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Biology > Semester 1 bio exam (1/2) > Flashcards

Semester 1 bio exam (1/2) Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary characteristic of science that allows it to constantly evolve?

A

Constant testing and revision

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2
Q

Which of the following is NOT a goal of science?

A

Proving supernatural events

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3
Q

How do scientists primarily approach new information?

A

By evaluating it based on evidence

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4
Q

What is the term for the process of observing and asking questions about the natural world in an organized way?

A

Scientific method

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5
Q

Which statement best describes the nature of scientific facts?

A

They are subject to revision based on new evidence

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6
Q

What is the primary focus of scientific research?

A

Natural phenomena

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7
Q

How do scientists typically propose explanations for observed phenomena?

A

Based on evidence and understanding

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8
Q

What does it mean when scientific discoveries raise more questions than answers?

A

Science is progressing and new avenues for study are opening

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9
Q

Which of the following is NOT a part of scientific methodology?

A

Accepting conclusions without questioning

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10
Q

What is an inference in scientific terms?

A

A logical interpretation based on existing knowledge

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11
Q

In a controlled experiment, what is the independent variable?

A

The variable that is changed by the experimenter

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12
Q

What is the primary purpose of a control group in an experiment?

A

To provide a basis for comparison

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13
Q

Which type of data involves characteristics that usually can’t be measured numerically?

A

Qualitative data

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14
Q

What is a scientific theory?

A

A highly-tested, reliable explanation of natural events

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15
Q

Which of the following is NOT considered a scientific attitude?

A

Closed-mindedness

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16
Q

What is the primary purpose of peer review in scientific research?

A

To allow evaluation and testing of data and analysis

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17
Q

What is bias in scientific terms?

A

A personal, non-scientific point of view

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18
Q

Which of the following is NOT a field of biology mentioned in the text?

A

Astrophysics

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19
Q

What is homeostasis in living organisms?

A

Maintaining a relatively constant set of internal conditions

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20
Q

What is the primary characteristic of science that distinguishes it from other ways of explaining the world?

A

It uses evidence to construct testable explanations

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21
Q

Which of the following best describes the nature of scientific knowledge?

A

It is constantly changing and evolving

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22
Q

What is the main goal of science?

A

To understand the interactions of parts and processes in the physical universe

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23
Q

What is the basic unit of matter?

A

Atom

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24
Q

Which subatomic particle is found outside the nucleus and has a negative charge?

A

Electron

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25
Q

What is the atomic number of an element determined by?

A

Number of protons

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26
Q

Which of the following is NOT one of the six elements that make up about 99% of living things?

A

Potassium

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27
Q

What is the term for atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons?

A

Isotopes

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28
Q

What is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom’s nucleus called?

A

Atomic mass

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29
Q

Which isotope of carbon has 6 protons and 8 neutrons?

A

Carbon-14

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30
Q

What is a chemical combination of two or more elements in definite proportions called?

A

Compound

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31
Q

In the compound NaCl, what type of chemical bond is formed between sodium and chlorine?

A

Ionic bond

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32
Q

What happens when an atom loses electrons?

A

It becomes positively charged

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33
Q

In a covalent bond, what is shared between atoms?

A

Electrons

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34
Q

What is the smallest unit of most compounds?

A

Molecule

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35
Q

Which force produces slight attraction between molecules when they are very close?

A

Van der Waals force

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36
Q

What is the chemical formula for water?

A

H2O

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37
Q

In a water molecule, which atom has a stronger attraction for electrons?

A

Oxygen

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38
Q

What type of bond is formed between water molecules?

A

Hydrogen bond

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39
Q

Which of the following is a characteristic of radioactive isotopes?

A

They break down at an unpredictable rate

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40
Q

What is the charge of a neutron?

A

Neutral

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41
Q

How does the mass of an electron compare to that of a proton?

A

It is 1/1840 the mass

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42
Q

Which of the following best describes a polar covalent bond?

A

Unequal sharing of electrons, resulting in partial charges

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43
Q

Which two types of particles are present in equal numbers in an atom, but not in an ion?

A

Protons and electrons

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44
Q

The elements sodium and chlorine react to form the chemical compound sodium chloride. How would you predict the properties of sodium chloride compare with those of its constituent elements?

A

Very different

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45
Q

What is the primary reason water can form multiple hydrogen bonds?

A

Its polarity

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46
Q

What is cohesion in the context of water molecules?

A

Attraction between molecules of the same substance

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47
Q

Why does water have a high heat capacity?

A

Because it can form multiple hydrogen bonds

48
Q

What is an example of a solution?

A

Salt dissolved in water

49
Q

What property of water allows it to dissolve ionic compounds and polar molecules?

A

Polarity

50
Q

What happens when water has dissolved all the solute it can?

A

It becomes saturated

51
Q

What is a suspension?

A

A mixture of water and undissolved material

52
Q

What is the pH of a neutral solution?

A

7

53
Q

Which of the following substances is considered an acid?

A

Vinegar

54
Q

What is the pH value of bleach?

A

12.5

55
Q

What is the function of buffers in biological systems?

A

To prevent sharp changes in pH

56
Q

What ions do acids release into a solution?

A

Hydrogen ions

57
Q

How many times more hydrogen ions does a solution with a pH of 4 have compared to a solution with a pH of 5?

A

10 times

58
Q

What is the primary solvent in blood?

A

Water

59
Q

Which property of water contributes to surface tension?

