Chapter 1

Student: _________________________________________________________
1. Living organisms are characterized by:
A. adapting to the environment.
B. evolving over time.
C. displaying homeostatic mechanisms.
D. all of the choices pertain to living organisms.
2. A __________ consists of the interactions between groups of different individuals and the non-living factors
in a particular area.
A. population
B. ecosystem
C. community
D. domain
3. Organisms belonging to the same _____ would be the most closely related.
A. kingdom
B. phylum
C. family
D. class
E. order
4. Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics of living organisms?
A. to be organized
B. to respond
C. to grow
D. to metabolize
E. All of the choices are characteristics of living organisms.
5. A university biology department wishes to hire a scientist to work on the relationships among the wolves,
moose, trees and physical features on an island. If you were charged with writing the job announcement, you
should title the position
A. population geneticist.
B. molecular biologist.
C. community ecologist.
D. organismic physiologist.
E. island zoologist.
6. Which term is based on Greek root words meaning "ordered arrangement of the home"?
A. biology
B. biosphere
C. homeostasis
D. photosynthesis
E. ecosystem
7. Which of the following sequences of organization is likely to be seen in a multicellular organism, going from
smallest to largest?
A. cell, organ, tissue, organism
B. cell, organ, system, tissue

C. cell, tissue, system, organism

D. organism, system, organ, tissue
E. tissue, system, cell, organ
8. Studying a brick does not predict the design of a skyscraper. Intense examination of muscle tissues does not
allow you to predict the design of a kangaroo or clam. The structure of chlorophyll does not dictate the unique
structure of a tree. These cases demonstrate
A. essential properties of life.
B. levels of organization from atom to biosphere.
C. determinism, or how all phenomena are predictable effects of causes.
D. emergent properties that are easily predicted by examining their parts.
E. emergent properties that cannot be predicted by examining their parts.
9. Which of the following characteristics is NOT required for the life of an individual organism to continue?
A. to be organized
B. to respond
C. to metabolize
D. to reproduce
10. One classic definition of life is "a self-replicating molecular assemblage." However, clay particles (in clay
soil) contain layered aluminum and iron compounds that determine the pattern of the adjacent layers of
sediment. This is technically a self-replicating molecular assemblage.
A. Therefore, it is living.
B. It is not living because it cannot think.
C. It is not living because there were no molecular changes (or chemistry) involved.
D. It is not living because there is no carbon involved; otherwise, such duplication would be living.
E. It is not living because it is a simple repetitive process without the ability to evolve or respond to the
environment.
11. Which of the following organisms is NOT ultimately dependent on the sun as a source of energy?
A. A night-blooming flower is pollinated by night-flying bats.
B. An underground earthworm avoids the sun.
C. A cave fish feeds on debris that washes down to it.
D. All of the choices ARE ultimately dependent on the sun.
E. All of the choices are NOT ultimately dependent on the sun.
12. Which statement is FALSE about nearly all living things?
A. Living things are made up of cells.
B. Living things must obey the laws of chemistry and physics.
C. Living things show biological organization and other common characteristics of life.
D. Emergent properties can be used to distinguish living things from nonliving things.
E. Living things are composed only of organic elements, whereas nonliving things are made up of inorganic
elements.
13. What is the process by which the sun's energy is trapped as the source of energy used by virtually all living
organisms?
A. evolution
B. metabolism
C. adaptation
D. homeostasis
E. photosynthesis

