UA BSC 108 Exam 2|Lastest Update 2026|2027|A
Comprehensive Review Of 300 Practice
Questions with Answers and Rationales |Already
Graded A+
Introduction
This question bank is designed to simulate the University of Alabama BSC 108
(Introduction to Biology) exam. It covers the core modules of the course: the
scientific method and biological hierarchy, basic chemistry, cell structure and
function, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, genetics and DNA, evolution and
natural selection, and ecology. Each question is original, follows the A, B, C, D
answer format, and includes a brief rationale. Questions are sequenced logically
and strictly avoid duplication. Use this as a comprehensive review tool for self-
testing.
Module 1: Biology Foundations & The Scientific Method (Questions 1–40)
1. What is the smallest unit capable of performing all life functions?
A. Atom
B. Molecule
C. Cell
D. Tissue
Answer: C
Rationale: The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life, capable of
metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
2. Which sequence correctly lists biological organization from simplest to most
complex?
A. Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism
B. Atom → Molecule → Cell → Organ → Tissue
C. Tissue → Cell → Organ → Population → Community
D. Molecule → Organ → Tissue → Organism → Population
,Answer: A
Rationale: The standard hierarchy is: atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organ
system, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere.
3. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by all living things?
A. Ordered structure
B. Response to stimuli
C. Photosynthesis
D. Reproduction and evolution
Answer: C
Rationale: Photosynthesis is limited to plants, algae, and some bacteria. All life
shares order, regulation, growth, energy processing, response, reproduction, and
evolution.
4. What is homeostasis?
A. Maintaining a relatively stable internal environment
B. Permanent adaptation to external changes
C. Cell division producing new cells
D. Extracting energy from the environment
Answer: A
Rationale: Homeostasis regulates internal conditions such as temperature, pH, and
blood sugar within tolerable ranges.
5. In the scientific method, what typically follows the formation of a
hypothesis?
A. Drawing a conclusion
B. Making a prediction
C. Collecting data
D. Publishing a paper
Answer: B
Rationale: The standard sequence is observation → question → hypothesis →
prediction → experiment → analysis → conclusion.
6. In an experiment testing a new fertilizer on plant growth, the unfertilized
plant group is the:
,A. Experimental group
B. Control group
C. Variable group
D. Random group
Answer: B
Rationale: The control group receives no treatment and serves as a baseline for
comparison.
7. Which best describes a scientific theory?
A. An untested guess
B. A broad, well-supported explanation with extensive evidence
C. A law proven absolutely correct
D. A conclusion limited to one experiment
Answer: B
Rationale: A scientific theory is a comprehensive, extensively validated
explanation, such as Darwin's theory of evolution.
8. What is the experimental variable in a scientific experiment?
A. A factor held constant
B. A factor manipulated by the researcher
C. An instrument for measurement
D. An observation not recorded
Answer: B
Rationale: The independent (experimental) variable is deliberately changed to
observe its effect on the dependent variable.
9. Which of the following is NOT a property of life?
A. Evolutionary adaptation
B. Energy processing
C. Permanent unchanging state
D. Reproduction
Answer: C
Rationale: Life is characterized by evolution; populations change over time.
Permanent unchanging existence contradicts this.
, 10. In the biological hierarchy, what does the biosphere represent?
A. All organisms in one specific area
B. The sum of all ecosystems and life on Earth
C. One organism and its nonliving environment
D. All individuals of one species
Answer: B
Rationale: The biosphere is the highest level of biological organization,
encompassing all ecosystems and life on Earth.
11. In scientific inquiry, "data" refers to:
A. The scientist's opinion
B. Information collected through observation and experimentation
C. An untested assumption
D. A substitute for a scientific theory
Answer: B
Rationale: Data are information gathered through observation, measurement, or
experimentation, forming the basis for conclusions.
12. What is the best definition of a hypothesis?
A. A widely accepted theory
B. A testable explanation for an observation
C. The final conclusion of an experiment
D. The last step of the scientific method
Answer: B
Rationale: A hypothesis is a testable, tentative explanation for a set of
observations.
