,BIOD101/BIOD 101 Module 2 Exam | Essential Biology I with
Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following is the basic unit of life?
A) Tissue
B) Organ
C) Cell
D) Molecule
Correct Answer: Cell.
Rationale: The cell is the fundamental structural and functional unit of all living organisms. Tissues,
organs, and organ systems are composed of cells, and molecules are sub-cellular components.
2. What is an organism?
A) A group of cells with a common function
B) A single organ system
C) An individual living creature
D) A community of interacting species
Correct Answer: An individual living creature.
Rationale: An organism is defined as an individual living entity, such as a bacterium, plant, fungus, or
animal. Tissues, organs, and communities represent different levels of biological organization.
3. Which of the following is NOT one of the seven characteristics of life?
A) Order
B) Evolutionary adaptation
C) Homeostasis (regulation)
D) Indefinite growth
,Correct Answer: Indefinite growth.
Rationale: The seven characteristics of living organisms are order, evolutionary adaptation, regulation
(homeostasis), energy processing, growth and development, response to the environment, and
reproduction. Growth is finite and programmed, not indefinite.
4. Which characteristic of life refers to the highly ordered internal structure of organisms?
A) Regulation
B) Energy processing
C) Order
D) Reproduction
Correct Answer: Order.
Rationale: Order describes the highly organized structure of living things, from cellular organization to
organ systems. The cell is the basic unit of this order, and it contains organelles and undergoes
metabolic processes.
5. What does “evolutionary adaptation” specifically refer to in the context of the characteristics of life?
A) The long-term process of speciation
B) The development of new species over millions of years
C) Smaller, genetic changes that allow for better survival of an organism
D) The ability to change behavior in response to the environment
Correct Answer: Smaller, genetic changes that allow for better survival of an organism.
Rationale: Evolutionary adaptation refers to smaller, heritable genetic changes that enhance an
organism's survival and reproduction within its environment. This is distinct from macroevolution or
individual behavioral plasticity.
, 6. Which of the following is an example of evolutionary adaptation?
A) A person shivering when cold
B) A plant growing toward a light source
C) Camouflage coloration in a prey species
D) A bear hibernating during winter
Correct Answer: Camouflage coloration in a prey species.
Rationale: Camouflage is a heritable genetic trait that improves survival by helping an organism avoid
predators. Shivering, phototropism, and hibernation are physiological or behavioral responses, not
genetic adaptations.
7. Regulation in living organisms refers to:
A) The ability to reproduce
B) The response to deviation from homeostasis
C) The processing of energy
D) The growth and development of an organism
Correct Answer: The response to deviation from homeostasis.
Rationale: Regulation is the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment
(homeostasis) by responding to deviations, such as shivering to generate heat when cold.
8. Energy processing in living organisms involves:
A) Only photosynthesis
B) Only cellular respiration
C) Biochemical reactions that produce or utilize energy
D) The breakdown of food in the digestive system
Correct Answer: Biochemical reactions that produce or utilize energy.
Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following is the basic unit of life?
A) Tissue
B) Organ
C) Cell
D) Molecule
Correct Answer: Cell.
Rationale: The cell is the fundamental structural and functional unit of all living organisms. Tissues,
organs, and organ systems are composed of cells, and molecules are sub-cellular components.
2. What is an organism?
A) A group of cells with a common function
B) A single organ system
C) An individual living creature
D) A community of interacting species
Correct Answer: An individual living creature.
Rationale: An organism is defined as an individual living entity, such as a bacterium, plant, fungus, or
animal. Tissues, organs, and communities represent different levels of biological organization.
3. Which of the following is NOT one of the seven characteristics of life?
A) Order
B) Evolutionary adaptation
C) Homeostasis (regulation)
D) Indefinite growth
,Correct Answer: Indefinite growth.
Rationale: The seven characteristics of living organisms are order, evolutionary adaptation, regulation
(homeostasis), energy processing, growth and development, response to the environment, and
reproduction. Growth is finite and programmed, not indefinite.
4. Which characteristic of life refers to the highly ordered internal structure of organisms?
A) Regulation
B) Energy processing
C) Order
D) Reproduction
Correct Answer: Order.
Rationale: Order describes the highly organized structure of living things, from cellular organization to
organ systems. The cell is the basic unit of this order, and it contains organelles and undergoes
metabolic processes.
5. What does “evolutionary adaptation” specifically refer to in the context of the characteristics of life?
A) The long-term process of speciation
B) The development of new species over millions of years
C) Smaller, genetic changes that allow for better survival of an organism
D) The ability to change behavior in response to the environment
Correct Answer: Smaller, genetic changes that allow for better survival of an organism.
Rationale: Evolutionary adaptation refers to smaller, heritable genetic changes that enhance an
organism's survival and reproduction within its environment. This is distinct from macroevolution or
individual behavioral plasticity.
, 6. Which of the following is an example of evolutionary adaptation?
A) A person shivering when cold
B) A plant growing toward a light source
C) Camouflage coloration in a prey species
D) A bear hibernating during winter
Correct Answer: Camouflage coloration in a prey species.
Rationale: Camouflage is a heritable genetic trait that improves survival by helping an organism avoid
predators. Shivering, phototropism, and hibernation are physiological or behavioral responses, not
genetic adaptations.
7. Regulation in living organisms refers to:
A) The ability to reproduce
B) The response to deviation from homeostasis
C) The processing of energy
D) The growth and development of an organism
Correct Answer: The response to deviation from homeostasis.
Rationale: Regulation is the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment
(homeostasis) by responding to deviations, such as shivering to generate heat when cold.
8. Energy processing in living organisms involves:
A) Only photosynthesis
B) Only cellular respiration
C) Biochemical reactions that produce or utilize energy
D) The breakdown of food in the digestive system
Correct Answer: Biochemical reactions that produce or utilize energy.