14. What is the name of all the chemical energy transformations that occur within a cell?
A. evolution
B. metabolism
C. adaptation
D. homeostasis
E. photosynthesis
15. Metabolism is the sum of chemical reactions that occur in living cells, and we are accustomed to living cells
continuously using energy and respiring. Even when plants and seeds are "dormant," we expect that they are
carrying on metabolism but at a very slow rate. "Cryptobiosis" is a state of almost total loss of water seen in
some roundworms, rotifers, and tardigrades and has been considered a near cessation of metabolism. Recently,
a botanist working in a British museum accidentally spilled fluid on 120+ year old herbarium mounts. Fearing
damage to the plant specimen, he immediately inspected it under the microscope only to find small tardigrades
"waking up." Such observations
A. support the claim that the tardigrades were always alive but respiring at a very slow rate.
B. generate the possibility that we can bring most dead animals back to life.
C. contradict the cell theory that all life comes from life.
D. indicate that metabolism probably did totally stop, and that organization may be sufficient to maintain the
possibility for "life."
E. suggest that a "vital force" may be involved in defining when life is present.
16. What do we call the maintenance of internal conditions of an organism within a certain boundary range?
A. evolution
B. metabolism
C. adaptation
D. homeostasis
E. photosynthesis
17. Which of the following terms is based on the Greek root words for "holding still" or "to be standing"?
A. evolution
B. metabolism
C. adaptation
D. homeostasis
E. photosynthesis
18. Which of the following does NOT represent homeostasis?
A. Sensors detect CO2 levels in the blood and trigger an increase or decrease in the rate of breathing.
B. When body temperature drops, you shiver to generate heat; when your body heats up, you sweat and the
evaporation cools you.
C. Feelings of hunger and then fullness affect the length of time and quantity of food you eat, keeping your
weight near a "set point."
D. Energy is captured by plants, then transferred to consumers and decomposers, and eventually lost as heat.
E. Cells adjusting the openings on the bottom of leaves respond to differences in water stress in order to
maintain moisture inside the leaf.
19. Which of these is a peculiarity of form, function, or behavior that promotes the likelihood of a species'
continued existence?
A. evolution
B. metabolism
C. adaptation
D. homeostasis
E. photosynthesis

20. Which of these is the process by which changes occur in the characteristics of species of organisms over
time?
A. evolution
B. metabolism
C. adaptation
D. homeostasis
E. photosynthesis
21. All ecosystems taken together make up a
A. niche.
B. biosphere.
C. community.
D. population.
E. habitat.
22. The two parts of a species name, in order, are the
A. kingdom and genus names.
B. genus and species names.
C. genus name and specific epithet.
D. specific epithet and genus name.
E. species and genus names.
23. Which of the following sequences correctly gives the different classification levels of an organism, going
from the largest grouping to the smallest? (Some are left out.)
A. species, genus, family, class, phylum
B. kingdom, phylum, class, order, species
C. class, family, kingdom, species, genus
D. genus, class, phylum, species, family
24. Which term is based on the Greek root words for "laws" of "classification"?
A. species, genus, family, class, phylum
B. taxonomy
C. homeostasis
D. nomenclature
E. hypothesis
25. An earlier classification grouped organisms by whether they inhabited the air, land or sea. However, the
five-kingdoms-of-life and three-domains system divided into class-order-family-genus-species as described in
this chapter is superior because it
A. better represents the origin of features held in commonthe unity of life in DNA, etc.
B. better reflects the origin of adaptationsthe diversity of life for differing environments.
C. allows the organization of over 900,000 different species.
D. groups organisms based on similarities related to their structure and evolution.
E. All of the choices are correct.
26. Which of the following domains contains the most primitive bacteria that live in extreme environments?
A. Archaea
B. Bacteria
C. Plantae
D. Fungi
E. Eukarya

