Chapter 01
The Study of Life

Multiple Choice Questions
 
1.  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. 
 Organs represent one level in the hierarchy of biological organization but they are a higher level of organization than either tissues or cells. The other answer choices are also characteristics of life; however, the example is concerned specifically with levels of organization.  

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Identify the basic characteristics of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization
 
2.  The smallest unit that has all of the characteristics of life is the  
A.  cell. 
B.  tissue. 
C.  organ. 
D.  organ system. 
E.  organism. 
 The cell is the basic unit of life. Some organisms are single-celled; however, others are comprised of cells arranged into tissues, organs, and organ systems.   

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization

 
3.  Which level of biological organization is composed of several tissues?  
A.  organism 
B.  organ system 
C.  organ 
D.  cell 
E.  molecules 
 Organs are composed of tissues working together in a common set of functions. Tissues are collections of cells, and cells are made up of various molecules.  Organs make up organ systems, which comprise the organism. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization
 
4.  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-organism-cells 
E.  cells-tissues-organs-organ systems-organism 
 The cell is the smallest, simplest unit of life. Cells are organized into tissues, which make up organs. A group of organs working together for a common set of functions comprises an organ system. An individual organism contains several organ systems. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization

 
5.  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. 
 Multicellular organisms generally use sexual reproduction, in which each parent contributes to the genetic makeup of the offspring; thus, the offspring is not genetically identical to either parent. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Identify the basic characteristics of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Characteristics of Life
 
6.  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 
 The correct sequence is species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, domain.  Species is the least inclusive category in the taxonomic hierarchy; domain is the most inclusive. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Describe how living things are classified.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization

 
7.  What is the correct format for the binomial name of human beings?  
A.  Homo Sapiens 
B.  homo Sapiens 
C.  homo sapiens 
D.  Homo sapiens 
E.  Sapiens homo 
 When using binomial naming, the genus name should come first, and its first letter is always capitalized. The species name follows, in all lowercase letters.  Thus, the correct answer is Homo sapiens. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Describe how living things are classified.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization
 
8.  Corn belongs to the kingdom  
A.  Plantae. 
B.  Animalia. 
C.  Fungi. 
D.  Protista. 
E.  Archaea. 
 Corn is an example of a multicellular, photosynthetic organism belonging to kingdom Plantae. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Describe how living things are classified.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization

 
9.  The three major domains of life are  
A.  plants, animals, and protists. 
B.  bacteria, fungi, and eukaryotes. 
C.  eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and animals. 
D.  archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. 
E.  eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and fungi. 
 The three major domains of life include the bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. The rest of the living organisms listed are not classified at the domain level. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Distinguish between the three domains of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization
 
10.  A multicellular, photosynthetic organism with complex, specialized cells and tissues would most likely be assigned to  
A.  kingdom Animalia. 
B.  kingdom Fungi. 
C.  domain Archaea. 
D.  kingdom Protista. 
E.  kingdom Plantae. 
 Members of kingdom Plantae are multicellular, with specialized cells and tissues, and can form their own "food" by photosynthesis. Organisms in kingdom Animalia are also multicellular with specialized cells and tissues, but they are heterotrophs that ingest their food.  Kingdom Fungi is comprised of unicellular and multicellular organisms, all heterotrophic by absorption. Kingdom Protista contains mostly unicellular organisms with a few multicellular forms, some of which are heterotrophic while others are photosynthetic.  They lack the high degree of cellular and tissue specialization seen in plants.  Domain Archaea contains only unicellular, prokaryotic organisms. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Describe how living things are classified.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization

 
11.  The layer where organisms can exist on the surface of the earth is the  
A.  biosphere. 
B.  ecosystem. 
C.  population. 
D.  homeostasis. 
E.  community. 
 The biosphere is the zone of air, land, and water on the earth where living organisms are found. An ecosystem is a community of organisms plus the non-living components of their environment. A community is a collection of populations of different species living in the same area. A population is a collection of members of the same species living in the same area. Homeostasis is the maintenance of a steady internal environment. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization
 
12.  All the organisms of various species living within a given area constitute a(n)  
A.  biosphere. 
B.  ecosystem. 
C.  population. 
D.  domain. 
E.  community. 
 A community is a collection of populations of different species living in the same area. All the members of a particular species living within a given area are known as a population. The biosphere is the zone of air, land, and water on the earth where living organisms are found. An ecosystem is a community of organisms plus the non-living components of their environment. Domain is the highest, most inclusive category for the classification of organisms. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization

