Question 1

The property of living organisms that involves a unique and complex molecular organization is called
A)growth.
B)development.
C)metabolism.
D)reproduction.
E)chemical uniqueness.

Accepted Answer

Chemical uniqueness refers to the complex and unique molecular composition and structure found in living organisms, distinguishing them from non-living matter. This includes the presence of macromolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids organized in specific ways to support life processes.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics of living organisms?
A)Unique and complex molecular organization
B)Response to stimuli in environment
C)Reproduction
D)Metabolism
E)All of the choices are characteristics of living organisms

Accepted Answer

All of the choices - A, B, C, and D - are characteristics of living organisms, and thus, E is the incorrect option as it negates this statement.

Question 3

"Cryptobiosis" is a state of almost total water loss found in some roundworms,rotifers,and tardigrades and was previously considered a near cessation of metabolism.Recently,a British Museum botanist accidentally spilled fluid on a 120+year-old herbarium mount of a lichen.Fearing damage to the specimen,he immediately inspected it under the microscope and found tardigrades "waking up." This observation
A)supports the claim that the tardigrades were dead but began respiring again at a very slow rate after the fluid was added.
B)makes it possible that we can bring most dead animals back to life.
C)contradicts both the cell theory and evolutionary theory.
D)indicates metabolism did not stop,and that organization and water made it sufficient to maintain the possibility for "life."

Accepted Answer

The observation of tardigrades waking up after being in a state of cryptobiosis for over 120 years indicates that metabolism did not completely cease during this time period, and that the preservation of organization and water was sufficient to maintain the possibility of life. This does not support the idea that animals can be brought back to life or contradict fundamental scientific theories such as the cell theory and evolutionary theory.

Question 4

The role of principles in zoology is best described as
A)researchers should maintain high principles of conduct in research.
B)zoology rests solely upon expansion of principles of chemistry and physics.
C)principles of zoology are derived by study of a few different animals and then finding central unifying principles.
D)past principles may be discarded as new principles replace them.
E)none of the choices offer a thorough description of principles underlying zoology.

Accepted Answer

The role of principles in zoology encompasses a broader scope than any of the options provided. It involves ethical conduct in research (A), but also relies on principles beyond just chemistry and physics (B), derives insights from a wide range of animal studies (C), and evolves over time with new discoveries (D), making none of the choices a complete description.

Question 5

The main function of a genetic program is to
A)maintain metabolism in living systems.
B)respond to environmental stimuli.
C)provide fidelity of inheritance and allow for genetic variation.
D)regulate development of multicellular creatures.

Accepted Answer

The main function of a genetic program is to provide fidelity of inheritance and allow for genetic variation. It does not specifically maintain metabolism, respond to environmental stimuli, or regulate development of multicellular creatures, although these processes may be influenced by genetic programs.

Question 6

Which statement about living things is FALSE?
A)Living things are made up of cells
B)Living things obey the laws of chemistry and physics
C)Living things show organization and other common characteristics of life
D)Emergent properties arise from interactions among the components of a system
E)Living things are composed only of organic elements,whereas nonliving things are made up of inorganic elements

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Living things are composed of both organic and inorganic elements, while nonliving things can also be made up of organic and inorganic elements.

Question 7

Irritability is related to which general property of living systems?
A)Development
B)Metabolism
C)Evolution
D)Environmental interaction

Accepted Answer

Irritability, also known as responsiveness or sensitivity, is the ability of an organism to respond to stimuli in their environment. This is a general property of living systems that is related to their interaction with the environment around them. Therefore, choice D (Environmental interaction) is the best answer. Choice A (Development), B (Metabolism), and C (Evolution) are not directly related to irritability.

Question 8

The structure of a brick does not predict the design of a home.Study of muscle tissues does not allow you to predict the design of a bird or snake.Such examples demonstrate
A)the essential properties found in all forms of life.
B)the hierarchy of organization from atom to biosphere.
C)deterministic philosophy or how all phenomena are predictable effects of causes.
D)emergent properties that cannot be predicted by examining component parts.

