BIO 201 MIDTERM EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 – FULL
TOPIC REVIEW & LEARNING SUPPORT
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.
Topic 1: Chemistry of Life & Macromolecules
1. The four most common elements in living organisms are:
A. Carbon, Sodium, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
B. Carbon, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Hydrogen
C. Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen
D. Nitrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, Calcium
2. A covalent bond is characterized by:
A. The attraction between oppositely charged ions.
B. The transfer of electrons from one atom to another.
C. The sharing of electrons between two atoms.
D. The attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.
3. The monomer subunit of a protein is a(n):
A. Nucleotide
B. Monosaccharide
C. Amino Acid
D. Fatty Acid
4. The primary structure of a protein is determined by:
A. Hydrogen bonding between amino acid R-groups.
B. The overall 3D shape of the protein.
C. The linear sequence of amino acids.
D. The assembly of multiple polypeptide subunits.
5. Which of the following is a key function of carbohydrates?
A. Long-term energy storage
B. Short-term energy storage and structural support
C. Catalyzing biochemical reactions
D. Storing genetic information
6. Phospholipids are essential components of biological membranes because they:
A. Are entirely hydrophobic.
B. Are entirely hydrophilic.
, C. Form a bilayer with hydrophobic tails facing inward and hydrophilic heads facing
outward.
D. Form covalent bonds with membrane proteins.
7. The alpha-helix and beta-pleated sheet are examples of a protein's:
A. Primary structure
B. Secondary structure
C. Tertiary structure
D. Quaternary structure
8. A nucleotide, the monomer of nucleic acids, consists of:
A. A glycerol and three fatty acid chains.
B. A nitrogenous base and a phosphate group.
C. A sugar and a nitrogenous base.
D. A sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
9. Dehydration synthesis (condensation) is a reaction that:
A. Breaks down polymers by adding water.
B. Joins monomers together, releasing a water molecule.
C. Adds a phosphate group to a molecule.
D. Converts sugars into energy.
10. The difference between saturated and unsaturated fats is:
A. Saturated fats are liquid at room temperature.
B. Unsaturated fats have no double bonds between carbons.
C. Saturated fats have no double bonds and are solid at room temperature.
D. Unsaturated fats are primarily of animal origin.
Topic 2: Cell Structure and Function
11. Which of the following is found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
A. Nucleus
B. Mitochondria
C. Ribosomes
D. Endoplasmic Reticulum
12. The organelle responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion is
the:
A. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
B. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
C. Golgi Apparatus
D. Lysosome
,13. The "powerhouse of the cell," responsible for ATP production through cellular
respiration, is the:
A. Chloroplast
B. Nucleus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Ribosome
14. The semi-fluid matrix inside the plasma membrane where organelles are suspended is
the:
A. Cytoskeleton
B. Cytosol
C. Nucleoplasm
D. Stroma
15. Which organelle contains its own DNA and ribosomes?
A. Golgi Apparatus and Lysosome
B. Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
C. Endoplasmic Reticulum and Nucleus
D. Peroxisomes and Vacuoles
16. The function of lysosomes is to:
A. Synthesize phospholipids.
B. Break down macromolecules and cellular debris using hydrolytic enzymes.
C. Produce ATP.
D. Perform photosynthesis.
17. The rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) is "rough" because it is studded with:
A. Mitochondria
B. Ribosomes
C. Golgi bodies
D. Lysosomes
18. The network of protein filaments that provides structural support and enables cell
movement is the:
A. Cytosol
B. Cytoskeleton
C. Cell wall
D. Extracellular matrix
19. In a plant cell, the large central vacuole functions primarily in:
A. Protein synthesis
, B. Storage, waste disposal, and maintaining turgor pressure
C. Cellular respiration
D. Lipid synthesis
20. The organelle involved in the synthesis of lipids and detoxification of drugs and poisons
is the:
A. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
B. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
C. Golgi Apparatus
D. Peroxisome
Topic 3: Biological Membranes & Transport
21. The Fluid Mosaic Model describes the plasma membrane as:
A. A rigid, static layer of phospholipids.
B. A solid sheet of proteins.
C. A dynamic bilayer of phospholipids with embedded proteins.
D. A single layer of phospholipids surrounded by proteins.
22. Which type of transport requires energy (ATP) to move substances against their
concentration gradient?
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Facilitated Diffusion
D. Active Transport
23. Osmosis is the diffusion of:
A. Solutes across a selectively permeable membrane.
B. Water across a selectively permeable membrane.
C. Ions through a protein channel.
D. Glucose molecules with the help of a carrier protein.
24. A red blood cell placed in a hypertonic solution will:
A. Swell and burst.
B. Remain the same size.
C. Shrivel and crenate.
D. Actively pump water out.
25. Integral proteins that span the lipid bilayer are called:
A. Peripheral proteins
B. Glycoproteins
TOPIC REVIEW & LEARNING SUPPORT
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.
