Rio Bio 156 Exam 1, 2, Midterm and Final Exam
New 2024-2025 Version Best Studying Material
and Answers
Exam 1
Distinguish between a producer, a consumer and a decomposer. ----------- Correct Answer --------
- producer:photosynthetic organisms that trap light and convert that light energy into chemical
bond energy. such as some bacteria, protists, and all plants
consumer: organisms that feed on already-stored food
decomposer: bacteria and fungi recycle the dead molecules throughout the bioshpere.
Distinguish between a hypothesis and a prediction. ----------- Correct Answer --------- hypothesis:
testable explanation of a natural phenomenon.
prediction: statement based on hypothesis about a condition that should exit if the hypothesis is
correct.
What is meant by the phrase potentially falsifiable hypothesis? ----------- Correct Answer ---------
a hypothesis can be proven that is false
Define the term control group and explain the value of a control group in an experiment. ----------
- Correct Answer --------- Group of individuals identical to an experimental group except for the
independent variable under investigation
To provide a basis of comparison to the experimental group
Define the term theory and explain the point in which a hypothesis becomes a theory. -----------
Correct Answer --------- Suppose a hypothesis stands even after years of tests.
It is consistent with all data ever gathered, and it has helped us make successful predictions about
other phenomena.
Explain how electron configuration influences the chemical properties of an atom. -----------
Correct Answer --------- Each cloud can hold a determinant number of electrons. When the
electron number changes, ions are formed. The number of electrons influences the bonding
between atoms.
hydrogen bond ----------- Correct Answer --------- The electron from the hydrogen spends most
of its time around the oxygen atom creating a partial positive charge on each hydrogen. The
presence of additional electrons makes the oxygen partially negative.
covalent bond ----------- Correct Answer --------- two atoms share a pair of electrons, so that each
atom's vacancy
,becomes partially filled
ionic bond ----------- Correct Answer --------- Type of chemical bond in which a strong mutual
attraction links ions of opposite charge.
Describe how water contributes to the fitness of the environment that supports all life. -----------
Correct Answer --------- 1. an excellent solvent
2. has cohesion (insect on water, water roots)
3. stabilize temperature (cool surface)
Explain the basis for the pH scale. ----------- Correct Answer --------- The basis for the pH scale
is the amount of H+ and OH- ions in a solution. More H+ ions means a solution is more acidic,
while more OH- ions means the solution is more basic.
List features that distinguish living organisms from nonliving matter. ----------- Correct Answer -
-------- 1. Cellular basis - All living things consist of one or more cells
2. Requirement for energy and nutrients - Life is sustained by ongoing inputs of energy and
nutrients
3. Homeostasis - Living things sense and respond to change
4. DNA is hereditary material - Genetic information in the form of DNA is passed to offspring
Describe the levels of organization in the living world. ----------- Correct Answer --------- Atoms
→ cells → tissues → organs → organ systems → organism → population → community →
ecosystem → the biosphere
List the three domains of life and distinguish between each domain. ----------- Correct Answer ---
------ Prokaryotes are bacteria and archaea.
Domain Bacteria: unicellular no nucleus
Domain Archaea: unicellular no nucleus but closer to eukarya
Domain Eukarya: have nucleus
List four kingdoms within the domain Eukarya and distinguish between them. ----------- Correct
Answer --------- 1. Fungi can be single or multicellular but digest food outside their body.
2. Plants are multicellular and are photosynthetic.
3. Animals are multicellular and eat other organisms for nutrients.
4. Protists are the unicellular organisms that have a nucleus but do not fit any other category.
List and describe the steps involved in solving a problem using hypothesis-based science ---------
-- Correct Answer --------- observation
hypothesis
experimental
conclusion
Describe the concept "an organism is more than the sum of its parts." ----------- Correct Answer -
-------- organism is part of a more complex organization. These emergent properties go beyond
itself.