27. Which of the following domains contains the common advanced plants and animals and fungi?
A. Archaea
B. Bacteria
C. Plantae
D. Fungi
E. Eukarya
28. Which of the following kingdoms contains multicellular organisms that ingest their food?
A. Protista
B. Animalia
C. Plantae
D. Archaea
E. Fungi
29. Which of the following kingdoms contains primarily multicellular, larger-celled, photosynthetic organisms?
A. Protista
B. Animalia
C. Plantae
D. Archaea
E. Fungi
30. Which of the following kingdoms contains organisms that obtain their food by absorption through filments
called hyphae?
A. Protista
B. Animalia
C. Plantae
D. Archaea
E. Fungi
31. A researcher reports he has conducted many experiments where a galvanometer (lie detector) was hooked up
to detect the plant's responses. He reports that when a spider was released near the plant, the spider's decision to
escape was picked up by the plant, "causing a reaction in the leaf." When other researchers repeated the
experiment, they could not get any galvanometer responses. The researcher then concluded that plants could be
put into a faint by humans.
A. This is a justified conclusion from a research design that appears to follow the scientific method.
B. The only problem with this general research plan is that it lacks a control.
C. Results must be somewhat repeatable and these results that only work for this researcher do not qualify as
science.
D. The design is scientific; it just lacks a hypothesis.
E. If the researcher has actual numerical counts, this must be accepted as valid science.
32. An elementary student decides to conduct an experiment comparing the effectiveness of two commercial
soaps as cleaning agents, using each in paired tests of different types of stains and colors of cloth, where the
only variable is the soap used. The student will use the judgment of classmates to decide if the stains remain
equal or if soap one cleans better than the other in each test run. However, the student makes no prediction of
which soap is expected to perform best.
A. This lacks a hypothesis and is therefore not a scientific test.
B. This lacks any control group (no-soap treatment) and therefore will provide no meaningful results.
C. Because this is based on the subjective judgments of students, it is not objective and therefore not scientific.
D. This is a scientific procedure, although it does lack a stated hypothesis describing an anticipated outcome.
E. This experimental design has all the components and procedures of the scientific method.

33. What is inductive reasoning?

A. a tentative statement, based on data, that can be used to guide further observations and experiments
B. a report of the findings of scientific experiments
C. a general statement made to infer a specific conclusion, often in an "if . . . then" format
D. using isolated observations and facts to reach a general idea that may explain a phenomenon
34. What is deductive reasoning?
A. a tentative statement, based on data, that can be used to guide further observations and experiments
B. a report of the findings of scientific experiments
C. a general statement made to infer a specific conclusion, often in "if . . . then" format
D. using isolated facts to reach a general idea that may explain a phenomenon
35. What is a hypothesis?
A. a tentative statement, based on data, that can be used to guide further observations and experiments
B. a report of the findings of scientific experiments
C. a general statement made to infer a specific conclusion, often in an "if . . . then" format
D. using isolated facts to reach a general idea that may explain a phenomenon
36. Which statement is NOT true about a hypothesis?
A. Experiments or observations are undertaken to test a hypothesis.
B. A hypothesis cannot be proven true.
C. A hypothesis cannot be proven false.
D. Data that support a hypothesis do not actually prove it.
E. If data from experiments do not support a hypothesis, the hypothesis must be rejected or revised.
37. Which best describes a control group in an experiment?
A. the condition that is being tested
B. a sample taken through all experimental steps except the one being tested
C. a variable that is being deliberately varied in the experiment
D. the dependent variable
38. Four groups of mice consume different amounts of sweetener in their food. The control group is the one that
receives
A. 10 mg/day of sweetener.
B. 50 mg/day of sweetener.
C. no sweetener.
D. extra food.
E. milk instead of water.
39. Which statement is NOT true about experimental design?
A. All conditions are held the same except for the condition being tested by the experiment.
B. It is best to use genetically identical mice to reduce the uncontrolled variables.
C. Mice for each group should be selected at random.
D. The condition being tested in an experiment is the control variable.
E. The dependent variable is observed at the end of the experiment when statistical comparisons are made
between groups.
40. Which of the following terms best describes the collection of scientific data through observation in the field,
such as observing the behavior of birds?
A. a scientific model
B. an experiment

