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Biology 1406 Final Exam Questions with
Detailed Verified Answers
What is homeostasis Ans: the process whereby living organisms
regulate their cells and bodies to maintain relatively stable internal
conditions
What are the characteristics of living things Ans: 1. Cells and
Organization
2. Energy use and metabolism
3. Response to environmental changes
4. Regulation and homeostasis
5. Growth and Development
6. Reproduction
7. Biological Evolution
atom Ans: the smallest component of an element having the chemical
properties of the element
molecule Ans: Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.
macromolecule Ans: many molecules bonded together to form a
polymer such a polypeptide (carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids
are examples)
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cell Ans: the simplest unit of a living organism, composed of molecules
and macromolecules, form larger structures such as membranes
tissue Ans: association of many cells of the same type
organ Ans: two or more types of body tissues combined to perform a
common function
organism Ans: a living thing that maintains an internal order that is
separated from the environment
population Ans: group of individuals of the same species that occupy
the same environment and can interbreed with one another
community Ans: an assemblage of populations of different species that
live in the same place at the same time
ecosystem Ans: the biotic community of organisms in an area as well as
the abiotic environment affecting the community
biosphere Ans: the regions on the surface of the earth and in the
atmosphere where living organisms exist
What are the two mechanisms of evolutionary change Ans: Vertical
descent and horizontal gene transfer
vertical descent Ans: Progression of changes in lineage (a series of
ancestors). Occurs from generation to generation. New species evolve
from pre-existing species by accumulation of mutations (natural
selection)
horizontal gene transfer Ans: A process in which an organism
incorporates genetic material from another organism without being the
offspring of that organism
What are the three domains Ans: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
What are the four kingdoms Ans: animalia, fungi, plantae, and protista
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bacteria Ans: single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes
archaea Ans: Single-celled, no nucleus, Live in harsh conditions
eukarya Ans: Domain of all organisms whose cells have nuclei,
including protists, plants, fungi, and animals
protista Ans: single-celled organism with nuclei (algae, protozoans)
plantae Ans: A classification kingdom made up of eukaryotic,
multicellular organisms that have cell walls made mostly of cellulose, that
have pigments that absorb light, and that supply energy and oxygen to
themselves and to other life-forms through photosynthesis
animalia Ans: Kingdom of the most complex organisms; multi-cellular,
heterotrophic, lack rigid cell walls, mobile, tissues in internal organs,
sensory organs, nervous system
taxonomy Ans: the science of naming and classifying organisms
binomial nomenclature Ans: a system for giving each organism a two-
word scientific name that consists of the genus name followed by the
species name
genomes Ans: the complete instructions for making an organism,
consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes
proteomes Ans: the complete complement of proteins that a cell or
organism can make
scientific method Ans: a general approach to gathering information and
answering questions so that errors and biases are minimized
Five Stages of Scientific Method Ans: Observations, Hypothesis,
Experimentation, Data & Analysis, Accept/Reject Hypothesis
metabolism Ans: All of the chemical reactions that occur within an
organism
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biological evolution Ans: Changes in the genetic composition of a
population through successive generations.
theory Ans: a broad explanation of some aspect of the natural world
that is substantiated by a large body of evidence; makes valid predictions
hypothesis Ans: a proposed explanation for a natural phenomenon
based on previous observations or experimental studies
discovery-based science Ans: the collection and analysis of data without
the need for a preconceived hypothesis
subatomic particles Ans: protons, neutrons, and electrons
where are subatomic particles located Ans: Protons and neutrons are
found in the nucleus and electrons are found in the electron shell
protons Ans: positive- found in nucleus- same number as electrons
neutrons Ans: neutral- found in nucleus- number can vary
electrons Ans: negative- found in orbitals- same number as protons
why are atoms electrically neutral Ans: they have an equal # of protons
and electrons
orbitals Ans: Regions within electron shells where electrons orbit the
nucleus
s orbitals Ans: sphere shaped; hold 2 electrons
p orbitals Ans: 3 dumbbell/propeller shaped orbitals (2p); can hold 4
pairs of electrons
1st shell Ans: holds a max of 2 electrons; 1 spherical orbital (1s)
2nd shell Ans: 1 spherical orbital (2s) & 3 dumbbell shaped orbitals
(2p) can hold up to 8 electrons
Biology 1406 Final Exam Questions with
Detailed Verified Answers
What is homeostasis Ans: the process whereby living organisms
regulate their cells and bodies to maintain relatively stable internal
conditions
What are the characteristics of living things Ans: 1. Cells and
Organization
2. Energy use and metabolism
3. Response to environmental changes
4. Regulation and homeostasis
5. Growth and Development
6. Reproduction
7. Biological Evolution
atom Ans: the smallest component of an element having the chemical
properties of the element
molecule Ans: Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.
