Natural Science (Practice Questions)

Which of the following would cause a high angle of reflection of a light wave? (a) high angle of incidence of the wave (b) a low angle of incidence of the wave (c) a wave that travels through a medium of higher density (d) a wave with a very short wavelength

(a) a high angle of incidence of the wave

Salts are made from a combination of what two types of elements? (a) a metal and nonmetal (b) a nonmetal and an alkaline earth metal (c) a cation from a base and an anion from an acid (d) a metal and a halogen

(a) a metal and nonmetal

Which division of plants produces seeds for reproduction? (a) anthophyta (b) lycophyta (c) sphenophyta (d) pterophyta

(a) anthophyta

Where is the type of RNA that carries and positions amino acids for further assembly located in the cell? (a) cytoplasm (b) nucleus (c) ribosome (d) mitochondria

(a) cytoplasm

Most organic molecules have all of the following properties except: (a) high solubility in water (b) tendency to melt (c) covalently bonded (d) high flammability

(a) high solubility in water

Which statements best describes the process of absolute dating? (a) it compares the amount of radioactive material in a rock to the amount that has decayed into another element (b) it measures the age of a rock by comparing it to fossils found in the same stratigrahic layer as the rock (c) it measures the amount of daughter elements that have broken down by half (d) it measures the mass loss of a rock by estimating the amount of material that has eroded due to catastrophic events

(a) it compares the amount of radioactive material in a rock to the amount that has decayed into another element

This organelle contains digestive enzymes that break down food and unneeded substances. They are also thought to be linked to the aging process. What part of a cell does this describe? (a) lysosomes (b) chromatin (c) plastids (d) golgi apparatus

(a) lysosomes

What is the result of allopatric speciation? (a) new species due to geographic isolation (b) new species due to geographic overlap (c) hybrid species due to geographic overlap (d) loss of diversity of a species due to geographic divergence

(a) new species due to geographic isolation

Use the following information to answer question. Four identical liquid samples inside of identical sealed containers initially at room temperature were placed in four isolated environments, each with its own maintained temperature. After each liquid sample is allowed sufficient time to assume the temperature of its environment, the samples changed as follows: In sample A, the liquid vaporizes and is now a gas. In sample B, the liquid is boiling. In sample C, the liquid is now a solid. In sample D, the liquid remains as a liquid. Which sample's container has the greatest pressure? (a) sample A (b) sample B (c) sample C (d) sample D

(a) sample A

Which statement best describes the molecular arrangement of a liquid crystal? (a) the molecular arrangement is random in some directions and regular in others. (b) the molecular arrangement is a regularly, repeating pattern in all directions. (c) the molecular arrangement is random in all directions. (d) the molecular arrangement is reduced to one layer with a random pattern.

(a) the molecular arrangement is random in some directions and regular in others.

What would happen to light waves if they hit a convex lens? (a) they will be refracted and converge (b) they will be refracted and diverge (c) they will be reflected and converge (d) they will be reflected and diverged

(a) they will be refracted and converge

How are animals of the Mollusca phylum able to respire? (a) through gills (b) though a trachea (c) through lungs (d) through muscle contraction

(a) through gills

The following represents a simple food chain. What trophic level contains the greatest amount of energy? Tree? Caterpillar? Frog? Snake? Hawk? Worm? (a) tree (b) caterpillar (c) hawk (d) worm

(a) tree

Which of the following is an example of a trace fossil? (a) a mouse jaw (b) a footprint (c) a shark took (d) a cast of a skull

(b) a footprint

Which statement accurately describes an electrolysis reaction? (a) a reaction that changes the charge of the atom (b) a reaction that uses electricity to drive it (c) a reaction that creates electricity as a by-product (d) a reaction that lowers the pH of the substances

(b) a reaction that uses electricity to drive it

Which of the following describes the difference between an anabolism reaction and a catabolism reaction? (a) anabolism undergoes ionic reactions, which catabolism undergoes covalent reactions. (b) anabolism undergoes condensation reactions, while catabolism undergoes hydrolysis. (c) anabolism reactions use water, while catabolism reactions do not. (d) anabolism reactions release glucose, while catabolism reactions release water.

(b) anabolism undergoes condensation reactions, while catabolism undergoes hydrolysis.

Which action will help dissolve gas in a liquid if the gas and liquid are placed in a sealed container? (a) heat the liquid (b) cool the liquid (c) shake the container (d) decrease the pressure on the lid

(b) cool the liquid

In which taxonomic group are organisms most alike? (a) phylum (b) family (c) class (d) order

(b) family

What group of the periodic table makes up the alkaline earth metals? (a) group 1 (b) group 2 (c) group 13 (d) group 17

(b) group 2

How did Jean Baptiste Lamarck's theory of natural selection by stating some genes allow for natural selection? (a) he expanded Darwin's theory of natural selection by stating that some genes allow for better survival than others. (b) he proposed an alternate theory by stating that favorable traits developed due to environmental conditions and the desire and needs of the organism. (c) he provided evidence to Darwin's belief that the desires and needs of organisms affected evolution of populations. (d) he opposed Darwin's view that the evolution was predetermined and believed that the selection of traits was more random.