 
13.  A community of organisms along with their physical environment constitutes a(n)  
A.  biosphere. 
B.  ecosystem. 
C.  population. 
D.  habitat. 
E.  community. 
 An ecosystem includes not only all the living organisms in a given area, but also the non-living, physical environment. The biosphere is the zone of air, land, and water on the earth where living organisms are found. A population is a collection of members of the same species living in the same area. A habitat is where an organism lives. A community is a collection of populations of different species living in the same area. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization
 
14.  The most important factor that determines where major ecosystems are located on the globe is  
A.  soil type. 
B.  available vegetation. 
C.  climate. 
D.  oxygen levels. 
E.  political boundaries. 
 The main determinant of where the major ecosystems are located is climate. Climate exerts the most important influence over what vegetation is available, and vegetation contributes to soil formation. Oxygen levels are a concern only at the highest altitudes, and political boundaries have no inherent influence on ecosystem locations. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Identify the basic characteristics of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Characteristics of Life

 
15.  The term "biodiversity" refers to  
A.  a study of ecosystems without consideration of the living organisms. 
B.  the similarities between species. 
C.  the rate of extinction of species due to human activities. 
D.  the total number of species, variation of species, and the ecosystems in which they live. 
E.  the study of food chains within an ecosystem. 
 The term "biodiversity" is quite broad, encompassing the total number of species, variation of species, and the ecosystems in which they live. All of the other answer choices are too narrow to fit the definition of biodiversity. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.04.02 Summarize some of the major challenges facing science.
Section: 01.04
Topic: Biodiversity
 
16.  A possible explanation for a natural event, based on observations and past knowledge, is a  
A.  hypothesis. 
B.  phenomenon. 
C.  control. 
D.  variable. 
E.  theory. 
 A hypothesis is defined as a possible explanation for a natural event (phenomenon) based on observations and past knowledge.  When a hypothesis has withstood repeated testing over time, it may be elevated to a theory. In a controlled experiment, the control is the subject or group not subjected to the factor, or variable, being tested. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.03.02 Distinguish between a theory and a hypothesis.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Scientific Method

 
17.  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. 
 An experimental group, not a control group, is always exposed to the factor being tested. All the other answer choices are accurate statements. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Identify components of the scientific method.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Scientific Method
 
18.  Which answer choice lists the steps of the scientific method in the correct order?  
A.  hypothesis, observation, experiment, conclusion, data collection 
B.  conclusion, hypothesis, observation, experiment, data collection 
C.  observation, hypothesis, experiment, data collection, conclusion 
D.  observation, experiment, hypothesis, conclusion, data collection 
E.  data collection, conclusion, hypothesis, experiment, observation 
 In a typical application of the scientific method, observations are used to formulate a hypothesis. The hypothesis may then be tested, as in an experiment. Data is collected as part of the experimental process.  Based on the results of the hypothesis testing, a conclusion is made.  

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Identify components of the scientific method.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Scientific Method

 
19.  Which of the following is one of the domains of life? rev: 10_04_2013_QC_36723  
A.  Animalia 
B.  Eukarya 
C.  Molds 
D.  Protista 
E.  Fungi 
 Eukarya is a domain of life.  Animalia, Protista, and Fungi are all kingdoms of life.  Molds is not a level of scientific classification. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Distinguish between the three domains of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization
 
20.  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. 
 Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for a practical purpose. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.04.01 Distinguish between science and technology.
Section: 01.04
Topic: Experimental Design

 

True / False Questions
 
21.  Using technology in the field of agriculture has enabled farmers to feed a growing human population.  
TRUE
 Advances in technology have enabled farmers to grow more food in order to feed a growing human population. 

Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.04.01 Distinguish between science and technology.
Section: 01.04
Topic: Scientific Method

Multiple Choice Questions
 
22.  A physician specializes in surgery involving the following group of organs: mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Overall, what is the highest level of organization that this physician is specialized in?  
A.  cell 
B.  tissue 
C.  organ 
D.  organ system 
E.  organism 
 The mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines are all organs belonging to the digestive system.  An organism is made up of multiple organ systems. The individual organs are made up of tissues, which are collections of cells. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization

 
23.  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. 
 Living organisms cannot create energy. Instead, they convert it from one form to another.  It will then be used to maintain homeostasis, reproduce, and adapt, as well as grow and develop. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Identify the basic characteristics of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Characteristics of Life
 
24.  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?  
A.  homeostasis 
B.  development 
C.  behavior 
D.  organization 
E.  adaptation 
 Homeostasis is the body's physical and physiological responses to changing conditions over a short period of time.   

