General Biology Chapter 1

Ever since the antibiotic drug penicillin was discovered in 1928, the incidence of resistant bacteria has steadily increased as a direct result of

(a). biodiversity.
(b). natural selection.
(c). homeostasis.
(d). development.
(e). reproduction.

(b). natural selection.

The smallest unit that has all of the characteristics of life is the

(a). cell.
(b). tissue.
(c). organ.
(d). organ system.
(e). organism.

(a). Cell.

Which statement regarding the scientific method is FALSE?

(a). Inductive reasoning is used to form a hypothesis.
(b). Observations are used to form a hypothesis.
(c). Experiments need to be repeatable.
(d). Original hypotheses are formed after an experiment.
(e). The control and experimental group are identical except for one variable.

(b). Original hypotheses are formed after an experiment.

Technology is the __________________________.

(a). application of scientific knowledge for a practical purpose.
(b). study of living organisms.
(c). study of the interactions between living organisms and their environment.
(d). application of common knowledge for a practical purpose.
(e). application of laws to benefit society.

(a). application of scientific knowledge for a practical purpose.

Which statement regarding the scientific method is FALSE?

(a). Experimental results are reported in scientific journals.
(b). Hypotheses are finally proven as absolutely true or false.
(c). The control is not subjected to the experimental variable.
(d). Statistical tests may be used to analyze experimental results.
(e). Experimental results are often summarized in a graph or table.

(b). Hypotheses are finally proven as absolutely true or false.

Which statement about living organisms is NOT correct?

(a). Living organisms create energy.
(b). Living organisms maintain homeostasis.
(c). Living organisms reproduce.
(d). Living organisms have adaptations.
(e). Living organisms grow and develop.

(a). Living organisms create energy.

Organs are composed of tissues, which are composed of cells. This is an example of which characteristic of life?

(a). Living things grow and develop.
(b). Living things respond to stimuli.
(c). Living things maintain themselves by homeostasis.
(d). Living things have levels of hierarchical organization.
(e). Living things are adapted to the environment.

(d). Living things have levels of hierarchical organization.

A physician specializes in surgery involving the following group of organs: mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestines. Overall, this physician is specialized at which level of organization?

(a). cell
(b). tissue
(c). organ
(d). organ system
(e). organism

(d). organ system

Some students consume large amounts of coffee and so-called energy drinks to help them stay alert when studying. You notice that many who engage in this practice seem to do poorly on exams. Suppose you want to investigate the relationship between caffeine consumption and exam performance. Which of the following statements would be an appropriate hypothesis?

(a). Students who consume large amounts of caffeine while studying will have lower exam scores than those who consume less caffeine.
(b). One should avoid consuming too much caffeine while studying.
(c). Too much caffeine is harmful to your health.
(d). Many students consume large amounts of caffeine while studying.
(e). Caffeine increases alertness but also increases anxiety.

(a). Students who consume large amounts of caffeine while studying will have lower exam scores than those who consume less caffeine.

Which of the following represents a potential threat to biodiversity?

(a). People construct artificial reefs to support marine life.
(b). Humans clear land for agriculture and housing.
(c). Energy flows through an ecosystem, with much lost as heat.
(d). Tropical rain forests and coral reefs are found where solar energy is the most abundant.
(e). In a food chain, one population feeds on another.

(b). Humans clear land for agriculture and housing.

Which statement concerning reproduction is FALSE?

(a). Hereditary information is passed on to the next generation.
(b). Hereditary information is in the form of genes.
(c). The offspring of asexual organisms have the same genes as the single parent.
(d). The offspring of sexual organisms have roughly one half of the genes from each parent.
(e). The offspring of multicellular organisms tend to be identical to the parent.

(e). The offspring of multicellular organisms tend to be identical to the parent.

Which statement regarding the scientific method is FALSE?

(a). Hypotheses are tentative explanations of observed phenomena.
(b). A hypothesis may become a theory, which may become a law.
(c). Deductive reasoning is often used in the design of an experiment.
(d). A control group is always exposed to the factor being tested.
(e). Conclusions are formed after an experiment is conducted.

(d). A control group is always exposed to the factor being tested.

The layer where organisms can exist on the surface of the earth is the

(a). biosphere.
(b). ecosystem.
(c). population.
(d). homeostasis.
(e). community.

(a). biosphere.

Which of these classification categories contains the closest related organisms?

(a). domain
(b). genus
(c). family
(d). phylum
(e). kingdom

(b). genus

Which sequence correctly lists the different levels of biological organization, from the smallest and simplest to the largest and most complex?

(a). cells-organs-tissues-organ systems-organism
(b). cells-tissues-organ systems-organs-organism
(c). tissues-cells-organs-organ systems-organism
(d). tissues-organs-organ systems-organisms-cells
(e). cells-tissues-organs-organ systems-organisms

(e). cells-tissues-organs-organ systems-organisms

Which level of biological organization is composed of tissues?

