UCF BIOLOGY EXIT EXAM WITH
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Independent variable - ANSWER --The experimental factor that is manipulated; the
variable whose effect is being measured. Plotted on the x axis
Dependent variable - ANSWER --The outcome factor; the variable that may change in
response to manipulations of the independent variable. Plotted on the y axis
Autotrophs - ANSWER --Organisms that are able to make their own food
Heterotrophs - ANSWER --An organism that obtains organic food molecules by eating
other organisms or their by-products.
Theory - ANSWER --A hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of data,
backed by strong evidence
Law - ANSWER --A descriptive statement or equation that reliably predicts events under
certain conditions
Hypothesis - ANSWER --A testable prediction, often implied by a theory
,Control - ANSWER --In an experiment, the standard that is used for comparison
Experimental group - ANSWER --In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the
treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.
Diffusion - ANSWER --Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an
area of lower concentration; requires no energy
Osmosis - ANSWER --Diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane;
moves from higher to lower water concentration
Active transport - ANSWER --Energy-requiring process that moves material across a cell
membrane against a concentration difference
Botany - ANSWER --The scientific study of plants
Photosynthesis - ANSWER --Plants use the sun's energy to convert water and carbon
dioxide into sugars
Stimulus - ANSWER --A change in an organism's surroundings that causes the organism to
react
Neuron - ANSWER --A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Impulse - ANSWER --An electrical message that carries information in the nervous system.
, Hormone - ANSWER --Chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the
endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another
Receptor molecules - ANSWER --Proteins on surface of cell membrane that receive signals
from the nervous and endocrine system
Organic compound - ANSWER --Any compound of carbon and another element or a
radical
Sugars - ANSWER --Carbohydrates found both in food and in the body
Fatty acids - ANSWER --Chains of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms; building
blocks of lipids
Amino acids - ANSWER --A simple organic compound containing both a carboxyl (—
COOH) and an amino (—NH2) group.
Nucleotides - ANSWER --Basic units of DNA molecule, composed of a sugar, a phosphate,
and one of 4 DNA bases
Covalent bond - ANSWER --A chemical bond that involves sharing a pair of electrons
between atoms in a molecule
Ionic bond - ANSWER --Formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one
atom to another
Dehydration synthesis (condensation) - ANSWER --A chemical reaction in which two
molecules covalently bond to each other with the removal of a water molecule.
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Independent variable - ANSWER --The experimental factor that is manipulated; the
variable whose effect is being measured. Plotted on the x axis
Dependent variable - ANSWER --The outcome factor; the variable that may change in
response to manipulations of the independent variable. Plotted on the y axis
Autotrophs - ANSWER --Organisms that are able to make their own food
Heterotrophs - ANSWER --An organism that obtains organic food molecules by eating
other organisms or their by-products.
Theory - ANSWER --A hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of data,
backed by strong evidence
Law - ANSWER --A descriptive statement or equation that reliably predicts events under
certain conditions
Hypothesis - ANSWER --A testable prediction, often implied by a theory
,Control - ANSWER --In an experiment, the standard that is used for comparison
Experimental group - ANSWER --In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the
treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.
Diffusion - ANSWER --Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an
area of lower concentration; requires no energy
Osmosis - ANSWER --Diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane;
moves from higher to lower water concentration
Active transport - ANSWER --Energy-requiring process that moves material across a cell
membrane against a concentration difference
Botany - ANSWER --The scientific study of plants
Photosynthesis - ANSWER --Plants use the sun's energy to convert water and carbon
dioxide into sugars
Stimulus - ANSWER --A change in an organism's surroundings that causes the organism to
react
Neuron - ANSWER --A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
Impulse - ANSWER --An electrical message that carries information in the nervous system.
, Hormone - ANSWER --Chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the
endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another
Receptor molecules - ANSWER --Proteins on surface of cell membrane that receive signals
from the nervous and endocrine system
Organic compound - ANSWER --Any compound of carbon and another element or a
radical
Sugars - ANSWER --Carbohydrates found both in food and in the body
Fatty acids - ANSWER --Chains of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms; building
blocks of lipids
Amino acids - ANSWER --A simple organic compound containing both a carboxyl (—
COOH) and an amino (—NH2) group.
Nucleotides - ANSWER --Basic units of DNA molecule, composed of a sugar, a phosphate,
and one of 4 DNA bases
Covalent bond - ANSWER --A chemical bond that involves sharing a pair of electrons
between atoms in a molecule
Ionic bond - ANSWER --Formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one
atom to another
Dehydration synthesis (condensation) - ANSWER --A chemical reaction in which two
molecules covalently bond to each other with the removal of a water molecule.
