Biology Learning Strategies Center Concepts of Foundations of Biology Practice Final Exam Pg 1 of 17 © 2013 Allen F. MacNeill, The Biology Learning Strategies Center, G-24 Stimson Hall, 204 East Avenue, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, (607) 255-3357, [email protected], lsc.cornell.edu Biology Learning Strategies Center Concepts of Foundations of Biology: Analysis and Application BIOG 1014: Academic Support for BIOG 1140 / Foundations of Biology Allen D. MacNeill, Senior Lecturer Practice Final Exam Most of the questions on this exam are drawn from BIOG 1014 weekly worksheets. It is unlikely that any of these exact questions will appear on this year's final exam or that the questions on the actual final exam will follow the same format as those included in this practice final exam. You can use this practice exam as a way of determining what subject areas you need to review further as you prepare for the final exam. There may be more questions on this practice final exam than will appear on the actual final exam. F.1) Which of the following features is found only in living organisms? a) the ability to respond actively to changes in their internal and external environments b) the ability to reproduce, either alone or in co-operation with another organism c) the ability to break down large molecules into smaller ones, thereby yielding usable energy d) the ability to evolve; that is, to change over time, often in response to changes in the environment e) none of these features is found only in living organisms; some non-living things also have these abilities F.2) Which of the following statements about living organisms is false? a) life requires a special “life force” not found in non-living things b) living things are made of the same materials as non-living things c) the difference between life and non-life is the result of different organization, not different materials d) a constant input of energy and materials is necessary to maintain life e) if they are not killed, some living organisms can live on indefinitely F.3) We can discover new scientific facts, ideas, and theories by… a) simple observation b) controlled experiments c) accident d) using common sense e) all of these are correct F.4) In biology, a theory... a) is a hypothesis (i.e. a tentative explanation) that has not yet been tested b) can be absolutely proven to be true or false for all time c) is a tested hypothesis for which no contradictory evidence has yet been observed d) is usually not based on observation or experimentation e) cannot be used as a basis for further observations or experiments F.5) A scientist suspects that salt water inhibits the growth of pea plants. Which of the following is the best experiment that s/he might use to test this hypothesis? a) adding salt water to the soil around a single pea plant b) adding a measured amount of salt water to the soil around a single pea plant c) adding a measured amount of salt water to the soil around several pea plants d) adding a measured amount of salt water to the soil around several pea plants, and an equal amount of pure water to the soil around another pea plant e) adding a measured amount of salt water to the soil around several pea plants, and an equal amount of pure water to the soil around several other pea plants F.6) Which of the following was not a part of Darwin's original theory of evolution by natural selection? a) that there is significant phenotypic variation between the members of every natural population b) that some phenotypic variations can be inherited from parents to offspring c) that more individuals are born than can possibly survive in most populations d) that some individuals survive and reproduce more often than others e) that the variations that become more common over time have been intelligently designed to do soBiology Learning Strategies Center Concepts of Foundations of Biology Practice Final Exam Pg 2 of 17 © 2013 Allen F. MacNeill, The Biology Learning Strategies Center, G-24 Stimson Hall, 204 East Avenue, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, (607) 255-3357, [email protected], lsc.cornell.edu F.7) Genetic variation is essential for evolution by natural selection because… a) it provides the raw material for evolutionary change b) it explains how phenotypic traits are blended together from generation to generation c) it explains how acquired characteristics can be inherited from parents to offspring d) genetic variation alone is all that is necessary for evolution to occur e) it is continuously eliminated as the result of sexual reproduction F.8) There are several factors that contribute to evolutionary change. Of the following, which are random? a) genetic mutations b) natural selection c) genetic drift d) sexual selection e) both (a) and (c) are correct F.9) Which of the following statements about atoms is false? a) atoms are the smallest particles of an element that retain that element's chemical properties b) atoms are composed almost entirely of empty space c) atoms can be bonded together to form molecules d) most of the mass of an atom is in its electrons e) most of the mass of an atom is in its nucleus F.10) Which of the following statements about isotopes is false? a) isotopes of the same element are located in the same place in the periodic table of the elements b) isotopes of the same element have different atomic masses c) isotopes can be radioactive, especially if they have too few or too many neutrons d) isotopes contain the same number of electrons but different numbers of protons e) isotopes can be used to date fossils, organic remains containing carbon, and rocks F.11) Which of the following is not a unique characteristic of water that makes it essential for life on Earth? a) water is less dense as a solid than as a liquid b) water has a very high surface tension c) water is liquid over a wide range of pressures and temperatures d) water forms strong hydrogen bonds with non-polar materials e) water has unusually high specific heat, absorbing and releasing large amounts of heat energy F.12) Carbon… a) usually forms polar covalent bonds with hydrogen b) can form