Biology 1406 Final Exam Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025/2026
What is homeostasis - Answers the process whereby living organisms regulate their cells and
bodies to maintain relatively stable internal conditions
What are the characteristics of living things - Answers 1. Cells and Organization
2. Energy use and metabolism
3. Response to environmental changes
4. Regulation and homeostasis
5. Growth and Development
6. Reproduction
7. Biological Evolution
atom - Answers the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the
element
molecule - Answers Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.
macromolecule - Answers many molecules bonded together to form a polymer such a
polypeptide (carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids are examples)
cell - Answers the simplest unit of a living organism, composed of molecules and
macromolecules, form larger structures such as membranes
tissue - Answers association of many cells of the same type
organ - Answers two or more types of body tissues combined to perform a common function
organism - Answers a living thing that maintains an internal order that is separated from the
environment
population - Answers group of individuals of the same species that occupy the same
environment and can interbreed with one another
community - Answers an assemblage of populations of different species that live in the same
place at the same time
ecosystem - Answers the biotic community of organisms in an area as well as the abiotic
environment affecting the community
biosphere - Answers the regions on the surface of the earth and in the atmosphere where living
organisms exist
,What are the two mechanisms of evolutionary change - Answers Vertical descent and horizontal
gene transfer
vertical descent - Answers Progression of changes in lineage (a series of ancestors). Occurs
from generation to generation. New species evolve from pre-existing species by accumulation
of mutations (natural selection)
horizontal gene transfer - Answers A process in which an organism incorporates genetic
material from another organism without being the offspring of that organism
What are the three domains - Answers Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
What are the four kingdoms - Answers animalia, fungi, plantae, and protista
bacteria - Answers single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes
archaea - Answers Single-celled, no nucleus, Live in harsh conditions
eukarya - Answers Domain of all organisms whose cells have nuclei, including protists, plants,
fungi, and animals
protista - Answers single-celled organism with nuclei (algae, protozoans)
plantae - Answers A classification kingdom made up of eukaryotic, multicellular organisms that
have cell walls made mostly of cellulose, that have pigments that absorb light, and that supply
energy and oxygen to themselves and to other life-forms through photosynthesis
animalia - Answers Kingdom of the most complex organisms; multi-cellular, heterotrophic, lack
rigid cell walls, mobile, tissues in internal organs, sensory organs, nervous system
taxonomy - Answers the science of naming and classifying organisms
binomial nomenclature - Answers a system for giving each organism a two-word scientific
name that consists of the genus name followed by the species name
genomes - Answers the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the
genetic material in that organism's chromosomes
proteomes - Answers the complete complement of proteins that a cell or organism can make
scientific method - Answers a general approach to gathering information and answering
questions so that errors and biases are minimized
Five Stages of Scientific Method - Answers Observations, Hypothesis, Experimentation, Data &
Analysis, Accept/Reject Hypothesis
metabolism - Answers All of the chemical reactions that occur within an organism
,biological evolution - Answers Changes in the genetic composition of a population through
successive generations.
theory - Answers a broad explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is substantiated
by a large body of evidence; makes valid predictions
hypothesis - Answers a proposed explanation for a natural phenomenon based on previous
observations or experimental studies
discovery-based science - Answers the collection and analysis of data without the need for a
preconceived hypothesis
subatomic particles - Answers protons, neutrons, and electrons
where are subatomic particles located - Answers Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus
and electrons are found in the electron shell
protons - Answers positive- found in nucleus- same number as electrons
neutrons - Answers neutral- found in nucleus- number can vary
electrons - Answers negative- found in orbitals- same number as protons
why are atoms electrically neutral - Answers they have an equal # of protons and electrons
orbitals - Answers Regions within electron shells where electrons orbit the nucleus
s orbitals - Answers sphere shaped; hold 2 electrons
p orbitals - Answers 3 dumbbell/propeller shaped orbitals (2p); can hold 4 pairs of electrons
1st shell - Answers holds a max of 2 electrons; 1 spherical orbital (1s)
2nd shell - Answers 1 spherical orbital (2s) & 3 dumbbell shaped orbitals (2p) can hold up to 8
electrons
What is the atomic number of an atom - Answers The number of protons in the nucleus of the
atom
atomic mass - Answers total mass of the protons and neutrons in an atom, measured in atomic
mass units
molecules - Answers Groups of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds
ions - Answers electrically charged atoms that have gained or lost electrons
ionic bonds - Answers bond formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one atom
to another
, covalent bonds - Answers A type of strong chemical bond in which two atoms share one pair of
valence electrons
polar covalent bond - Answers when two atoms with different electronegativites form a covalent
bond; the shared electrons are more likely to be in the outer shell of the atom of higher
electronegativity rather than the atom of lower electronegativity
nonpolar covalent bond - Answers a covalent bond in which the bonding electrons are shared
equally by the bonded atoms, resulting in a balanced distribution of electrical charge
hydrogen bond - Answers A type of weak chemical bond formed when the slightly positive
hydrogen atom of a polar covalent bond in one molecule is attracted to the slightly negative
atom of a polar covalent bond in another molecule.
