BIOLOGY 172 EXAM 1 WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
Unity of Life correct answer Common properties of living
things: Order, energy utilization, response to environment,
reproduction, evolve, explained by evolution
Diversity of life correct answer Remarkable similarities at the
cellular and molecular levels of protists and animals, explained by
evolution
Cell correct answer Lowest level in the hierarchy of biological
organization that can perform all of the activities required for life.
A living thing is a cellular entity that acquires energy from its
surroundings and is capable of reproducing, evolving, and
processing hereditary/genetic information.
All cells are enclosed by a plasma membrane that regulates
passage of materials in and out of the cell
All cells use DNA for their genetic information
A cell is the basic unit of life
Development of Cell Theory correct answer Hooke (slices of
cork), von Leeuwenhoek (bacteria are little animals), Schwann
(organisms are composed of cells), Virchow (cells come from pre-
existing cells).
,Cell Theory part 1 correct answer Cells are the structural unit
of life
All organisms are composed of cells
Cell Theory part 2 correct answer Cells are the functional unit
of life
Cells are the smallest entities that have all the properties of life
Each cell is (or can potentially generate) an entire organism
Cell Theory part 3 correct answer All cells are fundamentally
similar
Similar structure and organization
Similar metabolic strategies
Similar hereditary information
BUT SPECIFIC CELL FUNCTIONS CAN VARY = CELL
SPECIALIZATION
cell theory part 4 correct answer All cells come from pre-
existing cells
Via cell growth and division
Life does not arise from "non-life"
Redi
Thought maggots came from other flies.
Put meat into an open jar. Flies were attracted and maggots
appeared in the meat. Covered the jar with gauze, no maggots
appeared. Sealed jar completely, no maggots appeared.
Conclusion: living organisms cannot arise from nonliving matter.
Pasteur
, Swan-neck flask. Dust and microorganisms were trapped in the
bend of the swan-neck flask when it was placed upright. Liquid
remained sterile/no organisms grew. When it was tipped,
microorganisms-laden dust was allowed to contact sterile liquid.
Microorganisms grew in the liquid. Conclusion: living organisms
cannot arise from nonliving matter
Organisms correct answer can be unicellular or multicellular
Eukaryotic cells correct answer have a membrane-bound
nucleus
Prokaryotic cells correct answer do not have a membrane-
bound nucleus
Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection correct answer 1858 -
Darwin and Wallace
All species are related by descent from a common ancestor
Explains how species can change over time but remain related
Individuals of the same species living in the same area at the
same time constitute a population
A population can evolve, whereas an individual cannot
Two conditions of Evolution correct answer Individuals in the
population must differ from one another for some heritable trait(s)
Individuals with certain heritable traits must survive and/or
reproduce better than individuals with other traits
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
Unity of Life correct answer Common properties of living
things: Order, energy utilization, response to environment,
reproduction, evolve, explained by evolution
Diversity of life correct answer Remarkable similarities at the
cellular and molecular levels of protists and animals, explained by
evolution
Cell correct answer Lowest level in the hierarchy of biological
organization that can perform all of the activities required for life.
A living thing is a cellular entity that acquires energy from its
surroundings and is capable of reproducing, evolving, and
processing hereditary/genetic information.
All cells are enclosed by a plasma membrane that regulates
passage of materials in and out of the cell
All cells use DNA for their genetic information
A cell is the basic unit of life
Development of Cell Theory correct answer Hooke (slices of
cork), von Leeuwenhoek (bacteria are little animals), Schwann
(organisms are composed of cells), Virchow (cells come from pre-
existing cells).
,Cell Theory part 1 correct answer Cells are the structural unit
of life
All organisms are composed of cells
Cell Theory part 2 correct answer Cells are the functional unit
of life
Cells are the smallest entities that have all the properties of life
Each cell is (or can potentially generate) an entire organism
Cell Theory part 3 correct answer All cells are fundamentally
similar
Similar structure and organization
Similar metabolic strategies
Similar hereditary information
BUT SPECIFIC CELL FUNCTIONS CAN VARY = CELL
SPECIALIZATION
cell theory part 4 correct answer All cells come from pre-
existing cells
Via cell growth and division
Life does not arise from "non-life"
Redi
Thought maggots came from other flies.
Put meat into an open jar. Flies were attracted and maggots
appeared in the meat. Covered the jar with gauze, no maggots
appeared. Sealed jar completely, no maggots appeared.
Conclusion: living organisms cannot arise from nonliving matter.
Pasteur
, Swan-neck flask. Dust and microorganisms were trapped in the
bend of the swan-neck flask when it was placed upright. Liquid
remained sterile/no organisms grew. When it was tipped,
microorganisms-laden dust was allowed to contact sterile liquid.
Microorganisms grew in the liquid. Conclusion: living organisms
cannot arise from nonliving matter
Organisms correct answer can be unicellular or multicellular
Eukaryotic cells correct answer have a membrane-bound
nucleus
Prokaryotic cells correct answer do not have a membrane-
bound nucleus
Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection correct answer 1858 -
Darwin and Wallace
All species are related by descent from a common ancestor
Explains how species can change over time but remain related
Individuals of the same species living in the same area at the
same time constitute a population
A population can evolve, whereas an individual cannot
Two conditions of Evolution correct answer Individuals in the
population must differ from one another for some heritable trait(s)
Individuals with certain heritable traits must survive and/or
reproduce better than individuals with other traits
