BIOLOGY 101 EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
What characteristic best distinguishes predators from parasites? - Answer- Predators
kill immediately; parasites usually do not kill their hosts immediately.
The energy that powers the flight of an eagle: - Answer- Came originally from the sun
and will eventually return to space.
What happens to 99% of the energy that reaches the Earth's atmosphere? - Answer- It
is reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere
How much of the light energy that reaches a plant is captured by photosynthesis to
make glucose? - Answer- 3% or less
When researchers measure the increase in the amount of plant biomass in an
ecosystem over some period of time, they are measuring the: - Answer- Net primary
productivity.
Which of the following is NOT involved with the nitrogen cycle?
A) Fixation
B) Legumes (like soybeans, peas, and lentils)
C) Decomposers.
D) Crystalline Rock
E) Ammonia - Answer- D
What ecological effects are suspected or have been linked to biological magnification of
chlorinated hydrocarbons such as DDT, dioxin, and PCBs? - Answer- Interference with
animal reproduction.
When there is consistent change towards one phenotype in the population, this is
referred to as: - Answer- Directional selection
When intermediate phenotypes are favored over individuals at either extreme, this is an
example of: - Answer- Stabilizing Selection
When individual phenotypes at the extremes are favored, this is referred to as: -
Answer- Disruptive selection
, Earth's first organisms were? - Answer- Prokaryotes
Viruses are considered (blank) living cells? - Answer- Parasites of/to
Euglenids, Ciliates, and Diatoms represent a diverse group of organisms called: -
Answer- Protists
A unique feature of plants is? - Answer- Alternating multicellular diploid and haploid
generations
Nobel laureate Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. Although it is a (blank)
it can be effective in killing (blank). - Answer- Fungi, bacteria
To stay alive and function effectively, organisms must keep conditions within their
bodies fairly constant; in other words, they must maintain (blank) - Answer-
Homeostasis
An organism called Plasmodium malariae, which is known to cause an estimated 1-3
million fatalities worldwide annually. This organism is a part of a group of organisms
called - Answer- Protists
Plants help maintain the composition of the atmosphere by contributing (blank) -
Answer- O2 gas
"A carefully formulated scientific explanation that is based on a large accumulation of
observations and has been tested and supported by multiple scientists." This is the
description of a (blank) - Answer- Theory
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of all living organisms:
A) Responsiveness to stimuli
B) Maintain homeostasis
C) Organised structure.
D) Remain constant over time
E) Have DNA - Answer- D) Remain constant over time
This group of organisms are typically multicellular organisms that derive their energy by
breaking down nutrients stored in the bodies or wastes of other organisms: - Answer-
Fungi
Viroids are: - Answer- A strand of DNA or RNA in a protein coat
Which of the processes listed below is thought to be the LEADING (BIGGEST) cause of
the current species extinction?
A) Habitat destruction
B) Over-exploitation
C) Invasive species
AND ANSWERS
What characteristic best distinguishes predators from parasites? - Answer- Predators
kill immediately; parasites usually do not kill their hosts immediately.
The energy that powers the flight of an eagle: - Answer- Came originally from the sun
and will eventually return to space.
What happens to 99% of the energy that reaches the Earth's atmosphere? - Answer- It
is reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere
How much of the light energy that reaches a plant is captured by photosynthesis to
make glucose? - Answer- 3% or less
When researchers measure the increase in the amount of plant biomass in an
ecosystem over some period of time, they are measuring the: - Answer- Net primary
productivity.
Which of the following is NOT involved with the nitrogen cycle?
A) Fixation
B) Legumes (like soybeans, peas, and lentils)
C) Decomposers.
D) Crystalline Rock
E) Ammonia - Answer- D
What ecological effects are suspected or have been linked to biological magnification of
chlorinated hydrocarbons such as DDT, dioxin, and PCBs? - Answer- Interference with
animal reproduction.
When there is consistent change towards one phenotype in the population, this is
referred to as: - Answer- Directional selection
When intermediate phenotypes are favored over individuals at either extreme, this is an
example of: - Answer- Stabilizing Selection
When individual phenotypes at the extremes are favored, this is referred to as: -
Answer- Disruptive selection
, Earth's first organisms were? - Answer- Prokaryotes
Viruses are considered (blank) living cells? - Answer- Parasites of/to
Euglenids, Ciliates, and Diatoms represent a diverse group of organisms called: -
Answer- Protists
A unique feature of plants is? - Answer- Alternating multicellular diploid and haploid
generations
Nobel laureate Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. Although it is a (blank)
it can be effective in killing (blank). - Answer- Fungi, bacteria
To stay alive and function effectively, organisms must keep conditions within their
bodies fairly constant; in other words, they must maintain (blank) - Answer-
Homeostasis
An organism called Plasmodium malariae, which is known to cause an estimated 1-3
million fatalities worldwide annually. This organism is a part of a group of organisms
called - Answer- Protists
Plants help maintain the composition of the atmosphere by contributing (blank) -
Answer- O2 gas
"A carefully formulated scientific explanation that is based on a large accumulation of
observations and has been tested and supported by multiple scientists." This is the
description of a (blank) - Answer- Theory
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of all living organisms:
A) Responsiveness to stimuli
B) Maintain homeostasis
C) Organised structure.
D) Remain constant over time
E) Have DNA - Answer- D) Remain constant over time
This group of organisms are typically multicellular organisms that derive their energy by
breaking down nutrients stored in the bodies or wastes of other organisms: - Answer-
Fungi
Viroids are: - Answer- A strand of DNA or RNA in a protein coat
Which of the processes listed below is thought to be the LEADING (BIGGEST) cause of
the current species extinction?
A) Habitat destruction
B) Over-exploitation
C) Invasive species