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Identify the basic characteristics of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Characteristics of Life

 
25.  The body temperature in humans is maintained around 37C. Which characteristic of life does this information represent?  
A.  Living things acquire materials and energy from the environment. 
B.  Living things are homeostatic. 
C.  Living things are adapted. 
D.  Living things grow and develop. 
E.  Living things respond to stimuli. 
 Keeping the internal body temperature within a constant range is an important part of homeostasis. Living things acquire materials and energy from the environment and respond to stimuli in order to maintain homeostasis. Adaptations that organisms have for surviving in their environment enable them to maintain homeostasis. The maintenance of homeostasis allows organisms to grow and develop. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Identify the basic characteristics of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Characteristics of Life
 
26.  The bones in a bird are hollow, reducing its weight for flight. This is an example of which characteristic of life?  
A.  Living things grow and develop. 
B.  Living things acquire materials and energy from the environment. 
C.  Living things reproduce. 
D.  Living things are adapted. 
E.  Living things are homeostatic. 
 Adaptations, such as the hollow bones of birds, are features that make organisms better suited to their environment. All the other answer choices are also characteristics of living things, but the example of the bird skeleton has to do specifically with adaptation. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Identify the basic characteristics of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Characteristics of Life

 
27.  Which classification category includes the most species?  
A.  family 
B.  genus 
C.  class 
D.  phylum 
E.  kingdom 
 Placed in order from most inclusive (containing the greatest number of species) to least inclusive (containing the smallest number of species), the categories would be listed: kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Describe how living things are classified.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization
 
28.  Which of these classification categories contains the closest related group of organisms?  
A.  domain 
B.  genus 
C.  family 
D.  phylum 
E.  kingdom 
 Members of closely related species are grouped into the same genus. The categories listed, from the greatest to least degree of relatedness of organisms, are: genus, family, phylum, kingdom, and domain. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Describe how living things are classified.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization

 
29.  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. 
 The only false statement about the use of scientific names is that common names do not identify organisms as unique. In fact, different organisms are often called by the same common name. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Describe how living things are classified.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization
 
30.  All the banded sunfish () in a pond would comprise a(n)  
A.  population. 
B.  ecosystem. 
C.  community. 
D.  biosphere. 
E.  species. 
 A species is a category of organisms within the same genus that share very similar characteristics. Banded sunfish ( ) are a species. A population is all the members of a given species within a particular area, as in the example of all the banded sunfish in one pond. All the different populations in the same area make up a community. A community together with its physical environment makes up an ecosystem. The biosphere is the zone of air, land, and water on the earth where living organisms are found. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Distinguish between the levels of biological organization.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization

 
31.  When comparing energy and chemicals in an ecosystem,  
A.  both chemicals and energy cycle over and over again. 
B.  chemicals cycle over and over again but energy flows through once. 
C.  both chemicals and energy flow through once. 
D.  energy cycles over and over again but chemicals flow through once. 
E.  neither cycle nor flow but both are simply present. 
 Chemicals can be recycled in an ecosystem as they pass from one organism to the next. The same is not true for energy, because every time an energy conversion occurs some of the energy is "lost" in the form of heat. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Identify the basic characteristics of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Energy and Chemical Cycling
 
32.  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 gained by observing and testing. 
 Scientific conclusions are always subject to change and refinement. All of the other statements are accurate. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Analyze a scientific experiment and identify the hypothesis, experiment, control groups, and conclusions.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Experimental Design

 
33.  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. 
 Original hypotheses are formed prior to an experiment, through inductive reasoning based on observations. Inductive reasoning is the process of taking individual observations and weaving them into a cohesive explanation. In a controlled experiment, the control and experimental groups should be the same except for a single factor, called a variable. Experiments should be repeatable, even by different individuals in different places.  