macromolecule Ans: many molecules bonded together to form a
polymer such a polypeptide (carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids
are examples)
, Page | 2
cell Ans: the simplest unit of a living organism, composed of molecules
and macromolecules, form larger structures such as membranes
tissue Ans: association of many cells of the same type
organ Ans: two or more types of body tissues combined to perform a
common function
organism Ans: a living thing that maintains an internal order that is
separated from the environment
population Ans: group of individuals of the same species that occupy
the same environment and can interbreed with one another
community Ans: an assemblage of populations of different species that
live in the same place at the same time
ecosystem Ans: the biotic community of organisms in an area as well as
the abiotic environment affecting the community
biosphere Ans: the regions on the surface of the earth and in the
atmosphere where living organisms exist
What are the two mechanisms of evolutionary change Ans: Vertical
descent and horizontal gene transfer
vertical descent Ans: Progression of changes in lineage (a series of
ancestors). Occurs from generation to generation. New species evolve
from pre-existing species by accumulation of mutations (natural
selection)
horizontal gene transfer Ans: A process in which an organism
incorporates genetic material from another organism without being the
offspring of that organism
What are the three domains Ans: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
What are the four kingdoms Ans: animalia, fungi, plantae, and protista
, Page | 3
bacteria Ans: single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes
archaea Ans: Single-celled, no nucleus, Live in harsh conditions
eukarya Ans: Domain of all organisms whose cells have nuclei,
including protists, plants, fungi, and animals
protista Ans: single-celled organism with nuclei (algae, protozoans)
plantae Ans: A classification kingdom made up of eukaryotic,
multicellular organisms that have cell walls made mostly of cellulose, that
have pigments that absorb light, and that supply energy and oxygen to
themselves and to other life-forms through photosynthesis
animalia Ans: Kingdom of the most complex organisms; multi-cellular,
heterotrophic, lack rigid cell walls, mobile, tissues in internal organs,
sensory organs, nervous system
taxonomy Ans: the science of naming and classifying organisms
binomial nomenclature Ans: a system for giving each organism a two-
word scientific name that consists of the genus name followed by the
species name
genomes Ans: the complete instructions for making an organism,
consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes
proteomes Ans: the complete complement of proteins that a cell or
organism can make
scientific method Ans: a general approach to gathering information and
answering questions so that errors and biases are minimized
Five Stages of Scientific Method Ans: Observations, Hypothesis,
Experimentation, Data & Analysis, Accept/Reject Hypothesis
metabolism Ans: All of the chemical reactions that occur within an
organism
, Page | 4
biological evolution Ans: Changes in the genetic composition of a
population through successive generations.
theory Ans: a broad explanation of some aspect of the natural world
that is substantiated by a large body of evidence; makes valid predictions
hypothesis Ans: a proposed explanation for a natural phenomenon
based on previous observations or experimental studies
discovery-based science Ans: the collection and analysis of data without
the need for a preconceived hypothesis
subatomic particles Ans: protons, neutrons, and electrons
where are subatomic particles located Ans: Protons and neutrons are
found in the nucleus and electrons are found in the electron shell
protons Ans: positive- found in nucleus- same number as electrons
neutrons Ans: neutral- found in nucleus- number can vary
electrons Ans: negative- found in orbitals- same number as protons
why are atoms electrically neutral Ans: they have an equal # of protons
and electrons
orbitals Ans: Regions within electron shells where electrons orbit the
nucleus
s orbitals Ans: sphere shaped; hold 2 electrons
p orbitals Ans: 3 dumbbell/propeller shaped orbitals (2p); can hold 4
pairs of electrons
1st shell Ans: holds a max of 2 electrons; 1 spherical orbital (1s)
2nd shell Ans: 1 spherical orbital (2s) & 3 dumbbell shaped orbitals
(2p) can hold up to 8 electrons