C. descriptive research
D. a scientific theory or principle
E. experimental results
41. Some biologists study the complex interactions of animals and plants in forests or prairies. Such ecology
field research often produces slightly different results for different researchers. In contrast, ecology experiments
that are run indoors with one organism in a terrarium usually produce results that are repeatable. What is the
most likely explanation?
A. The scientific method is only useful in laboratory settings.
B. It is not possible to establish a control group outside of a laboratory.
C. It is easier to hold all but one variable constant in a laboratory.
D. Field research is only descriptive, and descriptive research is not strictly "science."
E. Fieldwork is inductive; lab work is deductive.
42. You are interested in the effect of increased carbon dioxide versus normal air, and also in the effect of green
light versus full sunlight on the growth of corn plants in a greenhouse. Although you can set up your experiment
inside a greenhouse, it is possible that there will be plant growth effects due to effects that you do not know and
may never know. Which of the following are important to ensure control of unknown variables?
A. An increase in carbon dioxide does not result in a substantial decrease of other necessary gases.
B. All seedlings are from one uniform strain.
C. The intensity or brightness of the green light equals the intensity of the full sunlight.
D. All temperatures and available water remain the same.
E. All of the choices are important.
43. You probably believe that the earth is spherical, but it is obvious that the earth is flat. Look around; where
do you see the curvature? One classmate suggests that if you call someone on the "other side" of the world by
phone, he or she will answer and, for instance, it will be midnight there at the instant it is noon here. Another
student reminds you of the picture taken of the spherical earth from the moon landing. Your teacher explains the
ancient observation that when the sun was directly overhead on one day near the equator, a pole some hundreds
of miles away to the north still cast a shadow. What is the best scientific basis for still considering that the earth
is spherical?
A. "Seeing is believing" and, therefore, you must suspend judgment until you can ride on the Concorde and see
the curvature of the earth for yourself.
B. If scientists say it, it must be correct until they vote otherwise.
C. If it is in a science book, it is correct until another explanation is published.
D. The observation that the earth is flat is direct and objective, whereas all of the other observations are indirect
and subjective or based on extrapolated judgment.
E. Reasoning must be used to arrive at a model that best fits the observations.
44. From Kansas to central Indiana to Pennsylvania, many people believe that they have water moccasins (also
called "cottonmouths") in their ponds. Some assert they have seen them, although they are certainly not so
foolish as to try to capture one alive. Meanwhile, the fish and game offices and the range maps in the
herpetology books indicate that this poisonous snake does not breed this far north. What is the most scientific
attitude to assume on this issue?
A. Observations by both the public and the fish and game officers are subjective so this is not easily resolved
objectively.
B. A simple field trip to the pond locationsthat captured and confirmed the identity of the snakeswould settle
the matter.
C. Scientific books with range maps are based on field research and, therefore, determine the truth in this case.
D. Because living organisms are active, scientific theories in biology always change.

45. For five years, you wake up before the alarm is set to ring each morning. This leads you to conclude that
people have a built-in "alarm clock" capable of waking them up. From a science viewpoint, this conclusion
A. is science because it is based on real observations.
B. is science because it is predictive of what will happen tomorrow morning.
C. is scientifically valid because 5 years x 365 days is a large number of trials.
D. may not be valid because it generalizes about all people, and there may have been other variables that could
awaken you without a built-in clock.
E. cannot be scientifically treated because it involves human behavior.
46. Which statement is NOT true about science?
A. Science is concerned about understanding the natural world.
B. Science approaches data in a subjective manner.
C. Science gains information by observing and testing the natural world.
D. The conclusions of science are subject to change based on new findings.
E. Science attempts to avoid prejudice in making judgments.
47. Which of the following terms best describes a conceptual scheme in science that is strongly supported, has
not yet been found incorrect, and is based on the results of many observations?
A. a scientific model
B. an experiment
C. descriptive research
D. a scientific theory or principle
E. experimental results
48. Which of the following concepts is NOT one of the unifying theories of biology?
A. Virtually all organisms are composed of cells.
B. Life may arise through spontaneous generation.
C. Life comes only from life.
D. Organisms contain coded information that dictates their form, function, and behavior.
E. All living things have a common ancestor and are adapted to a particular way of life.
49. The characteristic of an individual that is necessary to the survival of the species but NOT to the survival of
that individual is
A. adaptation
B. reproduction
C. metabolism
D. organization
50. Some members of a species have a genetic change that causes them to be better suited to their environment.
These members survive to reproduce and pass these genetic changes to their offspring. This is
A. adaptation
B. natural selection
C. the driving force for evolution
D. All of the choices are correct.
E. None of the choices are correct.
51. All individuals of a given species living in a defined area at a defined time are a (an)
A. population
B. community
C. ecosystem
D. biosphere

