Biology Exam Questions (with the exception of the ones with pictures)

a) mutations are a source of variation in the species

The survival of a species depends on its ability to adapt to changes in the environment. A species must be capable of surviving and reproducing despite changes to food sources, climate, or threats from predators. Which statement correctly describes a way that mutations increase the likelihood that a species will survive in a changing environment? a) mutations are a source of variation in the species b) mutations are the cause of disease in the species c) mutations are not harmful when they occur in somatic cells of the species d) mutations are always passed on to subsequent generations of the species

What is the role of mRNA in expressing specialized structures? a) providing information to form proteins b) making energy available c) creating bonds to form biomolecules d) producing sugars that assist with replication

a) providing information to form proteins

Researches combine the sequences of fruit-fly DNA from a gene for a particular trait, with frog DNA. The mixture was heated to separate the DNA strands. Cooling allowed the single strands to form pairs. The researchers observed that some of the fruit-fly DNA paired with frog DNA. The results provide evidence that- a) similar nucleotides are present in both fruit-fly and frog DNA b)fruit flies and frogs can be made to develop some of the same physical traits c)heat can cause mutations in DNA sequences of organisms d) the replication of genetic material can occur at any temperature

a) similar nucleotides are present in both fruit-fly and frog DNA

The himalayan rabbit's habitat has cold, snowy winters and mild summers. The body is typically covered in white fur except for the nose, feet, tail, and ears, which are covered in black fur. A scientist shaved an area of white fur on the back of a himalayan rabbit and placed an ice pack over the shaved area. The shaved area grew black fur. Which of the following best explains why the hair that grew back where the ice pack was placed was black and not white? a) the genes for black fur were activated by specific temperatures b) the white fur mutated to black fur as the rabbit's body temperature decreased c) the coat changed color from white to black with the age of the rabbit d) white hair only grows at certain times of the year

a) the genes for black fur were activated by specific temperatures

Which statement explains how producers are dependent upon consumers for their survival? a) consumers supply oxygen for produces to undergo aerobic respiration b) consumers produce carbon dioxide for producers to use during photosynthesis c) consumers provide chemical energy needed by producers for cellular respiration d) consumers make lactic acid that producers use in photosynthesis?

b) consumers produce carbon dioxide for producers to use during photosynthesis

Human bone, muscle, and nerve cells all contain the same number of chromosomes with the same complement of genes. What enables these cells to perform specialized activities? a) the ability of some cells to remove unnecessary DNA sequences b)the regulation of gene expression within each cell type c) the mutation of genes within each cell type d) the use of different methods of cell division

b) the regulation of gene expression within each cell type

Scientists use zebra fish to study human genetic diseases because zebra fish and humans share many of the same genetic diseases. Which statement describes why zebra fish experience similar genetic diseases as humans? a) zebra fish have an omnivorous diet similar to that of humans b) zebra fish have nucleotide sequences similar to those of humans c) zebra fish go through embryonic stages similar to those of humans d) zebra fish produce gametes through a process that is similar to humans

b) zebra fish have nucleotide sequences similar to those of humans

In cattle, the allele for cloven hooves (H) is dominant over the allele for mule-foot hooves (h). What is the probability of cloven hooves in the offspring of parents that are heterozygous for the trait? a) 25% b) 50% c) 75% d) 100%

c) 75%

Which of these is the direct result of an error in transcription of a DNA nucleotide? a) the nuclear membrane is ruptured b) amino acids do not bond to tRNA c) a codon sequence is incorrect d) transportation of mRNA does not occur

c) a codon sequence is incorrect

From a single fertilized ovum undergoing a series of rapid cell divisions, a human infant develops. The embryonic cells become specialized for a variety of functions. Which of these statements best describes how different cell types develop? a) each cell type contains only the active parts of the DNA needed for that cell type b) each cell type has only one chromosome containing the DNA needed for that cell type c) each cell type has an identical copy of DNA with enzymes controlling the expression of specific genes, leading to a variety of cells d) each cell has multiple copies of DNA that are affected in different ways by the environment to change the function of the cell at regular intervals

c) each cell type has an identical copy of DNA with enzymes controlling the expression of specific genes, leading to a variety of cells

When mammals get an infection, their internal body temperature often rises 2 to 3 degrees celsius. The body gets the energy it needs to react to an infection by- a) increasing the rate of cellular division b) decreasing the rate of glucose movement into the cell c) increasing the rate of cellular respiration in the mitochondria d) decreasing the rate at which carbon dioxide is removed from the cell

c) increasing the rate of cellular respiration in the mitochondria (Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell)

A mutation in which types of cells would only affect the organism and not future generations? a) egg cell and liver cell b) sperm and egg cell c) nerve and brain cell d) sperm and lung cell

c) nerve and brain cell (the sperm and egg will all affect the future generations, therefore the answer cannot have sperm or egg)

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration both involve the use and release of gases. Which statement correctly identifies the role of gasses in the two processes? a) photosynthesis and cellular respiration both use carbon dioxide and release oxygen b) photosynthesis and cellular respiration both use oxygen and release carbon dioxide c) respiration uses oxygen and releases carbon dioxide, while photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide and releases oxygen d) respiration uses carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, while photosynthesis uses oxygen and releases carbon dioxide

c) respiration uses oxygen and releases carbon dioxide, while photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide and releases oxygen

In the early 1980s scientists were able to produce two biomolecules by splicing a human gene into the bacterium E. coli to make recombinant human insulin and growth hormone. Which statement best explains why this experiment was successful? a) human cells are eukaryotic, and E. coli cells are prokaryotic b) all living organisms share the same genome c) the genes of all organisms are composed of the same building blocks d)the human body contains many types of bacteria, including E. coli

c) the genes of all organisms are composed of the same building blocks

In holstein cattle the allele for black hair color (B) is dominant over the allele for red hair (b) and the allele for polled (P) or lacking horns, is dominant over the allele for having horns (p). What is the expected phenotypic ration of the offspring of a BbPp x BbPp cross if these alleles sort independently? a) 16 black/polled; 0 black/horned; 0 red/polled; 0 red/horned b) 12 black/polled; 0 black/horned; 0 red/polled; 4 red/horned c) 4 black/polled; 4 black/horned; 4 red/polled; 4 red/horned d) 9 black/polled; 3 black/horned; 3 red/polled; 1 red/horned

d) 9 black/polled; 3 black/horned; 3 red/polled; 1 red/horned (when you do a dyhybrid cross that is hetero all the way across, it will always be 9,3,3,1)

Scientists can bioengineer skin in a laboratory to treat severe burns and other types of skin injuries. This bioengineered tissue is grown from living cells. The cellular process that enables the cells to grow and develop into tissue is- a) conjugation b) budding c) meiosis d) mitosis

d) mitosis