Biology, 7e (Campbell)
Chapter 1: Exploring Life

Chapter Questions

1)  Which of the following properties or processes do we associate with living things?   
A) evolutionary adaptations 
B) energy processing 
C) responding to the environment 
D) growth and reproduction 
E) all of the above 
Answer: E 
Topic: Overview
Skill: Knowledge

2)  Which of the following sequences represents the hierarchy of biological organization from the least to the most complex level? 
A) organelle, tissue, biosphere, ecosystem, population, organism 
B) cell, community, population, organ system, molecule, organelle 
C) organism, community, biosphere, molecule, tissue, organ 
D) ecosystem, cell, population, tissue, organism, organ system 
E) molecule, cell, organ system, population, ecosystem, biosphere 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

3)  Which of the following sequences represents the hierarchy of biological organization from the most to the least complex level? 
A) organelle, cell, organ system, population, community, ecosystem 
B) ecosystem, community, organism, tissue, cell, organelle 
C) biosphere, population, organism, cell, tissue, molecule 
D) biosphere, community, tissue, organ system, molecule, organelle 
E) organism, population, organ system, tissue, molecule, cell 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

4)  What is a localized group of organisms that belong to the same species? 
A) biosystem 
B) community 
C) population 
D) ecosystem 
E) organ system 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

5)  A maple leaf is at which level in the hierarchy of biological organization? 
A) tissue 
B) cell 
C) organelle 
D) organ 
E) organ system 
Answer: D 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

6)  Which of these is an example of an organelle? 
A) chloroplast 
B) muscle 
C) epidermis 
D) intestine 
E) maple leaf 
Answer: A 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

7)  In terms of the hierarchical organization of life, a bacterium is at the ________ level of organization, whereas a human is at the ________ level of organization. 
A) single-celled organism; multicellular organism 
B) single organelle; organism 
C) organelle; organ system 
D) single tissue; multicellular organism 
E) tissue; organism 
Answer: A 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

8)  Which of these is a correct representation of the hierarchy of biological organization from least to most complex? 
A) hydrogen, water, heart muscle cell, heart muscle cell nucleus, heart muscle tissue, heart, human 
B) hydrogen, water, muscle cell nucleus, heart muscle cell, heart, heart muscle tissue, human 
C) hydrogen, water, heart muscle cell nucleus, heart muscle cell, heart muscle tissue, heart, human 
D) water, hydrogen, heart muscle cell nucleus, heart muscle cell, heart muscle tissue, heart, human 
E) heart muscle cell nucleus, hydrogen, water, heart muscle cell, heart, heart muscle tissue, human 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

9)  Which of these is a correct representation of the hierarchy of biological organization from least to most complex? 
A) organelle of a stomach cell, digestive system, large intestine, small intestine, intestinal tissue, organism 
B) organelle of an intestinal cell, digestive system, small intestine, large intestine, intestinal tissue, organism 
C) molecule, intestinal cell organelle, intestinal cell, intestinal tissue, digestive system, organism 
D) molecule, small intestine, large intestine, intestinal tissue, digestive system, organism 
E) molecule, digestive system, digestive cell organelle, small intestine, large intestine, intestinal cell, organism 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

10)  Plants convert the energy of sunlight into 
A) the energy of motion. 
B) carbon dioxide and water. 
C) the potential energy of chemical bonds. 
D) minerals. 
E) kinetic energy. 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

11)  As a result of photosynthesis, plants release ________ into the atmosphere. 
A) methane 
B) carbon dioxide 
C) water 
D) minerals 
E) oxygen 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

12)  Which of the following is the main source of energy for producers such as plants and other photosynthetic organisms? 
A) sunlight or solar energy 
B) carbon dioxide or kinetic energy 
C) heat or thermal energy 
D) chemicals or chemical energy 
E) both B and D  
Answer: A 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

13)  The dynamics of any ecosystem include the following major processes: 
A) the flow of energy from sunlight to producers 
B) the flow of energy from sunlight to producers and then to consumers 
C) the recycling of chemical nutrients 
D) the flow of energy to producers and the recycling of nutrients 
E) the flow of energy from sunlight to producers and then to consumers, and the recycling of chemical nutrients. 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

