BSC 101 Final Exam Study Guide 2027 |
Illinois State University | 150 Questions &
Correct Answers | Comprehensive Biology
Review & Exam Prep
1. Why is the scientific method often considered "bad" or oversimplified?
A) It is too complex for most scientists to understand
B) *It implies that an experiment can answer a research question and that science is linear
C) It requires too much creativity and imagination
D) It ignores technology and society
Answer: B
Rationale: The scientific method is oversimplified because it implies a linear process and that a single
experiment can fully answer a research question.
2. Which of the following is a criticism of the traditional scientific method?
A) It relies too much on technology
B) *It implies science is an independent effort with no creativity or imagination
C) It ignores peer review
D) It is not used in modern science
Answer: B
Rationale: The scientific method as traditionally presented ignores the collaborative, creative nature of
science and the role of technology and society.
3. What is a scientific theory?
A) A guess or hypothesis
,B) *A broad explanation supported by lines of evidence with no contradictory evidence
C) An unproven idea
D) A law that cannot be changed
Answer: B
Rationale: Theories are broad explanations supported by extensive evidence, such as the theory of
evolution.
4. Why is evolutionary theory not "just a theory"?
A) It is a law
B) *It is a broad explanation supported by extensive evidence with no contradictory evidence
C) It has been proven beyond any doubt
D) It is not testable
Answer: B
Rationale: In science, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation, not a mere guess.
5. How does community analysis and feedback help scientific accuracy?
A) It prevents new ideas from being shared
B) *Peer revisions and discussions help build theories and ensure accuracy
C) It eliminates the need for experiments
D) It replaces the scientific method
Answer: B
Rationale: Peer review and collegial feedback help identify errors and refine scientific understanding.
6. Why don't community analysis and feedback guarantee the accuracy of scientific information?
A) Because scientists never agree
B) *Because peer review can miss errors and new ideas can take time to be accepted
C) Because all science is subjective
D) Because technology is always changing
,Answer: B
Rationale: Peer review is human and imperfect; it reduces but does not eliminate errors.
7. Which of the following is one of the six characteristics all living things must exhibit?
A) Ability to fly
B) *Have organized structures made of at least one cell
C) Live forever
D) Produce oxygen
Answer: B
Rationale: All living things are composed of one or more cells.
8. Which of the following is NOT one of the six characteristics of living things?
A) Respond to stimuli
B) Reproduce
C) *Photosynthesize
D) Maintain homeostasis
Answer: C
Rationale: Photosynthesis is a process used by some organisms, not a universal characteristic of life.
9. All living things must be able to:
A) *Process energy
B) Fly
C) Speak
D) Live underwater
Answer: A
Rationale: Living organisms must acquire and use energy to maintain life processes.
, 10. Which of the following is a characteristic of all living things?
A) *Grow and develop
B) Have a nervous system
C) Produce seeds
D) Have a cell wall
Answer: A
Rationale: Growth and development are universal characteristics of living organisms.
11. What is a prokaryotic cell?
A) A cell with a nucleus and mitochondria
B) *A cell with a cell membrane but no nucleus and no mitochondria
C) A cell that lacks a cell membrane
D) A cell that is larger than eukaryotic cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
12. What is a eukaryotic cell?
A) A cell without a nucleus
B) *A cell with a cell membrane, nucleus, and mitochondria
C) A cell that is always smaller than prokaryotic cells
D) A cell that lacks ribosomes
Answer: B
Rationale: Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, including mitochondria.
13. Which of the following is an example of a prokaryote?
A) Animal
B) Plant
C) *Bacteria
Illinois State University | 150 Questions &
Correct Answers | Comprehensive Biology
Review & Exam Prep
1. Why is the scientific method often considered "bad" or oversimplified?
A) It is too complex for most scientists to understand
B) *It implies that an experiment can answer a research question and that science is linear
C) It requires too much creativity and imagination
D) It ignores technology and society
Answer: B
Rationale: The scientific method is oversimplified because it implies a linear process and that a single
experiment can fully answer a research question.
2. Which of the following is a criticism of the traditional scientific method?
A) It relies too much on technology
B) *It implies science is an independent effort with no creativity or imagination
C) It ignores peer review
D) It is not used in modern science
Answer: B
Rationale: The scientific method as traditionally presented ignores the collaborative, creative nature of
science and the role of technology and society.
3. What is a scientific theory?
A) A guess or hypothesis
,B) *A broad explanation supported by lines of evidence with no contradictory evidence
C) An unproven idea
D) A law that cannot be changed
Answer: B
Rationale: Theories are broad explanations supported by extensive evidence, such as the theory of
evolution.
4. Why is evolutionary theory not "just a theory"?
A) It is a law
B) *It is a broad explanation supported by extensive evidence with no contradictory evidence
C) It has been proven beyond any doubt
D) It is not testable
Answer: B
Rationale: In science, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation, not a mere guess.
5. How does community analysis and feedback help scientific accuracy?
A) It prevents new ideas from being shared
B) *Peer revisions and discussions help build theories and ensure accuracy
C) It eliminates the need for experiments
D) It replaces the scientific method
Answer: B
Rationale: Peer review and collegial feedback help identify errors and refine scientific understanding.
6. Why don't community analysis and feedback guarantee the accuracy of scientific information?
A) Because scientists never agree
B) *Because peer review can miss errors and new ideas can take time to be accepted
C) Because all science is subjective
D) Because technology is always changing
,Answer: B
Rationale: Peer review is human and imperfect; it reduces but does not eliminate errors.
7. Which of the following is one of the six characteristics all living things must exhibit?
A) Ability to fly
B) *Have organized structures made of at least one cell
C) Live forever
D) Produce oxygen
Answer: B
Rationale: All living things are composed of one or more cells.
8. Which of the following is NOT one of the six characteristics of living things?
A) Respond to stimuli
B) Reproduce
C) *Photosynthesize
D) Maintain homeostasis
Answer: C
Rationale: Photosynthesis is a process used by some organisms, not a universal characteristic of life.
9. All living things must be able to:
A) *Process energy
B) Fly
C) Speak
D) Live underwater
Answer: A
Rationale: Living organisms must acquire and use energy to maintain life processes.
, 10. Which of the following is a characteristic of all living things?
A) *Grow and develop
B) Have a nervous system
C) Produce seeds
D) Have a cell wall
Answer: A
Rationale: Growth and development are universal characteristics of living organisms.
11. What is a prokaryotic cell?
A) A cell with a nucleus and mitochondria
B) *A cell with a cell membrane but no nucleus and no mitochondria
C) A cell that lacks a cell membrane
D) A cell that is larger than eukaryotic cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
12. What is a eukaryotic cell?
A) A cell without a nucleus
B) *A cell with a cell membrane, nucleus, and mitochondria
C) A cell that is always smaller than prokaryotic cells
D) A cell that lacks ribosomes
Answer: B
Rationale: Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, including mitochondria.
13. Which of the following is an example of a prokaryote?
A) Animal
B) Plant
C) *Bacteria
