Question 1

Use the following information to answer the questions below.
Golden algae are a group of protists whose color is due to carotenoid pigments: yellow and brown. Most have two flagella and all are photosynthetic. A group of students was given a significant sample of one of these (Dinobryon) that is colonial. Their instructions for the project were to design two or more experiments that could be done with these organisms.
 
-Since these organisms are protists, which of these characteristics could the students assume to be true?
A) The organisms are photosynthetic.
B) All of them are marine.
C) They are single-celled.
D) They lack membrane-bound organelles.
E) Each has a single circular molecule of DNA.

Accepted Answer

The passage states that all golden algae are photosynthetic, so the students can assume that the specific type they were given (Dinobryon) is also photosynthetic.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a model organism?
A) It is often pictured in textbooks and easy for students to imagine.
B) It lends itself to many studies that are useful to beginning students.
C) It is well studied, easy to grow, and results are widely applicable.
D) It is small, inexpensive to raise, and lives a long time.
E) It has been chosen for study by the earliest biologists.

Accepted Answer

A model organism is an organism that has been extensively studied and has features that make it easy to work with in the lab, such as ease of growth, short generation time, and relatively low cost. Results obtained from studying the model organism are often applicable to other organisms.

Question 3

-What do these two plants have in common?
A) adaptations to extreme heat
B) adaptations to conserve water
C) identical stem structures
D) identical flower structures
E) lack of photosynthesis

Accepted Answer

Both plants have adaptations to conserve water, which is indicated by the presence of the same code TB5463_00 at the end of the plant names. This code likely refers to a specific genetic or physiological trait related to water conservation. The other options do not necessarily have any correlation to this specific code.

Question 4

For their second experiment, the students want to know whether the Dinobryon have to live in colonies or can be free living. How might they proceed?
A) Observe each day to see whether new organisms are ever reproduced as single cells.
B) Observe whether only specialized cells are able to divide to produce new colonies.
C) Divide a sample into single cells and measure the length of time they remain this way.
D) Divide a sample into single cells and observe them.
E) Divide a sample into single cells and see whether they come back together.

Accepted Answer

Dividing a sample into single cells and measuring the length of time they remain this way will help determine if Dinobryon can survive independently or if they need to form colonies to thrive.

Question 5

Which of these is an example of inductive reasoning?
A) Hundreds of individuals of a species have been observed and all are photosynthetic; therefore, the species is photosynthetic.
B) These organisms live in sunny parts of this area so they are able to photosynthesize.
C) If horses are always found grazing on grass, they can be only herbivores and not omnivores.
D) If protists are all single-celled, then they are incapable of aggregating.
E) If two species are members of the same genus, they are more alike than each of them could be to a different genus.

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning involves drawing a general conclusion based on specific observations or evidence. Option A presents specific observations of hundreds of individuals of a species, and the conclusion drawn from these observations is that the species is photosynthetic.

Question 6

Which theme(s)is/are best illustrated by an experiment in which a biologist seeks a medication that will inhibit pain responses in a cancer patient?
A) II
B) VII
C) III and V
D) V and VIII
E) VI and VII

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which theme(s)is/are best illustrated by an experiment...

Question 7

Systems biology is mainly an attempt to
A) analyze genomes from different species.
B) simplify complex problems by reducing the system into smaller, less complex units.
C) understand the behavior of entire biological systems.
D) build high-throughput machines for the rapid acquisition of biological data.
E) speed up the technological application of scientific knowledge.

Accepted Answer

Systems biology is focused on understanding entire biological systems, which involves integrating different levels of biological information and analyzing how they interact and behave as a whole. It seeks to move beyond reductionism, or the breaking down of complex systems into smaller parts, and instead embrace the complexity of the system as a whole. While analysis of genomes from different species and the development of high-throughput machines for acquiring biological data may be a part of systems biology, these are not the main goals of the field.

Question 8

Which of the following is a correct sequence of levels in life's hierarchy, proceeding downward from an individual animal?
A) brain, organ system, nerve cell, nervous tissue
B) organ system, nervous tissue, brain
C) organism, organ system, tissue, cell, organ
D) nervous system, brain, nervous tissue, nerve cell
E) organ system, tissue, molecule, cell

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence from an individual animal downward is nervous system (a collection of organs), brain (a part of the nervous system), nervous tissue (makes up the brain), and nerve cell (the basic unit of nervous tissue).

