Praxis Science 5905 Study Guide
Questions and Answers Latest Version
Rated A+
Describe the difference between acids and bases.
✔✔ Acids release hydrogen ions (H+) in solution, while bases release hydroxide ions (OH-).
What role do decomposers play in the environment?
✔✔ They break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil.
What is biodiversity, and why is it important?
✔✔ Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in an ecosystem, which supports resilience and
stability.
How does natural selection drive evolution?
✔✔ Organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and
reproduce.
What is kinetic energy?
1
,✔✔ The energy an object has due to its motion.
Explain how weathering differs from erosion.
✔✔ Weathering breaks down rocks in place, while erosion transports the broken-down material.
What is the greenhouse effect?
✔✔ The trapping of heat by gases in Earth’s atmosphere, keeping the planet warm.
Define gravity.
✔✔ Gravity is the force that attracts objects toward each other, especially toward Earth's center.
What is the primary function of the cell membrane?
✔✔ The cell membrane controls what enters and exits the cell, maintaining the internal
environment.
Explain the difference between mitosis and meiosis.
✔✔ Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells for growth and repair, while meiosis produces
four genetically different gametes for reproduction.
2
,How does photosynthesis benefit both plants and animals?
✔✔ Plants produce oxygen and glucose through photosynthesis, providing oxygen for animals to
breathe and food for energy.
What are the basic building blocks of proteins?
✔✔ Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
Describe the role of enzymes in chemical reactions.
✔✔ Enzymes act as catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions without being consumed.
What causes seasons on Earth?
✔✔ The tilt of Earth's axis causes different hemispheres to receive varying amounts of sunlight
throughout the year, creating seasons.
Define the law of conservation of energy.
✔✔ Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change from one form to another.
3
, What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?
✔✔ A hypothesis is a testable prediction, while a theory is a well-supported explanation based
on evidence.
How does an ecosystem maintain balance?
✔✔ Through interactions among producers, consumers, and decomposers that recycle nutrients
and energy.
What is the function of DNA in cells?
✔✔ DNA contains genetic instructions used for growth, development, and functioning of
organisms.
Explain the water cycle and its stages.
✔✔ The water cycle includes evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection,
continuously recycling water on Earth.
What is an atom?
✔✔ The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.
4
Questions and Answers Latest Version
Rated A+
Describe the difference between acids and bases.
✔✔ Acids release hydrogen ions (H+) in solution, while bases release hydroxide ions (OH-).
What role do decomposers play in the environment?
✔✔ They break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil.
What is biodiversity, and why is it important?
✔✔ Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in an ecosystem, which supports resilience and
stability.
How does natural selection drive evolution?
✔✔ Organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and
reproduce.
What is kinetic energy?
1
,✔✔ The energy an object has due to its motion.
Explain how weathering differs from erosion.
✔✔ Weathering breaks down rocks in place, while erosion transports the broken-down material.
What is the greenhouse effect?
✔✔ The trapping of heat by gases in Earth’s atmosphere, keeping the planet warm.
Define gravity.
✔✔ Gravity is the force that attracts objects toward each other, especially toward Earth's center.
What is the primary function of the cell membrane?
✔✔ The cell membrane controls what enters and exits the cell, maintaining the internal
environment.
Explain the difference between mitosis and meiosis.
✔✔ Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells for growth and repair, while meiosis produces
four genetically different gametes for reproduction.
2
,How does photosynthesis benefit both plants and animals?
✔✔ Plants produce oxygen and glucose through photosynthesis, providing oxygen for animals to
breathe and food for energy.
What are the basic building blocks of proteins?
✔✔ Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
Describe the role of enzymes in chemical reactions.
✔✔ Enzymes act as catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions without being consumed.
What causes seasons on Earth?
✔✔ The tilt of Earth's axis causes different hemispheres to receive varying amounts of sunlight
throughout the year, creating seasons.
Define the law of conservation of energy.
✔✔ Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change from one form to another.
3
, What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?
✔✔ A hypothesis is a testable prediction, while a theory is a well-supported explanation based
on evidence.
How does an ecosystem maintain balance?
✔✔ Through interactions among producers, consumers, and decomposers that recycle nutrients
and energy.
What is the function of DNA in cells?
✔✔ DNA contains genetic instructions used for growth, development, and functioning of
organisms.
Explain the water cycle and its stages.
✔✔ The water cycle includes evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection,
continuously recycling water on Earth.
What is an atom?
✔✔ The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.
4