14)  For most ecosystems ________ is (are) the ultimate source of energy, and energy leaves the ecosystem in the form of ________. 
A) sunlight; heat 
B) heat; light 
C) plants; animals 
D) plants; heat 
E) producers; consumers 
Answer: A 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

15)  The lowest level of biological organization that can perform all the activities required for life is the 
A) organelle-for example, a chloroplast. 
B) cell-for example, a skin cell. 
C) tissue-for example, nervous tissue. 
D) organ system-for example, the reproductive system. 
E) organism-for example, an amoeba, dog, human, or maple tree. 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

16)  Which of the following is true regarding deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)? 
A) Each deoxyribonucleic acid molecule is composed of two long chains of nucleotides arranged in a double helix. 
B) Genes are composed of deoxyribonucleic acid. 
C) DNA is composed of chemical building blocks called nucleotides. 
D) Only A and C are correct. 
E) A, B, and C are correct. 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

17)  What are the basic "building blocks" of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)? 
A) 100,000 different kinds of proteins 
B) 26 different kinds of chromosomes 
C) 20 different kinds of amino acids 
D) 4 different kinds of nucleotides 
E) 3 different kinds of genomes 
Answer: D 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

18)  Which of the following types of cells utilize deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as their genetic material? 
A) animal  
B) plant  
C) archaea 
D) A and B only 
E) A, B, and C 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Comprehension

19)  Which of the following statements concerning prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is not correct? 
A) Prokaryotic cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus. 
B) Prokaryotic cells contain small membrane-enclosed organelles. 
C) Eukaryotic cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus. 
D) DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is present in both prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells. 
E) DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is present in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.1
Skill: Knowledge

20)  Which of the following is reflective of the phrase "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts"? 
A) high-throughput technology 
B) emergent properties 
C) natural selection 
D) reductionism 
E) feedback regulations 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.2
Skill: Knowledge

21)  In order to understand the chemical basis of inheritance, one must understand the molecular structure of DNA.  This is an example of the application of ________ to the study of biology. 
A) evolution 
B) emergent properties 
C) reductionism 
D) the cell theory 
E) feedback regulation 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.2
Skill: Comprehension

22)  The chemical reactions within cells are regulated by organic catalysts called 
A) feedback activators. 
B) feedback inhibitors. 
C) enzymes. 
D) metabolites. 
E) nutrients. 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.2
Skill: Knowledge

23)  Once labor begins in childbirth, contractions increase in intensity and frequency until delivery. The increasing labor contractions of childbirth are an example of 
A) a bioinformatic system. 
B) positive feedback. 
C) negative feedback. 
D) feedback inhibition. 
E) both C and D 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.2
Skill: Comprehension

24)  When blood glucose level rises, the pancreas secretes insulin, and as a result blood glucose level declines.  When blood glucose level is low, the pancreas secretes glucagon, and as a result blood glucose level rises.  Such regulation of blood glucose level is the result of 
A) catalytic feedback. 
B) positive feedback. 
C) negative feedback. 
D) bioinformatic regulation. 
E) both A and B 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.2
Skill: Comprehension

25)  There are approximately ________ identified and named species. 
A) 1,800 
B) 180,000 
C) 1,800,000 
D) 18,000,000 
E) 180,000,000 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Knowledge

26)  Which branch of biology is concerned with the naming and classifying of organisms? 
A) informatics 
B) schematic biology 
C) taxonomy 
D) genomics 
E) evolution 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Knowledge

27)  Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells generally have which of the following features in common? 
A) a membrane-bounded nucleus 
B) a cell wall made of cellulose 
C) ribosomes 
D) flagella or cilia that contain microtubules 
E) linear chromosomes made of DNA and protein 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Knowledge

28)  Which of the following are characteristics shared by members of both domain Bacteria and domain Archaea? 
A) cytosol 
B) nucleus 
C) DNA 
D) A and C only 
E) A, B, and C 
Answer: D 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Knowledge

29)  What are the two classifications of prokaryotes? 
A) domain Bacteria and domain Eukarya 
B) domain Archaea and kingdom Monera 
C) domain Eukarya and kingdom Monera 
D) domain Bacteria and kingdom Monera 
E) domain Bacteria and domain Archaea 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Knowledge

30)  All eukaryotes belong to which group(s)? 
A) domain Bacteria 
B) domain Archaea 
C) domain Eukarya 
D) kingdom Protista 
E) both C and D 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Knowledge

