University of Colorado — EBIO 1220
General Biology — Common Final Exam
150+ Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales
COURSE TOPICS COVERED
Topic Description
Evolution & Darwin's theory, descent with modificatio
Natural Selection evidence for evolution
Molecular → cellular → organ → individu
Biological
→ population → community → ecosystem
Organization
→ biosphere
Animal Form & Surface area-to-volume ratio, homeostasi
Function thermoregulation
,Topic Description
Osmoregulation, nitrogenous wastes,
Excretory System
kidney function
Food processing, macromolecule digestio
Digestive System
accessory organs
CNS vs. PNS, neurons, action potentials,
Nervous System
synapses
Cardiovascular & Circulatory systems, heart structure, gas
Respiratory exchange
Ecological hierarchy, biotic/abiotic factors
Ecology
population growth
Proximate vs. ultimate causes, sexual
Behavioral Ecology
selection
Population growth models, carrying
Population Ecology
capacity, life history strategies
,Topic Description
Community Species interactions, competition,
Ecology mutualism, predation
PART I: EVOLUTION & NATURAL SELECTION
(Questions 1-30)
1. Evolution is broadly defined by Darwin as:
• A) The passing of acquired characteristics to
offspring
• B) An individual's ability to adapt to its
environment
• C) A way to classify organisms based on
morphological similarities
• D) Descent with modification
• E) The survival of the fittest
, Answer: D
Rationale: Darwin used the phrase "descent with
modification" in proposing that Earth's many species
are descendants of ancestral species that differed from
present-day species.
2. Which is a key observation that must be explained
in a unifying theory about life?
• A) The Earth is very old
• B) Many basic characteristics are shared by all
living things
• C) Evolution is based on descent with modification
• D) Organisms are rarely well-suited to their
environments
• E) All living things require oxygen to survive
Answer: B
Rationale: Organisms share many basic characteristics.
Darwin reasoned that the diverse organisms found on
Earth today evolved from a few common ancestors.
General Biology — Common Final Exam
150+ Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales
COURSE TOPICS COVERED
Topic Description
Evolution & Darwin's theory, descent with modificatio
Natural Selection evidence for evolution
Molecular → cellular → organ → individu
Biological
→ population → community → ecosystem
Organization
→ biosphere
Animal Form & Surface area-to-volume ratio, homeostasi
Function thermoregulation
,Topic Description
Osmoregulation, nitrogenous wastes,
Excretory System
kidney function
Food processing, macromolecule digestio
Digestive System
accessory organs
CNS vs. PNS, neurons, action potentials,
Nervous System
synapses
Cardiovascular & Circulatory systems, heart structure, gas
Respiratory exchange
Ecological hierarchy, biotic/abiotic factors
Ecology
population growth
Proximate vs. ultimate causes, sexual
Behavioral Ecology
selection
Population growth models, carrying
Population Ecology
capacity, life history strategies
,Topic Description
Community Species interactions, competition,
Ecology mutualism, predation
PART I: EVOLUTION & NATURAL SELECTION
(Questions 1-30)
1. Evolution is broadly defined by Darwin as:
• A) The passing of acquired characteristics to
offspring
• B) An individual's ability to adapt to its
environment
• C) A way to classify organisms based on
morphological similarities
• D) Descent with modification
• E) The survival of the fittest
, Answer: D
Rationale: Darwin used the phrase "descent with
modification" in proposing that Earth's many species
are descendants of ancestral species that differed from
present-day species.
2. Which is a key observation that must be explained
in a unifying theory about life?
• A) The Earth is very old
• B) Many basic characteristics are shared by all
living things
• C) Evolution is based on descent with modification
• D) Organisms are rarely well-suited to their
environments
• E) All living things require oxygen to survive
Answer: B
Rationale: Organisms share many basic characteristics.
Darwin reasoned that the diverse organisms found on
Earth today evolved from a few common ancestors.