(b) he proposed an alternate theory by stating that favorable traits developed due to environmental conditions and the desire and needs of the organism.

Which statement best explains the Biological Species Concept (BSC)? (a) it states that the status of species is based on the ability to pass on the most successful traits to their offspring (b) it states that the status of species based on the reproductive isolation of populations (c) it states that the status of species is based on the ability of populations to mix produce fertile hybrids (d) it states that the status of a species is due to the theory of natural selections

(b) it states that the status of species based on the reproductive isolation of populations

Plant A undergoes C4 photosynthesis. What type of environment would the plant most likely live in? (a) plant A lives in a very moist environment (b) plant A lives in a very arid environment (c) plant A lives in a marine environment (d) plant A lives in a dark environment that lacks solar energy

(b) plant A lives in a very arid environment

Use the following information to answer question. Four identical liquid samples inside of identical sealed containers initially at room temperature were placed in four isolated environments, each with its own maintained temperature. After each liquid sample is allowed sufficient time to assume the temperature of its environment, the samples changed as follows: In sample A, the liquid vaporizes and is now a gas. In sample B, the liquid is boiling. In sample C, the liquid is now a solid. In sample D, the liquid remains as a liquid. If the temperature in each environment were increased by 10 degrees Celsius and each sample were allowed time to assume the new temperature, which of the following events is MOST likely to occur? (a) sample A would become a liquid (b) sample B would become a gas (c) sample D would begin to boil (d) None of these are likely to occur

(b) sample B would become a gas

What part of a plant system responds to a stimuli by releasing water via transpiration, except during adverse conditions like a drought when it closes up to prevent the plant from dehydration? (a) pith (b) stomata (c) guard cell (d) sepals

(b) stoma

If an astronomer observing the stars detects a blue shift, what could he conclude? (a) the star is moving farther away from him (b) the star is moving closer or toward him (c) the star is cooling down and becoming smaller (d) the star is heating up and becoming larger

(b) the star is moving closer toward him

Which of the following descriptions of Lewis dot structure is NOT correct? (a) they show the bonding between atoms of a molecule (b) they they show all the electrons of each atom of a molecule (c) the total number of electrons is equal to the sum of the number of valance electrons on each atom (d) they show any lone pairs of electrons that may exist in a molecule that are not bonded to another atom

(b) they they show all the electrons of each atom of a molecule

What do all animals belonging to the Echinodermata hylum have in common? (a) they use multiple appendages for locomotion (b) they use tube feet for locomotion and feeding (c) they have an en exoskeleton made of chitin (d) they must shed their outer layer of skin to grow

(b) they use tube feet for locomotion and feeding

Which of the following situations would result in generation of a new crust? (a) two crustal plates converge (b) two crustal plates move apart (c) two crustal plates slide past one another (d) a crustal plate is pushed down into the mantle

(b) two crustal plates move apart

Which of the following liquids will have the highest electrical conductivity? (a) pure water (b) water plus salt (c) water plus vinegar (d) water plus carbonated soda

(b) water plus salt

A dihybrid cross is made between the dominant genes for Brown eyes (B) and Blonde hair (S), and the recessive genes for blue eyes (b) and red hair (s). What fraction of offspring should have the genotype BbSs in the F2 generation. (a) 1/16 (b) 3/16 (c) 4/16 (d) 9/16

(c) 4/16

Examine the following reaction. What are the possible products? ABC ----> ____ + ____ (a) 2AB + C (b) AB + CD (c) A + BC (d) B + C

(c) A + BC

In a single replacement reaction, what products could result from these reactants in the following chemical equation? 2Al + Fe2 O3 ----> (a) AlO3 + Fe2 (b) 2Fe2 + 2AlO3 (c) Al2O3 + 2Fe (d) 2AlFeO3

(c) Al2O3 + 2Fe

The following is the anticodon sequence formed during translation. What is the original codon sequence? A C G U A C G C U (a) T G C A T G C G A (b) UG C T U G C G T (c) U G C A U G C G A (d) U C G A U C G A

(c) U G C A U G C G A

Which of the following elements is not a notable gas? (a) neon (b) argon (c) astatine (d) krypton

(c) astatine

If a population reaches a maximum size and ceases to grow due to a limited availability of resources, the population is (a) unstable (b) shrinking exponentially (c) at carrying capacity (d) moving towards extinction

(c) at carrying capacity

What type of compound is formed by the combination of two or more non-metallic elements with one another? (a) organic (b) ionic (c) covalent (d) chemical

(c) covalent

Where are the reproductive organs of a plan? (a) style (b) stigma (c) flowers (d) sepals

(c) flowers

Which of the following would increase the reaction rate of chemical reaction? (a) low kinetic energy (b) low temperature (c) high concentration (d) high activation energy