Accepted Answer

The example given highlights how emergent properties, or properties that arise from the interactions and organization of component parts, cannot be predicted just by examining those parts. This idea is important in the study of complex systems, including biological systems.

Question 9

Which statement about environmental interaction is NOT correct?
A)Study of organisms and their interactions with the environment is called ecology
B)To study ecology,we must separate living organisms from their environment
C)The evolutionary history of a lineage is connected to the environment where it lived
D)Organisms are intimately connected with their physical environment

Accepted Answer

To study ecology effectively, we must understand the interactions between living organisms and their environment, rather than separating them. This statement contradicts the basic principles of ecological study.

Question 10

Which hierarchy of organization is seen in multicellular organisms such as animals,going from smallest to largest?
A)Cell,organ,tissue,organism
B)Cell,organ,organ system,tissue
C)Cell,tissue,organ system,organism
D)Organism,organ system,organ,tissue
E)Tissue,organ system,cell,organism

Accepted Answer

In multicellular organisms such as animals, the hierarchy of organization goes from smallest to largest as: cell, tissue, organ system, organism. This choice correctly lists the hierarchy in order.

Question 11

Embryos,larvae,and metamorphosis are related to which characteristic of living systems?
A)Development
B)Metabolism
C)Movement
D)Environmental interaction

Accepted Answer

Embryos, larvae, and metamorphosis are all related to the development characteristic of living systems, which refers to the ordered and programmed changes that take place as an organism grows and matures. This includes changes in physical form, behavior, and function. Embryos and larvae are early developmental stages of many organisms, and metamorphosis is a transformative process that some organisms undergo as they develop from one stage to another.

Question 12

All of the chemical energy transformations that occur within a cell constitute
A)evolution.
B)metabolism.
C)adaptation.
D)homeostasis.

Accepted Answer

Metabolism refers to all the chemical reactions that occur within a living organism, including the energy transformations that take place within cells. Evolution refers to the changes in the genetic makeup of populations over time, adaptation refers to a process by which an organism becomes better suited to its environment, and homeostasis refers to the maintenance of stable internal conditions within an organism.

Question 13

The second law of thermodynamics,or entropy law,means that for living organisms
A)maintaining cellular organization requires continual energy input.
B)there is a tendency in nature to greater molecular organization.
C)energy stored by plants is unavailable for animals.
D)energy is of less concern than matter.

Accepted Answer

The second law of thermodynamics, or entropy law, states that energy tends to disperse or become unavailable for use in doing work. Living organisms, however, maintain cellular organization, which requires continual energy input to counteract the tendency towards disorder. Therefore, choice A is the best answer. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect.

Question 14

A characteristic of science is that
A)it is not explained by natural laws.
B)its hypotheses are testable.
C)its conclusions are final.
D)it is not falsifiable.
E)it seeks to define the vitalistic forces of life.

Accepted Answer

A key aspect of the scientific method is the ability to test hypotheses through experimentation or observation. Therefore, the correct choice is B, as it indicates that scientific hypotheses must be testable. The other choices are not accurate descriptions of science.

Question 15

A cell dies and its complex organic molecules degrade into a mass of simple molecules no more organized than the non-living matter outside the cell.This feature of life,which is now lost,is
A)growth and reproduction.
B)adaptability.
C)metabolism.
D)irritability.
E)complexity and hierarchical organization.

Accepted Answer

The loss of complexity and hierarchical organization is a unique feature of life that distinguishes it from non-living matter. In life, complex structures and organizations are maintained and reproduced, while in non-life, complex structures always degrade and break down into simpler components. This feature is essential to life, and losing it is a significant consequence of cell death.

Question 16

Reproduction of organisms involves the apparently contradictory phenomena of
A)cellular and noncellular structures.
B)catabolism and anabolism.
C)adaptation and evolution.
D)variation and heredity.

