University of Michigan
1 MAXE · 171 OIB
★ ★
M College of Literature, Science & the Arts — Department of Biology
EST. 1817
ARTES · SCIENTIA · VERITAS
Bio 171 Exam 1
C E L L B I O LO G Y · G E N E T I CS · M O L E CU L A R B I O LO G Y · E VO LU T I O N
INSTITUTION University of Michigan PROGRAM Bachelor of Science — Biology
COURSE CODE BIO 171 COURSE TITLE Introduction to Molecular &
Cellular Biology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE Bio 171 Exam 1
TOTAL QUESTIONS 87 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ This examination covers cellular biology, genetics, molecular biology, evolutionary principles, and
laboratory concepts.
▸ Questions address cell structure, DNA/RNA processes, Mendelian genetics, mutations, and the central
dogma of molecular biology.
▸ Correct answers and explanatory rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects standard introductory molecular and cellular biology curriculum.
, SECTION I — CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Questions 1 – 87
1. Which term describes an organism that uses aerobic cellular respiration to break down
compounds including oxygen into cellular energy, such as a human or animal cell?
A. Prokaryote
B. Eukaryote
C. Archaea
D. Bacteria
CORRECT ANSWER B — Eukaryote
RATIONALE Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus and
organelles including mitochondria, where aerobic cellular respiration occurs. This
process breaks down organic compounds using oxygen to produce ATP, the cell's
energy currency. Humans and animals are eukaryotic organisms. Prokaryotes
(bacteria and archaea) lack membrane-bound organelles, and while some
perform aerobic respiration, the defining characteristic of eukaryotes is their
complex cellular organization with specialized organelles for energy production.
2. The second law of thermodynamics states that:
A. Energy cannot be created or destroyed
B. The degree of disorder in the universe tends to increase
C. All living organisms evolve over time
D. Chemical reactions always proceed toward equilibrium
CORRECT ANSWER B — The degree of disorder in the universe tends to increase
RATIONALE The second law of thermodynamics states that entropy — the degree of disorder
or randomness in a system — tends to increase over time in an isolated system. In
the universe as a whole, energy transformations are never completely efficient;
some energy is always lost as heat, increasing overall disorder. Option A describes
the first law of thermodynamics (conservation of energy). This principle is
fundamental to understanding why biological systems require constant energy
input to maintain their highly ordered state — living organisms are "islands of low
entropy" that export disorder to their surroundings.
1 MAXE · 171 OIB
★ ★
M College of Literature, Science & the Arts — Department of Biology
EST. 1817
ARTES · SCIENTIA · VERITAS
Bio 171 Exam 1
C E L L B I O LO G Y · G E N E T I CS · M O L E CU L A R B I O LO G Y · E VO LU T I O N
INSTITUTION University of Michigan PROGRAM Bachelor of Science — Biology
COURSE CODE BIO 171 COURSE TITLE Introduction to Molecular &
Cellular Biology
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE Bio 171 Exam 1
TOTAL QUESTIONS 87 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ This examination covers cellular biology, genetics, molecular biology, evolutionary principles, and
laboratory concepts.
▸ Questions address cell structure, DNA/RNA processes, Mendelian genetics, mutations, and the central
dogma of molecular biology.
▸ Correct answers and explanatory rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects standard introductory molecular and cellular biology curriculum.
, SECTION I — CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Questions 1 – 87
1. Which term describes an organism that uses aerobic cellular respiration to break down
compounds including oxygen into cellular energy, such as a human or animal cell?
A. Prokaryote
B. Eukaryote
C. Archaea
D. Bacteria
CORRECT ANSWER B — Eukaryote
RATIONALE Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus and
organelles including mitochondria, where aerobic cellular respiration occurs. This
process breaks down organic compounds using oxygen to produce ATP, the cell's
energy currency. Humans and animals are eukaryotic organisms. Prokaryotes
(bacteria and archaea) lack membrane-bound organelles, and while some
perform aerobic respiration, the defining characteristic of eukaryotes is their
complex cellular organization with specialized organelles for energy production.
2. The second law of thermodynamics states that:
A. Energy cannot be created or destroyed
B. The degree of disorder in the universe tends to increase
C. All living organisms evolve over time
D. Chemical reactions always proceed toward equilibrium
CORRECT ANSWER B — The degree of disorder in the universe tends to increase
RATIONALE The second law of thermodynamics states that entropy — the degree of disorder
or randomness in a system — tends to increase over time in an isolated system. In
the universe as a whole, energy transformations are never completely efficient;
some energy is always lost as heat, increasing overall disorder. Option A describes
the first law of thermodynamics (conservation of energy). This principle is
fundamental to understanding why biological systems require constant energy
input to maintain their highly ordered state — living organisms are "islands of low
entropy" that export disorder to their surroundings.