A

Cohesion

60
Q

What is the term for the attraction between molecules of different substances?

A

Adhesion

61
Q

What is an example of an ionic compound that water can dissolve?

A

Salt

62
Q

What does it mean if a solution is basic?

A

It has more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions

63
Q

Why is water essential in living organisms?

A

It is a medium for chemical reactions

64
Q

What happens when water molecules split?

A

They form hydrogen ions and oxygen ions

65
Q

Who first used the term ‘cells’ to describe the chambers observed in cork?

A

Robert Hooke

66
Q

The cell theory states that all living things are composed of what?

A

Cells

67
Q

What is a limitation of light microscopes?

A

Images are clear up to a magnification of about 1000 times

68
Q

What type of microscope uses beams of electrons?

A

Electron microscope

69
Q

Why are chemical dyes or stains used in light microscopy?

A

To make cells and their parts visible

70
Q

Which type of electron microscope is used to explore cell structures and large protein molecules?

A

Transmission electron microscope

71
Q

What is a characteristic of a scanning electron microscope (SEM)?

A

Produces 3-dimensional images

72
Q

What conclusion did Matthias Schleiden make in 1838?

A

All plants are made of cells

73
Q

Which scientist used a microscope to observe pond water and discovered tiny living organisms?

A

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

74
Q

How small can electron microscopes see?

A

1 billionth of a meter

75
Q

What is a major disadvantage of using electron microscopes?

A

They can only examine nonliving cells and tissues

76
Q

Which of the following is not part of the cell theory?

A

Cells can spontaneously generate

77
Q

What is the main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

A

Presence of a nucleus

78
Q

Which of the following structures encloses the genetic material in a eukaryotic cell?

A

Nucleus

79
Q

What type of organism are cyanobacteria classified as?

A

Prokaryotes

80
Q

Which characteristic is common to all prokaryotic cells?

A

They lack membrane-bound organelles

81
Q

How did the first photosynthetic organisms impact Earth’s atmosphere?

A

They reduced carbon dioxide levels

82
Q

What type of organism are cyanobacteria classified as?

A

d. Prokaryotes

83
Q

Which characteristic is common to all prokaryotic cells?

A

c. They lack membrane-bound organelles

84
Q

How did the first photosynthetic organisms impact Earth’s atmosphere?

A

d. They increased oxygen levels

85
Q

Which type of cell is generally larger and more complex?

A

a. Eukaryotic

86
Q

Which of the following is an example of a eukaryotic organism?

A

a. Fungi

87
Q

What role do bacteria play in the environment?

A

c. They play important roles such as decomposition and nitrogen fixation

88
Q

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of eukaryotic cells?

A

a. They are always unicellular

89
Q

Which group does NOT include eukaryotic organisms?

A

d. Bacteria

90
Q

What is the main function of the nucleus in a cell?

A

c. To act as the control center of the cell

91
Q

What is passive transport?

A

b. Movement of molecules without using cellular energy

92
Q

What is homeostasis?

A

c. A state of relatively constant internal physical and chemical conditions

93
Q

How does diffusion occur?

A

a. By moving particles from a higher to a lower concentration

94
Q

What is equilibrium in the context of diffusion?

A

a. When the concentration of particles is the same on both sides

95
Q

What is facilitated diffusion?

A

d. Diffusion through special protein channels without energy

96
Q

What role do aquaporins play in cells?

A

c. They allow water to pass through the cell membrane

97
Q

How does osmosis differ from simple diffusion?

A

c. Osmosis involves the diffusion of water through a membrane

98
Q

What does isotonic mean?

A

a. The solute concentration is the same on both sides of the membrane

99
Q

Which solution is considered hypertonic?

A

a. The side with higher solute concentration

100
Q

What is hypotonic solution?

A

d. A solution with a lower solute concentration

101
Q

What is osmotic pressure?

A

b. The difference in solute concentration that causes water movement

102
Q

Why do cells in large organisms not burst when in contact with fresh water?

A

b. They actively pump out excess water

103
Q

What happens when a cell is in a hypertonic solution?

A

a. The cell will shrink

104
Q

What is the primary function of protein channels in facilitated diffusion?

A

b. To allow large or polar molecules to pass through the cell membrane

105
Q

What is a key characteristic of passive transport?

A

a. It does not require energy

106
Q

Which of the following best describes osmosis?

A

b. Movement of water from high to low concentration through a membrane

107
Q

What condition occurs when the concentration of solutes is the same inside and outside the cell?

A

d. Isotonic

108
Q

How do cells maintain homeostasis?

A

b. By regulating the movement of molecules across the membrane

109
Q

Which statement about facilitated diffusion is true?

A

c. It involves the use of protein channels

110
Q

What occurs when a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution?

A

b. It gains water and swells

111
Q

What is active transport?

A

c. Movement of materials against a concentration difference requiring energy

112
Q

Which type of transport involves proteins acting like pumps?

A

a. Passive transport

113
Q

What is the role of protein pumps in cells?

A

b. To move ions like calcium, potassium, and sodium across the cell membrane

114
Q

Which component is NOT directly involved in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis?

A

b. Carbon dioxide

115
Q

What is the primary function of ATP synthase in photosynthesis?

A

c. To allow H+ ions to pass through and produce ATP

116
Q

In the electron transport chain, what is the original source of replacement electrons?

A

a. Water molecules

Biology (3 decks)

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