(a). organism
(b). organ system
(c). organ
(d). cell
(e). molecules

(c). organ

Which domains contain organisms that lack a membrane bound nucleus?

(a). Archaea & Bacteria
(b). Archaea & Eukarya
(c). Bacteria & Eukarya
(d). Eukarya & Animalia
(e). Archaea & Animalia

(a). Archaea & Bacteria

Which statement is FALSE regarding science?

(a). Science helps us to understand the natural world.
(b). Science strives to be objective rather than subjective.
(c). Correct scientific conclusions are permanent and never subject to change or refinement.
(d). Information is gathered by scientific methods.
(e). Information is gathered by scientific methods.

(c). Correct scientific conclusions are permanent and never subject to change or refinement.

Corn belongs to the kingdom

(a). Plantae.
(b). Animalia.
(c). Fungi.
(d). Protista.
(e). Archaea.

(a). Plantae.

If a new anti-cancer drug is found effective in initial tests with mice, what do researchers conclude?

(a). If the drug was effective in a large number of mice, it will therefore be effective in humans.
(b). If the drug was effective in a small proportion of mice, it will be effective in a small proportion of humans.
(c). The mice have provided a positive control in this experiment that proves the drug is effective in humans.
(d). The drug is effective in the mouse model; it must still be tested in humans.
(e). The effect of the drug on mice has no bearing on the effect of the drug on humans.

(d). The drug is effective in the mouse model; it must still be tested in humans.

The common name for "cat" in Spanish is "gato" and in Chinese is "mao." Which of the following statements pertaining to the use of scientific names instead of common names is FALSE?

(a). Common names may include different sets of organisms.
(b). Scientific names can be known and recognized by all scientists throughout the world.
(c). To recognize an organism in the literature by its common name, a scientist would have to know multiple languages.
(d). The scientific name begins to tie the organism into related groups.
(e). The common name clearly identifies an organism as unique.

(e). The common name clearly identifies an organism as unique.

Which answer choice lists the steps of the scientific method in the correct order?

(a). hypothesis, observation, experiment, conclusion, scientific theory
(b). conclusion, hypothesis, observation, experiment, scientific theory
(c). observation, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, scientific theory
(d). observation, experiment, hypothesis, conclusion, scientific theory
(e). scientific theory, conclusion, hypothesis, experiment, observation

(c). observation, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, scientific theory

Which of the following domains contains organisms that are adapted to life in harsh environments?

(a). Domain Archaea
(b). Domain Bacteria
(c). Domain Eukarya
(d). Domain Animalia
(e). Domain Plantae

(a). Domain Archaea

As the human population size increases,

(a). ecosystems remain unaffected.
(b). fewer fossil fuels are burned and carbon dioxide levels remain constant.
(c). it becomes evident that preserving the biosphere has no benefit to humans.
(d). fewer ecosystems are destroyed, resulting in an abundance of biodiversity.
(e). biodiversity is adversely affected as humans have destructive effects on ecosystems.

(e). biodiversity is adversely affected as humans have destructive effects on ecosystems.

Which classification category includes the most species?

(a). family
(b). genus
(c). class
(d). phylum
(e). kingdom

(d). Kingdom.

A multicellular, photosynthetic organism with complex, specialized cells and tissues would most likely be assigned to

(a). kingdom Animalia.
(b). kingdom Fungi.
(c). kingdom Archaea.
(d). kingdom Protista.
(e). kingdom Plantae.

(e). kingdom Plantae.

You are conducting an experiment to determine what concentration of disinfectant is most effective in killing bacteria. In this example, the concentration of disinfectant would represent the

(a). control.
(b). experimental variable.
(c). response variable.
(d). data.
(e). hypothesis.

(b). experimental variable.

Which of the following statement is based on scientific observation and reasoning?

(a). Some chemical compounds react differently in different human cultures.
(b). If a tree falls in a forest but this is never witnessed by a human, there are no physical or biological consequences.
(c). Many physical and biological phenomena lack any cause-and-effect; outcomes from one situation may be one way today and another tomorrow.
(d). Objects fall downward anywhere on the earth’s surface regardless of the observer.
(e). A scientist records only the data that are easiest to interpret.

(d). Objects fall downward anywhere on the earth’s surface regardless of the observer.

Which sequence of classification categories is in the proper order from least to most inclusive?

(a). genus, class, kingdom, domain, order, phylum, species, family
(b). domain, class, genus, family, species, order, phylum, kingdom
(c). species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, domain
(d). genus, species, order, class, family, kingdom, domain, phylum
(e). species, genus, family, class, order, phylum, kingdom, domain

(c). species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, domain

In the late 1800s, Louis Pasteur was searching for a vaccine for anthrax in livestock. One French veterinarian had a local reputation for being able to cure anthrax by applying oils and wrapping the animal in cloth to induce a fever. Pasteur also knew that some animals got well on their own when left untreated. Pasteur tested the effectiveness of the local veterinarian’s methods by injecting four cattle with anthrax bacteria. He then directed the veterinarian to perform his procedures on two cattle. The other two cattle were left alone. What is the rationale for Pasteur’s experimental design?