Question 9

In a high school laboratory, which of the following constitutes an experiment?
I.learning to use a microscope by examining fixed specimens on slides
II.being able to examine swimming protists under a microscope
III.extracting pigments from plant leaves and separating the types of pigments for identification
IV.preparing root tips for examination by staining them
A) I only
B) II only
C) III only
D) II and III only
E) II, III, and IV

Accepted Answer

Only III constitutes an experiment as it involves manipulating and controlling variables to extract and separate pigments from plant leaves for identification. I, II, and IV are laboratory activities or techniques that do not involve manipulation of variables or testing of hypotheses.

Question 10

The students decide that for one of their experiments, they want to see whether the organisms can photosynthesize. Which of the following is the best hypothesis?
A) If the Dinobryon can live > 5 days without added food, they must be able to photosynthesize.
B) If the Dinobryon can live without exposure to light for > 5 days,they must be able to photosynthesize.
C) If the Dinobryon photosynthesize, they must need no other minerals or nutrients and will be able to live in distilled water and light alone.
D) If the Dinobryon are kept in the dark, one-half will be expected to die in 5 days.
E) If the Dinobryon are able to photosynthesize, the students should be able to extract photosynthetic pigments.

Accepted Answer

Option E is the best hypothesis because it directly tests for a specific function (photosynthesis) by looking for a measurable outcome (presence of photosynthetic pigments), which is a clear indicator of the ability to photosynthesize.

Question 11

Protists and bacteria are grouped into different domains because
A) protists eat bacteria.
B) bacteria are not made of cells.
C) protists have a membrane-bounded nucleus, which bacterial cells lack.
D) bacteria decompose protists.
E) protists are photosynthetic.

Accepted Answer

Protists have a membrane-bounded nucleus, which bacterial cells lack. This is the main reason they are grouped into different domains - Protists have a eukaryotic cell structure, while bacteria have a prokaryotic cell structure.

Question 12

All the organisms on your campus make up
A) an ecosystem.
B) a community.
C) a population.
D) an experimental group.
E) a taxonomic domain.

Accepted Answer

A community is a group of different species living in the same area and interacting with each other. All the organisms on a campus would make up a community. An ecosystem is the interaction of living organisms with their physical environment, which is usually larger than a campus. A population refers to only one species in an area. An experimental group is a group in a scientific experiment that receives a specific treatment. A taxonomic domain refers to one of the three broadest categories of living organisms.

Question 13

Which theme(s)is/are best illustrated by a group of investigators who are trying to classify and explain the ecology of an area known as the Big Thicket?
A) I only
B) II only
C) VIII only
D) IV and VI
E) I and II

Accepted Answer

The group of investigators trying to classify and explain the ecology of an area known as the Big Thicket is best illustrated by themes I and II. Theme I deals with the relationship between structure and function, which includes understanding the different components within an ecosystem and how they interact with each other. Theme II involves the flow of energy and matter through ecosystems, which is relevant to understanding the nutrients cycling within an ecosystem. Therefore, option E is the best choice.

Question 14

The students plan to gather data from the project. Which of the following would be the best way to present what they gather from experimental groups as opposed to controls?
A) qualitatively, noting color, size, and so on
B) measuring the number of new colonies formed during every 12-hour period
C) counting the number of new colonies after a week
D) measuring the size of each new colony in millimeters (mm) of length
E) measuring the dry weight of all new colonies in grams

Accepted Answer

Measuring the number of new colonies formed during every 12-hour period would provide the most quantitative and precise data to compare between experimental groups and controls. Qualitative data may be difficult to compare and subjective, while the other options (counting after a week, measuring size, measuring dry weight) may miss important details about the growth rate or behavior of the colonies over time.

Question 15

Which theme(s)is/are illustrated when a group of students is trying to establish which phase of cell division in root tips happens most quickly?
A) IV only
B) V only
C) VII only
D) IV, V, and VI
E) V, VI, and VII

Accepted Answer

Theme IV (Structure-Function Relationship) is illustrated as the students are examining the cellular processes involved in cell division. Theme V (Stability and Change) is illustrated as the students are trying to determine which phase occurs most quickly, indicating a change in the system. Theme VI (Scale and Proportion) is illustrated as root tips are being used to observe cell division, which occurs on a microscale. Therefore, choices IV, V, and VI are all illustrated in this scenario.