,By definition, distinguish between a population, a community, and an ecosystem. -----------
Correct Answer --------- 1. Population: multiple organisms in a single spot
2. community: is made up of populations of different organisms
3. ecosystem: is the interactions between the community and the non-living environment that
surrounds it
List and describe the four major classes of organic compounds. ----------- Correct Answer --------
- carbohydrate
lipid
protein
nucleic acids
Describe the structure of an atom ----------- Correct Answer --------- protons
neutrons
electrons
Explain why radioisotopes are important to biologists. ----------- Correct Answer --------- Atoms
of a radioisotope have an unstable nucleus that breaks up spontaneously.
radioisotopes can be used as or in tracers, which are substances with a detectable component.
PET scan
Explain how an acid differs from a base. ----------- Correct Answer --------- The more
concentrated the hydrogen ions are, the lower the pH of the solution.
What is the cause and environmental consequence of acid rain? ----------- Correct Answer --------
- Burning fossil fuels such as coal releases sulfur and
nitrogen compounds that affect the pH of rain and other forms of precipitation.
drastically changes the pH of water in soil, lakes, and streams.
Describe carbohydrates ----------- Correct Answer --------- Simple sugars are called
monosaccharides ( Glucose and fructose).
sucrose is disaccharide.
polysaccharides.
provide energy and structural support for living systems.
Describe lipids ----------- Correct Answer --------- can be divided into fats, phospholipids,
steroids, and waxes.
part of it is hydrophobic.
make up part of cell membranes and provide energy.
Describe proteins ----------- Correct Answer --------- made up of amino acids.
Describe the molecular structure and importance of RNA. ----------- Correct Answer --------- An
RNA molecule is a chain of four kinds of nucleotide monomers, one of which is ATP. RNA
molecules carry out protein synthesis
, Describe the molecular structure and importance of DNA. ----------- Correct Answer --------- A
DNA molecule consists of two chains of nucleotides twisted into a double helix.
Each cell starts life with DNA inherited from a parent cell.
Identify a peptide bond and explain how it is formed. ----------- Correct Answer --------- covalent
bond that links amino acids in a protein
During protein synthesis, a peptide bond forms between the carboxyl group of the first amino
acid and the amine group of the second
Define the primary, secondary (two forms), tertiary, and quaternary structure of a protein. --------
--- Correct Answer --------- 1. primary structure is order of the amino acids
2. secondary structure has alpha helix and the beta pleated sheet.
tertiary structure interactions between the r- groups of amino acids.
3. quaternary structure is the interaction between multiple polypeptide chains.
4. making up membrane structure, antibodies, enzymes, neurotoxins, and hair and nail structure.
also used as an energy source.
List the major components of a nucleotide ----------- Correct Answer --------- monomers of
nucleic acids. contains sugar, nitrogen base, and one ore more phosphate groups.
Cite the key features of the Cell Theory. ----------- Correct Answer --------- 1. Every living
organism consists of one or more cells.
2. The cell is the structural and functional unit of all organisms. A cell is the smallest unit of life,
individually alive even as part of a multicelled organism.
3. All living cells arise by division of preexisting cells.
4. Cells contain hereditary material, which they pass to their offspring when they divide.
Compare and contrast the structure and function of mitochondria and chloroplasts. -----------
Correct Answer --------- mitochondria: Makes ATP by glucose breakdown
chloroplast: Makes sugars (in plants, some protists)
List several surface structures of cells and explain how they help cells survive. ----------- Correct
Answer --------- Cell Wall: Protects, structurally supports cell
Plasma membrane: selectively permeable and controls exchanges between the cell and its
environment.
Describe the major kinds of microscopes and explain their main use. ----------- Correct Answer --
------- Light microscope uses light to pass through the image onto magnifying lenses.
Scanning electron microscope scans the outside of cell surfaces.
Transmission electron microscope can magnify the internal cellular structures.