Topic 1: Chemistry of Life & Macromolecules
1. The four most common elements in living organisms are:
A. Carbon, Sodium, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
B. Carbon, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Hydrogen
C. Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen
D. Nitrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, Calcium
2. A covalent bond is characterized by:
A. The attraction between oppositely charged ions.
B. The transfer of electrons from one atom to another.
C. The sharing of electrons between two atoms.
D. The attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.
3. The monomer subunit of a protein is a(n):
A. Nucleotide
B. Monosaccharide
C. Amino Acid
D. Fatty Acid
4. The primary structure of a protein is determined by:
A. Hydrogen bonding between amino acid R-groups.
B. The overall 3D shape of the protein.
C. The linear sequence of amino acids.
D. The assembly of multiple polypeptide subunits.
5. Which of the following is a key function of carbohydrates?
A. Long-term energy storage
B. Short-term energy storage and structural support
C. Catalyzing biochemical reactions
D. Storing genetic information
6. Phospholipids are essential components of biological membranes because they:
A. Are entirely hydrophobic.
B. Are entirely hydrophilic.
, C. Form a bilayer with hydrophobic tails facing inward and hydrophilic heads facing
outward.
D. Form covalent bonds with membrane proteins.
7. The alpha-helix and beta-pleated sheet are examples of a protein's:
A. Primary structure
B. Secondary structure
C. Tertiary structure
D. Quaternary structure
8. A nucleotide, the monomer of nucleic acids, consists of:
A. A glycerol and three fatty acid chains.
B. A nitrogenous base and a phosphate group.
C. A sugar and a nitrogenous base.
D. A sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
9. Dehydration synthesis (condensation) is a reaction that:
A. Breaks down polymers by adding water.
B. Joins monomers together, releasing a water molecule.
C. Adds a phosphate group to a molecule.
D. Converts sugars into energy.
10. The difference between saturated and unsaturated fats is:
A. Saturated fats are liquid at room temperature.
B. Unsaturated fats have no double bonds between carbons.
C. Saturated fats have no double bonds and are solid at room temperature.
D. Unsaturated fats are primarily of animal origin.
Topic 2: Cell Structure and Function
11. Which of the following is found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
A. Nucleus
B. Mitochondria
C. Ribosomes
D. Endoplasmic Reticulum
12. The organelle responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion is
the:
A. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
B. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
C. Golgi Apparatus
D. Lysosome
,13. The "powerhouse of the cell," responsible for ATP production through cellular
respiration, is the:
A. Chloroplast
B. Nucleus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Ribosome
14. The semi-fluid matrix inside the plasma membrane where organelles are suspended is
the:
A. Cytoskeleton
B. Cytosol
C. Nucleoplasm
D. Stroma
15. Which organelle contains its own DNA and ribosomes?
A. Golgi Apparatus and Lysosome
B. Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
C. Endoplasmic Reticulum and Nucleus
D. Peroxisomes and Vacuoles
16. The function of lysosomes is to:
A. Synthesize phospholipids.
B. Break down macromolecules and cellular debris using hydrolytic enzymes.
C. Produce ATP.
D. Perform photosynthesis.
17. The rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) is "rough" because it is studded with:
A. Mitochondria
B. Ribosomes
C. Golgi bodies
D. Lysosomes
18. The network of protein filaments that provides structural support and enables cell
movement is the:
A. Cytosol
B. Cytoskeleton
C. Cell wall
D. Extracellular matrix
19. In a plant cell, the large central vacuole functions primarily in:
A. Protein synthesis
, B. Storage, waste disposal, and maintaining turgor pressure
C. Cellular respiration
D. Lipid synthesis
20. The organelle involved in the synthesis of lipids and detoxification of drugs and poisons
is the:
A. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
B. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
C. Golgi Apparatus
D. Peroxisome
Topic 3: Biological Membranes & Transport
21. The Fluid Mosaic Model describes the plasma membrane as:
A. A rigid, static layer of phospholipids.
B. A solid sheet of proteins.
C. A dynamic bilayer of phospholipids with embedded proteins.
D. A single layer of phospholipids surrounded by proteins.
22. Which type of transport requires energy (ATP) to move substances against their
concentration gradient?
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Facilitated Diffusion
D. Active Transport
23. Osmosis is the diffusion of:
A. Solutes across a selectively permeable membrane.
B. Water across a selectively permeable membrane.
C. Ions through a protein channel.
D. Glucose molecules with the help of a carrier protein.
24. A red blood cell placed in a hypertonic solution will:
A. Swell and burst.
B. Remain the same size.
C. Shrivel and crenate.
D. Actively pump water out.
25. Integral proteins that span the lipid bilayer are called:
A. Peripheral proteins
B. Glycoproteins
