Unit 3B: Basics of Life - Practice Tests & Quizzes

Question 1

Which cell structure does a virus have in common with a prokaryotic cell?

Answer 1

Nucleic Acid

Question 2

HIV is a retrovirus. Which sequence does it use as part of its reproductive cycle?

Answer 2

RNA –> DNA –> RNA –> Protein

Question 3

A student observes the lytic cycle and concludes that viruses are nonliving. Which statement supports the conclusion?

Answer 3

Viruses do not perform cell division to reproduce like other living organisms.

Question 4

What is the protein shell of a virus?

Answer 4

Capsid

Question 5

Viruses are simple particles that contain either DNA or RNA protected by a protein coat. Which statement best suggests why viruses must have host cells to replicate their genetic materials and build new particles?

Answer 5

They lack enzymes necessary to carry out metabolic reactions.

Question 6

A student observes a diagram of the lytic cycle and concludes that viruses are nonliving. Which statement supports the conclusion?

Answer 6

Viruses do not perform cell division to reproduce like other living organisms.

Question 7

Which condition must be fulfilled in order for a virus to reproduce?

Answer 7

A virus must have taken over the protein production resources of a cell.

Question 8

Which characteristic do viruses share with living things?

Answer 8

They both contain genetic material.

Question 9

Based on a diagram of a virus, a student claims that a virus is a living organism. Is the claim made by the student correct?

Answer 9

No. A virus lacks cell organelles such as mitochondira.

Question 10

What is the best argument that viruses are considered to not be alive?

Answer 10

Viruses are not made of cells.

Question 11

Which structure does a virus have in common with a prokaryotic cell?

Answer 11

Nucleic acid

Question 12

Which characteristic of viruses prevents them from being used as evidence to support cell theory?

Answer 12

Viruses replicate only inside host cells.

Question 13

A student collects several plants and pebbles from a riverbank, places them in an aquarium, and records observations for 15 days. The sizes of the plants increase, while the sizes of the pebbles remain the same. The student classifies the pebbles as nonliving things. Which criteria does the student use as the basis for the classification?

Answer 13

The ability to grow

Question 14

What structure can be found in both a virus and a cell?

Answer 14

Nucleic acid chain

Question 15

What is the name of the protein coat that surrounds and protects the genetic information of the cell?

Answer 15

Capsid

Question 16

What is NOT a characteristic shared by all living things?

Answer 16

Consistent heart rate

Question 17

HIV is a retrovirus. Which sequence does it use as part of its reproductive cycle?

Answer 17

RNA —> DNA —> RNA —> Protein

Question 18

Viruses are often compared to bacteria due to their ability to cause disease in humans. However, viruses, unlike bacteria, are not classified as living things. Which characteristic do viruses share with bacteria?

Answer 18

Viruses contain genetic material.

Question 19

Phototropic flowers grow towards the sun. Which characteristic of life do phototropic flowers demonstrate?

Answer 19

Ability to respond to stimuli