Question 16

-The illustration above most probably represents
A) a computer simulation of the structure of a eukaryotic cell.
B) a map of a network of protein interactions within a eukaryotic cell.
C) an inventory of all the genes in a fruit fly.
D) an X-ray diffraction image of the nucleus and cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell.
E) a computer-generated map of the interaction of genes and cytoplasm in a prokaryotic cell.

Accepted Answer

The correct choice is B because it describes a map of a network of protein interactions within a eukaryotic cell, which is consistent with the depiction of complex interconnections and interactions that would be expected in such a map. Protein interactions are crucial for the functioning of cells, and their mapping is a common way to understand cellular processes.

Question 17

Why is a scientific topic best discussed by people of varying points of view, a variety of subdisciplines, and diverse cultures?
A) They can rectify each other's approach to make it truly scientific.
B) Robust and critical discussion between diverse groups improves scientific thinking.
C) Scientists can explain to others that they need to work in isolation to utilize the scientific method more productively.
D) This is another way of making science more reproducible.
E) Scientists need to exchange their ideas with other disciplines and cultures so that all groups are in consensus with the course of future research.

Accepted Answer

When people of varying points of view, subdisciplines and diverse cultures come together to discuss a scientific topic, they can bring in different perspectives and ideas, which can lead to robust and critical discussions. This can help in improving scientific thinking and can result in better solutions to scientific problems.

Question 18

Which theme(s)is/are illustrated when a biology class is comparing the rates of photosynthesis between leaves of a flowering plant species (Gerbera jamesonii)and a species of fern (Polypodium polypodioides)?
A) I only
B) II only
C) I and III
D) I and VII
E) I, III, and V

Accepted Answer

The themes illustrated are: I (Structure and Function), III (Energy and Matter), and V (Systems and System Models). Comparing photosynthesis rates involves understanding how structure affects function, how energy is transformed, and how different systems (plant species) operate.

Question 19

Which of the following is not an observation or inference on which Darwin's theory of natural selection is based?
A) Poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring.
B) There is heritable variation among individuals.
C) Because of overproduction of offspring, there is competition for limited resources.
D) Individuals whose inherited characteristics best fit them to the environment will generally produce more offspring.
E) A population can become adapted to its environment over time.

Accepted Answer

Darwin's theory of natural selection is not based on the observation that poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring. Rather, it is based on the observation that individuals with certain inherited characteristics are more likely to survive and reproduce than others, leading to changes in the frequency of those characteristics within a population over time.

Question 20

Which of the following best demonstrates the unity among all organisms?
A) matching DNA nucleotide sequences
B) descent with modification
C) the structure and function of DNA
D) natural selection
E) emergent properties

Accepted Answer

The structure and function of DNA across all organisms demonstrates unity because DNA is a universal genetic material that carries genetic information in a similar manner in all living organisms, reflecting a fundamental similarity at the molecular level.

Quiz 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

Which of the following best describes a model organism?

-What do these two plants have in common?

For their second experiment, the students want to know whether the Dinobryon have to live in colonies or can be free living. How might they proceed?

Which of these is an example of inductive reasoning?

Which theme(s) is/are best illustrated by an experiment in which a biologist seeks a medication that will inhibit pain responses in a cancer patient?

Systems biology is mainly an attempt to

Which of the following is a correct sequence of levels in life's hierarchy, proceeding downward from an individual animal?

The students decide that for one of their experiments, they want to see whether the organisms can photosynthesize. Which of the following is the best hypothesis?

Protists and bacteria are grouped into different domains because

All the organisms on your campus make up

Which theme(s) is/are best illustrated by a group of investigators who are trying to classify and explain the ecology of an area known as the Big Thicket?

The students plan to gather data from the project. Which of the following would be the best way to present what they gather from experimental groups as opposed to controls?

Which theme(s) is/are illustrated when a group of students is trying to establish which phase of cell division in root tips happens most quickly?

Why is a scientific topic best discussed by people of varying points of view, a variety of subdisciplines, and diverse cultures?

Which theme(s) is/are illustrated when a biology class is comparing the rates of photosynthesis between leaves of a flowering plant species (Gerbera jamesonii) and a species of fern (Polypodium polypodioides) ?

Which of the following is not an observation or inference on which Darwin's theory of natural selection is based?

Which of the following best demonstrates the unity among all organisms?