UT Arlington BIOL 1442 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Ecology &
Evolution Q&A | Biology
1. Which of the following best defines homeostasis?
A) The process by which organisms maintain a constant internal environment
despite external fluctuations
B) The ability of an organism to change its internal environment to match the
external environment
C) The process by which organisms increase in size and complexity
D) The mechanism by which organisms respond to external stimuli
Correct Answer: The process by which organisms maintain a constant
internal environment despite external fluctuations
Rationale: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal
environment in the face of changing external conditions. It is a key
characteristic of living organisms and is essential for proper cellular function.
2. A thermostat regulating room temperature is an example of which type of
feedback mechanism?
A) Positive feedback
B) Negative feedback
C) Feedforward control
D) Homeostatic imbalance
Correct Answer: Negative feedback
Rationale: Negative feedback mechanisms work to counteract changes and
maintain stability. A thermostat is a classic example: when the temperature
drops, the heater turns on to raise it back to the set point, thereby reducing
the deviation.
3. Which of the following is an example of a positive feedback mechanism?
A) Regulation of blood glucose levels
B) The release of oxytocin during childbirth
,C) Temperature regulation in mammals
D) Maintenance of blood pressure
Correct Answer: The release of oxytocin during childbirth
Rationale: Positive feedback amplifies a response rather than counteracting
it. During childbirth, oxytocin release increases uterine contractions, which in
turn stimulates more oxytocin release, intensifying the process until delivery.
4. An animal that generates its own body heat through metabolism is known
as a(n):
A) Ectotherm
B) Endotherm
C) Poikilotherm
D) Heterotherm
Correct Answer: Endotherm
Rationale: Endotherms (e.g., birds and mammals) generate their own body
heat through metabolic processes and maintain a relatively constant internal
temperature. Ectotherms rely on external heat sources.
5. Which of the following is a method of heat exchange that involves the
transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves?
A) Conduction
B) Convection
C) Radiation
D) Evaporation
Correct Answer: Radiation
Rationale: Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves,
such as the heat absorbed from the sun or radiated from the body.
Conduction is direct contact, convection is via fluid movement, and
evaporation is through phase change.
,6. Epithelial tissue is characterized by which of the following?
A) It is primarily responsible for contraction and movement
B) It covers body surfaces and lines internal organs and cavities
C) It transmits electrical signals throughout the body
D) It stores energy in the form of fat
Correct Answer: It covers body surfaces and lines internal organs and
cavities
Rationale: Epithelial tissue forms protective barriers and covers the body's
exterior and internal surfaces. It also lines organs and cavities and is
involved in exchange processes.
7. The type of epithelial tissue that appears to have multiple layers but is
actually a single layer is called:
A) Simple squamous
B) Simple columnar
C) Stratified squamous
D) Pseudostratified columnar
Correct Answer: Pseudostratified columnar
Rationale: Pseudostratified epithelium appears stratified because the nuclei
are at different levels, but all cells are attached to the basement membrane.
It is commonly found in the respiratory tract.
8. Which type of tissue connects, supports, and binds other tissues together?
A) Epithelial tissue
B) Muscle tissue
C) Nervous tissue
D) Connective tissue
Correct Answer: Connective tissue
, Rationale: Connective tissue is the most abundant and widely distributed
tissue type. It functions to bind, support, protect, and insulate other tissues.
Examples include bone, cartilage, blood, and adipose tissue.
9. Adipose tissue is a type of connective tissue that primarily functions to:
A) Transport oxygen
B) Store fat and insulate the body
C) Transmit nerve impulses
D) Contract to produce movement
Correct Answer: Store fat and insulate the body
Rationale: Adipose tissue is a specialized connective tissue that stores
energy in the form of fat, cushions organs, and provides insulation to help
regulate body temperature.
10. Which type of muscle tissue is under voluntary control?
A) Cardiac muscle
B) Smooth muscle
C) Skeletal muscle
D) Both cardiac and smooth muscle
Correct Answer: Skeletal muscle
Rationale: Skeletal muscle is attached to bones and is under voluntary
control, allowing for conscious movement. Cardiac and smooth muscles are
involuntary.