(c) high concentration

Fossils are least likely to be found in (a) sedimentary rock (b) metamorphic rock (c) igneous rock (d) fossils are commonly found in all types of rock

(c) igneous rock

Which of the following terms describes an intrusion of magma injected between two layers of sedimentary rock, forcing the overlying stata upward to create a dome-like form? (a) sill (b) dike (c) laccolith (d) caldera

(c) laccolith

The main function of _______ is to reduce the number of chromosomes to half the number of parent cells? (a) mitosis (b) telophase (c) meiosis I (d) meiosis II

(c) meiosis I

Which of the following animals would most likely be found in the taiga? (a) antelope (b) snake (c) moose (d) polar bear

(c) moose

Copper is added to silver nitrate, which reacts to form copper nitrate and silver. What type of reaction has occurred? (a) compound (b) decomposition (c) single replacement (d) double replacement

(c) single replacement

A gas is held in a closed container and held at constant temperature. What is the effect of increasing the volume of the container by 3 times? (a) the pressure is tripled (b) the pressure increases to one third (c) the pressure decreases to one third (d) the pressure remains constant

(c) the pressure decreases to one third

Which of the following words is not connected to the process of mountain building? (a) folding (b) faulting (c) transform (d) convergent

(c) transform

Many people have their wisdom teeth removed because they no longer serve a function in humans and may cause problems if left in. What are wisdom teeth an example of? (a) analogous structure (b) homologous structure (c) vestigial structure (d) divergent structure

(c) vestigial structure

Which of the following is an example of chemical weathering? (a) rain freezing on the roadway (b) ivy growing on the side of a wooden house (c) vinegar fizzing when poured on a rock (d) a river carrying sediment downstream

(c) vinegar fizzing when poured on a rock

Which of the following animal structures is NOT paired to its correct function? (a) Muscle System - controls movement through three types of muscle tissue (b) Nervous Sytem - controls sensory response by carrying impulses away from and toward the cell body (c) Digestive System - breaks down food for absorption into the blood stream where it is delivered to cells for respiration (d) Circulatory System - exchange gases with the environment by delivering oxygen to the bloodstream and releasing carbon dioxide

(d) Circulatory System - exchange gases with the environment by delivering oxygen to the bloodstream and releasing carbon dioxide

Which of the following does NOT describe a carboxyl group correctly? (a) a carbon atom attached to an oxygen atom by a double bond and to a hydroxyl group by a single bond. (b) a carbonyl group bonded to a hydroxyl group. (c) a set of four atoms bonded together and abbreviated as C02H. (d) a carbon atom attached to a hydrogen atom by a double bond and to an oxygen atom by a double bond.

(d) a carbon atom attached to a hydrogen atom by a double bond and to an oxygen atom by a double bond.

Plants begin to break down the products of photosynthesis through respiration. What is the result of respiration? (a) water (b) oxygen and glucose (c) carbon dioxide and sugar (d) carbon dioxide and water

(d) carbon dioxide and water

What term is used to describe two waves that are out of phase as they come together to produce a new wave? (a) incomplete interference (b) distorted interference (c) constructive interference (d) destructive interference

(d) destructive inference

Which of the following sources of fresh water is unavailable for human use? (a) rivers (b) estuaries (c) aquifers (d) glaciers

(d) glaciers

The formation of sedimentary rock includes all of the following processes except: (a) layering (b) cementation (c) compaction (d) heat

(d) heat

What type of mutation is represented by the following sequence? 1 5 4 3 2 6 (a) breakage (b) deletion (c) insertion (d) inversion

(d) inversion

Which of the following is NOT an advantage angiosperms show over other types of plants? (a) larger leaves (b) double fertilization (c) dormant seeds (d) lower seed dispersal

(d) lower seed dispersal

What type of substance is least likely to be soluble in water? (a) ionic (b) polar (c) hydrophilic (d) non-polar

(d) non-polar

Which of the following would not be used as evidence for evolution? (a) fossil record (b) DNA sequences (c) anatomical structures (d) reproductive habits

(d) reproductive habits

How does adding a solute to a liquid solvent affect the vapor pressure of the liquid? (a) the vapor pressure increases by an amount of proportional to the amount of solute (b) the vapor pressure increases by an amount of proportional to the amount of solvent (c) the vapor pressure decreases by an amount proportional to the amount of solute. (d) the amount of solute present in a liquid solvent does not have any effect on vapor pressure.

(d) the amount of solute present in a liquid solvent does not have any effect on vapor pressure.

If an atom has a neutral charge, what must be true of them? (a) the nucleus contains only neutrons and no protons (b) the atomic mass is equal to the number of neutrons (c) the atomic number is equal to the number of neutrons (d) the atomic number is equal to the number of electrons

(d) the atomic number is equal to the number of electrons

Which of the following is not true of a chemical reaction? (a) matter is never gained or lost (b) heat may be absorbed or released (c) the rate of the reaction increases with temperature (d) there may be a different number of atoms for the products and the reactants

(d) there may be a different number of atoms for the products and the reactants