Accepted Answer

Reproduction involves the passing on of genetic information from parent to offspring, which involves both variation (resulting from genetic recombination and mutation) and heredity (the transmission of genetic traits from parent to offspring). The other options do not accurately capture this aspect of reproduction.

Question 17

Which of the following characteristics is NOT required for the life of an individual organism to continue?
A)To maintain chemical uniqueness and organization
B)To respond to stimuli
C)To evolve
D)To possess a genetic program to control cell processes

Accepted Answer

While evolution is necessary for the continuation of a species, it is not required for the life of an individual organism to continue. A single organism can live and reproduce without evolving. However, maintaining chemical uniqueness and organization, responding to stimuli, and possessing a genetic program to control cell processes are all necessary for the life of an individual organism to continue.

Question 18

A molecular pathway in the liver that is responsible for breaking down complex molecules into simple molecules for excretion as wastes is an example of
A)anabolism.
B)catabolism.
C)adaptation.
D)entropy.

Accepted Answer

The process of breaking down complex molecules into simple molecules for excretion is known as catabolism. Anabolism, on the other hand, is the process of building complex molecules from simpler ones. Adaptation refers to the ability of an organism to adjust to changed circumstances, and entropy is a measure of disorder in a system.

Question 19

Which best describes the first law of thermodynamics?
A)Energy is neither created nor destroyed,but it can change from one energy form to another
B)Energy can be created from matter or used to produce matter
C)Useful energy is lost as heat whenever an energy transfer occurs
D)Energy transfers are always 100% efficient in changing energy from one form to another

Accepted Answer

The first law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of conservation of energy, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be transformed from one form to another. This means that the total amount of energy in a system remains constant, but it may be converted from one type to another, such as from potential energy to kinetic energy.

Question 20

"Self-replicating molecular assemblage" is a classic definition of life.However,clay particles in clay soil contain aluminum and iron compounds that determine the pattern of particles in adjacent layers over time and,therefore,represent a self-replicating molecular assemblage.What can we conclude?
A)Clay soil is living
B)Clay soil is not living because there was no molecular change involved
C)Clay soil is not living because no carbon is involved;otherwise,such replication would be living
D)Clay soil is not living because what is described is a simple repetitive process without the ability to evolve or respond to the environment

Accepted Answer

While clay particles may exhibit self-replicating molecular assemblage, this does not meet the criteria for life as it does not involve carbon-based molecular changes nor the ability to evolve or respond to the environment. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Quiz 1: Life: Biological Principles and the Science of Zoology

The property of living organisms that involves a unique and complex molecular organization is called

Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics of living organisms?

The role of principles in zoology is best described as

The main function of a genetic program is to

Which statement about living things is FALSE?

Irritability is related to which general property of living systems?

The structure of a brick does not predict the design of a home.Study of muscle tissues does not allow you to predict the design of a bird or snake.Such examples demonstrate

Which statement about environmental interaction is NOT correct?

Which hierarchy of organization is seen in multicellular organisms such as animals,going from smallest to largest?

Embryos,larvae,and metamorphosis are related to which characteristic of living systems?

All of the chemical energy transformations that occur within a cell constitute

The second law of thermodynamics,or entropy law,means that for living organisms

A characteristic of science is that

A cell dies and its complex organic molecules degrade into a mass of simple molecules no more organized than the non-living matter outside the cell.This feature of life,which is now lost,is

Reproduction of organisms involves the apparently contradictory phenomena of

Which of the following characteristics is NOT required for the life of an individual organism to continue?

A molecular pathway in the liver that is responsible for breaking down complex molecules into simple molecules for excretion as wastes is an example of

Which best describes the first law of thermodynamics?

"Self-replicating molecular assemblage" is a classic definition of life.However,clay particles in clay soil contain aluminum and iron compounds that determine the pattern of particles in adjacent layers over time and,therefore,represent a self-replicating molecular assemblage.What can we conclude?