31)  Species that are in the same ________ are more closely related than species that are only in the same ________. 
A) phylum; class 
B) family; order 
C) class; order 
D) family; genus 
E) kingdom; phylum 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Comprehension

32)  Two species belonging to the same genus must also belong to the same 
A) kingdom. 
B) phylum. 
C) class. 
D) order. 
E) all of the above 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Comprehension

33)  Which of these is reflective of the hierarchical organization of life from most to least inclusive? 
A) kingdom, order, family, phylum, class, genus, species 
B) phylum, class, order, kingdom, family, genus, species 
C) kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species 
D) genus, species, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family 
E) class, order, kingdom, phylum, family, genus, species 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Knowledge

34)  A water sample from a hot thermal vent contained a single-celled organism that lacked a nucleus.  What is its most likely classification? 
A) domain Eukarya 
B) domain Archaea 
C) kingdom Animalia 
D) kingdom Protista 
E) kingdom Fungi 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Comprehension

35)  A maple tree is classified into domain ________ and kingdom ________. 
A) Eukarya; Animalia 
B) Eukarya; Fungi 
C) Eukarya; Plantae 
D) Eukarya; Protista 
E) Bacteria; Archaea 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Comprehension

36)  A new species has been discovered. Individuals of this species are multicellular eukaryotes that obtain nutrients from decomposing organic matter. How should this species be classified? 
A) domain Bacteria, kingdom Prokaryota 
B) domain Archaea, kingdom Bacteria 
C) domain Eukarya, kingdom Plantae 
D) domain Eukarya, kingdom Protista 
E) domain Eukarya, kingdom Fungi 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Comprehension

37)  A new species has been discovered.  Individuals of this species are multicellular eukaryotes that obtain their energy-providing nutrients by ingesting other organisms.  How should this species be classified? 
A) kingdom Archaea 
B) kingdom Bacteria 
C) kingdom Plantae 
D) kingdom Protista 
E) kingdom Animalia 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Comprehension

38)  You have just discovered a new species that has starch, rather than DNA, as its genetic material. You are elated because you may have just discovered a new 
A) member of kingdom Protista. 
B) member of domain Bacteria. 
C) member of domain Archaea. 
D) member of domain Eukarya. 
E) domain of life. 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Comprehension

39)  Which of these provides evidence of the common ancestry of all life? 
A) the ubiquitous use of catalysts by living systems 
B) the universality of the genetic code 
C) the structure of the nucleus 
D) the structure of cilia 
E) the structure of chloroplasts 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.3
Skill: Comprehension

40)  Which of the following is (are) true of natural selection?  
A) requires genetic variation 
B) results in descent with modification 
C) involves differential reproductive success 
D) B and C only 
E) A, B, and C 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.4
Skill: Knowledge

41)  According to Charles Darwin, organisms of a particular species are adapted to their environment when they 
A) possess non-inheritable traits that enhance their survival in the local environment. 
B) possess non-inheritable traits that enhance their reproductive success in the local environment. 
C) possess non-inheritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment. 
D) possess inheritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment. 
E) possess inheritable traits that decrease their survival and reproductive success in the local environment. 
Answer: D 
Topic: Concept 1.4
Skill: Comprehension

42)  Which of the following statements is not part of Charles Darwin's concept of natural selection? 
A) Slight inheritable variations within a  population may make an individual significantly more or less likely to survive in its environment, and thus to reproduce. 
B) Every organism has the potential to produce more offspring than the local environment can support. 
C) Characteristics of organisms are inherited as genes on chromosomes. 
D) Better adapted members of a species will survive and reproduce more successfully. 
E) Most individuals in a species do not survive to reproduce. 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.4
Skill: Comprehension

43)  Which of these individuals is most likely to be successful in an evolutionary sense? 
A) a reproductively sterile individual who never falls ill 
B) an organism that dies after 5 days of life but leaves 10 offspring, all of whom survive to reproduce 
C) a male who mates with 20 females and fathers 1 offspring 
D) an organism that lives 100 years and leaves 2 offspring, both of whom survive to reproduce 
E) a female who mates with 20 males and produces 1 offspring 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.4
Skill: Comprehension