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Identify components of the scientific method.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Scientific Method
 
34.  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. 
 Hypotheses are always subject to repeated testing because they are not absolutely provable. This is because, in experiments to test a hypothesis, there is always the possibility of inaccuracy. All the other answer choices are true statements. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Identify components of the scientific method.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Scientific Method

 
35.  Which statement regarding the scientific method is false?  
A.  A theory that has been repeatedly supported is sometimes called a law. 
B.  Consistent observations about a hypothesis may lead to a theory. 
C.  Theories formed in everyday life carry the same validity as a scientific theory. 
D.  Only one experimental variable is used in a controlled experiment. 
E.  Published research should provide enough detail to allow anyone to repeat the experiment in the same manner. 
 In everyday life, the word theory is used as a synonym for speculation. But in science, a theory grows from a hypothesis that has withstood repeated testing and consistently explains many observations. Hypotheses can be testing in various ways, but one of the most common is controlled experiments, in which only one variable is studied. Scientists know about one another's studies through publication; this enables them to test hypotheses by repeating experiments. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Identify components of the scientific method.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Scientific Method
 
36.  When researchers test a new human cancer drug using mice, the mice constitute the  
A.  hypothesis. 
B.  data. 
C.  experimental design. 
D.  model. 
E.  control. 
 An experimental model is a representation of an actual subject; in this case, the mice represent humans. The manner in which a scientist intends to conduct an experiment is called the experimental design. A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for a natural event. The results of an experiment are referred to as the data. A control is a subject or group of subjects that goes through all the steps of an experiment but lacks the factor, or is not exposed to the factor, being tested. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Analyze a scientific experiment and identify the hypothesis, experiment, control groups, and conclusions.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Experimental Design

 
37.  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 
 The domain Archaea contains organisms that can survive in harsh environments.  Domain Bacteria contains organisms that can be found everywhere but tend not to be in harsh environments.  Domain Eukarya contains the plants, animals, fungi, and protists which are not adapted to harsh environments either.  Animalia and Plantae are not domains. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Distinguish between the three domains of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization
 
38.  Which domains contain organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus?  
A.  Archaea and Bacteria 
B.  Archaea and Eukarya 
C.  Bacteria and Eukarya 
D.  Eukarya and Animalia 
E.  Archaea and Animalia 
 The domains Archaea and Bacteria both contain organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus. Domain Eukarya contains organisms that have a membrane-bound nucleus. Animalia is not a domain. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Distinguish between the three domains of life.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization

 

True / False Questions
 
39.  If the human population faces potential extinction, cloning of humans is the only technology that will save us.  
FALSE
 False, cloning is not a technology that will save the human population from extinction.  Technologies in medicine, agriculture, etc. would play vital roles in the survival of the human species. 

Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.04.02 Summarize some of the major challenges facing science.
Section: 01.04
Topic: Experimental Design

Multiple Choice Questions
 
40.  A piece of petrified wood was once part of a living organism that has had its tissues replaced by minerals.  Which property of life will still be present in the wood?  
A.  organization 
B.  homeostasis 
C.  growth and reproduction 
D.  response to stimuli 
E.  metabolism 
 A piece of petrified wood is a fossil, a preserved remnant of a once-living organism. Although it lacks metabolism, can no longer maintain homeostasis, and does not grow, reproduce, or respond to stimuli, the original pattern of organization is still evident. 

Bloom's Level: 3. Apply
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Identify the basic characteristics of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Characteristics of Life

 
41.  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 observable in a picture?  
A.  organization 
B.  homeostasis and metabolism 
C.  growth and reproduction 
D.  response to stimuli 
E.  evolution 
 A still image would not be likely to show dynamic processes such as homeostasis, metabolism, evolution, growth, or reproduction. However, organization would be evident. 

Bloom's Level: 3. Apply
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Identify the basic characteristics of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Characteristics of Life

 
42.  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. 
 In natural selection, members of a species that are best adapted to survive and reproduce in their environment have more offspring than those that are not. Thus, more members of the population will come to have the successful adaptation. In this example, when people started using penicillin to fight bacterial infections, only susceptible bacteria were killed; resistant ones were able to survive and reproduce. Now there are many more resistant bacteria. Biodiversity is the total number of species, the variability of their genes, and the ecosystems they inhabit. Although genetic variability is the raw material for natural selection, it is not equivalent. Homeostasis is an organism's ability to maintain a stable internal environment. Development is the series of changes that occur throughout the lifespan of an organism. Reproduction is the ability of an organism to make more like itself; it is related to natural selection in that more successful organisms can pass their adaptations on to their offspring, but the terms are not equivalent. 