52. Unicellular prokaryotes

A. lack a membrane bounded nucleus
B. are found in the domains Bacteria and Archaea
C. are found in almost all habitats
D. All of the choices are correct.
53. A group of college students order a pizza with mushrooms, ham, and pineapple. The mushrooms belong to
the kingdom
A. Protista
B. Plantae
C. Fungi
D. Animalia
54. The correct order of classification from most general to most specific is which of the following?
A. Domain-Kingdom-Phylum-Class-Order-Family-Genus-Species
B. Kingdom-Domain-Class-Phylum-Order-Family-Genus-Species
C. Kingdom-Domain-Class-Phylum-Order-Genus-Species-Family
D. Kingdom-Class-Phylum-Domain-Genus-Order-Family-Species
55. Homeostatic control in living things is exerted over all of the following EXCEPT
A. temperature
B. moisture level
C. response to stimuli
D. acidity level
56. Experimental design
A. is the way in which the scientist intends to conduct an experiment
B. ensures that scientists are testing what they want to test
C. ensures that the test results are meaningful
D. All of the choices are correct.
E. None of the choices are correct.
57. Biodiversity in a particular ecosystem
A. is the total number of species in that ecosystem
B. includes the variability of the individuals genes
C. impacts the function of the ecosystem in which the species live
D. All of the choices are correct.
58. Concerning the nature of "life" (the property that makes living things differ from nonliving), which of the
following statements would most biologists support?
A. Development of an organism, even a single cell, is too complex to be explained by chemical and physical
laws.
B. The critical "vitalist" force that makes organisms live is of a different nature from nonliving chemistry and is
yet to be discovered.
C. Life consists of a property called "soul" and this leaves the body when an organism dies.
D. Development of living forms from simple to complex forms contradicts physical laws.
E. None of the statements is a mainline biology perspective.
59. Taxonomists are responsible for placing animals into the proper category of classification.
LEVEL: Easy
True False

60. Cytology is a branch of biology that studies cells.

LEVEL: Easy
True False
61. The only thing life forms require from their environment is energy.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
62. Extinction can occur if a species is unable to adapt to a changing environment.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
63. Interactions among the populations in an ecosystem tend to keep the ecosystem relatively stable.
LEVEL: Intermediate
True False
64. Evolution is considered to be a unifying principle of biology since it explains both the unity and diversity of
life.
LEVEL: Intermediate
True False
65. The classification system most commonly used by biologists today contains five domains.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
66. The binomial system of naming species uses a single primary name to identify each species.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
67. The human population fits into the ecosystem in the same way as other species, with relatively little effect
on the interactions of the system.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
68. Humans have an exaggerated impact on the ecosystem through their use of extra sources of energy and raw
materials, and the production of extra wastes that must be handled.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
69. Science is only concerned with understanding and explaining the natural world.
LEVEL: Intermediate
True False
70. A hypothesis is formulated from observations or experimental data to explain the data and to serve as a
guide for further research.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
71. Scientific observations should be made in a subjective manner.
LEVEL: Easy
True False

72. The control group in an experiment is the one that shows the dependent variable.
LEVEL: Intermediate
True False
73. The control group in an experiment is given all the same treatments as the experimental group(s), except for
the one variable being tested.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
74. It is important that an experimental procedure include a control group where possible.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
75. In an experiment testing sweetener in the diet of mice, the control group is the one that has the most
sweetener.
LEVEL: Intermediate
True False
76. Some scientific data are obtained through observation rather than experimental results.
LEVEL: Intermediate
True False
77. A theory is strongly supported by many forms of evidence, is accepted by an overwhelming number of
scientists, and has not yet been found to be incorrect.
LEVEL: Intermediate
True False
78. A theory in science is different from the usage of the term in everyday language.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
79. Human activities are the primary driving force causing species extinction.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
80. All living things contain a vital force that gives them the characteristics of life.
LEVEL: Easy
True False
81. List and briefly describe five characteristics of living organisms. Give an example of each.

