BIOL 1408 Biology for Non-Science Majors I | Exams 1–6 |
2026/2027 Complete Practice Questions, Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales
EXAM 1 — Scientific Method, Chemistry of Life & Biological
Foundations
Questions 1–42
1. Which characteristic is shared by all organisms?
A. Ability to move from place to place
B. Ability to reproduce
C. Ability to perform metabolism
D. Ability to make food using sunlight
Correct Answer: C. Ability to perform metabolism
Rationale: All living organisms carry out metabolic processes to obtain
and use energy and materials.
2. What is the smallest unit capable of carrying out all functions of
life?
A. Tissue
B. Cell
C. Organ
D. Organelle
Correct Answer: B. Cell
Rationale: The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life.
3. Which sequence represents increasing biological organization?
A. Organ → tissue → cell → organism
,B. Cell → tissue → organ → organism
C. Tissue → cell → organ → organism
D. Cell → organ → tissue → organism
Correct Answer: B. Cell → tissue → organ → organism
Rationale: Cells form tissues, tissues form organs, and organs work
together in organisms.
4. A proposed explanation that can be tested experimentally is a:
A. Theory
B. Hypothesis
C. Law
D. Conclusion
Correct Answer: B. Hypothesis
Rationale: A hypothesis is a testable explanation or prediction.
5. Which variable is deliberately changed by a researcher?
A. Dependent variable
B. Control variable
C. Independent variable
D. Experimental error
Correct Answer: C. Independent variable
Rationale: The independent variable is manipulated to determine its
effect.
6. Which variable is measured in an experiment?
A. Independent variable
B. Dependent variable
C. Controlled variable
D. Constant
,Correct Answer: B. Dependent variable
Rationale: The dependent variable is the observed or measured
response.
7. Why is a control group useful?
A. It eliminates all experimental error
B. It provides a comparison for the experimental treatment
C. It always receives the experimental treatment
D. It guarantees the hypothesis is correct
Correct Answer: B. It provides a comparison for the experimental
treatment
Rationale: A control allows researchers to determine whether the
treatment caused an observed effect.
8. Which statement best describes a scientific theory?
A. An unsupported guess
B. A personal opinion
C. A well-supported explanation based on extensive evidence
D. A hypothesis that cannot be tested
Correct Answer: C. A well-supported explanation based on extensive
evidence
Rationale: Scientific theories are supported by substantial evidence and
repeated testing.
9. The atomic number of an element equals its number of:
A. Neutrons
B. Protons
C. Electrons plus neutrons
D. Isotopes
, Correct Answer: B. Protons
Rationale: The number of protons uniquely identifies an element.
10. Which subatomic particle has a negative charge?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Nucleus
Correct Answer: C. Electron
Rationale: Electrons carry negative electrical charges.
11. Which subatomic particle has no electrical charge?
A. Electron
B. Proton
C. Neutron
D. Ion
Correct Answer: C. Neutron
Rationale: Neutrons are electrically neutral particles found in the
nucleus.
12. Most of an atom's mass is concentrated in its:
A. Electron cloud
B. Nucleus
C. Valence shell
D. Outer orbital
Correct Answer: B. Nucleus
Rationale: Protons and neutrons, which account for nearly all atomic
mass, are in the nucleus.
2026/2027 Complete Practice Questions, Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales
EXAM 1 — Scientific Method, Chemistry of Life & Biological
Foundations
Questions 1–42
1. Which characteristic is shared by all organisms?
A. Ability to move from place to place
B. Ability to reproduce
C. Ability to perform metabolism
D. Ability to make food using sunlight
Correct Answer: C. Ability to perform metabolism
Rationale: All living organisms carry out metabolic processes to obtain
and use energy and materials.
2. What is the smallest unit capable of carrying out all functions of
life?
A. Tissue
B. Cell
C. Organ
D. Organelle
Correct Answer: B. Cell
Rationale: The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life.
3. Which sequence represents increasing biological organization?
A. Organ → tissue → cell → organism
,B. Cell → tissue → organ → organism
C. Tissue → cell → organ → organism
D. Cell → organ → tissue → organism
Correct Answer: B. Cell → tissue → organ → organism
Rationale: Cells form tissues, tissues form organs, and organs work
together in organisms.
4. A proposed explanation that can be tested experimentally is a:
A. Theory
B. Hypothesis
C. Law
D. Conclusion
Correct Answer: B. Hypothesis
Rationale: A hypothesis is a testable explanation or prediction.
5. Which variable is deliberately changed by a researcher?
A. Dependent variable
B. Control variable
C. Independent variable
D. Experimental error
Correct Answer: C. Independent variable
Rationale: The independent variable is manipulated to determine its
effect.
6. Which variable is measured in an experiment?
A. Independent variable
B. Dependent variable
C. Controlled variable
D. Constant
,Correct Answer: B. Dependent variable
Rationale: The dependent variable is the observed or measured
response.
7. Why is a control group useful?
A. It eliminates all experimental error
B. It provides a comparison for the experimental treatment
C. It always receives the experimental treatment
D. It guarantees the hypothesis is correct
Correct Answer: B. It provides a comparison for the experimental
treatment
Rationale: A control allows researchers to determine whether the
treatment caused an observed effect.
8. Which statement best describes a scientific theory?
A. An unsupported guess
B. A personal opinion
C. A well-supported explanation based on extensive evidence
D. A hypothesis that cannot be tested
Correct Answer: C. A well-supported explanation based on extensive
evidence
Rationale: Scientific theories are supported by substantial evidence and
repeated testing.
9. The atomic number of an element equals its number of:
A. Neutrons
B. Protons
C. Electrons plus neutrons
D. Isotopes
, Correct Answer: B. Protons
Rationale: The number of protons uniquely identifies an element.
10. Which subatomic particle has a negative charge?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Nucleus
Correct Answer: C. Electron
Rationale: Electrons carry negative electrical charges.
11. Which subatomic particle has no electrical charge?
A. Electron
B. Proton
C. Neutron
D. Ion
Correct Answer: C. Neutron
Rationale: Neutrons are electrically neutral particles found in the
nucleus.
12. Most of an atom's mass is concentrated in its:
A. Electron cloud
B. Nucleus
C. Valence shell
D. Outer orbital
Correct Answer: B. Nucleus
Rationale: Protons and neutrons, which account for nearly all atomic
mass, are in the nucleus.