44)  In a hypothetical world, every 50 years people over 6 feet tall are eliminated from the population.  Based on your knowledge of natural selection, you would predict that the average height of the human population will  
A) remain unchanged. 
B) gradually decline. 
C) rapidly decline. 
D) gradually increase. 
E) rapidly increase. 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.4
Skill: Comprehension

45)  Through time, the lineage that led to modern whales shows a change from four-limbed land animals to aquatic animals with two limbs that function as flippers.  This change is best explained by  
A) natural philosophy. 
B) creationism. 
C) the hierarchy of the biological organization of life. 
D) natural selection. 
E) feedback inhibition. 
Answer: D 
Topic: Concept 1.4
Skill: Comprehension

46)  Evolution is biology's core theme that ties together all the other themes.  This is because evolution 
A) explains the unity and diversity of life. 
B) explains how organisms become adapted to their environment through the differential reproductive success of varying individuals. 
C) explains why distantly related organisms sometimes resemble each other. 
D) explains why some organisms have traits in common. 
E) all of the above 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.4
Skill: Comprehension

47)  The method of scientific inquiry that describes natural structures and processes as accurately as possible through careful observation and the analysis of data is known as 
A) hypothesis-based science. 
B) discovery science. 
C) experimental science. 
D) quantitative science. 
E) qualitative science. 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.5
Skill: Knowledge

48)  Collecting data based on observation is an example of ________; analyzing this data to reach a conclusion is an example of ________ reasoning. 
A) hypothesis-based science; inductive 
B) the process of science; deductive 
C) discovery science; inductive 
D) descriptive science; deductive 
E) hypothesis-based science; deductive 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.5
Skill: Comprehension

49)  What is a hypothesis? 
A) the same thing as an unproven theory 
B) a tentative explanation that can be tested and is falsifiable 
C) a verifiable observation sensed directly, or sensed indirectly with the aid of scientific instrumentation 
D) a fact based on qualitative data that is testable 
E) a fact based on quantitative data that is falsifiable 
Answer: B 
Topic: Concept 1.5
Skill: Knowledge

50)  Which of these is a deduction? 
A) My car won't start. 
B) My car's battery is dead. 
C) My car is out of gas. 
D) I lost my car key. 
E) If I turn the key in the ignition while stepping on the gas pedal, then my car will start. 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.5
Skill: Comprehension

51)  When applying the process of science, which of these is tested? 
A) a question 
B) a result 
C) an observation 
D) a prediction 
E) a hypothesis 
Answer: D 
Topic: Concept 1.5
Skill: Comprehension

52)  The statement "If you show your dog affection, then your dog will seek your company" is an example of 
A) a statement that can be tested. 
B) a statement derived from a hypothesis. 
C) a prediction. 
D) deductive reasoning. 
E) all of the above 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.5
Skill: Comprehension

53)  A controlled experiment is one in which 
A) the experiment is repeated many times to ensure that the results are accurate. 
B) the experiment proceeds at a slow pace to guarantee that the scientist can carefully observe all reactions and process all experimental data. 
C) there are at least two groups, one of which does not receive the experimental treatment. 
D) there are at least two groups, one differing from the other by two or more variables. 
E) there is one group for which the scientist controls all variables. 
Answer: C 
Topic: Concept 1.5
Skill: Comprehension

54)  Why is it important that an experiment include a control group? 
A) The control group is the group that the reseacher is in control of; it is the group in which the researcher predetermines the nature of the results. 
B) The control group provides a reserve of experimental subjects. 
C) A control group is required for the development of an "if; then" statement. 
D) A control group assures that an experiment will be repeatable. 
E) Without a control group, there is no basis for knowing if a particular result is due to the variable being tested or to some other factor. 
Answer: E 
Topic: Concept 1.5
Skill: Comprehension

55)  What is the primary reason for including a control group within the design of an experiment? 
A) To ensure that the results obtained are due to a difference in only one variable 
B) To ensure that the experimenter can perform a more complete statistical analysis 
C) To demonstrate in what way the experiment was performed incorrectly 
D) To accumulate additional facts that can be reported to other scientists 
E) To test the effect of more than one variable 
Answer: A 
Topic: Concept 1.5
Skill: Comprehension

