Question 1

What is an end product of cellular respiration?

Accepted Answer

Cellular respiration converts glucose and oxygen into water, energy (ATP), and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a waste product of this metabolic process.

Question 2

Similar families of organisms are next grouped together in the same:

Accepted Answer

Similar families of organisms are grouped together in the same order.

Question 3

Which sequence represents the pattern of energy flow within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Energy in an ecosystem typically flows from producers (organisms that synthesize their own food like plants), to consumers (organisms that eat other organisms), and finally to decomposers (organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms). This sequence reflects the fundamental structure of food chains and webs in ecosystems.

Question 4

In deductive reasoning, we begin with ____ and make ____ based on that information.

Accepted Answer

In deductive reasoning, we start with premises (general statements or accepted facts) and make conclusions (logical results) based on those premises.

Question 5

Suppose we want to examine the effect of a fertilizer on the size of zucchini produced, and therefore, we need to establish the experimental and control groups. The control group for this experiment would be defined under which conditions?

Accepted Answer

The control group in an experiment is the group that does not receive the experimental treatment, in this case, the fertilizer. It is essential for the control group to be subjected to the same conditions as the experimental group except for the variable being tested (fertilizer). Therefore, the control group should have soil, water, sun, and zucchini seeds but no fertilizer, to compare the effect of the fertilizer on zucchini size accurately.

Question 6

What is a branching diagram that depicts the relationships among organisms based on shared characteristics?

Accepted Answer

A cladogram is a diagram that shows relationships among organisms based on shared characteristics, illustrating how they have evolved from common ancestors.

Question 7

Which statement best describes autotrophic organisms?

Accepted Answer

Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals. Since the formula CO₂ seems to be a placeholder for carbon dioxide (CO2), water, and energy, option E correctly describes autotrophic organisms' ability to synthesize macromolecules from these substances.

Question 8

During an experiment, what is the purpose of a control group?

Accepted Answer

The control group serves as a baseline to compare the effects of the variable being tested in the experimental group, ensuring any observed changes are due to the variable itself and not other factors.

Question 9

What would be the ultimate effect on an ecosystem if decomposers were eliminated?

Accepted Answer

Decomposers break down dead organisms and waste, returning essential nutrients to the soil, which are then taken up by plants. Without decomposers, these nutrients would not be recycled, leading to a depletion of essential nutrients for plant growth, ultimately affecting the entire food web and potentially leading to the cessation of all life.

Question 10

You discover an organism that is eukaryotic, unicellular, and photosynthetic. Based on this evidence, to which group would you assign this organism?

Accepted Answer

Protists are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms, many of which are unicellular and capable of photosynthesis, fitting the description provided.

Question 11

Which organizational unit includes the fewest species of organisms?

Accepted Answer

A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area, making it the organizational unit with the fewest species since it includes only one species.

Question 12

What is a subspecialty of systematics and is the science of naming and classifying organisms?

Accepted Answer

Taxonomy is the branch of science concerned with classification, especially of organisms; systematics is the broader field that includes taxonomy, phylogenetics, and evolution. Taxonomy specifically deals with the naming (nomenclature) and classifying of organisms into a hierarchical structure.

Question 13

What are inherited characteristics that enhance an organismʼs ability to survive in its environment?

Accepted Answer

Adaptations are inherited characteristics that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Question 14

Which is a characteristic of a good hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A good hypothesis must be falsifiable, meaning it can be tested and potentially proven wrong, which is essential for the scientific method.

Question 15

Which cells do not have a nucleus or other membrane-enclosed organelles?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, do not have a nucleus or other membrane-enclosed organelles, distinguishing them from eukaryotic cells.

Question 16

An organism that is neither prokaryotic nor photosynthetic, and must obtain its nutrients by secreting digestive enzymes into the environment, belongs to which group of organisms?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are neither prokaryotic (like bacteria) nor photosynthetic (like plants). They obtain nutrients through external digestion by secreting enzymes into their environment, breaking down organic matter, and then absorbing the nutrients.

Question 17

Which process is most directly associated with the theory of evolution?

Accepted Answer

The theory of evolution is most directly associated with populations changing over time, as it describes how species adapt and evolve through natural selection and other mechanisms.

Question 18

One of the conclusions drawn from Darwinʼs theory of evolution is that:

Accepted Answer

Darwin's theory of evolution, particularly through natural selection, posits that species evolve over time and that the organisms living today are descended from ancestral species. This process of descent with modification leads to the diversity of life seen today, with all organisms sharing common ancestors at some point in their lineage.

Question 19

Using the Linnaean system of nomenclature, corn is named Zea mays . What is the specific epithet in this name?

Accepted Answer

The specific epithet in the Linnaean system of nomenclature is the second part of the species name, which in the case of corn is "mays."

Question 20

The human body is made up of specialized cells that perform different functions. For example, a neuron is a specialized cell of the nervous system that receives and transmits signals throughout the body. To perform these tasks, the neuron uniquely possesses branched protoplasmic protrusions, called dendrites and axons, which conduct the signals to and from its cell body. This illustrates which of the five major biological themes?

Accepted Answer

The description of neurons, highlighting their specialized structures (dendrites and axons) for specific functions (receiving and transmitting signals), exemplifies the interrelation of structure and function in biological systems. This theme emphasizes how the physical form of biological entities is closely tied to their role and performance within an organism.

Quiz 1: A View of Life