UT Austin BIO 311C Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Introductory
Biology I Q&A | Biology
1. Which of the following best defines the emergent properties of life?
A) Properties that are present at the molecular level only
B) New properties that arise with each step upward in the hierarchy of life,
from the combination of simpler components
C) Properties that are the same at all levels of biological organization
D) Properties that are unique to prokaryotic organisms
Correct Answer: New properties that arise with each step upward in the
hierarchy of life, from the combination of simpler components
Rationale: Emergent properties are novel characteristics that appear at
higher levels of biological organization that are not present at the lower
levels. For example, a single nucleotide does not have the ability to replicate,
but a DNA molecule does when its components are arranged in a specific
structure.
2. The biological hierarchy organizes life from the simplest to the most
complex. Which of the following is the correct order from smallest to largest?
A) Atom → Molecule → Cell → Organelle → Tissue → Organ → Organ System →
Organism
B) Atom → Molecule → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System →
Organism
C) Molecule → Atom → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organism → Organ
System
D) Atom → Cell → Molecule → Tissue → Organ → Organelle → Organ System →
Organism
Correct Answer: Atom → Molecule → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organ →
Organ System → Organism
Rationale: The biological hierarchy progresses from atoms, which form
molecules, which combine to form organelles, which make up cells. Cells
form tissues, organs, organ systems, and finally organisms.
,3. A model system is an organism or cell type used for experiments because
it is:
A) A representative organism that is easy to grow, manipulate, and study
B) A rare organism that is difficult to maintain in the lab
C) Only used to study complex human diseases
D) Always a prokaryote
Correct Answer: A representative organism that is easy to grow, manipulate,
and study
Rationale: Model systems are selected organisms that are easy to grow,
manipulate, and study in a laboratory setting, allowing researchers to
uncover general principles of life.
4. Which of the following is an example of a model organism?
A) *E. coli*
B) *Arabidopsis*
C) Yeast
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: *E. coli* is a prokaryotic model system, *Arabidopsis* is a plant
model system, and yeast is a fungal model system.
5. The three domains of life are:
A) Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
B) Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes, and Viruses
C) Animalia, Plantae, and Fungi
D) Monera, Protista, and Animalia
Correct Answer: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
,Rationale: The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
Bacteria and Archaea are prokaryotic, while Eukarya includes organisms with
membrane-bound nuclei and organelles.
6. The outermost shell of an atom is called the:
A) Electron shell
B) Valence shell
C) Orbital shell
D) Ionization shell
Correct Answer: Valence shell
Rationale: The valence shell is the outermost electron shell of an atom. The
number of electrons in this shell determines an atom's chemical behavior
and bonding capacity.
7. An atom that has gained or lost electrons is called a(n):
A) Isotope
B) Ion
C) Molecule
D) Compound
Correct Answer: Ion
Rationale: An ion is an atom or molecule that has a net electrical charge due
to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.
8. The number of valence electrons in a carbon atom is:
A) 1
B) 2
C) 4
D) 6
, Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Carbon has 4 valence electrons, which allows it to form up to four
covalent bonds, making it the backbone of organic molecules.
9. A chemical bond formed by the sharing of a pair of electrons between two
atoms is called a:
A) Ionic bond
B) Covalent bond
C) Hydrogen bond
D) Van der Waals interaction
Correct Answer: Covalent bond
Rationale: A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share one or more
pairs of electrons.
10. Which of the following is the strongest type of chemical bond?
A) Hydrogen bond
B) Ionic bond
C) Covalent bond
D) Van der Waals interaction
Correct Answer: Covalent bond
Rationale: Covalent bonds are the strongest type of chemical bond, involving
the sharing of electron pairs.
11. Water has a high specific heat. This property means that water:
A) Changes temperature rapidly
B) Requires a large amount of energy to change its temperature
C) Is a poor solvent
D) Evaporates quickly
Biology I Q&A | Biology
1. Which of the following best defines the emergent properties of life?
A) Properties that are present at the molecular level only
B) New properties that arise with each step upward in the hierarchy of life,
from the combination of simpler components
C) Properties that are the same at all levels of biological organization
D) Properties that are unique to prokaryotic organisms
Correct Answer: New properties that arise with each step upward in the
hierarchy of life, from the combination of simpler components
Rationale: Emergent properties are novel characteristics that appear at
higher levels of biological organization that are not present at the lower
levels. For example, a single nucleotide does not have the ability to replicate,
but a DNA molecule does when its components are arranged in a specific
structure.
2. The biological hierarchy organizes life from the simplest to the most
complex. Which of the following is the correct order from smallest to largest?
A) Atom → Molecule → Cell → Organelle → Tissue → Organ → Organ System →
Organism
B) Atom → Molecule → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System →
Organism
C) Molecule → Atom → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organism → Organ
System
D) Atom → Cell → Molecule → Tissue → Organ → Organelle → Organ System →
Organism
Correct Answer: Atom → Molecule → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organ →
Organ System → Organism
Rationale: The biological hierarchy progresses from atoms, which form
molecules, which combine to form organelles, which make up cells. Cells
form tissues, organs, organ systems, and finally organisms.
,3. A model system is an organism or cell type used for experiments because
it is:
A) A representative organism that is easy to grow, manipulate, and study
B) A rare organism that is difficult to maintain in the lab
C) Only used to study complex human diseases
D) Always a prokaryote
Correct Answer: A representative organism that is easy to grow, manipulate,
and study
Rationale: Model systems are selected organisms that are easy to grow,
manipulate, and study in a laboratory setting, allowing researchers to
uncover general principles of life.
4. Which of the following is an example of a model organism?
A) *E. coli*
B) *Arabidopsis*
C) Yeast
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: *E. coli* is a prokaryotic model system, *Arabidopsis* is a plant
model system, and yeast is a fungal model system.
5. The three domains of life are:
A) Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
B) Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes, and Viruses
C) Animalia, Plantae, and Fungi
D) Monera, Protista, and Animalia
Correct Answer: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
,Rationale: The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
Bacteria and Archaea are prokaryotic, while Eukarya includes organisms with
membrane-bound nuclei and organelles.
6. The outermost shell of an atom is called the:
A) Electron shell
B) Valence shell
C) Orbital shell
D) Ionization shell
Correct Answer: Valence shell
Rationale: The valence shell is the outermost electron shell of an atom. The
number of electrons in this shell determines an atom's chemical behavior
and bonding capacity.
7. An atom that has gained or lost electrons is called a(n):
A) Isotope
B) Ion
C) Molecule
D) Compound
Correct Answer: Ion
Rationale: An ion is an atom or molecule that has a net electrical charge due
to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.
8. The number of valence electrons in a carbon atom is:
A) 1
B) 2
C) 4
D) 6
, Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Carbon has 4 valence electrons, which allows it to form up to four
covalent bonds, making it the backbone of organic molecules.
9. A chemical bond formed by the sharing of a pair of electrons between two
atoms is called a:
A) Ionic bond
B) Covalent bond
C) Hydrogen bond
D) Van der Waals interaction
Correct Answer: Covalent bond
Rationale: A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share one or more
pairs of electrons.
10. Which of the following is the strongest type of chemical bond?
A) Hydrogen bond
B) Ionic bond
C) Covalent bond
D) Van der Waals interaction
Correct Answer: Covalent bond
Rationale: Covalent bonds are the strongest type of chemical bond, involving
the sharing of electron pairs.
11. Water has a high specific heat. This property means that water:
A) Changes temperature rapidly
B) Requires a large amount of energy to change its temperature
C) Is a poor solvent
D) Evaporates quickly
