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1. In a controlled experiment, what factor changes from group to group?

The hypothesis

The variable

The constants

The conclusion

Variables VARY (change) from group to group, while constants stay constant (or remain the same) within the groups.

Explanation

Variables VARY (change) from group to group, while constants stay constant (or remain the same) within the groups.

2. The cellular location where protein synthesis occurs:

Ribosomes

Golgi complex

Nucleus

Mitochondria

Lysosome

Proteins are made of amino acids that are joined together at ribosomes. mRNA carries the instructions transcribed from DNA's gene, then tRNA's read the codons and add the amino acids.

Explanation

Proteins are made of amino acids that are joined together at ribosomes. mRNA carries the instructions transcribed from DNA's gene, then tRNA's read the codons and add the amino acids.

3. Which of these is not one of the six kingdoms of life?

Archaea

Fungi

Virus

Protist

Viruses are NOT alive, and therefore, are not a kingdom.

Explanation

Viruses are NOT alive, and therefore, are not a kingdom.

4. Which of these is NOT a reactant in photosynthesis?

Sunlight

Carbon dioxide

Glucose

Water

Glucose is made (a product) not used (a reactant) during photosynthesis.

Explanation

Glucose is made (a product) not used (a reactant) during photosynthesis.

5. During mitosis, the DNA in a cell is found as:

Chromatin

Spindle fibers

Chromosomes

Punnett squares

During mitosis, the DNA is moving around so it must be wrapped up tightly as chromosomes.

Explanation

During mitosis, the DNA is moving around so it must be wrapped up tightly as chromosomes.

6. The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in an organism:

Homeostasis

Metabolism

Stimulus

Mitosis and Meiosis

Reproduction

Everything that any cell (or any organism) does to stay alive is part of its metabolism.

Explanation

Everything that any cell (or any organism) does to stay alive is part of its metabolism.

7. Which type of cell lacks a membrane surrounding its genetic material?

Bacteria

Plant

Animal

Eukaryotic

Fungus

Bacteria and Archaea are unicellular prokaryotes that lack a nucleus.

Explanation

Bacteria and Archaea are unicellular prokaryotes that lack a nucleus.

8. Which is the longest phase of the eukaryotic cell cycle?

Mitosis

Binary Fission

Interphase

Meiosis

Most of a eukaryotic cell's life is spent in interphase doing metabolic activities. At the end of interphase, the DNA replicates and mitosis begins.

Explanation

Most of a eukaryotic cell's life is spent in interphase doing metabolic activities. At the end of interphase, the DNA replicates and mitosis begins.

9. Heterotrophs depend on autotrophs. Why?

Autotrophs reproduce and make heterotrophs.

Autotrophs keep the heterotroph populations from growing too large.

Autotrophs decompose dead organisms so the nutrients can be recycled.

Autotrophs capture sunlight and store it in carbohydrates.

Remember, autotroph is a producer and heterotroph is a consumer. All life depends on producers.

Explanation

Remember, autotroph is a producer and heterotroph is a consumer. All life depends on producers.

10. The first person to see (and name) cells observed the walls of cork cells. Who was he?

Leeuwenhoek

Fleming

Hooke

Schleidon

Virchow

Robert Hooke saw the little "rooms" in cork bark and called them "cells". Leeuwenhoek first saw bacteria and living cells. Schleidon realized all parts of plants are made of cells. Virchow concluded that cells come from other cells. Fleming discovered penicillan.

Explanation

Robert Hooke saw the little "rooms" in cork bark and called them "cells". Leeuwenhoek first saw bacteria and living cells. Schleidon realized all parts of plants are made of cells. Virchow concluded that cells come from other cells. Fleming discovered penicillan.

11. Which type of cellular transport must always move particles out of a cell?

Osmosis

Exocytosis

Active transport

Diffusion

Metabolism

EXOcytosis causes materials to EXIT the cell. Osmosis, active transport, and diffusion move in either direction. Metabolism is much more than just movement of paricles.

Explanation

EXOcytosis causes materials to EXIT the cell. Osmosis, active transport, and diffusion move in either direction. Metabolism is much more than just movement of paricles.

12. The genetic code that is passed down from one generation to the next is "hidden" within:

Proteins

Amino acid sequences

CHNOPS

Nucleotides

The order of bases (or nucleotides) in DNA is what determines the order of amino acids in proteins. So the genetic code is really the order of G's, A's, T's, and C's.

Explanation

The order of bases (or nucleotides) in DNA is what determines the order of amino acids in proteins. So the genetic code is really the order of G's, A's, T's, and C's.

13. A pea plant has genetic instructions to be tall and short, but only expresses the tall phenotype. This plant can be described as:

Homozygous

Hybrid

True-breeding

Self-pollinating

Cross-pollinating

Hybrids have two different sets of instructions and are also known as being heterozygous.

Explanation

Hybrids have two different sets of instructions and are also known as being heterozygous.

14. Which of these is a product of cellular (aerobic) respiration?

Glucose

Oxygen

Adenosine triphosphate

Deoxyribonucleic acid

ATP is the main product of cellular respiration. CO2 and H2O are also products.

Explanation

ATP is the main product of cellular respiration. CO2 and H2O are also products.

15. Which of these is not one of the major problems plaguing our environment?

Pollution

Loss of biodiveristy

Overpopulation

Resource depletion

Overpopulation is a cause of other problems (like deforestation or loss of resources) but it in itself is not one of the "big three" issues.

Explanation

Overpopulation is a cause of other problems (like deforestation or loss of resources) but it in itself is not one of the "big three" issues.

16. In a eukaryotic cell, which of these would NOT be found in the cytoplasm?

ATP

DNA

Enzymes

Amino acids

TRNA

In eukaryotic cells, the DNA would be in the nucleus, not in the cytoplasm.

Explanation

In eukaryotic cells, the DNA would be in the nucleus, not in the cytoplasm.

17. What is the major component of biological membranes?

Proteins

Nucleic acids

Carbohydrates

Lipids

Water

Lipids are the major component of biological membranes. They form a lipid bilayer that acts as a barrier, separating the inside of the cell or organelle from the external environment. Lipids are hydrophobic molecules, meaning they repel water, making them ideal for creating a barrier that controls the passage of substances in and out of the cell. Additionally, lipids also play a crucial role in cell signaling and membrane fluidity.

Explanation

Lipids are the major component of biological membranes. They form a lipid bilayer that acts as a barrier, separating the inside of the cell or organelle from the external environment. Lipids are hydrophobic molecules, meaning they repel water, making them ideal for creating a barrier that controls the passage of substances in and out of the cell. Additionally, lipids also play a crucial role in cell signaling and membrane fluidity.

18. Which of these is not one of the most common elements in biological molecules?

Phosphorus

Sulfur

Sodium

Hydrogen

The S in CHNOPS is sulfur, not sodium (symbol Na).

Explanation

The S in CHNOPS is sulfur, not sodium (symbol Na).

19. DNA is our genetic material. Which scientist discovered that it was a long, twisting helix?

Watson & Crick

Avery

Franklin