(a). Two cattle represent a test of the veterinarian’s hypothesis; two represent a test of Pasteur’s hypothesis.
(b). Two cattle represent a test of the treatment; two serve as a control to determine the likelihood of survival without treatment.
(c). Two cattle represent a test based on inductive reasoning; two serve to test deductive reasoning.
(d). The two cattle that are treated are the only test being conducted; the other two cattle serve no purpose beyond representing all the untreated cattle in France.
(e). The two cattle not being treated were just a whim on Pasteur’s part.

(b). Two cattle represent a test of the treatment; two serve as a control to determine the likelihood of survival without treatment.

Which of the following is a potential consequence if people stop using technology in the agriculture industry?

There could be a significant decrease in the amount of food produced.

The most important factor that determines where major ecosystems are located on the globe is

climate.

The body temperature in humans is maintained around 37°C. Which characteristic of life does this information represent?

Living things are homeostatic.

All the banded sunfish (Enneacanthus obesus) in a pond would comprise a(n)

population.

Which of the following biological technology has enabled scientists to extend the life span of individuals who are suffering from HIV / AIDS?

Virology

Nutrient molecules are used as building blocks or for energy. This best represents which characteristic of life?

Living things acquire materials and energy from the environment.

Which statement about an ecosystem is incorrect?

There is a community of organisms, but no non-living components.

What is the correct format for the binomial name of human beings?

Homo sapiens

When comparing energy and chemicals in an ecosystem,

chemicals cycle over and over again but energy flows through once.

If the human population faces potential extinction, cloning of humans is the only technology that will save us?

(a). True
(b). False

(b). False.

Which statement regarding science technology is FALSE?

Science technology is a basis for all ethical or moral decisions.

The three major domains of life are

archaea, bacteria, eukaryotes

The bones in a bird are hollow, reducing its weight for flight. This is an example of which characteristic of life?

Living things are adapted.

When researchers test a new human cancer drug using mice, the mice constitute the

Model.

Which of the following is of least importance when concerning the preservation of ecosystems?

Preservation of ecosystems allows humans to exploit as many resources as possible.

Which statement regarding the scientific method is false?

Theories formed in everyday life carry the same validity as a scientific theory.

Which of these is an example of inductive reasoning used to form a hypothesis?

Every fungus that has ever been studied absorbs its food; therefore, food absorption is characteristic of fungi.

The term "biodiversity" refers to

the total number of species, variation of species and the ecosystems in which they live.

A community of organisms along with their physical environment constitutes a(n)

Ecosystem

An unmanned spacecraft has been sent to another planet to detect other life forms that might be quite different from those on Earth. If the probe could only send back one still picture, which property or properties of life would be most evident?

organization

Which of the following is one of the domains of life?

Eukarya

A piece of petrified wood was once part of a living organism, but its tissues have been replaced by minerals and it no longer exhibits most properties of life, except for

organization.

Using technology in the field of agriculture has enabled farmers to feed a growing human population.

True

All the organisms of various species living within a given area constitute a(n)

community.

You have discovered a previously unknown organism. It is multicellular, with a filamentous form, and absorbs food from its environment. Upon microscopic examination, you see that the cells have nuclei. How would you classify this organism?

kingdom Fungi

When you are overheated, you perspire, and when you are too cold, you shiver to generate heat. Which property of life is best represented by this example?

homeostasis

Which of the following might plausibly be said by a scientist?

There is always a possibility that a more advanced experiment might falsify any hypothesis.

You are conducting an experiment to determine which brand of fertilizer results in the greatest amount of fruit production by tomato plants. In this example, the response variable would be the

amount of fruit produced by the tomato plants.

A possible explanation for a natural event, based on observations and past knowledge, is a

hypothesis.

In the late 1800s, Louis Pasteur was searching for a vaccine for anthrax in livestock. One French veterinarian had a local reputation for being able to cure anthrax by applying oils and wrapping the animal in cloth to induce a fever. Pasteur also knew that some animals got well on their own when left untreated. Pasteur tested the effectiveness of the local veterinarian’s methods by injecting four cattle with anthrax bacteria. He then directed the veterinarian to perform his procedures on two cattle. The other two cattle were left alone. One cow from each group died and the other one in each group survived. Pasteur dismissed the veterinarian’s procedure as ineffective, but he also considered this to be a poor test. Why would he consider this to be a poor test?

With such a small group you can’t determine if survival was dependent on the treatment or random chance.