which is the strongest chemical bond - Answers covalent bond
occurs between atoms whose outer electron shells are not full; can share up to three pairs of
electrons - Answers covalent bonds
occur because the distribution of electrons around the atoms creates a polarity, or difference in
electric charge, across the molecule - Answers polar covalent bond
bonds between atoms with similar electronegativities - Answers nonpolar covalent bonds
cations - Answers net positively charged ions
anions - Answers ions with a negative charge
occur when a cation binds to an anion - Answers ionic bonds
what type of bonding is likely to occur between two water molecules or strands of DNA- -
Answers hydrogen bond
isotope - Answers multiple forms of an element, differ in the number of neutrons
make up about 95% of the atoms in living organisms - Answers hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and
nitrogen
octet rule - Answers States that atoms lose, gain or share electrons in order to acquire a full set
of eight valence electrons in their outer shell
chemical reaction - Answers a change in which one or more reactants change into one or more
products; characterized by the breaking of bonds in reactants and the formation of bonds in
products
chemical properties - Answers a property or characteristic of a substance that is observed
during a reaction in which the chemical composition or identity of the substance is changed
What is homeostasis - Answers the process whereby living organisms regulate their cells and
bodies to maintain relatively stable internal conditions
What are the characteristics of living things - Answers 1. Cells and Organization
2. Energy use and metabolism
3. Response to environmental changes
4. Regulation and homeostasis
5. Growth and Development
6. Reproduction
7. Biological Evolution
atom - Answers the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the
element
molecule - Answers Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.
macromolecule - Answers many molecules bonded together to form a polymer such a
polypeptide (carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids are examples)
cell - Answers the simplest unit of a living organism, composed of molecules and
macromolecules, form larger structures such as membranes
tissue - Answers association of many cells of the same type
organ - Answers two or more types of body tissues combined to perform a common function
organism - Answers a living thing that maintains an internal order that is separated from the
environment
population - Answers group of individuals of the same species that occupy the same
environment and can interbreed with one another
community - Answers an assemblage of populations of different species that live in the same
place at the same time
ecosystem - Answers the biotic community of organisms in an area as well as the abiotic
environment affecting the community
biosphere - Answers the regions on the surface of the earth and in the atmosphere where living
organisms exist
,What are the two mechanisms of evolutionary change - Answers Vertical descent and horizontal
gene transfer
vertical descent - Answers Progression of changes in lineage (a series of ancestors). Occurs
from generation to generation. New species evolve from pre-existing species by accumulation
of mutations (natural selection)
horizontal gene transfer - Answers A process in which an organism incorporates genetic
material from another organism without being the offspring of that organism
What are the three domains - Answers Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
What are the four kingdoms - Answers animalia, fungi, plantae, and protista
bacteria - Answers single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes
archaea - Answers Single-celled, no nucleus, Live in harsh conditions
eukarya - Answers Domain of all organisms whose cells have nuclei, including protists, plants,
fungi, and animals
protista - Answers single-celled organism with nuclei (algae, protozoans)
plantae - Answers A classification kingdom made up of eukaryotic, multicellular organisms that
have cell walls made mostly of cellulose, that have pigments that absorb light, and that supply
energy and oxygen to themselves and to other life-forms through photosynthesis
animalia - Answers Kingdom of the most complex organisms; multi-cellular, heterotrophic, lack
rigid cell walls, mobile, tissues in internal organs, sensory organs, nervous system
taxonomy - Answers the science of naming and classifying organisms
binomial nomenclature - Answers a system for giving each organism a two-word scientific
name that consists of the genus name followed by the species name
genomes - Answers the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the
genetic material in that organism's chromosomes
proteomes - Answers the complete complement of proteins that a cell or organism can make
scientific method - Answers a general approach to gathering information and answering
questions so that errors and biases are minimized
Five Stages of Scientific Method - Answers Observations, Hypothesis, Experimentation, Data &
Analysis, Accept/Reject Hypothesis
metabolism - Answers All of the chemical reactions that occur within an organism
,biological evolution - Answers Changes in the genetic composition of a population through
successive generations.
