UA BSC 108 Exam Introduction to Biology for Non-Majors 250 Practice Questions With Correct
Answers & Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| I | Scientific Method & Biological Organization | 1–25 |
| II | Chemistry of Life & Macromolecules | 26–50 |
| III | Cell Structure & Function | 51–75 |
| IV | Membrane Transport & Cellular Communication | 76–95 |
| V | Energy, Enzymes & Metabolism | 96–110 |
| VI | Photosynthesis | 111–135 |
| VII | Cellular Respiration | 136–155 |
| VIII | Cell Division: Mitosis & Meiosis | 156–175 |
| IX | DNA Structure, Replication & Gene Expression | 176–195 |
| X | Genetics & Inheritance | 196–215 |
| XI | Evolution & Natural Selection | 216–230 |
| XII | Ecology & Biodiversity | 231–250 |
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EXAM OVERVIEW
Course: BSC 108 – Introduction to Biology for Non-Majors
Institution: University of Alabama
,Total Questions: 250
Format: Multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer
Academic Year: 2025/2026
Course Description:
BSC 108 is a survey of the basic principles of cellular biology, genetics, evolution, biodiversity,
and ecology. The course covers fundamental biological concepts, scientific principles, and
course-specific materials essential for success. It is designed for non-biology majors and fulfills
natural science requirements.
Key Topics Covered:
- Scientific Method & Biological Organization – Hypotheses, theories, levels of organization
- Chemistry of Life – Atoms, molecules, water, pH, macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, nucleic acids)
- Cell Structure & Function – Prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic, organelles, plasma membrane
- Membrane Transport – Diffusion, osmosis, active transport, endocytosis, exocytosis
- Energy & Metabolism – Enzymes, ATP, metabolic pathways
- Photosynthesis – Light reactions, Calvin cycle, pigments, chloroplasts
- Cellular Respiration – Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain
- Cell Division – Mitosis, meiosis, cell cycle regulation
- Genetics – DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation, Mendelian inheritance
- Evolution – Natural selection, adaptation, speciation
- Ecology – Food chains, ecosystems, populations, communities, biodiversity
---
SECTION I: SCIENTIFIC METHOD & BIOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
,Questions 1–25
---
Question 1
What are the steps of the scientific method in correct order?
A) Observation, hypothesis, prediction, experiment, analyze data, conclusion
B) Hypothesis, observation, experiment, prediction, conclusion, analyze data
C) Observation, experiment, hypothesis, prediction, analyze data, conclusion
D) Prediction, observation, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, analyze data
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The scientific method follows a logical sequence: observation (identifying a problem),
ask a question, form a hypothesis, make a prediction, experiment, analyze data, and draw a
conclusion. This systematic approach ensures that scientific inquiries are conducted in a
rigorous and replicable manner. A hypothesis is a tentative explanation, while a theory is a
broad, comprehensive explanation supported by extensive evidence.
---
Question 2
A scientific hypothesis must be:
A) Proven to be true before it can be tested
B) Testable and falsifiable
, C) A statement of absolute certainty
D) Supported by a majority vote of scientists
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A scientific hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable—meaning it can be supported
or refuted through experimentation and observation. Hypotheses are tentative explanations
that can be proven wrong, not absolute truths.
---
Question 3
What is a theory in science?
A) A guess or a hunch
B) A broad, comprehensive explanation supported by extensive evidence
C) The same as a hypothesis
D) A statement that cannot be tested
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In science, a theory is a broad, comprehensive explanation that has been extensively
tested and supported by a large body of evidence. Unlike the everyday use of the word
"theory," a scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural
world.
---
Answers & Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| I | Scientific Method & Biological Organization | 1–25 |
| II | Chemistry of Life & Macromolecules | 26–50 |
| III | Cell Structure & Function | 51–75 |
| IV | Membrane Transport & Cellular Communication | 76–95 |
| V | Energy, Enzymes & Metabolism | 96–110 |
| VI | Photosynthesis | 111–135 |
| VII | Cellular Respiration | 136–155 |
| VIII | Cell Division: Mitosis & Meiosis | 156–175 |
| IX | DNA Structure, Replication & Gene Expression | 176–195 |
| X | Genetics & Inheritance | 196–215 |
| XI | Evolution & Natural Selection | 216–230 |
| XII | Ecology & Biodiversity | 231–250 |
---
EXAM OVERVIEW
Course: BSC 108 – Introduction to Biology for Non-Majors
Institution: University of Alabama
,Total Questions: 250
Format: Multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer
Academic Year: 2025/2026
Course Description:
BSC 108 is a survey of the basic principles of cellular biology, genetics, evolution, biodiversity,
and ecology. The course covers fundamental biological concepts, scientific principles, and
course-specific materials essential for success. It is designed for non-biology majors and fulfills
natural science requirements.
Key Topics Covered:
- Scientific Method & Biological Organization – Hypotheses, theories, levels of organization
- Chemistry of Life – Atoms, molecules, water, pH, macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, nucleic acids)
- Cell Structure & Function – Prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic, organelles, plasma membrane
- Membrane Transport – Diffusion, osmosis, active transport, endocytosis, exocytosis
- Energy & Metabolism – Enzymes, ATP, metabolic pathways
- Photosynthesis – Light reactions, Calvin cycle, pigments, chloroplasts
- Cellular Respiration – Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain
- Cell Division – Mitosis, meiosis, cell cycle regulation
- Genetics – DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation, Mendelian inheritance
- Evolution – Natural selection, adaptation, speciation
- Ecology – Food chains, ecosystems, populations, communities, biodiversity
---
SECTION I: SCIENTIFIC METHOD & BIOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
,Questions 1–25
---
Question 1
What are the steps of the scientific method in correct order?
A) Observation, hypothesis, prediction, experiment, analyze data, conclusion
B) Hypothesis, observation, experiment, prediction, conclusion, analyze data
C) Observation, experiment, hypothesis, prediction, analyze data, conclusion
D) Prediction, observation, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, analyze data
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The scientific method follows a logical sequence: observation (identifying a problem),
ask a question, form a hypothesis, make a prediction, experiment, analyze data, and draw a
conclusion. This systematic approach ensures that scientific inquiries are conducted in a
rigorous and replicable manner. A hypothesis is a tentative explanation, while a theory is a
broad, comprehensive explanation supported by extensive evidence.
---
Question 2
A scientific hypothesis must be:
A) Proven to be true before it can be tested
B) Testable and falsifiable
, C) A statement of absolute certainty
D) Supported by a majority vote of scientists
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A scientific hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable—meaning it can be supported
or refuted through experimentation and observation. Hypotheses are tentative explanations
that can be proven wrong, not absolute truths.
---
Question 3
What is a theory in science?
A) A guess or a hunch
B) A broad, comprehensive explanation supported by extensive evidence
C) The same as a hypothesis
D) A statement that cannot be tested
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In science, a theory is a broad, comprehensive explanation that has been extensively
tested and supported by a large body of evidence. Unlike the everyday use of the word
"theory," a scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural
world.
---
