WGU D849 General Biology I 2026/2027 – ACTUAL-Style Practice
Questions & Answers, WGU Biology Course Assessment Study Guide,
Characteristics of Life, Scientific Method, Cell Structure and Function,
Biological Molecules, Cellular Energy, Photosynthesis, Cellular
Respiration, Growth and Reproduction, Homeostasis, Genetics, Evolution,
Adaptation, Organisms and Environmental Interactions & Detailed Answer
Rationales
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the primary focus of
the scientific discipline known as biology?
A. The study of matter, energy, and their interactions
B. The study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment
C. The study of the composition and properties of substances
D. The study of Earth's physical structure and history
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The study of living organisms and their
interactions with the environment
Rationale: Biology is defined as the scientific study of life and living
organisms, encompassing their structure, function, growth, evolution,
distribution, and interactions with the environment. Options A and C
pertain to physics and chemistry, respectively, while option D describes
geology.
Question 2: A researcher observes that a particular plant species grows
taller in a greenhouse with elevated carbon dioxide levels compared to
identical plants grown in ambient conditions. Which step of the
scientific method does this observation most directly represent?
A. Formulating a hypothesis
B. Conducting an experiment
C. Making an observation
D. Drawing a conclusion
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Making an observation
Rationale: The scenario describes the act of noticing and recording a
phenomenon, which constitutes an observation. This observation could
subsequently lead to hypothesis formulation, but the action itself is the
initial observation step.
,Question 3: In a controlled experiment testing the effect of fertilizer on
plant growth, one group of plants receives no fertilizer while another
receives a specific amount. What is the group receiving no fertilizer
called?
A. Experimental group
B. Control group
C. Dependent variable
D. Independent variable
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Control group
Rationale: The control group serves as a baseline for comparison, receiving
all conditions except the variable being tested (fertilizer). This allows
researchers to attribute any differences observed in the experimental group
to the treatment.
Question 4: A scientific hypothesis must be which of the following to be
considered valid for testing?
A. Proven correct before experimentation
B. Based solely on personal belief
C. Testable and falsifiable
D. Accepted by the majority of scientists
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Testable and falsifiable
Rationale: A valid scientific hypothesis must be capable of being supported
or refuted through observation and experimentation. Falsifiability is a
cornerstone of the scientific method, distinguishing scientific hypotheses
from unfalsifiable claims.
Question 5: Which of the following represents a correctly written
scientific binomial name for a species?
A. Homo Sapiens
B. homo sapiens
C. Homo sapiens
D. HOMO SAPIENS
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Homo sapiens
Rationale: Binomial nomenclature requires the genus name to be
capitalized and italicized, while the species epithet is lowercase and
,italicized. Option C correctly follows this convention, whereas the others
violate capitalization or formatting rules.
Question 6: Which level of biological organization is correctly ordered
from smallest to largest?
A. Organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system
B. Cell, organelle, tissue, organ, organ system
C. Tissue, cell, organelle, organ system, organ
D. Organ, tissue, cell, organelle, organ system
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system
Rationale: The correct hierarchical sequence is organelle → cell → tissue →
organ → organ system. Organelles are subcellular structures, cells are the
basic unit of life, tissues are groups of similar cells, organs are composed
of multiple tissues, and organ systems consist of multiple organs.
Question 7: Which of the following is a defining characteristic that
distinguishes living organisms from non-living matter?
A. Presence of carbon atoms
B. Ability to maintain homeostasis
C. Existence in a solid state
D. Capacity to reflect light
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ability to maintain homeostasis
Rationale: Homeostasis—the maintenance of a stable internal
environment—is a fundamental property of living systems. While carbon is
present in living things, it also exists in non-living matter. Existence in a
solid state and light reflection are not distinguishing characteristics of life.
Question 8: A covalent bond is best characterized by which of the
following descriptions?
A. Transfer of electrons from one atom to another
B. Sharing of electron pairs between atoms
C. Attraction between oppositely charged ions
D. Weak interaction between polar molecules
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Sharing of electron pairs between atoms
, Rationale: Covalent bonds form when atoms share electron pairs to
achieve stable electron configurations. Electron transfer characterizes
ionic bonds, while weak polar interactions describe hydrogen bonds.
Question 9: Which property of water allows it to moderate temperature
changes in organisms and environments?
A. Its low viscosity
B. Its high specific heat capacity
C. Its transparency to light
D. Its ability to dissolve nonpolar substances
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Its high specific heat capacity
Rationale: Water's high specific heat—the amount of heat required to
change its temperature—enables it to absorb and release heat with
minimal temperature fluctuation. This property stabilizes temperatures in
biological systems and ecosystems.
Question 10: In a solution with a pH of 3, the concentration of hydrogen
ions (H⁺) is approximately how many times greater than in a solution
with a pH of 6?
A. 3 times
B. 30 times
C. 100 times
D. 1,000 times
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 1,000 times
Rationale: The pH scale is logarithmic, with each unit representing a
tenfold change in H⁺ concentration. A difference of 3 pH units (from 6 to 3)
corresponds to 10³, or 1,000 times greater H⁺ concentration.
Question 11: Which type of macromolecule is primarily responsible for
storing genetic information?
