WGU C190 – COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELLDETAILED
ANSWERS | DETAILED EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
•
CORE DOMAINS
• Cell Structure, Function, and Organization
• Biological Molecules and Cellular Chemistry
• Cellular Metabolism and Energy Transformation
• Genetics, DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis
• Cell Division and Reproduction
• Evolution and Population Genetics
• Ecology, Ecosystems, and Biodiversity
• Biological Classification and Phylogeny
• Scientific Method, Experimental Design, and Data Interpretation
•
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive study guide is designed to strengthen understanding of major biological
concepts commonly associated with introductory biology coursework. The questions assess
foundational knowledge, terminology, biological processes, interpretation of experimental
results, and application of concepts to practical situations. Multiple-choice questions are
used to develop recognition, comparison, analysis, and scientific reasoning skills. Rather than
relying solely on memorization, learners should understand how biological structures and
processes relate to one another. Scenario-based questions emphasize interpretation and
application, while explanations provide concise rationales to reinforce the underlying
concepts and prepare learners for examination-style problem solving.
Question 1. Which characteristic is shared by all organisms considered living?
A. They obtain energy directly from sunlight
B. They are composed of one or more cells
C. They reproduce sexually
D. They possess a nervous system
Correct Answer: B. They are composed of one or more cells
Explanation: Cell theory establishes that all known living organisms are composed of one or
more cells. Not all organisms use sunlight, reproduce sexually, or have nervous systems.
Question 2. Which statement best describes homeostasis?
,A. The production of offspring with genetic variation
B. The conversion of glucose into ATP
C. The maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions
D. The movement of organisms between ecosystems
Correct Answer: C. The maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions
Explanation: Homeostasis allows organisms to maintain internal conditions within
appropriate ranges despite external changes. Examples include regulation of temperature,
blood glucose, and water balance.
Question 3. Which level of biological organization includes multiple tissues working
together?
A. Organ
B. Cell
C. Organelle
D. Molecule
Correct Answer: A. Organ
Explanation: An organ consists of two or more tissue types that work together to perform
specific functions. For example, the heart contains several tissues organized into one
functional structure.
Question 4. Which subatomic particle has a negative electrical charge?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Nucleus
D. Electron
Correct Answer: D. Electron
Explanation: Electrons carry a negative charge, protons carry a positive charge, and neutrons
have no electrical charge.
Question 5. An atom has six protons, six neutrons, and six electrons. What is its atomic
number?
A. 6
B. 12
C. 18
D. 36
Correct Answer: A. 6
, Explanation: Atomic number is determined by the number of protons. An atom with six
protons is carbon, regardless of its number of neutrons or electrons.
Question 6. What determines the identity of an element?
A. Number of neutrons
B. Number of electron shells
C. Number of protons
D. Number of chemical bonds
Correct Answer: C. Number of protons
Explanation: The number of protons defines an element's atomic number and therefore its
identity. Changing the number of neutrons creates an isotope, while changing electrons
creates an ion.
Question 7. Which type of bond involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to
another?
A. Hydrogen bond
B. Ionic bond
C. Peptide bond
D. Covalent bond
Correct Answer: B. Ionic bond
Explanation: Ionic bonding results when electrons are transferred, producing oppositely
charged ions that attract one another. Covalent bonds involve sharing electrons.
Question 8. Why can water form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules?
A. Water contains carbon atoms
B. Water is nonpolar
C. Oxygen and hydrogen have identical electronegativities
D. Water has polar covalent bonds that create partial charges
Correct Answer: D. Water has polar covalent bonds that create partial charges
Explanation: Oxygen attracts shared electrons more strongly than hydrogen, giving oxygen a
partial negative charge and hydrogen a partial positive charge. These partial charges allow
hydrogen bonding.
Question 9. Which property of water helps moderate temperature changes in organisms and
environments?
A. High specific heat
B. Low density as a solid
ANSWERS | DETAILED EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
•
CORE DOMAINS
• Cell Structure, Function, and Organization
• Biological Molecules and Cellular Chemistry
• Cellular Metabolism and Energy Transformation
• Genetics, DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis
• Cell Division and Reproduction
• Evolution and Population Genetics
• Ecology, Ecosystems, and Biodiversity
• Biological Classification and Phylogeny
• Scientific Method, Experimental Design, and Data Interpretation
•
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive study guide is designed to strengthen understanding of major biological
concepts commonly associated with introductory biology coursework. The questions assess
foundational knowledge, terminology, biological processes, interpretation of experimental
results, and application of concepts to practical situations. Multiple-choice questions are
used to develop recognition, comparison, analysis, and scientific reasoning skills. Rather than
relying solely on memorization, learners should understand how biological structures and
processes relate to one another. Scenario-based questions emphasize interpretation and
application, while explanations provide concise rationales to reinforce the underlying
concepts and prepare learners for examination-style problem solving.
Question 1. Which characteristic is shared by all organisms considered living?
A. They obtain energy directly from sunlight
B. They are composed of one or more cells
C. They reproduce sexually
D. They possess a nervous system
Correct Answer: B. They are composed of one or more cells
Explanation: Cell theory establishes that all known living organisms are composed of one or
more cells. Not all organisms use sunlight, reproduce sexually, or have nervous systems.
Question 2. Which statement best describes homeostasis?
,A. The production of offspring with genetic variation
B. The conversion of glucose into ATP
C. The maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions
D. The movement of organisms between ecosystems
Correct Answer: C. The maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions
Explanation: Homeostasis allows organisms to maintain internal conditions within
appropriate ranges despite external changes. Examples include regulation of temperature,
blood glucose, and water balance.
Question 3. Which level of biological organization includes multiple tissues working
together?
A. Organ
B. Cell
C. Organelle
D. Molecule
Correct Answer: A. Organ
Explanation: An organ consists of two or more tissue types that work together to perform
specific functions. For example, the heart contains several tissues organized into one
functional structure.
Question 4. Which subatomic particle has a negative electrical charge?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Nucleus
D. Electron
Correct Answer: D. Electron
Explanation: Electrons carry a negative charge, protons carry a positive charge, and neutrons
have no electrical charge.
Question 5. An atom has six protons, six neutrons, and six electrons. What is its atomic
number?
A. 6
B. 12
C. 18
D. 36
Correct Answer: A. 6
, Explanation: Atomic number is determined by the number of protons. An atom with six
protons is carbon, regardless of its number of neutrons or electrons.
Question 6. What determines the identity of an element?
A. Number of neutrons
B. Number of electron shells
C. Number of protons
D. Number of chemical bonds
Correct Answer: C. Number of protons
Explanation: The number of protons defines an element's atomic number and therefore its
identity. Changing the number of neutrons creates an isotope, while changing electrons
creates an ion.
Question 7. Which type of bond involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to
another?
A. Hydrogen bond
B. Ionic bond
C. Peptide bond
D. Covalent bond
Correct Answer: B. Ionic bond
Explanation: Ionic bonding results when electrons are transferred, producing oppositely
charged ions that attract one another. Covalent bonds involve sharing electrons.
Question 8. Why can water form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules?
A. Water contains carbon atoms
B. Water is nonpolar
C. Oxygen and hydrogen have identical electronegativities
D. Water has polar covalent bonds that create partial charges
Correct Answer: D. Water has polar covalent bonds that create partial charges
Explanation: Oxygen attracts shared electrons more strongly than hydrogen, giving oxygen a
partial negative charge and hydrogen a partial positive charge. These partial charges allow
hydrogen bonding.
Question 9. Which property of water helps moderate temperature changes in organisms and
environments?
A. High specific heat
B. Low density as a solid
