Bio WGU study for OA c190 UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Adaptation- - CORRECT ANSWER - The adjustment or changes in behavior, physiology,
and structure of an organism to become more suited to an environment.
Aerobic- - CORRECT ANSWER - A process that requires oxygen.
Allele -An alternative form of a gene. An example would be genes that encode eye color—some
encode blue eyes (one allele), while others encode brown, green, or hazel eye colors (other
alleles). - CORRECT ANSWER -
amino acids - - CORRECT ANSWER - A small organic molecule with the structure of an
amino group, a carboxylic acid group, and an "R" group, which are all bonded to a single central
carbon atom. The difference between the "R" group is what distinguishes one amino acid from
another. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
Anaerobic- - CORRECT ANSWER - A process that occurs without oxygen.
Anaphase- - CORRECT ANSWER - A stage within the mitosis phase of cell division (also
known as cell reproduction). Anaphase starts when sister chromatids separate from each other
and ends when each set of separated, sister chromatids arrives at the opposite poles of the cell.
anaphase I- - CORRECT ANSWER - The third stage of Meiosis I—the two homologous
chromosomes separate and migrate toward opposite poles.
anaphase II- - CORRECT ANSWER - The third stage in Meiosis II—the centromeres
separate and the sister chromatids (now individual chromosomes) move toward the opposite
poles of the cell.
,artificial selection- - CORRECT ANSWER - Deliberate mating between two individuals
who were selected based on desired traits.
asexual reproduction - - CORRECT ANSWER - A type of reproduction where genetically
identical offspring are created from a single parent. This type of reproduction does not utilize
meiosis or gametes. Bacteria
and fungi are examples of organisms that reproduce in this manner. - CORRECT
ANSWER -
Atom- - CORRECT ANSWER - The basic unit of matter that cannot be further broken
down without losing its unique properties. One atom consists of a dense nucleus surrounded by a
cloud of electrons.
Autosomal- - CORRECT ANSWER - Describes a trait associated with alleles located on
autosomes (non sex chromosomes).
autosomal chromosome- - CORRECT ANSWER - A chromosome not involved in sex
determination.
biogeochemical cycle- - CORRECT ANSWER - The processes that transfer chemical
elements between biotic and abiotic components in an ecosystem. There are several main cycles:
the water cycle, the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and the phosphorus cycle.
Biome- - CORRECT ANSWER - A large naturally occurring community of plants and
animals occupying a major habitat. Examples include tropical forest and arctic tundra.
Biomes- - CORRECT ANSWER - A pattern of distribution of ecosystems across the
globe, where similar environmental conditions lead to similar animal and plant adaptations.
Examples of biomes include tropical rainforests, deserts, and tundra.
,biosphere- - CORRECT ANSWER - All areas on, within, and around the planet Earth that
are capable of supporting life.
Calvin cycle (Calvin-Ben - CORRECT ANSWER - son cycle or light-independent
reaction)- The set of chemical reactions that take place in chloroplasts during photosynthesis.
The cycle is light-independent because it takes place after the energy has been captured from
sunlight. Also called Calvin-Benson Cycle, Benson-Calvin Cycle.
Carbohydrates- - CORRECT ANSWER - The extracellular surface of the cell membrane is
decorated with carbohydrate groups attached to lipids and proteins. These short carbohydrates
play a role in giving a cell its identity (i.e., distinguishing self from non-self) and are the
distinguishing factor in human blood types.
carbon cycle- - CORRECT ANSWER - The biogeochemical cycle through which carbon
flows between the atmosphere, water, land, and ecosystems.
cell cycle- - CORRECT ANSWER - A series of phases in the life of the cell through
which it grows and divides.
cell wall- - CORRECT ANSWER - Protective and reinforcing structure found in certain
cells, situated outside the plasma membrane. Bacterial cell walls are mainly built of
peptidoglycan, although they may also contain lipidic molecules. Among eukaryotes, plants and
fungi possess cell walls, made of cellulose and chitin, respectively.
cellular respiration- - CORRECT ANSWER - Use of oxygen to release energy from
nutrients; also called aerobic respiration.
