Biology 1406 Final Exam 2026 –
Comprehensive Practice Questions &
Verified Answers (Detailed & Elaborated
Study Guide, Updated)
• This comprehensive Biology 1406 practice exam contains 200 verified questions
covering all major topics, designed to simulate real exam conditions and reinforce
deep understanding of core biological concepts.
• Use this material by attempting each question independently before checking the
highlighted correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method
maximizes retention and exam readiness.
BIOLOGY 1406 FINAL EXAM 2026
Comprehensive Practice Questions & Verified Answers
UNIT 1: CHEMISTRY OF LIFE
1. Which of the following best describes the atomic number of an element?
A. The total mass of protons and neutrons in the nucleus
B. The number of neutrons in the nucleus
C. The number of electrons in the outermost shell
D. The total number of protons and electrons combined
E. The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: The atomic number uniquely identifies an element and
equals the number of protons in the nucleus. In a neutral atom, this also equals the
number of electrons, but the atomic number specifically refers to protons only.
,2. Which type of bond forms between water molecules due to the polarity of
water?
A. Ionic bond
B. Covalent bond
C. Peptide bond
D. Disulfide bond
E. Hydrogen bond
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: Water molecules form hydrogen bonds between the
slightly positive hydrogen of one molecule and the slightly negative oxygen of
another. These bonds give water its unique cohesive, adhesive, and thermal
properties essential to life.
3. Which property of water allows it to resist changes in temperature?
A. Surface tension
B. Low density as ice
C. Universal solvent capability
D. Adhesion to polar surfaces
E. High specific heat capacity
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: Water's high specific heat means it absorbs a large
amount of heat before its temperature rises significantly. This stabilizes
temperatures in aquatic environments and within organisms, making it vital for life.
4. What is the pH of a solution with a hydrogen ion concentration of 10⁻³
mol/L?
,A. 11
B. 7
C. 5
D. 4
E. 3
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: pH = -log[H⁺]. With [H⁺] = 10⁻³, pH = -log(10⁻³) = 3. This
makes it an acidic solution. Understanding pH calculations is essential for enzyme
activity and biological buffer systems.
5. Which of the following is NOT a property of carbon that makes it the
backbone of organic molecules?
A. It can form four covalent bonds
B. It can bond with many different elements
C. It can form long chains and rings
D. It can form single, double, and triple bonds
E. It has a very high electronegativity compared to oxygen
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: Carbon's versatility — forming four bonds, bonding with
diverse elements, forming chains and rings — makes it ideal for organic molecules.
Carbon does NOT have higher electronegativity than oxygen; oxygen is more
electronegative.
6. Which functional group is characterized by a carbonyl group (C=O) at the
end of a carbon chain?
A. Hydroxyl
, B. Carboxyl
C. Amino
D. Phosphate
E. Aldehyde
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: An aldehyde group has the carbonyl at the terminal
position (-CHO). A ketone has the carbonyl in the middle of the chain. Recognizing
functional groups is key to understanding organic molecule reactivity.
7. A solution that resists changes in pH when acid or base is added is called a:
A. Solvent
B. Colloid
C. Suspension
D. Neutral solution
E. Buffer
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: Buffers maintain stable pH by accepting or donating H⁺
ions. Biological systems such as blood use carbonate buffer systems to keep pH
tightly regulated, essential for normal enzymatic function.
8. Which of the following describes an isotope?
A. An atom with more electrons than protons
B. An atom that has lost all its neutrons
C. An atom that forms ionic bonds
D. An element with a different number of protons
Comprehensive Practice Questions &
Verified Answers (Detailed & Elaborated
Study Guide, Updated)
• This comprehensive Biology 1406 practice exam contains 200 verified questions
covering all major topics, designed to simulate real exam conditions and reinforce
deep understanding of core biological concepts.
• Use this material by attempting each question independently before checking the
highlighted correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method
maximizes retention and exam readiness.
BIOLOGY 1406 FINAL EXAM 2026
Comprehensive Practice Questions & Verified Answers
UNIT 1: CHEMISTRY OF LIFE
1. Which of the following best describes the atomic number of an element?
A. The total mass of protons and neutrons in the nucleus
B. The number of neutrons in the nucleus
C. The number of electrons in the outermost shell
D. The total number of protons and electrons combined
E. The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: The atomic number uniquely identifies an element and
equals the number of protons in the nucleus. In a neutral atom, this also equals the
number of electrons, but the atomic number specifically refers to protons only.
,2. Which type of bond forms between water molecules due to the polarity of
water?
A. Ionic bond
B. Covalent bond
C. Peptide bond
D. Disulfide bond
E. Hydrogen bond
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: Water molecules form hydrogen bonds between the
slightly positive hydrogen of one molecule and the slightly negative oxygen of
another. These bonds give water its unique cohesive, adhesive, and thermal
properties essential to life.
3. Which property of water allows it to resist changes in temperature?
A. Surface tension
B. Low density as ice
C. Universal solvent capability
D. Adhesion to polar surfaces
E. High specific heat capacity
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: Water's high specific heat means it absorbs a large
amount of heat before its temperature rises significantly. This stabilizes
temperatures in aquatic environments and within organisms, making it vital for life.
4. What is the pH of a solution with a hydrogen ion concentration of 10⁻³
mol/L?
,A. 11
B. 7
C. 5
D. 4
E. 3
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: pH = -log[H⁺]. With [H⁺] = 10⁻³, pH = -log(10⁻³) = 3. This
makes it an acidic solution. Understanding pH calculations is essential for enzyme
activity and biological buffer systems.
5. Which of the following is NOT a property of carbon that makes it the
backbone of organic molecules?
A. It can form four covalent bonds
B. It can bond with many different elements
C. It can form long chains and rings
D. It can form single, double, and triple bonds
E. It has a very high electronegativity compared to oxygen
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: Carbon's versatility — forming four bonds, bonding with
diverse elements, forming chains and rings — makes it ideal for organic molecules.
Carbon does NOT have higher electronegativity than oxygen; oxygen is more
electronegative.
6. Which functional group is characterized by a carbonyl group (C=O) at the
end of a carbon chain?
A. Hydroxyl
, B. Carboxyl
C. Amino
D. Phosphate
E. Aldehyde
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: An aldehyde group has the carbonyl at the terminal
position (-CHO). A ketone has the carbonyl in the middle of the chain. Recognizing
functional groups is key to understanding organic molecule reactivity.
7. A solution that resists changes in pH when acid or base is added is called a:
A. Solvent
B. Colloid
C. Suspension
D. Neutral solution
E. Buffer
Correct Answer: E
EXPERT RATIONALE: Buffers maintain stable pH by accepting or donating H⁺
ions. Biological systems such as blood use carbonate buffer systems to keep pH
tightly regulated, essential for normal enzymatic function.
8. Which of the following describes an isotope?
A. An atom with more electrons than protons
B. An atom that has lost all its neutrons
C. An atom that forms ionic bonds
D. An element with a different number of protons
