Test Bank For Biology 2e by OpenStax| All Chapters | Latest Version 2026

,Chapter 1: The Science of Life A A A A A




1. Which characteristic is common to all living organisms?
A A A A A A A


A. Ability to move voluntarily A A A


B. Presence of a nucleus A A A


C. Ability to reproduce A A


D. Presence of chloroplasts A A




Answer: C. Ability to reproduce
A A A A


Rationale: All living organisms share fundamental characteristics, including repr
A A A A A A A A


oduction, metabolism, growth, and response to stimuli. While not all organisms ha
A A A A A A A A A A A


ve a nucleus (prokaryotes lack one) or chloroplasts, reproduction is universal.
A A A A A A A A A A




2. Which level of biological organization is correctly arranged from simplest to
A A A A A A A A A A


Amost complex?
A


A. Organ → Cell → Tissue → Organ System
A A A A A A A


B. Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System
A A A A A A A


C. Tissue → Cell → Organ → Organ System
A A A A A A A


D. Organism → Organ System → Organ → Tissue A A A A A A A




Answer: B. Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System
A A A A A A A A A


Rationale: Biological organization progresses from simple to complex: cells form
A A A A A A A A A


Atissues, tissues form organs, organs work in organ systems, and organ systems fu
A A A A A A A A A A A A


nction in organisms.
A A




3. Homeostasis is best described as: A A A A


A. The ability to produce energy
A A A A


B. Maintaining a stable internal environment A A A A


C. The process of evolution
A A A


D. The creation of new species
A A A A




Answer: B. Maintaining a stable internal environment
A A A A A A


Rationale: Homeostasis is the regulation of internal conditions such as temperatu
A A A A A A A A A A


re, pH, and fluid balance, despite changes in the external environment.
A A A A A A A A A A

,4. The primary molecule for storing genetic information is:
A A A A A A A


A. Carbohydrates
B. Lipids
C. DNA
D. Proteins
Answer: C. DNA A A


Rationale: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains hereditary information that gui
A A A A A A A A


des growth, development, and reproduction in all living organisms.
A A A A A A A A




5. Evolution explains: A


A. How individual organisms adapt during their lifetime
A A A A A A


B. How populations change over generations
A A A A


C. The immediate response of an organism to stimuli
A A A A A A A


D. The process of cellular respiration
A A A A




Answer: B. How populations change over generations
A A A A A A


Rationale: Evolution is the process by which populations of organisms change genetic
A A A A A A A A A A A


ally over time due to natural selection, mutation, and other mechanisms.
A A A A A A A A A A




6. Which of the following is a prokaryotic organism?
A A A A A A A


A. Amoeba
B. Bacterium
C. Algae
D. Yeast
Answer: B. Bacterium A A


Rationale: Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-
A A A A A A A


bound organelles, which is characteristic of bacteria. Amoebas, algae, and yeast ar
A A A A A A A A A A A


e eukaryotic.
A




7. Which of the following best illustrates an emergent property?
A A A A A A A A


A. Chlorophyll in plants absorbing sunlight
A A A A


B. Water molecules forming liquid
A A A

, C. Heart pumping blood as part of the circulatory system
A A A A A A A A


D. DNA replication A




Answer: C. Heart pumping blood as part of the circulatory system
A A A A A A A A A A


Rationale: Emergent properties arise when individual components interact to form
A A A A A A A A A A


a system with new functions. The heart alone cannot pump blood until organized i
A A A A A A A A A A A A A


nto a system.
A A




8. Which scientific method step involves forming a testable statement?
A A A A A A A A


A. Observation
B. Hypothesis
C. Experiment
D. Conclusion
Answer: B. Hypothesis A A


Rationale: A hypothesis is a testable statement predicting a relationship between varia
A A A A A A A A A A A


bles, based on prior observations.
A A A A




9. Which of these is an example of adaptation?
A A A A A A A


A. A plant wilting due to lack of water
A A A A A A A


B. Polar bears having thick fur in Arctic regions
A A A A A A A


C. A human learning to swim
A A A A


D. Bacteria dying from antibiotics A A A




Answer: B. Polar bears having thick fur in Arctic regions
A A A A A A A A A


Rationale: Adaptations are inherited traits that increase survival and reproduction
A A A A A A A A A A


in specific environments.
A A




10. The process by which organisms maintain internal conditions despite external
A A A A A A A A A


Achanges is called: A A


A. Photosynthesis
B. Homeostasis
C. Metabolism
D. Evolution