Centromere- - CORRECT ANSWER - A specific section of a chromosome where spindle
fibers attach during cell division; also the connection point of sister chromatids.
Chlorophyll- - CORRECT ANSWER - A plant pigment used to absorb light energy for
photosynthesis. Chlorophyll gives plants their green color because it absorbs red and blue light
particularly well, while reflecting green.
, Chloroplast- - CORRECT ANSWER - An organelle found in plants and photosynthetic
protists (single-celled eukaryotic organisms) that contain pigments such as chlorophyl. Its
primary function is to capture solar energy and convert it into chemical energy through the
process of photosynthesis. Chloroplast absorbs sunlight energy and uses the energy to power the
synthesis of organic food molecules (sugars). A chloroplast contains its own DNA as a single
circular chromosome.
Sister Chromatid - - CORRECT ANSWER - One of two identical copies of a chromosome
duplicated during the S phase of the cell cycle. A centromere connects two sister chromatids
together. When joined together, sister chromatids compose one chromosome. Chromatids are
separated from each other during mitosis or meiosis II.
Citric acid cycle- - CORRECT ANSWER - The 2nd stage of aerobic cellular respiration
that occurs when acetyl CoA combines with a four-carbon molecule and goes through a cycle of
reactions, ultimately producing ATP, NADH, FADH2, and CO2.
climate change- - CORRECT ANSWER - It is the full range of climatic disruptions that
have occurred as a probable result of human alteration of the atmosphere. In other words, it is
recent climate warming—and weirdness—that is probably caused by human activities and
technology use.
Codominance- - CORRECT ANSWER - A form of dominance where both alleles of a
gene pair in a heterozygote are fully expressed. This results in offspring with a phenotype that is
neither dominant nor recessive. A typical example showing codominance is the ABO blood
group system.
Codons- - CORRECT ANSWER - A sequence of three nucleotides in an mRNA molecule
that specifies which amino acid should be added to a growing polypeptide chain.
Commensalism- - CORRECT ANSWER - A symbiotic relationship in which one species
benefits and the other does not, but also is not harmed.
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Adaptation- - CORRECT ANSWER - The adjustment or changes in behavior, physiology,
and structure of an organism to become more suited to an environment.
Aerobic- - CORRECT ANSWER - A process that requires oxygen.
Allele -An alternative form of a gene. An example would be genes that encode eye color—some
encode blue eyes (one allele), while others encode brown, green, or hazel eye colors (other
alleles). - CORRECT ANSWER -
amino acids - - CORRECT ANSWER - A small organic molecule with the structure of an
amino group, a carboxylic acid group, and an "R" group, which are all bonded to a single central
carbon atom. The difference between the "R" group is what distinguishes one amino acid from
another. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
Anaerobic- - CORRECT ANSWER - A process that occurs without oxygen.
Anaphase- - CORRECT ANSWER - A stage within the mitosis phase of cell division (also
known as cell reproduction). Anaphase starts when sister chromatids separate from each other
and ends when each set of separated, sister chromatids arrives at the opposite poles of the cell.
anaphase I- - CORRECT ANSWER - The third stage of Meiosis I—the two homologous
chromosomes separate and migrate toward opposite poles.
anaphase II- - CORRECT ANSWER - The third stage in Meiosis II—the centromeres
separate and the sister chromatids (now individual chromosomes) move toward the opposite
poles of the cell.
,artificial selection- - CORRECT ANSWER - Deliberate mating between two individuals
who were selected based on desired traits.
asexual reproduction - - CORRECT ANSWER - A type of reproduction where genetically
identical offspring are created from a single parent. This type of reproduction does not utilize
meiosis or gametes. Bacteria
and fungi are examples of organisms that reproduce in this manner. - CORRECT
ANSWER -
Atom- - CORRECT ANSWER - The basic unit of matter that cannot be further broken
down without losing its unique properties. One atom consists of a dense nucleus surrounded by a
cloud of electrons.
