WGU C190 INTRO TO BIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the primary difference between a scientific theory and a hypothesis?
A. A theory is supported by a large body of evidence, while a hypothesis is a specific,
testable prediction.
B. A theory is an educated guess, whereas a hypothesis is a proven fact.
C. A hypothesis is a broad explanation, while a theory is a narrow prediction.
D. A hypothesis is tested only once, while a theory is never tested.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Scientific theories are comprehensive explanations supported
by vast amounts of data and peer-reviewed evidence, whereas hypotheses are preliminary,
testable statements about specific observations.
2. Which property of water allows it to move upward through a plant’s xylem against gravity?
A. Cohesion and adhesion
B. High specific heat
,C. Low density as a solid
D. Non-polar covalent bonding
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cohesion (water sticking to water) and adhesion (water sticking
to other surfaces) combine to facilitate capillary action, allowing water to transport
nutrients upward in plants.
3. In a controlled experiment, the variable that is deliberately changed by the researcher is
the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Controlled variable
C. Independent variable
D. Confounding variable
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The independent variable is the factor manipulated by the
scientist to observe its effects on the dependent variable.
4. Which macromolecule is primarily responsible for storing genetic information?
A. Proteins
B. Nucleic acids
C. Carbohydrates
, D. Lipids
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Nucleic acids, specifically DNA and RNA, are the polymers that
encode and transmit genetic information in all living organisms.
5. What is the monomer of a protein?
A. Nucleotide
B. Amino acid
C. Monosaccharide
D. Fatty acid
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, linked together
by peptide bonds to form polypeptide chains.
6. Which organelle is responsible for the synthesis of lipids and the detoxification of drugs?
A. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
B. Golgi Apparatus
C. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
D. Lysosomes
Answer: A
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the primary difference between a scientific theory and a hypothesis?
A. A theory is supported by a large body of evidence, while a hypothesis is a specific,
testable prediction.
B. A theory is an educated guess, whereas a hypothesis is a proven fact.
C. A hypothesis is a broad explanation, while a theory is a narrow prediction.
D. A hypothesis is tested only once, while a theory is never tested.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Scientific theories are comprehensive explanations supported
by vast amounts of data and peer-reviewed evidence, whereas hypotheses are preliminary,
testable statements about specific observations.
2. Which property of water allows it to move upward through a plant’s xylem against gravity?
A. Cohesion and adhesion
B. High specific heat
,C. Low density as a solid
D. Non-polar covalent bonding
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cohesion (water sticking to water) and adhesion (water sticking
to other surfaces) combine to facilitate capillary action, allowing water to transport
nutrients upward in plants.
3. In a controlled experiment, the variable that is deliberately changed by the researcher is
the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Controlled variable
C. Independent variable
D. Confounding variable
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The independent variable is the factor manipulated by the
scientist to observe its effects on the dependent variable.
4. Which macromolecule is primarily responsible for storing genetic information?
A. Proteins
B. Nucleic acids
C. Carbohydrates
, D. Lipids
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Nucleic acids, specifically DNA and RNA, are the polymers that
encode and transmit genetic information in all living organisms.
5. What is the monomer of a protein?
A. Nucleotide
B. Amino acid
C. Monosaccharide
D. Fatty acid
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, linked together
by peptide bonds to form polypeptide chains.
6. Which organelle is responsible for the synthesis of lipids and the detoxification of drugs?
A. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
B. Golgi Apparatus
C. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
D. Lysosomes
Answer: A
