BIOL 1010 Exam 2 – CSU Stanislaus Spring 2026 | 100
Practice Questions with Verified Answers for Dr. Schoenly's
Biology Course
Introduction
This comprehensive study guide contains 100 practice questions for the Biology 1010
Exam 2 at California State University, Stanislaus, specifically designed for Dr. Schoenly's
Spring 2026 curriculum. The exam covers core topics in cell biology including cell
structure and function, membrane transport, energy and enzymes, cellular
respiration, and photosynthesis. The exam typically includes multiple-choice questions,
diagram-based questions, and concept-application questions related to cellular processes.
All answers are presented in bold italics with detailed explanations following each
response.
Section 1: Energy, Thermodynamics & Metabolism (Questions 1-15)
Q1. What is the First Law of Thermodynamics?
A) Energy transfers increase the disorder of the universe
B) Energy can be transferred and transformed but cannot be created or destroyed
C) Every energy transfer increases entropy
D) Energy can only be stored as potential energy
Answer: B – Energy can be transferred and transformed but cannot be created or
destroyed
The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy is conserved. It can be converted
from one form to another (e.g., light to chemical energy in photosynthesis) but the total
amount of energy in the universe remains constant.
Q2. What is the Second Law of Thermodynamics?
A) Energy can be created from nothing
B) Energy can be transformed without any loss
,C) Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the universe
D) Entropy decreases with every energy transfer
Answer: C – Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the
universe
The Second Law states that energy transfers increase disorder (entropy). Some energy is
always lost as heat during energy conversions, making processes less than 100% efficient.
Q3. Entropy is best defined as:
A) The total energy in a system
B) A measure of disorder or randomness
C) The energy required to start a reaction
D) The energy stored in chemical bonds
Answer: B – A measure of disorder or randomness
Entropy measures the amount of disorder or randomness in a system. Heat, which is
random molecular motion, is one form of disorder.
Q4. Chemical energy is best described as:
A) Energy of motion
B) Energy stored in the chemical bonds of molecules
C) Energy released as heat
D) Energy from sunlight
Answer: B – Energy stored in the chemical bonds of molecules
Chemical energy is a form of potential energy stored in the covalent bonds between atoms
in molecules such as glucose or ATP. This energy can be released when bonds are broken.
Q5. Potential energy is:
A) Energy of motion
B) Stored energy based on location or arrangement
C) Energy released during a reaction
D) Energy that cannot be used
Answer: B – Stored energy based on location or arrangement
Potential energy is stored energy that can be used later. Examples include water behind a
dam and chemical bonds. It can be converted to kinetic energy.
,Q6. Kinetic energy is:
A) Energy of motion
B) Stored energy
C) Energy in chemical bonds
D) Heat energy only
Answer: A – Energy of motion
Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by moving objects. Moving matter performs work
by transferring its motion to other matter, such as leg muscles pushing bicycle pedals.
Q7. An exergonic reaction:
A) Absorbs free energy from its surroundings
B) Releases free energy and proceeds with a net release of energy
C) Requires an input of energy to proceed
D) Decreases the entropy of the system
Answer: B – Releases free energy and proceeds with a net release of energy
Exergonic reactions release kinetic energy, meaning the products have less energy than
the reactants. These reactions are spontaneous and can be used to drive endergonic
reactions.
Q8. An endergonic reaction:
A) Releases energy to the surroundings
B) Absorbs free energy from its surroundings
C) Proceeds spontaneously
D) Decreases the entropy of the universe
Answer: B – Absorbs free energy from its surroundings
Endergonic reactions require an input of kinetic energy to proceed. The products have
more energy than the reactants, so the reaction is non-spontaneous and requires energy
input.
Q9. Cells use exergonic reactions to drive endergonic reactions by:
A) Directly coupling the reactions
B) Using the kinetic energy released from exergonic reactions to power endergonic
reactions
, C) Converting all energy to heat
D) Storing energy indefinitely
Answer: B – Using the kinetic energy released from exergonic reactions to power
endergonic reactions
Cells couple exergonic reactions (like breaking down glucose) to endergonic reactions (like
making ATP). The energy released from exergonic reactions is used to perform cellular
work.
Q10. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is:
A) A molecule that stores energy in high-energy phosphate bonds
B) A molecule that only releases energy
C) A waste product of metabolism
D) A molecule that cannot be regenerated
Answer: A – A molecule that stores energy in high-energy phosphate bonds
ATP is the main energy source that cells use for most of their work. It stores potential
energy in the bonds between its phosphate groups. When ATP is hydrolyzed to ADP,
energy is released.
Q11. Metabolism is defined as:
A) The breakdown of food molecules only
B) The total of all chemical reactions in an organism
C) The synthesis of proteins only
D) Energy production in mitochondria
Answer: B – The total of all chemical reactions in an organism
Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions in an organism, including both catabolic
(breaking down) and anabolic (building) reactions.