theory - Answers a broad explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is substantiated
by a large body of evidence; makes valid predictions
hypothesis - Answers a proposed explanation for a natural phenomenon based on previous
observations or experimental studies
discovery-based science - Answers the collection and analysis of data without the need for a
preconceived hypothesis
subatomic particles - Answers protons, neutrons, and electrons
where are subatomic particles located - Answers Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus
and electrons are found in the electron shell
protons - Answers positive- found in nucleus- same number as electrons
neutrons - Answers neutral- found in nucleus- number can vary
electrons - Answers negative- found in orbitals- same number as protons
why are atoms electrically neutral - Answers they have an equal # of protons and electrons
orbitals - Answers Regions within electron shells where electrons orbit the nucleus
s orbitals - Answers sphere shaped; hold 2 electrons
p orbitals - Answers 3 dumbbell/propeller shaped orbitals (2p); can hold 4 pairs of electrons
1st shell - Answers holds a max of 2 electrons; 1 spherical orbital (1s)
2nd shell - Answers 1 spherical orbital (2s) & 3 dumbbell shaped orbitals (2p) can hold up to 8
electrons
What is the atomic number of an atom - Answers The number of protons in the nucleus of the
atom
atomic mass - Answers total mass of the protons and neutrons in an atom, measured in atomic
mass units
molecules - Answers Groups of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds
ions - Answers electrically charged atoms that have gained or lost electrons
ionic bonds - Answers bond formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one atom
to another
, covalent bonds - Answers A type of strong chemical bond in which two atoms share one pair of
valence electrons
polar covalent bond - Answers when two atoms with different electronegativites form a covalent
bond; the shared electrons are more likely to be in the outer shell of the atom of higher
electronegativity rather than the atom of lower electronegativity
nonpolar covalent bond - Answers a covalent bond in which the bonding electrons are shared
equally by the bonded atoms, resulting in a balanced distribution of electrical charge
hydrogen bond - Answers A type of weak chemical bond formed when the slightly positive
hydrogen atom of a polar covalent bond in one molecule is attracted to the slightly negative
atom of a polar covalent bond in another molecule.
which is the strongest chemical bond - Answers covalent bond
occurs between atoms whose outer electron shells are not full; can share up to three pairs of
electrons - Answers covalent bonds
occur because the distribution of electrons around the atoms creates a polarity, or difference in
electric charge, across the molecule - Answers polar covalent bond
bonds between atoms with similar electronegativities - Answers nonpolar covalent bonds
cations - Answers net positively charged ions
anions - Answers ions with a negative charge
occur when a cation binds to an anion - Answers ionic bonds
what type of bonding is likely to occur between two water molecules or strands of DNA- -
Answers hydrogen bond
isotope - Answers multiple forms of an element, differ in the number of neutrons
make up about 95% of the atoms in living organisms - Answers hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and
nitrogen
octet rule - Answers States that atoms lose, gain or share electrons in order to acquire a full set
of eight valence electrons in their outer shell
chemical reaction - Answers a change in which one or more reactants change into one or more
products; characterized by the breaking of bonds in reactants and the formation of bonds in
products
chemical properties - Answers a property or characteristic of a substance that is observed
during a reaction in which the chemical composition or identity of the substance is changed