Bloom's Level: 3. Apply
Learning Outcome: 01.01.03 Recognize the importance of adaptation and evolution of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Characteristics of Life

 
43.  Nutrient molecules are used to build cellular structures or for energy. This best represents which characteristic of life?  
A.  Living things acquire materials and energy from the environment. 
B.  Living things are homeostatic. 
C.  Living things are adapted. 
D.  Living things grow and develop. 
E.  Living things respond to stimuli. 
 The ability to acquire materials and energy from the environment is crucial to all the other activities of living organisms, including homeostasis, adaptation, growth and development, and responses to stimuli. 

Bloom's Level: 3. Apply
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Identify the basic characteristics of life.
Section: 01.01
Topic: Characteristics of Life
 
44.  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?  
A.  domain Bacteria 
B.  kingdom Animalia 
C.  kingdom Protista 
D.  kingdom Fungi 
E.  kingdom Plantae 
 Kingdom Fungi is comprised of unicellular and multicellular organisms, all heterotrophic by absorption. The multicellular forms are generally filamentous. Members of kingdom Plantae are multicellular, with specialized cells and tissues, and can form their own "food" by photosynthesis. Organisms in kingdom Animalia are also multicellular with specialized cells and tissues, but they are heterotrophs that ingest their food.  Kingdom Protista contains mostly unicellular organisms with a few multicellular forms, some of which are heterotrophic by ingestion while others are photosynthetic.  Domain Bacteria contains only unicellular, prokaryotic organisms.  All four of the kingdoms listed as answer choices belong to domain Eukarya. 

Bloom's Level: 3. Apply
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Describe how living things are classified.
Section: 01.02
Topic: Levels of Biological Organization

 
45.  Which of these is an example of inductive reasoning used to form a hypothesis?  
A.  Every fungus that has ever been studied absorbs its food; therefore, food absorption is characteristic of fungi. 
B.  All fungi absorb their food; if mushrooms are fungi; then the mushroom absorbs its food. 
C.  A mushroom is classified in the kingdom Fungi of the domain Eukarya. 
D.  This cell from a mushroom has a nucleus. 
E.  Fungi are not capable of photosynthesis. 
 In order to formulate a hypothesis, a scientist could use inductive reasoning, in which a collection of facts or observations are woven together to support a statement.  Inductive reasoning is exemplified by, "Every fungus that has ever been studied absorbs its food; therefore, food absorption is characteristic of fungi." To test a hypothesis, a scientist could use deductive reasoning, which is based on "if, then" statements such as, "If a mushroom is a fungus, then the mushroom absorbs its food." The other answer choices are accurate observations or statements, but not representative of either type of reasoning. 

Bloom's Level: 3. Apply
Learning Outcome: 01.03.02 Distinguish between a theory and a hypothesis.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Scientific Method
 
46.  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  
A.  brand of fertilizer. 
B.  unfertilized tomato plants. 
C.  fertilized tomato plants. 
D.  amount of fruit produced by the tomato plants. 
E.  variety of tomato plants. 
 The response (dependent) variable would be the amount of fruit produced, because this is the response to the different fertilizer varieties used. The fertilizer varieties would constitute the experimental (independent) variable, because this is the factor that the researcher is manipulating. It would be a good experimental design to have two groups of plants: a test group (fertilized plants) and a control group (unfertilized plants). To minimize the number of variables in the experiment, only one variety of plant should be used. 

Bloom's Level: 3. Apply
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Analyze a scientific experiment and identify the hypothesis, experiment, control groups, and conclusions.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Experimental Design

 
47.  Which of the following might plausibly be said by a scientist?  
A.  Although no one else gets the same results as I do, since I get the results in my experiments, it is still science. 
B.  Since all the accumulated body of data support it, a hypothesis is definitely "true." 
C.  Test methods are unimportant since anyone can run another test; it is the results that make the substance of science. 
D.  The test's results and conclusion finish the scientist's job; it is enough that a scientist alone now knows the results. 
E.  There is always a possibility that a more advanced experiment might falsify any hypothesis. 
 Hypotheses are always subject to additional testing; they are only conditionally accepted or rejected. If two individuals performing the same experiment obtain different results, this would fail to support the hypothesis. Test methods are important because they may influence the results obtained. Scientific endeavors do not end with obtaining results and a conclusion; researchers share their results via publications and meetings. 

