureExplanation
Negative feedback loops help maintain homeostasis by counteracting changes. When you're cold, shivering generates heat to bring your body temperature back to normal. Blood clotting, oxytocin release, and fruit ripening are examples of positive feedback loops, where the response amplifies the initial change.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of all living organisms?
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They are made up of cells.
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They reproduce sexually.
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They respond to stimuli.
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They maintain homeostasis.
Correct Answer
A. They reproduce sexually.Explanation
While sexual reproduction is a common way for organisms to make more of themselves, it's not the only way. Some organisms reproduce asexually, meaning they don't need a partner. Bacteria, for example, simply split in two! The other options are essential for life: being made of cells, reacting to the environment, and keeping a stable internal state (homeostasis).Rate this question:
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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Apr 02, 2025Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Sep 19, 2010Quiz Created by
Reeseh
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