Describe how the relationship between the surface area of a cell and its volume changes as the
cell increases in size. ----------- Correct Answer --------- A cell's surface area increases with the
square of its diameter, while its volume increases with the cube. This surface- to-volume ratio
New 2024-2025 Version Best Studying Material
and Answers
Exam 1
Distinguish between a producer, a consumer and a decomposer. ----------- Correct Answer --------
- producer:photosynthetic organisms that trap light and convert that light energy into chemical
bond energy. such as some bacteria, protists, and all plants
consumer: organisms that feed on already-stored food
decomposer: bacteria and fungi recycle the dead molecules throughout the bioshpere.
Distinguish between a hypothesis and a prediction. ----------- Correct Answer --------- hypothesis:
testable explanation of a natural phenomenon.
prediction: statement based on hypothesis about a condition that should exit if the hypothesis is
correct.
What is meant by the phrase potentially falsifiable hypothesis? ----------- Correct Answer ---------
a hypothesis can be proven that is false
Define the term control group and explain the value of a control group in an experiment. ----------
- Correct Answer --------- Group of individuals identical to an experimental group except for the
independent variable under investigation
To provide a basis of comparison to the experimental group
Define the term theory and explain the point in which a hypothesis becomes a theory. -----------
Correct Answer --------- Suppose a hypothesis stands even after years of tests.
It is consistent with all data ever gathered, and it has helped us make successful predictions about
other phenomena.
Explain how electron configuration influences the chemical properties of an atom. -----------
Correct Answer --------- Each cloud can hold a determinant number of electrons. When the
electron number changes, ions are formed. The number of electrons influences the bonding
between atoms.
hydrogen bond ----------- Correct Answer --------- The electron from the hydrogen spends most
of its time around the oxygen atom creating a partial positive charge on each hydrogen. The
presence of additional electrons makes the oxygen partially negative.
covalent bond ----------- Correct Answer --------- two atoms share a pair of electrons, so that each
atom's vacancy
,becomes partially filled
ionic bond ----------- Correct Answer --------- Type of chemical bond in which a strong mutual
attraction links ions of opposite charge.
Describe how water contributes to the fitness of the environment that supports all life. -----------
Correct Answer --------- 1. an excellent solvent
2. has cohesion (insect on water, water roots)
3. stabilize temperature (cool surface)
Explain the basis for the pH scale. ----------- Correct Answer --------- The basis for the pH scale
is the amount of H+ and OH- ions in a solution. More H+ ions means a solution is more acidic,
while more OH- ions means the solution is more basic.
List features that distinguish living organisms from nonliving matter. ----------- Correct Answer -
-------- 1. Cellular basis - All living things consist of one or more cells
2. Requirement for energy and nutrients - Life is sustained by ongoing inputs of energy and
nutrients
3. Homeostasis - Living things sense and respond to change
4. DNA is hereditary material - Genetic information in the form of DNA is passed to offspring
Describe the levels of organization in the living world. ----------- Correct Answer --------- Atoms
→ cells → tissues → organs → organ systems → organism → population → community →
ecosystem → the biosphere
List the three domains of life and distinguish between each domain. ----------- Correct Answer ---
------ Prokaryotes are bacteria and archaea.
Domain Bacteria: unicellular no nucleus
Domain Archaea: unicellular no nucleus but closer to eukarya
Domain Eukarya: have nucleus
List four kingdoms within the domain Eukarya and distinguish between them. ----------- Correct
Answer --------- 1. Fungi can be single or multicellular but digest food outside their body.
2. Plants are multicellular and are photosynthetic.
3. Animals are multicellular and eat other organisms for nutrients.
4. Protists are the unicellular organisms that have a nucleus but do not fit any other category.
List and describe the steps involved in solving a problem using hypothesis-based science ---------
-- Correct Answer --------- observation
hypothesis
experimental
conclusion
Describe the concept "an organism is more than the sum of its parts." ----------- Correct Answer -
-------- organism is part of a more complex organization. These emergent properties go beyond
itself.
