1.
Which type of cell lacks a membrane surrounding its genetic material?
Correct Answer
A. Bacteria
Explanation
Bacteria and Archaea are unicellular prokaryotes that lack a nucleus.
2.
What is the major component of biological membranes?
Correct Answer
D. Lipids
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.
3.
A pea plant has genetic instructions to be tall and short, but only expresses the tall phenotype. This plant can be described as:
Correct Answer
B. Hybrid
Explanation
Hybrids have two different sets of instructions and are also known as being heterozygous.
4.
DNA is our genetic material. Which scientist discovered that it was a long, twisting helix?
Correct Answer
C. Franklin
Explanation
Rosalind Franklin realized that DNA was a helix using X-ray crystallography.
5.
Which type of cellular transport must always move particles out of a cell?
Correct Answer
B. Exocytosis
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.
6.
During mitosis, the DNA in a cell is found as:
Correct Answer
C. Chromosomes
Explanation
During mitosis, the DNA is moving around so it must be wrapped up tightly as chromosomes.
7.
The cellular location where protein synthesis occurs:
Correct Answer
A. Ribosomes
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.
8.
Which of these is NOT a reactant in photosynthesis?
Correct Answer
C. Glucose
Explanation
Glucose is made (a product) not used (a reactant) during photosynthesis.
9.
Which of these is a product of cellular (aerobic) respiration?
Correct Answer
C. Adenosine tripHospHate
Explanation
ATP is the main product of cellular respiration. CO2 and H2O are also products.
10.
The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in an organism:
Correct Answer
B. Metabolism
Explanation
Everything that any cell (or any organism) does to stay alive is part of its metabolism.
11.
Heterotrophs depend on autotrophs. Why?
Correct Answer
D. AutotropHs capture sunlight and store it in carbohydrates.
Explanation
Remember, autotroph is a producer and heterotroph is a consumer. All life depends on producers.
12.
Which of these is not one of the most common elements in biological molecules?
Correct Answer
C. Sodium
Explanation
The S in CHNOPS is sulfur, not sodium (symbol Na).
13.
The genetic code that is passed down from one generation to the next is "hidden" within:
Correct Answer
D. Nucleotides
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.
14.
Which is the longest phase of the eukaryotic cell cycle?
Correct Answer
C. InterpHase
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.
15.
In a controlled experiment, what factor changes from group to group?
Correct Answer
B. The variable
Explanation
Variables VARY (change) from group to group, while constants stay constant (or remain the same) within the groups.
16.
The first person to see (and name) cells observed the walls of cork cells. Who was he?
Correct Answer
C. Hooke
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.
17.
In a eukaryotic cell, which of these would NOT be found in the cytoplasm?
Correct Answer
B. DNA
Explanation
In eukaryotic cells, the DNA would be in the nucleus, not in the cytoplasm.
18.
Which of these is not one of the six kingdoms of life?
Correct Answer
C. Virus
Explanation
Viruses are NOT alive, and therefore, are not a kingdom.
19.
Which of these is not one of the major problems plaguing our environment?
Correct Answer
C. Overpopulation
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.