11. The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is a measure of:
A) The metabolic rate of an ectotherm at rest at a specific temperature
B) The metabolic rate of an endotherm at rest at a comfortable temperature
C) The maximum metabolic rate during exercise
D) The metabolic rate during sleep
Evolution Q&A | Biology
1. Which of the following best defines homeostasis?
A) The process by which organisms maintain a constant internal environment
despite external fluctuations
B) The ability of an organism to change its internal environment to match the
external environment
C) The process by which organisms increase in size and complexity
D) The mechanism by which organisms respond to external stimuli
Correct Answer: The process by which organisms maintain a constant
internal environment despite external fluctuations
Rationale: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal
environment in the face of changing external conditions. It is a key
characteristic of living organisms and is essential for proper cellular function.
2. A thermostat regulating room temperature is an example of which type of
feedback mechanism?
A) Positive feedback
B) Negative feedback
C) Feedforward control
D) Homeostatic imbalance
Correct Answer: Negative feedback
Rationale: Negative feedback mechanisms work to counteract changes and
maintain stability. A thermostat is a classic example: when the temperature
drops, the heater turns on to raise it back to the set point, thereby reducing
the deviation.
3. Which of the following is an example of a positive feedback mechanism?
A) Regulation of blood glucose levels
B) The release of oxytocin during childbirth
,C) Temperature regulation in mammals
D) Maintenance of blood pressure
Correct Answer: The release of oxytocin during childbirth
Rationale: Positive feedback amplifies a response rather than counteracting
it. During childbirth, oxytocin release increases uterine contractions, which in
turn stimulates more oxytocin release, intensifying the process until delivery.
4. An animal that generates its own body heat through metabolism is known
as a(n):
A) Ectotherm
B) Endotherm
C) Poikilotherm
D) Heterotherm
Correct Answer: Endotherm
Rationale: Endotherms (e.g., birds and mammals) generate their own body
heat through metabolic processes and maintain a relatively constant internal
temperature. Ectotherms rely on external heat sources.
5. Which of the following is a method of heat exchange that involves the
transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves?
A) Conduction
B) Convection
C) Radiation
D) Evaporation
Correct Answer: Radiation
Rationale: Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves,
such as the heat absorbed from the sun or radiated from the body.
Conduction is direct contact, convection is via fluid movement, and
evaporation is through phase change.
,6. Epithelial tissue is characterized by which of the following?
A) It is primarily responsible for contraction and movement
B) It covers body surfaces and lines internal organs and cavities
C) It transmits electrical signals throughout the body
D) It stores energy in the form of fat
Correct Answer: It covers body surfaces and lines internal organs and
cavities
Rationale: Epithelial tissue forms protective barriers and covers the body's
exterior and internal surfaces. It also lines organs and cavities and is
involved in exchange processes.
7. The type of epithelial tissue that appears to have multiple layers but is
actually a single layer is called:
A) Simple squamous
B) Simple columnar
C) Stratified squamous
D) Pseudostratified columnar
Correct Answer: Pseudostratified columnar
Rationale: Pseudostratified epithelium appears stratified because the nuclei
are at different levels, but all cells are attached to the basement membrane.
It is commonly found in the respiratory tract.
8. Which type of tissue connects, supports, and binds other tissues together?
A) Epithelial tissue
B) Muscle tissue
C) Nervous tissue
D) Connective tissue
Correct Answer: Connective tissue
, Rationale: Connective tissue is the most abundant and widely distributed
tissue type. It functions to bind, support, protect, and insulate other tissues.
Examples include bone, cartilage, blood, and adipose tissue.
9. Adipose tissue is a type of connective tissue that primarily functions to:
A) Transport oxygen
B) Store fat and insulate the body
C) Transmit nerve impulses
D) Contract to produce movement
Correct Answer: Store fat and insulate the body
Rationale: Adipose tissue is a specialized connective tissue that stores
energy in the form of fat, cushions organs, and provides insulation to help
regulate body temperature.
10. Which type of muscle tissue is under voluntary control?
A) Cardiac muscle
B) Smooth muscle
C) Skeletal muscle
D) Both cardiac and smooth muscle
Correct Answer: Skeletal muscle
Rationale: Skeletal muscle is attached to bones and is under voluntary
control, allowing for conscious movement. Cardiac and smooth muscles are
involuntary.
11. The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is a measure of:
A) The metabolic rate of an ectotherm at rest at a specific temperature
B) The metabolic rate of an endotherm at rest at a comfortable temperature
C) The maximum metabolic rate during exercise
D) The metabolic rate during sleep