,By definition, distinguish between a population, a community, and an ecosystem. -----------
Correct Answer --------- 1. Population: multiple organisms in a single spot
2. community: is made up of populations of different organisms
3. ecosystem: is the interactions between the community and the non-living environment that
surrounds it
List and describe the four major classes of organic compounds. ----------- Correct Answer --------
- carbohydrate
lipid
protein
nucleic acids
Describe the structure of an atom ----------- Correct Answer --------- protons
neutrons
electrons
Explain why radioisotopes are important to biologists. ----------- Correct Answer --------- Atoms
of a radioisotope have an unstable nucleus that breaks up spontaneously.
radioisotopes can be used as or in tracers, which are substances with a detectable component.
PET scan
Explain how an acid differs from a base. ----------- Correct Answer --------- The more
concentrated the hydrogen ions are, the lower the pH of the solution.
What is the cause and environmental consequence of acid rain? ----------- Correct Answer --------
- Burning fossil fuels such as coal releases sulfur and
nitrogen compounds that affect the pH of rain and other forms of precipitation.
drastically changes the pH of water in soil, lakes, and streams.
Describe carbohydrates ----------- Correct Answer --------- Simple sugars are called
monosaccharides ( Glucose and fructose).
sucrose is disaccharide.
polysaccharides.
provide energy and structural support for living systems.
Describe lipids ----------- Correct Answer --------- can be divided into fats, phospholipids,
steroids, and waxes.
part of it is hydrophobic.
make up part of cell membranes and provide energy.
Describe proteins ----------- Correct Answer --------- made up of amino acids.
Describe the molecular structure and importance of RNA. ----------- Correct Answer --------- An
RNA molecule is a chain of four kinds of nucleotide monomers, one of which is ATP. RNA
molecules carry out protein synthesis
, Describe the molecular structure and importance of DNA. ----------- Correct Answer --------- A
DNA molecule consists of two chains of nucleotides twisted into a double helix.
Each cell starts life with DNA inherited from a parent cell.
Identify a peptide bond and explain how it is formed. ----------- Correct Answer --------- covalent
bond that links amino acids in a protein
During protein synthesis, a peptide bond forms between the carboxyl group of the first amino
acid and the amine group of the second
Define the primary, secondary (two forms), tertiary, and quaternary structure of a protein. --------
--- Correct Answer --------- 1. primary structure is order of the amino acids
2. secondary structure has alpha helix and the beta pleated sheet.
tertiary structure interactions between the r- groups of amino acids.
3. quaternary structure is the interaction between multiple polypeptide chains.
4. making up membrane structure, antibodies, enzymes, neurotoxins, and hair and nail structure.
also used as an energy source.
List the major components of a nucleotide ----------- Correct Answer --------- monomers of
nucleic acids. contains sugar, nitrogen base, and one ore more phosphate groups.
Cite the key features of the Cell Theory. ----------- Correct Answer --------- 1. Every living
organism consists of one or more cells.
2. The cell is the structural and functional unit of all organisms. A cell is the smallest unit of life,
individually alive even as part of a multicelled organism.
3. All living cells arise by division of preexisting cells.
4. Cells contain hereditary material, which they pass to their offspring when they divide.
Compare and contrast the structure and function of mitochondria and chloroplasts. -----------
Correct Answer --------- mitochondria: Makes ATP by glucose breakdown
chloroplast: Makes sugars (in plants, some protists)
List several surface structures of cells and explain how they help cells survive. ----------- Correct
Answer --------- Cell Wall: Protects, structurally supports cell
Plasma membrane: selectively permeable and controls exchanges between the cell and its
environment.
Describe the major kinds of microscopes and explain their main use. ----------- Correct Answer --
------- Light microscope uses light to pass through the image onto magnifying lenses.
Scanning electron microscope scans the outside of cell surfaces.
Transmission electron microscope can magnify the internal cellular structures.
Describe how the relationship between the surface area of a cell and its volume changes as the
cell increases in size. ----------- Correct Answer --------- A cell's surface area increases with the
square of its diameter, while its volume increases with the cube. This surface- to-volume ratio