Autosomal- - CORRECT ANSWER - Describes a trait associated with alleles located on
autosomes (non sex chromosomes).
autosomal chromosome- - CORRECT ANSWER - A chromosome not involved in sex
determination.
biogeochemical cycle- - CORRECT ANSWER - The processes that transfer chemical
elements between biotic and abiotic components in an ecosystem. There are several main cycles:
the water cycle, the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and the phosphorus cycle.
Biome- - CORRECT ANSWER - A large naturally occurring community of plants and
animals occupying a major habitat. Examples include tropical forest and arctic tundra.
Biomes- - CORRECT ANSWER - A pattern of distribution of ecosystems across the
globe, where similar environmental conditions lead to similar animal and plant adaptations.
Examples of biomes include tropical rainforests, deserts, and tundra.
,biosphere- - CORRECT ANSWER - All areas on, within, and around the planet Earth that
are capable of supporting life.
Calvin cycle (Calvin-Ben - CORRECT ANSWER - son cycle or light-independent
reaction)- The set of chemical reactions that take place in chloroplasts during photosynthesis.
The cycle is light-independent because it takes place after the energy has been captured from
sunlight. Also called Calvin-Benson Cycle, Benson-Calvin Cycle.
Carbohydrates- - CORRECT ANSWER - The extracellular surface of the cell membrane is
decorated with carbohydrate groups attached to lipids and proteins. These short carbohydrates
play a role in giving a cell its identity (i.e., distinguishing self from non-self) and are the
distinguishing factor in human blood types.
carbon cycle- - CORRECT ANSWER - The biogeochemical cycle through which carbon
flows between the atmosphere, water, land, and ecosystems.
cell cycle- - CORRECT ANSWER - A series of phases in the life of the cell through
which it grows and divides.
cell wall- - CORRECT ANSWER - Protective and reinforcing structure found in certain
cells, situated outside the plasma membrane. Bacterial cell walls are mainly built of
peptidoglycan, although they may also contain lipidic molecules. Among eukaryotes, plants and
fungi possess cell walls, made of cellulose and chitin, respectively.
cellular respiration- - CORRECT ANSWER - Use of oxygen to release energy from
nutrients; also called aerobic respiration.
Centromere- - CORRECT ANSWER - A specific section of a chromosome where spindle
fibers attach during cell division; also the connection point of sister chromatids.
Chlorophyll- - CORRECT ANSWER - A plant pigment used to absorb light energy for
photosynthesis. Chlorophyll gives plants their green color because it absorbs red and blue light
particularly well, while reflecting green.
, Chloroplast- - CORRECT ANSWER - An organelle found in plants and photosynthetic
protists (single-celled eukaryotic organisms) that contain pigments such as chlorophyl. Its
primary function is to capture solar energy and convert it into chemical energy through the
process of photosynthesis. Chloroplast absorbs sunlight energy and uses the energy to power the
synthesis of organic food molecules (sugars). A chloroplast contains its own DNA as a single
circular chromosome.
Sister Chromatid - - CORRECT ANSWER - One of two identical copies of a chromosome
duplicated during the S phase of the cell cycle. A centromere connects two sister chromatids
together. When joined together, sister chromatids compose one chromosome. Chromatids are
separated from each other during mitosis or meiosis II.
Citric acid cycle- - CORRECT ANSWER - The 2nd stage of aerobic cellular respiration
that occurs when acetyl CoA combines with a four-carbon molecule and goes through a cycle of
reactions, ultimately producing ATP, NADH, FADH2, and CO2.
climate change- - CORRECT ANSWER - It is the full range of climatic disruptions that
have occurred as a probable result of human alteration of the atmosphere. In other words, it is
recent climate warming—and weirdness—that is probably caused by human activities and
technology use.
Codominance- - CORRECT ANSWER - A form of dominance where both alleles of a
gene pair in a heterozygote are fully expressed. This results in offspring with a phenotype that is
neither dominant nor recessive. A typical example showing codominance is the ABO blood
group system.
Codons- - CORRECT ANSWER - A sequence of three nucleotides in an mRNA molecule
that specifies which amino acid should be added to a growing polypeptide chain.
Commensalism- - CORRECT ANSWER - A symbiotic relationship in which one species
benefits and the other does not, but also is not harmed.