13. What is the main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
A. Prokaryotes lack a cell membrane
B. Eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus
C. Prokaryotes cannot metabolize
D. Eukaryotes lack DNA
Comprehensive Review Of 300 Practice
Questions with Answers and Rationales |Already
Graded A+
Introduction
This question bank is designed to simulate the University of Alabama BSC 108
(Introduction to Biology) exam. It covers the core modules of the course: the
scientific method and biological hierarchy, basic chemistry, cell structure and
function, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, genetics and DNA, evolution and
natural selection, and ecology. Each question is original, follows the A, B, C, D
answer format, and includes a brief rationale. Questions are sequenced logically
and strictly avoid duplication. Use this as a comprehensive review tool for self-
testing.
Module 1: Biology Foundations & The Scientific Method (Questions 1–40)
1. What is the smallest unit capable of performing all life functions?
A. Atom
B. Molecule
C. Cell
D. Tissue
Answer: C
Rationale: The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life, capable of
metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
2. Which sequence correctly lists biological organization from simplest to most
complex?
A. Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism
B. Atom → Molecule → Cell → Organ → Tissue
C. Tissue → Cell → Organ → Population → Community
D. Molecule → Organ → Tissue → Organism → Population
,Answer: A
Rationale: The standard hierarchy is: atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organ
system, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere.
3. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by all living things?
A. Ordered structure
B. Response to stimuli
C. Photosynthesis
D. Reproduction and evolution
Answer: C
Rationale: Photosynthesis is limited to plants, algae, and some bacteria. All life
shares order, regulation, growth, energy processing, response, reproduction, and
evolution.
4. What is homeostasis?
A. Maintaining a relatively stable internal environment
B. Permanent adaptation to external changes
C. Cell division producing new cells
D. Extracting energy from the environment
Answer: A
Rationale: Homeostasis regulates internal conditions such as temperature, pH, and
blood sugar within tolerable ranges.
5. In the scientific method, what typically follows the formation of a
hypothesis?
A. Drawing a conclusion
B. Making a prediction
C. Collecting data
D. Publishing a paper
Answer: B
Rationale: The standard sequence is observation → question → hypothesis →
prediction → experiment → analysis → conclusion.
6. In an experiment testing a new fertilizer on plant growth, the unfertilized
plant group is the:
,A. Experimental group
B. Control group
C. Variable group
D. Random group
Answer: B
Rationale: The control group receives no treatment and serves as a baseline for
comparison.
7. Which best describes a scientific theory?
A. An untested guess
B. A broad, well-supported explanation with extensive evidence
C. A law proven absolutely correct
D. A conclusion limited to one experiment
Answer: B
Rationale: A scientific theory is a comprehensive, extensively validated
explanation, such as Darwin's theory of evolution.
8. What is the experimental variable in a scientific experiment?
A. A factor held constant
B. A factor manipulated by the researcher
C. An instrument for measurement
D. An observation not recorded
Answer: B
Rationale: The independent (experimental) variable is deliberately changed to
observe its effect on the dependent variable.
9. Which of the following is NOT a property of life?
A. Evolutionary adaptation
B. Energy processing
C. Permanent unchanging state
D. Reproduction
Answer: C
Rationale: Life is characterized by evolution; populations change over time.
Permanent unchanging existence contradicts this.
, 10. In the biological hierarchy, what does the biosphere represent?
A. All organisms in one specific area
B. The sum of all ecosystems and life on Earth
C. One organism and its nonliving environment
D. All individuals of one species
Answer: B
Rationale: The biosphere is the highest level of biological organization,
encompassing all ecosystems and life on Earth.
11. In scientific inquiry, "data" refers to:
A. The scientist's opinion
B. Information collected through observation and experimentation
C. An untested assumption
D. A substitute for a scientific theory
Answer: B
Rationale: Data are information gathered through observation, measurement, or
experimentation, forming the basis for conclusions.
12. What is the best definition of a hypothesis?
A. A widely accepted theory
B. A testable explanation for an observation
C. The final conclusion of an experiment
D. The last step of the scientific method
Answer: B
Rationale: A hypothesis is a testable, tentative explanation for a set of
observations.
13. What is the main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
A. Prokaryotes lack a cell membrane
B. Eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus
C. Prokaryotes cannot metabolize
D. Eukaryotes lack DNA