56)  The application of scientific knowledge for some specific purpose is known as 
A) technology. 
B) deductive science. 
C) inductive science. 
D) anthropologic science. 
E) pure science. 
Answer: A 
Topic: Concept 1.5
Skill: Knowledge

57)  Which of the following is not a theme that unifies biology? 
A) interaction with the environment 
B) emergent properties 
C) evolution 
D) reductionism 
E) structure and function 
Answer: D 
Topic: Concept 1.6
Skill: Knowledge

Media Activity Questions

58)  DNA is composed of building blocks called  
A) nucleic acids. 
B) Gs. 
C) nucleotides. 
D) adenines. 
E) amino acids. 
Answer: C 
Topic: Web/CD Activity: Heritable Information: DNA

59)  In eukaryotic cells DNA has the appearance of a  
A) single strand. 
B) letter U. 
C) double helix. 
D) triple helix. 
E) circle. 
Answer: C 
Topic: Web/CD Activity: Heritable Information: DNA

60)  Which of the following is a correct match of cell type with structure? 
A) nerve cell-closely joined 
B) skin cell-has a large volume 
C) intestinal cell-has a large volume 
D) intestinal cell-closely joined 
E) muscle cell-has proteins that slide back and forth 
Answer: E 
Topic: Web/CD Activity: Form Fits Function: Cells

61)  What element is found in all organic compounds? 
A) carbon 
B) oxygen 
C) helium 
D) iron 
E) nitrogen 
Answer: A 
Topic: Web/CD Activity: Energy Flow and Chemical Cycling

62)  What name is given to organisms that convert the carbon in organic compounds into carbon in carbon dioxide? 
A) autotrophs 
B) heterotrophs 
C) plants 
D) recyclers 
E) decomposers 
Answer: D 
Topic: Web/CD Activity: Energy Flow and Chemical Cycling

Self-Quiz Questions

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

64)  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, population of cells, nervous tissue, brain 
C) organism, organ system, tissue, cell, organ 
D) nervous system, brain, nervous tissue, nerve cell 
E) organ system, tissue, molecule, cell 
Answer: D 

65)  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.  
Answer: A 

66)  Systems biology is mainly an attempt to  
A) understand the integration of all levels of biological organization from molecules to the biosphere.  
B) simplify complex problems by reducing the system into smaller, less complex units.  
C) model one level of biological organization based on an understanding of the lower levels of organization.  
D) provide a systematic method for interpretation of large amounts of biological data. 
E) speed up the technological application of scientific knowledge.  
Answer: C 

67)  Protists and bacteria are grouped into different domains because 
A) protists eat bacteria.  
B) bacteria are not made of cells.  
C) bacterial cells lack a nucleus.  
D) bacteria decompose protists.  
E) protists are photosynthetic.  
Answer: C 
Topic: 
Skill: 

68)  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 
Answer: C 

69)  Which of the following is an example of qualitative data? 
A) The temperature decreased from 20°C to 15°C.  
B) The plant's height is 25 centimeters.  
C) The fish swam in a zig-zag motion.  
D) The six pairs of robins hatched an average of three chicks.  
E) The contents of the human stomach are mixed about every 20 seconds.  
Answer: C 

70)  Which of the following best describes the logic of hypothesis-based science? 
A) If I generate a testable hypothesis, tests and observations will support it.  
B) If my prediction is correct, it will lead to a testable hypothesis.  
C) If my observations are accurate, they will support my hypothesis.  
D) If my hypothesis is correct, I can expect certain test results.  
E) If my experiments are set up right, they will lead to a testable hypothesis. 
Answer: D 
Topic: 
Skill: 

71)  A controlled experiment is one that  
A) proceeds slowly enough that a scientist can make careful records of the results.  
B) may include experimental groups and control groups tested in parallel.  
C) is repeated many times to make sure the results are accurate.  
D) keeps all environmental variables constant.  
E) is supervised by an experienced scientist. 
Answer: B 

72)  Which of the following statements best distinguishes hypotheses from theories in science? 
A) Theories are hypotheses that have been proved.  
B) Hypotheses are guesses; theories are correct answers.  
C) Hypotheses usually are relatively narrow in scope; theories have broad explanatory power.  
D) Hypotheses and theories are essentially the same thing.  
E) Theories are proved true in all cases; hypotheses are usually falsified by tests.  
Answer: C