Bloom's Level: 3. Apply
Learning Outcome: 01.03.02 Distinguish between a theory and a hypothesis.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Experimental Design
 
48.  Which of the following is a potential consequence if people stop using technology in the agriculture industry?  
A.  There could be a significant decrease in the amount of food produced. 
B.  There would be a collapse of many of the terrestrial ecosystems on Earth. 
C.  The extinction of the top level species that reside in the communities around the agricultural land. 
D.  The amount of food produced would increase. 
E.  None of these consequences will occur if people stop using technology in the agriculture industry. 
 If the agriculture industry stops using technology the most likely consequence will be a significant decrease in the amount of food produced.  Ecosystems will flourish with a decrease in technology which will then make it easier for the top level species to survive.  Unfortunately, the amount of food produced would decrease. 

Bloom's Level: 3. Apply
Learning Outcome: 01.04.02 Summarize some of the major challenges facing science.
Section: 01.04
Topic: Scientific Method

 
49.  Which of the following is of least importance when concerning the preservation of ecosystems?  
A.  Ecosystem preservation maintains the status of species in their current state. 
B.  Many different organisms perform services that ensure our continued existence. 
C.  Humans derive medicines, food, and many important materials from functioning ecosystems. 
D.  Preservation of ecosystems allows humans to exploit as many resources as possible. 
E.  It is estimated that possibly 400 species become extinct each day due to activities of humans. 
 When humans exploit as many resources as possible, ecosystems are destroyed, not preserved. All the other answer choices are very important statements about why ecosystems should be protected. 

Bloom's Level: 4. Analyze
Learning Outcome: 01.04.02 Summarize some of the major challenges facing science.
Section: 01.04
Topic: Ecosystem Ecology
 
50.  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. 
 When humans clear land, biodiversity is lost because we replace the former inhabitants with a much smaller number of species. The construction of artificial reefs can actually help maintain or restore biodiversity as species that have been forced to move from destroyed coral reefs find new homes. The feeding order of a food chain is an integral part of a community and does not generally have a negative impact on biodiversity. Tropical rain forests and coral reefs are the most diverse ecosystems on our planet. Energy flow is a normal aspect of ecosystems, and does not adversely affect biodiversity. 

Bloom's Level: 4. Analyze
Learning Outcome: 01.04.02 Summarize some of the major challenges facing science.
Section: 01.04
Topic: Biodiversity

 
51.  Which statement regarding science technology is false?  
A.  Science technology has brought about life-improving discoveries, such as antibiotics. 
B.  Science technology helps us to understand the causes of cancer. 
C.  Science technology is a basis for all ethical or moral decisions. 
D.  Science technology may ease the feeding of the world population by producing new plant strains. 
E.  Scientific experimentation may make use of a model instead of an actual subject. 
 Science technology is morally and ethically neutral, and can be used for benefit (as in understanding cancer, producing better food sources, and developing antibiotic drugs), or for harm (such as damage to the environment). Thus, science technology cannot serve as a basis for all ethical and moral decisions.  Such decisions must be made by all people, not just scientists. Scientific experimentation may be guided by morals and ethics, as in using a cell culture or animal as a model for a new drug or procedure before testing it on humans. 

Bloom's Level: 4. Analyze
Learning Outcome: 01.04.01 Distinguish between science and technology.
Section: 01.04
Topic: Scientific Method
 
52.  If a new anti-cancer drug is found to be effective in initial tests with mice, what might 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. 
 Results obtained using models are considered a hypothesis until the experiment can be performed using the actual subject. In this case, the mice are the experimental model, and humans would be the actual subjects. The mice cannot be described as a control; a control would be a group of mice that go through all the steps of the experiment but are not exposed to the drug being tested. 

Bloom's Level: 4. Analyze
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Analyze a scientific experiment and identify the hypothesis, experiment, control groups, and conclusions.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Experimental Design

 
53.  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 hypothesis is a tentative explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested and then supported or falsified based upon the results. To test the hypothesis, you would compare the exam scores of students who drink large amounts of caffeine to those who do not. If the students who consume more caffeine have significantly lower scores, then your hypothesis is supported. Otherwise, the hypothesis is falsified. The statement that one should avoid consuming too much caffeine while studying is a recommendation, not a hypothesis. The statements that caffeine increases alertness and many students consume large amounts of caffeine are observations, which may be used in formulating a hypothesis. Too much caffeine is harmful to your health is a conclusion that has been reached by some scientific studies; it is not, however, a hypothesis that is appropriate to this experimental design. 

