WGU C190 INTRODUCTION TO
BIOLOGY ADVANCED PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which property of water allows it to move upward through a plant’s xylem against gravity?
A. Cohesion and adhesion
B. High specific heat
C. Universal solvency
D. Density at freezing
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cohesion (water molecules sticking to each other) and adhesion
(water sticking to the vessel walls) create a continuous column that overcomes gravity.
2. Which macromolecule is primarily responsible for the structural integrity of the cell wall in
fungi?
A. Cellulose
B. Peptidoglycan
C. Glycogen
,D. Chitin
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Fungal cell walls are composed of chitin, a fibrous substance
consisting of polysaccharides.
3. In an enzyme-catalyzed reaction, what is the ‘activation energy’?
A. The energy released when the product is formed
B. The total kinetic energy of the substrate
C. The energy required to reach the transition state
D. The thermal energy of the surroundings
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Activation energy is the minimum energy required to initiate a
chemical reaction by reaching the transition state.
4. Which organelle is responsible for the detoxification of drugs and the synthesis of lipids?
A. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
B. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
C. Golgi Apparatus
D. Lysosome
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: The Smooth ER is specialized for lipid synthesis, carbohydrate
metabolism, and detoxification of poisons.
5. What is the primary function of the nucleolus within the eukaryotic nucleus?
A. DNA replication
B. Storage of genetic information
C. Ribosome synthesis
D. Transcription of mRNA
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The nucleolus is the site where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is
synthesized and combined with proteins to form ribosome subunits.
6. During which phase of the cell cycle is DNA polymerase most active?
A. G1 phase
B. M phase
C. G2 phase
D. S phase
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: DNA replication occurs during the S (Synthesis) phase of the cell
cycle, requiring DNA polymerase activity.
BIOLOGY ADVANCED PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which property of water allows it to move upward through a plant’s xylem against gravity?
A. Cohesion and adhesion
B. High specific heat
C. Universal solvency
D. Density at freezing
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cohesion (water molecules sticking to each other) and adhesion
(water sticking to the vessel walls) create a continuous column that overcomes gravity.
2. Which macromolecule is primarily responsible for the structural integrity of the cell wall in
fungi?
A. Cellulose
B. Peptidoglycan
C. Glycogen
,D. Chitin
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Fungal cell walls are composed of chitin, a fibrous substance
consisting of polysaccharides.
3. In an enzyme-catalyzed reaction, what is the ‘activation energy’?
A. The energy released when the product is formed
B. The total kinetic energy of the substrate
C. The energy required to reach the transition state
D. The thermal energy of the surroundings
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Activation energy is the minimum energy required to initiate a
chemical reaction by reaching the transition state.
4. Which organelle is responsible for the detoxification of drugs and the synthesis of lipids?
A. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
B. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
C. Golgi Apparatus
D. Lysosome
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: The Smooth ER is specialized for lipid synthesis, carbohydrate
metabolism, and detoxification of poisons.
5. What is the primary function of the nucleolus within the eukaryotic nucleus?
A. DNA replication
B. Storage of genetic information
C. Ribosome synthesis
D. Transcription of mRNA
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The nucleolus is the site where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is
synthesized and combined with proteins to form ribosome subunits.
6. During which phase of the cell cycle is DNA polymerase most active?
A. G1 phase
B. M phase
C. G2 phase
D. S phase
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: DNA replication occurs during the S (Synthesis) phase of the cell
cycle, requiring DNA polymerase activity.
