BSC 108 EXAM LATEST UPDATE 2026|2027| A
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF 300
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES| PASS GUARANTEED
Introduction
The BSC 108 – Introduction to Biology for Non-Majors final exam at the
University of Alabama is a comprehensive assessment covering cellular biology,
genetics, evolution, biodiversity, and ecology. This practice question bank
contains 300 multiple-choice questions organized across twelve core topic areas,
each with verified correct answers and detailed rationales to reinforce your
understanding.
The questions mirror the actual exam format and difficulty level, drawing from
verified study materials and course-aligned resources. Topics progress from
foundational concepts (scientific method, chemistry of life) through cellular
processes, genetics, evolution, and ecology—ensuring complete coverage of the
BSC 108 curriculum.
How to Use This Guide: Work through each section systematically, or focus on
high-yield areas based on your course syllabus. Every rationale explains why the
correct answer is right and why the distractors are wrong, building the deep
understanding needed to pass with confidence.
Section 1: Scientific Method & Biological Organization (Questions 1–25)
1. What is biology the study of?
A. The study of chemicals
B. The study of life
C. The study of rocks
D. The study of stars
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Biology is defined as the scientific study of life and living organisms,
encompassing their structure, function, growth, evolution, and interactions.
2. Which of the following is NOT one of the three domains of life?
A. Bacteria
B. Archaea
C. Eukarya
D. Protista
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The three domains are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Protista is a
kingdom within the domain Eukarya, not a domain itself.
3. What is the correct sequence of the scientific method?
A. Question → Observation → Hypothesis → Experiment → Conclusion
B. Observation → Question → Hypothesis → Prediction → Experiment →
Conclusion
C. Hypothesis → Observation → Experiment → Question → Conclusion
D. Experiment → Observation → Hypothesis → Question → Conclusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The scientific method begins with observation, followed by asking a
question, forming a hypothesis, making a prediction, conducting an experiment,
and drawing a conclusion.
4. What is a hypothesis?
A. A proven fact
B. A tentative explanation for an observation that can be tested
,C. A broad explanation supported by extensive evidence
D. A random guess
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A hypothesis is a tentative, testable explanation for an observation. It
differs from a theory, which is broader in scope and supported by extensive
evidence.
5. Which of the following is a characteristic shared by ALL living things?
A. Ability to photosynthesize
B. Ability to reproduce
C. Ability to move from place to place
D. Ability to speak
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: All living organisms share seven properties: order, regulation, growth
and development, energy processing, response to environment, reproduction, and
evolution.
6. What is homeostasis?
A. The process of evolution
B. The process of keeping internal conditions constant
C. The process of cell division
D. The process of photosynthesis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal
environment, such as temperature and pH, despite external changes.
7. Which kingdom is NOT within the domain Eukarya?
, A. Animalia
B. Plantae
C. Bacteria
D. Fungi
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bacteria is its own domain. The kingdoms within Eukarya include
Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and Protista.
8. What is the smallest unit of an element that retains all its properties?
A. Molecule
B. Atom
C. Cell
D. Proton
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an
element. It consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons .
9. What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?
A. There is no difference
B. A hypothesis is broader than a theory
C. A theory is broader in scope and supported by more evidence than a hypothesis
D. A theory is a guess, while a hypothesis is a fact
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A hypothesis is a tentative explanation, while a theory is a broad
explanation supported by extensive evidence and is unlikely to be disproven .
10. Which of the following is an example of a control group in an experiment?
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF 300
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES| PASS GUARANTEED
Introduction
The BSC 108 – Introduction to Biology for Non-Majors final exam at the
University of Alabama is a comprehensive assessment covering cellular biology,
genetics, evolution, biodiversity, and ecology. This practice question bank
contains 300 multiple-choice questions organized across twelve core topic areas,
each with verified correct answers and detailed rationales to reinforce your
understanding.
The questions mirror the actual exam format and difficulty level, drawing from
verified study materials and course-aligned resources. Topics progress from
foundational concepts (scientific method, chemistry of life) through cellular
processes, genetics, evolution, and ecology—ensuring complete coverage of the
BSC 108 curriculum.
How to Use This Guide: Work through each section systematically, or focus on
high-yield areas based on your course syllabus. Every rationale explains why the
correct answer is right and why the distractors are wrong, building the deep
understanding needed to pass with confidence.
Section 1: Scientific Method & Biological Organization (Questions 1–25)
1. What is biology the study of?
A. The study of chemicals
B. The study of life
C. The study of rocks
D. The study of stars
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Biology is defined as the scientific study of life and living organisms,
encompassing their structure, function, growth, evolution, and interactions.
2. Which of the following is NOT one of the three domains of life?
A. Bacteria
B. Archaea
C. Eukarya
D. Protista
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The three domains are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Protista is a
kingdom within the domain Eukarya, not a domain itself.
3. What is the correct sequence of the scientific method?
A. Question → Observation → Hypothesis → Experiment → Conclusion
B. Observation → Question → Hypothesis → Prediction → Experiment →
Conclusion
C. Hypothesis → Observation → Experiment → Question → Conclusion
D. Experiment → Observation → Hypothesis → Question → Conclusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The scientific method begins with observation, followed by asking a
question, forming a hypothesis, making a prediction, conducting an experiment,
and drawing a conclusion.
4. What is a hypothesis?
A. A proven fact
B. A tentative explanation for an observation that can be tested
,C. A broad explanation supported by extensive evidence
D. A random guess
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A hypothesis is a tentative, testable explanation for an observation. It
differs from a theory, which is broader in scope and supported by extensive
evidence.
5. Which of the following is a characteristic shared by ALL living things?
A. Ability to photosynthesize
B. Ability to reproduce
C. Ability to move from place to place
D. Ability to speak
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: All living organisms share seven properties: order, regulation, growth
and development, energy processing, response to environment, reproduction, and
evolution.
6. What is homeostasis?
A. The process of evolution
B. The process of keeping internal conditions constant
C. The process of cell division
D. The process of photosynthesis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal
environment, such as temperature and pH, despite external changes.
7. Which kingdom is NOT within the domain Eukarya?
, A. Animalia
B. Plantae
C. Bacteria
D. Fungi
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bacteria is its own domain. The kingdoms within Eukarya include
Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and Protista.
8. What is the smallest unit of an element that retains all its properties?
A. Molecule
B. Atom
C. Cell
D. Proton
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an
element. It consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons .
9. What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?
A. There is no difference
B. A hypothesis is broader than a theory
C. A theory is broader in scope and supported by more evidence than a hypothesis
D. A theory is a guess, while a hypothesis is a fact
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A hypothesis is a tentative explanation, while a theory is a broad
explanation supported by extensive evidence and is unlikely to be disproven .
10. Which of the following is an example of a control group in an experiment?