Bloom's Level: 4. Analyze
Learning Outcome: 01.03.02 Distinguish between a theory and a hypothesis.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Experimental Design

 
54.  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. 
 The experimental (independent) variable is the factor being tested—in this case, the concentration of disinfectant. The response (dependent) variable is the result or change seen in response to the experimental variable—in this case, the quantity of bacteria killed. A control is not subjected to the experimental variable; an example would be an object or surface contaminated with bacteria that is not treated with disinfectant. Data are experimental results. A hypothesis is a tentative, testable explanation for a natural phenomenon. 

Bloom's Level: 4. Analyze
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Analyze a scientific experiment and identify the hypothesis, experiment, control groups, and conclusions.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Experimental Design

 
55.  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. 
 The two cattle left alone constitute a control group, since they were injected with anthrax but not subjected to the veterinarian's treatment; they are not intended to represent all the cattle in France. The other two cattle represent the test group, since they received both the anthrax injection and the veterinarian's treatment. The entire experimental design is based on deductive reasoning: If the veterinarian's treatment is more effective than lack of treatment, then the treated cattle should recover and the untreated ones should not. 

Bloom's Level: 4. Analyze
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Analyze a scientific experiment and identify the hypothesis, experiment, control groups, and conclusions.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Experimental Design

 
56.  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. 
 Human activities continue to disrupt and destroy ecosystems, reducing biodiversity. The more our population increases, the more fossil fuels are burned, causing a rise in carbon dioxide levels which can lead to a decrease in biodiversity. 

Bloom's Level: 5. Evaluate
Learning Outcome: 01.04.02 Summarize some of the major challenges facing science.
Section: 01.04
Topic: Ecosystem Ecology
 
57.  Which statement about an ecosystem is incorrect?  
A.  Chemicals are recycled in an ecosystem. 
B.  Energy flows through an ecosystem, with some being lost as heat. 
C.  Some organisms produce food used by themselves and others. 
D.  There is a community of organisms, but no non-living components. 
E.  Climate is the main factor that determines where an ecosystem will be located. 
 An ecosystem is comprised of the living things that inhabit it as well as the non-living physical components, such as soil, water, and air. All the other statements are accurate. 

Bloom's Level: 5. Evaluate
Learning Outcome: 01.04.02 Summarize some of the major challenges facing science.
Section: 01.04
Topic: Ecosystem Ecology

 
58. Which of the following statements 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.. 
 Science seeks to formulate laws that objectively explain natural phenomena, as when objects fall due to gravity. Natural phenomena operate on a cause-and-effect basis and have consistency of outcome that is not influenced by human cultures or the presence of human observers. Scientists must be conscientious in recording all data, not just those which are easiest to interpret.

Bloom's Level: 5. Evaluate
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Analyze a scientific experiment and identify the hypothesis, experiment, control groups, and conclusions.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Scientific Method

 
59.  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?  
A.  The difference in survival between the two groups was not dependent on the treatment. 
B.  In a small group with 50% survival, the treated cows would have survived anyway. 
C.  The number of cows that survived was the same as the number of cows that died. 
D.  With such a small group you can't determine if survival was dependent on the treatment or random chance. 
E.  The production of a fever in the treated cattle interfered with the outcome. 
 This was a poor test because of the small sample size.  The larger the sample size (in this case, the number of cattle studied), the less likely that the result is due to chance alone. There was no difference in survival between the two groups—one of each survived and one died—but due to the small number of subjects it was not possible to determine if the veterinarian's treatment (inducing a fever) had any real effect. 

Bloom's Level: 5. Evaluate
Learning Outcome: 01.03.03 Analyze a scientific experiment and identify the hypothesis, experiment, control groups, and conclusions.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Experimental Design

Short Answer Questions
 
60.  Give examples of the costs and benefits of using technology.  
 Answers will vary.  Some of the potential costs will include:  an increase in pollution, the accidental destruction of ecosystems or species that were not supposed to be destroyed.
 Some potential benefits include:  an increase in the amount of food that can be produced, the ability to eliminate a pest species. 

Bloom's Level: 6. Create
Learning Outcome: 01.04.01 Distinguish between science and technology.
Section: 01.04
Topic: Scientific Method