82. Which of the characteristics of life is not necessary for the survival of the individual, and why?

83. Inactive water bears or "tardigrades" can apparently completely stop metabolism andwhen water is added
again become active. Such an adaptation obviously has advantages for surviving periods of drought. Consider
the following terms used for this tardigrade state and briefly describe why each of the following terms, as
commonly used, does NOT exactly describe the tardigrade's biological condition.
"Dead"

"Dormant"
"Hibernating"
"Cryptobiosis""(hidden life)
"Anabiosis" (return to life)
"Anhydrobiosis" (life without water)
"Resurrection" (rising from the dead)

84. Consider that quartz crystals have the ability to "grow" new crystal faces over time in the presence of
solutions, "reproducing" new crystals off the parent pattern. Quartz also "responds" to light by generating a
current. Since growth, reproduction and response are properties of life, why do we not consider quartz to be
"alive"?

85. When the unmanned Viking spacecraft was sent to land on the surface of Mars, the foremost question was
"Is there life on Mars?" Still photos and instrument readings had to be relayed back to earth as transmissionsno
real material could be returned. Now, the discovery of possible fossil bacteria in a Mars meteorite has renewed
our interest. What materials or properties would you search for with a Mars spacecraft lander to detect and/or
confirm current life on Mars? Consider the following: water, carbon molecules, DNA, ATP, movement, and
others.

86. Explain how evolution is one of the great unifying theories of biology, accounting for both the unity and
diversity of life.

87. Why is the species rather than the individual considered to evolve?

88. What are the levels of biological organization, starting from the smallest and proceeding in order to the
largest?

89. Describe an ecosystem, and explain energy flow through an ecosystem.

90. Describe the binomial system of naming organisms. Explain what each part of a name represents.

91. Explain the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning, and tell how they are used in scientific
research.

92. Distinguish between an experimental variable, a dependent variable, and a control group.

93. Explain the reasons that scientists are expected to publish their experimental results in scientific journals.
What are the benefits of such publications?

94. Explain why it is possible to prove that a hypothesis is false, but not that it is true. Give an example of
proving a hypothesis false.

95. Explain why science is restricted to the natural world and cannot address such concepts as religion and the
supernatural.

96. A)You ask an auto mechanic to fix your car. It keeps stalling when you stop at stoplights. The mechanic
looks this symptom up in the car manual and it indicates that this is usually due to a dirty carburetor. The
carburetor is cleanedbut the car still stalls! Would you be happy to pay the bill at this point, and would you
consider this a "scientific method"? B)Unsuccessful at the first "cure," the mechanic thinks through how the
engine works and then decides to pull a spark plug. The gap appears to be fouled with dirt, so all the spark plugs
are replaced. The car now runs smoothly. Now would you be happy to pay, and would you consider this a
"scientific method"? Consider how the procedures followed by the mechanic compare or contrast with the same
general procedures followed by a surgeon in a medical operation.

Chapter 1 KEY
1. D
2. C
3. C
4. E
5. C
6. E
7. C
8. E
9. D
10. E
11. D
12. E
13. E
14. B
15. D
16. D
17. D
18. D
19. C
20. A
21. B
22. C
23. B
24. B
25. E
26. A
27. E
28. B
29. C
30. E
31. C
32. D
33. D
34. C
35. A
36. C
37. B
38. C
39. D
40. C
41. C
42. E
43. E
44. B
45. D
46. B
47. D
48. B
49. B

50. D
51. A
52. D
53. C
54. A
55. C
56. D
57. D
58. E
59. TRUE
60. TRUE
61. FALSE
62. TRUE
63. TRUE
64. TRUE
65. FALSE
66. FALSE
67. FALSE
68. TRUE
69. TRUE
70. TRUE
71. FALSE
72. FALSE
73. TRUE
74. TRUE
75. FALSE
76. TRUE
77. TRUE
78. TRUE
79. TRUE
80. FALSE
81. Answers will vary.
82. Answers will vary.
83. Answers will vary.
84. Answers will vary.
85. Answers will vary.
86. Answers will vary.
87. Answers will vary.
88. Answers will vary.
89. Answers will vary.
90. Answers will vary.
91. Answers will vary.
92. Answers will vary.
93. Answers will vary.
94. Answers will vary.
95. Answers will vary.
96. Answers will vary.