Q12. Catabolic reactions:
A) Build larger molecules from smaller ones
B) Break down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy
C) Require energy input
D) Are always endergonic
Answer: B – Break down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy
Practice Questions with Verified Answers for Dr. Schoenly's
Biology Course
Introduction
This comprehensive study guide contains 100 practice questions for the Biology 1010
Exam 2 at California State University, Stanislaus, specifically designed for Dr. Schoenly's
Spring 2026 curriculum. The exam covers core topics in cell biology including cell
structure and function, membrane transport, energy and enzymes, cellular
respiration, and photosynthesis. The exam typically includes multiple-choice questions,
diagram-based questions, and concept-application questions related to cellular processes.
All answers are presented in bold italics with detailed explanations following each
response.
Section 1: Energy, Thermodynamics & Metabolism (Questions 1-15)
Q1. What is the First Law of Thermodynamics?
A) Energy transfers increase the disorder of the universe
B) Energy can be transferred and transformed but cannot be created or destroyed
C) Every energy transfer increases entropy
D) Energy can only be stored as potential energy
Answer: B – Energy can be transferred and transformed but cannot be created or
destroyed
The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy is conserved. It can be converted
from one form to another (e.g., light to chemical energy in photosynthesis) but the total
amount of energy in the universe remains constant.
Q2. What is the Second Law of Thermodynamics?
A) Energy can be created from nothing
B) Energy can be transformed without any loss
,C) Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the universe
D) Entropy decreases with every energy transfer
Answer: C – Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the
universe
The Second Law states that energy transfers increase disorder (entropy). Some energy is
always lost as heat during energy conversions, making processes less than 100% efficient.
Q3. Entropy is best defined as:
A) The total energy in a system
B) A measure of disorder or randomness
C) The energy required to start a reaction
D) The energy stored in chemical bonds
Answer: B – A measure of disorder or randomness
Entropy measures the amount of disorder or randomness in a system. Heat, which is
random molecular motion, is one form of disorder.
Q4. Chemical energy is best described as:
A) Energy of motion
B) Energy stored in the chemical bonds of molecules
C) Energy released as heat
D) Energy from sunlight
Answer: B – Energy stored in the chemical bonds of molecules
Chemical energy is a form of potential energy stored in the covalent bonds between atoms
in molecules such as glucose or ATP. This energy can be released when bonds are broken.
Q5. Potential energy is:
A) Energy of motion
B) Stored energy based on location or arrangement
C) Energy released during a reaction
D) Energy that cannot be used
Answer: B – Stored energy based on location or arrangement
Potential energy is stored energy that can be used later. Examples include water behind a
dam and chemical bonds. It can be converted to kinetic energy.
,Q6. Kinetic energy is:
A) Energy of motion
B) Stored energy
C) Energy in chemical bonds
D) Heat energy only
Answer: A – Energy of motion
Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by moving objects. Moving matter performs work
by transferring its motion to other matter, such as leg muscles pushing bicycle pedals.
Q7. An exergonic reaction:
A) Absorbs free energy from its surroundings
B) Releases free energy and proceeds with a net release of energy
C) Requires an input of energy to proceed
D) Decreases the entropy of the system
Answer: B – Releases free energy and proceeds with a net release of energy
Exergonic reactions release kinetic energy, meaning the products have less energy than
the reactants. These reactions are spontaneous and can be used to drive endergonic
reactions.
Q8. An endergonic reaction:
A) Releases energy to the surroundings
B) Absorbs free energy from its surroundings
C) Proceeds spontaneously
D) Decreases the entropy of the universe
Answer: B – Absorbs free energy from its surroundings
Endergonic reactions require an input of kinetic energy to proceed. The products have
more energy than the reactants, so the reaction is non-spontaneous and requires energy
input.
Q9. Cells use exergonic reactions to drive endergonic reactions by:
A) Directly coupling the reactions
B) Using the kinetic energy released from exergonic reactions to power endergonic
reactions
, C) Converting all energy to heat
D) Storing energy indefinitely
Answer: B – Using the kinetic energy released from exergonic reactions to power
endergonic reactions
Cells couple exergonic reactions (like breaking down glucose) to endergonic reactions (like
making ATP). The energy released from exergonic reactions is used to perform cellular
work.
Q10. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is:
A) A molecule that stores energy in high-energy phosphate bonds
B) A molecule that only releases energy
C) A waste product of metabolism
D) A molecule that cannot be regenerated
Answer: A – A molecule that stores energy in high-energy phosphate bonds
ATP is the main energy source that cells use for most of their work. It stores potential
energy in the bonds between its phosphate groups. When ATP is hydrolyzed to ADP,
energy is released.
Q11. Metabolism is defined as:
A) The breakdown of food molecules only
B) The total of all chemical reactions in an organism
C) The synthesis of proteins only
D) Energy production in mitochondria
Answer: B – The total of all chemical reactions in an organism
Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions in an organism, including both catabolic
(breaking down) and anabolic (building) reactions.
Q12. Catabolic reactions:
A) Build larger molecules from smaller ones
B) Break down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy
C) Require energy input
D) Are always endergonic
Answer: B – Break down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy
