1. Biology in the 21st Century
Ch. 1 Test Prep
Biology in the 21st Century

2. Scientists use observations and data to form and test _____
A. constants. B. hypotheses. C. theories. D. conclusions. B

3. During an experiment, which factors are observed and measured?
A. dependent variables B. independent variables C. constants. D. hypotheses A

4. At which stage of scientific thinking are scientists most likely to consider the data and conclusions of other scientists to propose new experiments?
A. observing B. testing hypotheses C. analyzing data D. forming hypotheses D

5. Which phrase best describes scientific theories?
A. explain few observations B. serve as speculations C. are never proven D. cannot be replaced C

6. The various parts of Earth’s biosphere are connected and _____
A. similar. B. nonliving. C. diverse. D. aquatic. C

7. The variety of life across the biosphere is called _____
A. biodiversity. B. genomics. C. homeostasis. D. ecology. A

8. Similar organisms that can reproduce by interbreeding belong to the same _____
A. ecosystem. B. environment. C. habitat. D. species. D

9. All the chemical processes used to build up or break down materials are called an organism’s _____
A. metabolism. B. homeostasis. C. adaptations. D. stimuli. A

10. What is the name given for genetic changes in living things over time?
A. adaptation B. homeostasis C. evolution D. negative feedback C

11. A physical environment with different species that interact with one another and with nonliving things is called a(n) _____
A. biosphere. B. ecosystem. C. habitat. D. adaptation. B

12. Organisms rely on both negative feedback processes and behavior to maintain _____
A. homeostasis. B. adaptations. C. ecosystems. D. evolution. A

13. How have computer models expanded biological research?
A. They help scientists design better experiments. B. They simulate complex biological systems that cannot be studied directly. C. They give scientists the ability to observe molecules directly. D. They allow the use of human experimental subjects. B

14. The study and manipulation of DNA on a molecular level is known as _____
A. biochemistry. B. genomes. C. molecular genetics. D. evolution. C

15. Both of the processes shown use and apply biological processes
Both of the processes shown use and apply biological processes. Both processes are examples of _____
A. biotechnology. B. genomics. C. imaging technology. D. transgenic organisms. A

16. Exploring how indoor air pollutants lead to respiratory problems is an example of using biology to _____
A. develop biotechnology. B. monitor global change. C. improve human health. D. make ethical decisions. C

17. Which of these birds most likely inherited the best trait for life in a dry, desert environment?

18. In an environment in which insect populations are decreasing, which bird population might also decrease over time? A

19. A(n) _____ is the smallest unit of matter that has the chemical properties of a particular element.
A. atom B. virus C. cell D. organism A

20. _____ is the ability to keep a stable state of conditions in the body that are necessary for life.
A. Homeostasis B. Heterostasis C. Heredity D. Body temperature A

21. To help store water and reduce water loss, desert plants have _____.
A. succulent waxy leaves B. succulent waxy stems C. both A and B D. neither A nor B C

22. _____ are membrane enclosed structures that carry out specialized functions within a cell.
A. Atoms B. Molecules C. Cells D. None of the above D

23. Examples of unicellular organisms would be _____.
A. bacteria B. protists C. both A and B D. neither A nor B C

24. _____ have negligible mass, are negatively charged, and found outside nucleus.
A. Neutrons B. Protons C. Electrons D. All of the above C

25. All living things are made up of _____.
A. a cell B. cells C. at least one cell D. viruses C

26. The heart, kidneys, liver, brain, etc. are all examples of _____.
A. organelles B. organs C. tissues D. cells B

27. _____ help make up most of the mass of an atom, have no charge, and found in the nucleus.
A. Neutrons B. Protons C. Electrons D. All of the above A

28. _____ consist of similar cells that work together.
A. Atoms B. Molecules C. Organelles D. Tissues D

29. A. control group B. hypothesis C. theory D. law C
A _____ is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.
A. control group B. hypothesis C. theory D. law C

30. According to the graph, _____ might have caused the result in year four?
A. flooding B. surplus of food C. higher than expected birth rate D. all of the above A

31. Lions, elephants, giraffes, Cape buffalo, acacia trees, rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind, wildfires, etc., all interacting with one another, represent a(n) _____.
A. biosphere B. ecosystem C. community D. population B

32. A(n) _____ is a group of organisms of the same species in any given area.
A. biosphere B. ecosystem C. community D. population D

33. _____ help make up most of the mass of an atom, are positively charged, and found in the nucleus.
A. Neutrons B. Protons C. Electrons D. All of the above B

34. _____ is the process of producing new organisms of the same type.
A. Metabolism B. Homeostasis C. Xeroxing D. Reproduction D

35. A(n) _____ a testable idea or explanation that leads to scientific investigation.
A. hypothesis B. conclusion C. law D. experiment A

36. The _____ is all ecosystems combined.
A. biosphere B. ecosystem C. community D. population A

37. Pie charts are best for showing _____.
A. change over time B. percents of the whole C. both A and B D. neither A nor B B

38. According to the graph, which color of Skittle has the second highest total?
A. green (predicted) B. green (actual) C. orange (actual) D. blue (actual) D

39. _____ is the process of obtaining information by using the senses; the information obtained by using the senses.
A. Experimentation B. Drawing conclusions C. Observation D. Writing hypotheses C

40. If cost is related to bubble diameter, then the most expensive brand will create the biggest bubbles. Based on this hypothesis and the data table, what should your prediction be?
A. Ajax will create, on average, the bubbles with the largest diameters. B. Joy will create, on average, the bubbles with the largest diameters. C. Palmolive will create, on average, the bubbles with the largest diameters. D. Dawn will create, on average, the bubbles with the largest diameters. C
Brand
Price
Diameter (cm)
Average Diameter (cm)
Palmolive
 6¢/oz
Joy
4¢/oz 
Ajax
2¢/oz 

41. What is the independent variable in this experiment?
A. the type or brand of soap used B. the diameter of each bubble C. Both A and B are correct. D. Neither A nor B are correct. A
Brand
Price
Diameter (cm)
Average Diameter (cm)
Palmolive
 6¢/oz
Joy
4¢/oz 
Ajax
2¢/oz 

42. What is the dependent variable in this experiment?
A. the type or brand of soap used B. the diameter of each bubble C. Both A and B are correct. D. Neither A nor B are correct. C
Brand
Price
Diameter (cm)
Average Diameter (cm)
Palmolive
 6¢/oz
Joy
4¢/oz 
Ajax
2¢/oz 

43. _____ in an experiment to test how fertilizer affects plant height, two tomato plants are placed in a sunny window and watered every day. One of the plants is treated with fertilizer. Which plant serves as the control?
A. both tomato plants B. the tomato plant that gets the fertilizer C. the tomato plant that does not get the fertilizer D. the amount of sunlight C

44. A single-celled bacterium, a single-celled protist, and a multicellular human are each an example of a(n) ____.
A. organelle B. cell C. organ system D. organism D

45. DNA is a(n) _____ that consists of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, & hydrogen atoms.
A. atom B. molecule C. cell D. none of the above B

46. A(n) _____ is the smallest unit capable of all life functions.
A. atom B. molecule C. virus D. cell D

47. Lions, elephants, giraffes, Cape buffalo, acacia trees, etc
Lions, elephants, giraffes, Cape buffalo, acacia trees, etc., all interacting with one another, represent a(n) _____.
A. biosphere B. ecosystem C. community D. Population C

48. In _____, two different parent organisms need to contribute genetic information for reproduction to occur.
A. asexual reproduction B. sexual reproduction C. both A and B D. neither A nor B B

49. A plant’s leaves and stems grow toward light
A plant’s leaves and stems grow toward light. The light is an example of a _____.
A. response B. stimulus C. heredity D. homeostasis A

50. 32. The process by which a bacterium splits into two identical bacteria is an example of _____.
A. asexual reproduction B. sexual reproduction C. both A and B D. neither A nor B A

51. The circulatory, respiratory, excretory, digestive, etc
The circulatory, respiratory, excretory, digestive, etc. are all examples of _____.
A. cells B. tissues C. organs D. organ systems D

52. In a multicellular organism, the organism is made up of _____.
A. a single cell B. many organelles C. many cells D. many tissues C

53. _____ is the process of breaking down complex substances into simpler substances to release energy.
A. Anabolism B. Catabolism C. Metabolism D. Homeostasis B

54. Living organisms need _____ to grow, develop, repair damage, and reproduce.
A. oxygen B. carbon dioxide C. energy D. light C

55. Which characteristic is shared by all prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
A. ability to store hereditary information B. use of organelles to control cell processes C. use of aerobic respiration for energy release D. ability to move in response to environmental stimuli A

56. _____ is the reason children resemble their parents.
A. Heredity B. Luck C. Homeostasis D. Metabolism A

57. An example of catabolism would be _____.
A. digestion B. photosynthesis C. both A and B D. neither A nor B A

58. An example of anabolism would be _____.
A. digestion B. photosynthesis C. both A and B D. neither A nor B B

59. _____ are changes DNA code and can be passed from generation to generation.
A. Genes B. Heredity C. Homeostasis D. Mutations D

60. In order to maintain a constant body temperature, humans _____.
A. sweat B. shiver C. chatter their teeth D. can do all of the above D

61. _____ carry hereditary information and are composed of DNA.
A. Jeans B. Genes C. Mutations D. Ribosomes B

62. Species obtain adaptations through _____, often over great periods of time.
A. Darwinism B. stimuli C. evolution D. development C

63. A caterpillar changing into a butterfly is an example of _____.
A. a stimulus B. development C. both A and B D. Neither A nor B B

64. A zoologist weighs a baby elephant every Monday, and notices its weight increases an average of 10 pounds per week. This weight gain is an example of _____.
A. a stimulus B. development C. both A and B D. Neither A nor B D

65. _____ is the total of all chemical reactions in an organism.
A. Anabolism B. Catabolism C. Metabolism D. Homeostasis C

66. Choose the correct order for the levels of ecological/biological organization.
A. cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism B. atom, molecule, organelle C. atom, molecule, organelle, virus, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere D. atom, molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere D

67. After hearing a loud noise, you cover your ears
After hearing a loud noise, you cover your ears. Covering your ears is an example of a _____.
A. response B. stimulus C. heredity D. homeostasis A

68. _____ is the process of building up complex substances from simpler substances.
A. Anabolism B. Catabolism C. Metabolism D. Homeostasis A