WGU C190 Introduction to Biology - Practice Questions | Complete
Objective Assessment (OA) Review Test Bank with Verified Answers
Pass your Western Governors University Objective Assessment on your first attempt
with this comprehensive C190 Introduction to Biology test bank featuring practice
questions. This targeted preparation guide provides verified correct answers and clear
explanations covering cell structure, DNA replication, genetics, evolution, and
ecosystem dynamics. It is the ultimate resource for WGU students looking to master
essential life science concepts quickly and secure a passing grade.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOLOGY & CHEMISTRY
Question 1: Biology is the scientific study of:
A) Matter and energy
B) Life
C) The universe
D) Chemical reactions
Answer: B) Life
Rationale: Biology is defined as the scientific study of life and living
organisms. It examines their structure, function, growth, evolution,
distribution, and taxonomy. Options A and D describe other scientific
disciplines (physics and chemistry), while C describes astronomy .
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of life?
A) Ability to grow and develop
B) Use of energy and raw materials
,C) Inability to evolve over time
D) Ability to sense and respond to the environment
Answer: C) Inability to evolve over time
Rationale: All living things are part of populations that evolve over time. The
ability to evolve (change across generations) is a fundamental characteristic
of life, so the inability to evolve is not a characteristic of life. Options A, B,
and D are all valid characteristics of living organisms .
Question 3: What does abiotic mean?
A) Living organisms
B) Non-living components, which may exist within or be produced by living
organisms
C) Made of cells
D) A type of macromolecule
Answer: B) Non-living components, which may exist within or be
produced by living organisms
Rationale: Abiotic refers to non-living factors in an environment, such as
water, air, minerals, or temperature. These can exist independently or be part
of living systems. Abiotic components are contrasted with biotic components,
which are living or were once alive .
Question 4: Which of the following defines biotic?
A) Non-living matter
B) Matter that was never alive
C) Living organisms or matter that was once alive
D) A type of molecule
,Answer: C) Living organisms or matter that was once alive
Rationale: Biotic components include all living organisms and materials
derived from living organisms. Examples include bacteria, plants, animals,
and materials like cotton or yogurt that were once part of living organisms .
Question 5: All matter can be classified as either:
A) Organic or inorganic
B) Biotic or abiotic
C) Solid or liquid
D) Element or compound
Answer: B) Biotic or abiotic
Rationale: All matter in the universe can be classified as biotic (living or has
lived) or abiotic (non-living and never has lived). A rock is abiotic; a tree is
biotic. This is a fundamental classification in biology when studying
ecosystems .
Question 6: Which of the following is an atom?
A) Carbon dioxide
B) Water
C) Sucrose
D) Nitrogen
Answer: D) Nitrogen
Rationale: An atom is the basic unit of matter. Nitrogen (N) is an element
and exists as an atom. Carbon dioxide, water, and sucrose are molecules
made of multiple atoms bonded together .
, Question 7: What is the charge of a proton?
A) 0 (neutral)
B) -1
C) +1
D) +2
Answer: C) +1
Rationale: Protons are positively charged subatomic particles found in the
nucleus of an atom. Neutrons have no charge (0), and electrons have a
negative charge (-1) .
Question 8: Which of the following is a negatively charged subatomic
particle?
A) Proton
B) Neutron
C) Electron
D) Nucleus
Answer: C) Electron
Rationale: Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit outside the
nucleus in shells or electron clouds. Protons are positively charged, neutrons
are neutral, and the nucleus contains protons and neutrons .
Question 9: Which element is considered a trace element in the human
body but is essential for the function of certain enzymes?
Objective Assessment (OA) Review Test Bank with Verified Answers
Pass your Western Governors University Objective Assessment on your first attempt
with this comprehensive C190 Introduction to Biology test bank featuring practice
questions. This targeted preparation guide provides verified correct answers and clear
explanations covering cell structure, DNA replication, genetics, evolution, and
ecosystem dynamics. It is the ultimate resource for WGU students looking to master
essential life science concepts quickly and secure a passing grade.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOLOGY & CHEMISTRY
Question 1: Biology is the scientific study of:
A) Matter and energy
B) Life
C) The universe
D) Chemical reactions
Answer: B) Life
Rationale: Biology is defined as the scientific study of life and living
organisms. It examines their structure, function, growth, evolution,
distribution, and taxonomy. Options A and D describe other scientific
disciplines (physics and chemistry), while C describes astronomy .
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of life?
A) Ability to grow and develop
B) Use of energy and raw materials
,C) Inability to evolve over time
D) Ability to sense and respond to the environment
Answer: C) Inability to evolve over time
Rationale: All living things are part of populations that evolve over time. The
ability to evolve (change across generations) is a fundamental characteristic
of life, so the inability to evolve is not a characteristic of life. Options A, B,
and D are all valid characteristics of living organisms .
Question 3: What does abiotic mean?
A) Living organisms
B) Non-living components, which may exist within or be produced by living
organisms
C) Made of cells
D) A type of macromolecule
Answer: B) Non-living components, which may exist within or be
produced by living organisms
Rationale: Abiotic refers to non-living factors in an environment, such as
water, air, minerals, or temperature. These can exist independently or be part
of living systems. Abiotic components are contrasted with biotic components,
which are living or were once alive .
Question 4: Which of the following defines biotic?
A) Non-living matter
B) Matter that was never alive
C) Living organisms or matter that was once alive
D) A type of molecule
,Answer: C) Living organisms or matter that was once alive
Rationale: Biotic components include all living organisms and materials
derived from living organisms. Examples include bacteria, plants, animals,
and materials like cotton or yogurt that were once part of living organisms .
Question 5: All matter can be classified as either:
A) Organic or inorganic
B) Biotic or abiotic
C) Solid or liquid
D) Element or compound
Answer: B) Biotic or abiotic
Rationale: All matter in the universe can be classified as biotic (living or has
lived) or abiotic (non-living and never has lived). A rock is abiotic; a tree is
biotic. This is a fundamental classification in biology when studying
ecosystems .
Question 6: Which of the following is an atom?
A) Carbon dioxide
B) Water
C) Sucrose
D) Nitrogen
Answer: D) Nitrogen
Rationale: An atom is the basic unit of matter. Nitrogen (N) is an element
and exists as an atom. Carbon dioxide, water, and sucrose are molecules
made of multiple atoms bonded together .
, Question 7: What is the charge of a proton?
A) 0 (neutral)
B) -1
C) +1
D) +2
Answer: C) +1
Rationale: Protons are positively charged subatomic particles found in the
nucleus of an atom. Neutrons have no charge (0), and electrons have a
negative charge (-1) .
Question 8: Which of the following is a negatively charged subatomic
particle?
A) Proton
B) Neutron
C) Electron
D) Nucleus
Answer: C) Electron
Rationale: Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit outside the
nucleus in shells or electron clouds. Protons are positively charged, neutrons
are neutral, and the nucleus contains protons and neutrons .
Question 9: Which element is considered a trace element in the human
body but is essential for the function of certain enzymes?
