U N I V E R S I T Y O F A L A B A M A · D E PA RT M E N T O F B I O L O G I C A L S C I E N C E S
BSC 108 Test
Practice Question Bank
Introductory Biology — Comprehensive Review with 41 Questions & Answers
BSC 108 — Principles of Biology
Edition 1 · August 2026
,Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
BSC 108 · University of Alabama Page 1
, BSC 108 TEST PRACTICE GUIDE INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale below. The correct option is marked, and each wrong option
is explained. This guide contains 41 questions covering the full scope of BSC 108 content.
Category: BSC 108 — Principles of Biology
1 The nuclear pores allow mRNA but not DNA to pass through.
A True
B False
Why A is correct: Nuclear pores allow mRNA to exit the nucleus for translation, but DNA is too large and is retained
within the nucleus.
B — mRNA does pass through nuclear pores; DNA does not.
2 Which of the following choices does not properly pair a macromolecule with one of its building blocks?
A Protein — amino acid
B Lipid — glycerol
C Nucleic acid — nucleotide
D Carbohydrate — monosaccharide
Why B is correct: "amino acid--glycerol" is incorrect because amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, not lipids.
Glycerol is a component of some lipids (fats) but is not the building block of lipids.
A — Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
C — Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids.
D — Monosaccharides are the building blocks of carbohydrates.
BSC 108 Test
Practice Question Bank
Introductory Biology — Comprehensive Review with 41 Questions & Answers
BSC 108 — Principles of Biology
Edition 1 · August 2026
,Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
BSC 108 · University of Alabama Page 1
, BSC 108 TEST PRACTICE GUIDE INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale below. The correct option is marked, and each wrong option
is explained. This guide contains 41 questions covering the full scope of BSC 108 content.
Category: BSC 108 — Principles of Biology
1 The nuclear pores allow mRNA but not DNA to pass through.
A True
B False
Why A is correct: Nuclear pores allow mRNA to exit the nucleus for translation, but DNA is too large and is retained
within the nucleus.
B — mRNA does pass through nuclear pores; DNA does not.
2 Which of the following choices does not properly pair a macromolecule with one of its building blocks?
A Protein — amino acid
B Lipid — glycerol
C Nucleic acid — nucleotide
D Carbohydrate — monosaccharide
Why B is correct: "amino acid--glycerol" is incorrect because amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, not lipids.
Glycerol is a component of some lipids (fats) but is not the building block of lipids.
A — Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
C — Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids.
D — Monosaccharides are the building blocks of carbohydrates.
