Portage Learning
1 MAXE · 171 LOIB
★ ★
P A Division of Geneva College
EST. 2012
ONLINE COURSES FOR COLLEGE CREDIT
BIOL 171 Exam 1
G E N E RA L B I O LO G Y I — CO M P R E H E N S I V E E X A M I N AT I O N
INSTITUTION Portage Learning (Geneva College) PROGRAM Pre-Nursing / Health Sciences
COURSE CODE BIOL 171 COURSE TITLE General Biology I
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE BIOL 171 Exam 1
TOTAL QUESTIONS 99 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions randomized from source material per Component 16.
▸ Topics: Chemistry of Life, Macromolecules, Cell Structure, Membrane Transport, Metabolism, Cellular
Respiration.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question.
, GENERAL BIOLOGY I — EXAMINATION 1 Questions 1 – 99
1. Which hydrocarbon must contain a double bond in its carbon skeleton?
A. C₄H₁₀
B. C₄H₆
C. C₄H₈
D. CH₄
CORRECT ANSWER B — C₄H₆
RATIONALE Saturated alkanes follow CₙH₂ₙ₊₂. For 4 carbons: C₄H₁₀ is fully saturated. Each
double bond/ring reduces H by 2. C₄H₆ has 4 fewer H than C₄H₁₀, requiring double
bonds.
2. The high specific heat of water is due to what?
A. Covalent bonds
B. Hydrogen bonds
C. Ionic bonds
D. Van der Waals forces
CORRECT ANSWER B — Hydrogen bonds
RATIONALE Heat must first break H-bonds before water molecules can move faster. This
absorbs energy with minimal temperature rise.
3. The atomic number of an atom indicates its number of:
A. Neutrons
B. Protons
C. Electrons
D. Protons + neutrons
CORRECT ANSWER B — Protons
RATIONALE Atomic number (Z) = number of protons. Mass number = protons + neutrons.
,4. What is an emergent property?
A. Property of individual atoms
B. A property a complex system has that individual members do not have
C. A property only found in plants
D. A property that decreases with complexity
CORRECT ANSWER B — A property a complex system has that individual members do not have
RATIONALE Emergent properties arise from interactions. Example: consciousness from
neuronal networks.
5. Cohesion of water molecules is due to what?
A. Covalent bonds
B. Hydrogen bonds
C. Ionic bonds
D. Hydrophobic interactions
CORRECT ANSWER B — Hydrogen bonds
RATIONALE H-bonding between water molecules creates cohesion, enabling surface tension.
6. Is a pH of 14 acidic or basic?
A. Acidic
B. Basic
C. Neutral
D. Cannot determine
CORRECT ANSWER B — Basic (pH > 7 = alkaline)
RATIONALE pH scale: 0–6 acidic, 7 neutral, 8–14 basic. pH 14 is maximally basic.
, 7. Is a pH of 1 acidic or basic?
A. Acidic
B. Basic
C. Neutral
D. Cannot determine
CORRECT ANSWER A — Acidic (high H⁺ concentration)
RATIONALE pH 1 is extremely acidic, like stomach acid or battery acid.
8. What has a pH of 7?
A. Lemon juice
B. Pure water
C. Ammonia
D. Vinegar
CORRECT ANSWER B — Pure water
RATIONALE At 25°C, [H⁺] = [OH⁻] = 10⁻⁷ M, giving neutral pH 7.
9. Which functional groups contain carbon? (Select all)
A. Methyl
B. Carbonyl
C. Carboxyl
D. Hydroxyl
CORRECT ANSWER A, B, C — Methyl, Carbonyl, and Carboxyl
RATIONALE Methyl (CH₃), carbonyl (C=O), carboxyl (COOH) contain carbon. Hydroxyl (OH)
does not.
1 MAXE · 171 LOIB
★ ★
P A Division of Geneva College
EST. 2012
ONLINE COURSES FOR COLLEGE CREDIT
BIOL 171 Exam 1
G E N E RA L B I O LO G Y I — CO M P R E H E N S I V E E X A M I N AT I O N
INSTITUTION Portage Learning (Geneva College) PROGRAM Pre-Nursing / Health Sciences
COURSE CODE BIOL 171 COURSE TITLE General Biology I
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE BIOL 171 Exam 1
TOTAL QUESTIONS 99 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions randomized from source material per Component 16.
▸ Topics: Chemistry of Life, Macromolecules, Cell Structure, Membrane Transport, Metabolism, Cellular
Respiration.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question.
, GENERAL BIOLOGY I — EXAMINATION 1 Questions 1 – 99
1. Which hydrocarbon must contain a double bond in its carbon skeleton?
A. C₄H₁₀
B. C₄H₆
C. C₄H₈
D. CH₄
CORRECT ANSWER B — C₄H₆
RATIONALE Saturated alkanes follow CₙH₂ₙ₊₂. For 4 carbons: C₄H₁₀ is fully saturated. Each
double bond/ring reduces H by 2. C₄H₆ has 4 fewer H than C₄H₁₀, requiring double
bonds.
2. The high specific heat of water is due to what?
A. Covalent bonds
B. Hydrogen bonds
C. Ionic bonds
D. Van der Waals forces
CORRECT ANSWER B — Hydrogen bonds
RATIONALE Heat must first break H-bonds before water molecules can move faster. This
absorbs energy with minimal temperature rise.
3. The atomic number of an atom indicates its number of:
A. Neutrons
B. Protons
C. Electrons
D. Protons + neutrons
CORRECT ANSWER B — Protons
RATIONALE Atomic number (Z) = number of protons. Mass number = protons + neutrons.
,4. What is an emergent property?
A. Property of individual atoms
B. A property a complex system has that individual members do not have
C. A property only found in plants
D. A property that decreases with complexity
CORRECT ANSWER B — A property a complex system has that individual members do not have
RATIONALE Emergent properties arise from interactions. Example: consciousness from
neuronal networks.
5. Cohesion of water molecules is due to what?
A. Covalent bonds
B. Hydrogen bonds
C. Ionic bonds
D. Hydrophobic interactions
CORRECT ANSWER B — Hydrogen bonds
RATIONALE H-bonding between water molecules creates cohesion, enabling surface tension.
6. Is a pH of 14 acidic or basic?
A. Acidic
B. Basic
C. Neutral
D. Cannot determine
CORRECT ANSWER B — Basic (pH > 7 = alkaline)
RATIONALE pH scale: 0–6 acidic, 7 neutral, 8–14 basic. pH 14 is maximally basic.
, 7. Is a pH of 1 acidic or basic?
A. Acidic
B. Basic
C. Neutral
D. Cannot determine
CORRECT ANSWER A — Acidic (high H⁺ concentration)
RATIONALE pH 1 is extremely acidic, like stomach acid or battery acid.
8. What has a pH of 7?
A. Lemon juice
B. Pure water
C. Ammonia
D. Vinegar
CORRECT ANSWER B — Pure water
RATIONALE At 25°C, [H⁺] = [OH⁻] = 10⁻⁷ M, giving neutral pH 7.
9. Which functional groups contain carbon? (Select all)
A. Methyl
B. Carbonyl
C. Carboxyl
D. Hydroxyl
CORRECT ANSWER A, B, C — Methyl, Carbonyl, and Carboxyl
RATIONALE Methyl (CH₃), carbonyl (C=O), carboxyl (COOH) contain carbon. Hydroxyl (OH)
does not.
