Life: The Science of Biology (12th Edition) Life The
Science of Biology (Digital Update) 12th Edition By
David Hillis, Craig Heller, Sally Hacker, David Hall,
Marta Laskowski, David Sadava Practice Exam
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES 2025 (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Chapter 1: Studying Life
1. What is the basic unit of life?
a) Atom
b) Molecule
c) Cell
d) Organism
Answer: c) Cell
Rationale: The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in
living organisms.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of all living organisms?
,a) Ability to move
b) Ability to reproduce
c) Ability to think
d) Ability to fly
Answer: b) Ability to reproduce
Rationale: Reproduction is a fundamental characteristic of life, ensuring
the continuation of species.
Chapter 2: Small Molecules and the Chemistry of Life
3. Which type of bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between
atoms?
a) Ionic bond
b) Covalent bond
c) Hydrogen bond
d) Van der Waals interaction
Answer: b) Covalent bond
Rationale: Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between
atoms, leading to the formation of molecules.
4. What is the pH of a neutral solution?
a) 0
b) 7
,c) 14
d) 10
Answer: b) 7
Rationale: A pH of 7 is considered neutral, where the concentrations of
hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻) are equal.
Chapter 3: Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Lipids
5. Which macromolecule is primarily responsible for storing genetic
information?
a) Proteins
b) Carbohydrates
c) Nucleic acids
d) Lipids
Answer: c) Nucleic acids
Rationale: Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, store and transmit
genetic information.
6. Which of the following is a function of proteins?
a) Store genetic information
b) Provide energy storage
c) Catalyze biochemical reactions
d) Insulate against heat loss
, Answer: c) Catalyze biochemical reactions
Rationale: Enzymes, which are proteins, catalyze biochemical reactions,
speeding up metabolic processes.
Chapter 4: Nucleic Acids and the Origin of Life
7. What is the monomer unit of nucleic acids?
a) Amino acid
b) Nucleotide
c) Monosaccharide
d) Fatty acid
Answer: b) Nucleotide
Rationale: Nucleic acids are polymers made up of monomers called
nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous
base.
8. Which of the following is NOT a nitrogenous base found in DNA?
a) Adenine
b) Guanine
c) Thymine
d) Uracil
Answer: d) Uracil
Science of Biology (Digital Update) 12th Edition By
David Hillis, Craig Heller, Sally Hacker, David Hall,
Marta Laskowski, David Sadava Practice Exam
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES 2025 (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Chapter 1: Studying Life
1. What is the basic unit of life?
a) Atom
b) Molecule
c) Cell
d) Organism
Answer: c) Cell
Rationale: The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in
living organisms.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of all living organisms?
,a) Ability to move
b) Ability to reproduce
c) Ability to think
d) Ability to fly
Answer: b) Ability to reproduce
Rationale: Reproduction is a fundamental characteristic of life, ensuring
the continuation of species.
Chapter 2: Small Molecules and the Chemistry of Life
3. Which type of bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between
atoms?
a) Ionic bond
b) Covalent bond
c) Hydrogen bond
d) Van der Waals interaction
Answer: b) Covalent bond
Rationale: Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between
atoms, leading to the formation of molecules.
4. What is the pH of a neutral solution?
a) 0
b) 7
,c) 14
d) 10
Answer: b) 7
Rationale: A pH of 7 is considered neutral, where the concentrations of
hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻) are equal.
Chapter 3: Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Lipids
5. Which macromolecule is primarily responsible for storing genetic
information?
a) Proteins
b) Carbohydrates
c) Nucleic acids
d) Lipids
Answer: c) Nucleic acids
Rationale: Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, store and transmit
genetic information.
6. Which of the following is a function of proteins?
a) Store genetic information
b) Provide energy storage
c) Catalyze biochemical reactions
d) Insulate against heat loss
, Answer: c) Catalyze biochemical reactions
Rationale: Enzymes, which are proteins, catalyze biochemical reactions,
speeding up metabolic processes.
Chapter 4: Nucleic Acids and the Origin of Life
7. What is the monomer unit of nucleic acids?
a) Amino acid
b) Nucleotide
c) Monosaccharide
d) Fatty acid
Answer: b) Nucleotide
Rationale: Nucleic acids are polymers made up of monomers called
nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous
base.
8. Which of the following is NOT a nitrogenous base found in DNA?
a) Adenine
b) Guanine
c) Thymine
d) Uracil
Answer: d) Uracil