A. Proteins
B. Carbohydrates
C. Nucleic acids
D. Lipids
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Nucleic acids
Questions & Answers, WGU Biology Course Assessment Study Guide,
Characteristics of Life, Scientific Method, Cell Structure and Function,
Biological Molecules, Cellular Energy, Photosynthesis, Cellular
Respiration, Growth and Reproduction, Homeostasis, Genetics, Evolution,
Adaptation, Organisms and Environmental Interactions & Detailed Answer
Rationales
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the primary focus of
the scientific discipline known as biology?
A. The study of matter, energy, and their interactions
B. The study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment
C. The study of the composition and properties of substances
D. The study of Earth's physical structure and history
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The study of living organisms and their
interactions with the environment
Rationale: Biology is defined as the scientific study of life and living
organisms, encompassing their structure, function, growth, evolution,
distribution, and interactions with the environment. Options A and C
pertain to physics and chemistry, respectively, while option D describes
geology.
Question 2: A researcher observes that a particular plant species grows
taller in a greenhouse with elevated carbon dioxide levels compared to
identical plants grown in ambient conditions. Which step of the
scientific method does this observation most directly represent?
A. Formulating a hypothesis
B. Conducting an experiment
C. Making an observation
D. Drawing a conclusion
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Making an observation
Rationale: The scenario describes the act of noticing and recording a
phenomenon, which constitutes an observation. This observation could
subsequently lead to hypothesis formulation, but the action itself is the
initial observation step.
,Question 3: In a controlled experiment testing the effect of fertilizer on
plant growth, one group of plants receives no fertilizer while another
receives a specific amount. What is the group receiving no fertilizer
called?
A. Experimental group
B. Control group
C. Dependent variable
D. Independent variable
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Control group
Rationale: The control group serves as a baseline for comparison, receiving
all conditions except the variable being tested (fertilizer). This allows
researchers to attribute any differences observed in the experimental group
to the treatment.
Question 4: A scientific hypothesis must be which of the following to be
considered valid for testing?
A. Proven correct before experimentation
B. Based solely on personal belief
C. Testable and falsifiable
D. Accepted by the majority of scientists
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Testable and falsifiable
Rationale: A valid scientific hypothesis must be capable of being supported
or refuted through observation and experimentation. Falsifiability is a
cornerstone of the scientific method, distinguishing scientific hypotheses
from unfalsifiable claims.
Question 5: Which of the following represents a correctly written
scientific binomial name for a species?
A. Homo Sapiens
B. homo sapiens
C. Homo sapiens
D. HOMO SAPIENS
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Homo sapiens
Rationale: Binomial nomenclature requires the genus name to be
capitalized and italicized, while the species epithet is lowercase and
,italicized. Option C correctly follows this convention, whereas the others
violate capitalization or formatting rules.
Question 6: Which level of biological organization is correctly ordered
from smallest to largest?
A. Organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system
B. Cell, organelle, tissue, organ, organ system
C. Tissue, cell, organelle, organ system, organ
D. Organ, tissue, cell, organelle, organ system
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system
Rationale: The correct hierarchical sequence is organelle → cell → tissue →
organ → organ system. Organelles are subcellular structures, cells are the
basic unit of life, tissues are groups of similar cells, organs are composed
of multiple tissues, and organ systems consist of multiple organs.
Question 7: Which of the following is a defining characteristic that
distinguishes living organisms from non-living matter?
A. Presence of carbon atoms
B. Ability to maintain homeostasis
C. Existence in a solid state
D. Capacity to reflect light
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ability to maintain homeostasis
Rationale: Homeostasis—the maintenance of a stable internal
environment—is a fundamental property of living systems. While carbon is
present in living things, it also exists in non-living matter. Existence in a
solid state and light reflection are not distinguishing characteristics of life.
Question 8: A covalent bond is best characterized by which of the
following descriptions?
A. Transfer of electrons from one atom to another
B. Sharing of electron pairs between atoms
C. Attraction between oppositely charged ions
D. Weak interaction between polar molecules
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Sharing of electron pairs between atoms
, Rationale: Covalent bonds form when atoms share electron pairs to
achieve stable electron configurations. Electron transfer characterizes
ionic bonds, while weak polar interactions describe hydrogen bonds.
Question 9: Which property of water allows it to moderate temperature
changes in organisms and environments?
A. Its low viscosity
B. Its high specific heat capacity
C. Its transparency to light
D. Its ability to dissolve nonpolar substances
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Its high specific heat capacity
Rationale: Water's high specific heat—the amount of heat required to
change its temperature—enables it to absorb and release heat with
minimal temperature fluctuation. This property stabilizes temperatures in
biological systems and ecosystems.
Question 10: In a solution with a pH of 3, the concentration of hydrogen
ions (H⁺) is approximately how many times greater than in a solution
with a pH of 6?
A. 3 times
B. 30 times
C. 100 times
D. 1,000 times
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 1,000 times
Rationale: The pH scale is logarithmic, with each unit representing a
tenfold change in H⁺ concentration. A difference of 3 pH units (from 6 to 3)
corresponds to 10³, or 1,000 times greater H⁺ concentration.
Question 11: Which type of macromolecule is primarily responsible for
storing genetic information?
A. Proteins
B. Carbohydrates
C. Nucleic acids
D. Lipids
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Nucleic acids
