BIO 148 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026
Biology - ANSWERSthe study of life
Organism - ANSWERSany living entity that contains one or more cells
Cell - ANSWERSthe most basic structural and functional unit of all organisms. A
membrane-bound structure capable of self-replicating
Plasma membrane - ANSWERSa membrane that surrounds a cell, separating it from
the external environment and selectively regulating passage of molecules and ions into
and out of the cell. Aka cell membrane
Cell Theory - ANSWERSthe theory that all organisms are made of cells and that all cells
come from preexisting cells
Prokaryote - ANSWERSa member of the domain Bacteria or Archaea; a unicellular
organism lacking a nucleus and organelles
Eukaryote - ANSWERSa member of the domain Eukarya; an organism whose cells
contain a nucleus, numerous membrane-bound organelles, and an extensive
cytoskeleton. May be unicellular or multicellular
DNA (Unit 1) - ANSWERSa nucleic acid that carries the genetic information in the cell
and is capable of self-replication. The sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines
individual hereditary characteristics
Ribosome - ANSWERSa complex of RNA and protein that catalyzes the formation of
proteins using messenger RNA as a template (translation)
Protein - ANSWERSa linear chain of amino acids folded into a 3-D structure, facilitating
biological function
The Genetic Code - ANSWERSset of rules by which information encoded in genetic
material is translated into proteins
Evolution - ANSWERS(1) the theory that all organisms on Earth are related by common
ancestry and that they have changed over time, predominantly via natural selection. (2)
any change in the genetic characteristics of a population over time
Population - ANSWERSa group of individuals of the same species living in the same
geographic area at the same time
, Natural selection - ANSWERSthe process by which individuals with certain heritable
traits tend to produce more surviving offspring that do individuals without those traits,
often leading to a change in the genetic makeup of the population. A major mechanism
of evolution
Fitness - ANSWERSthe ability of an individual to survive and produce viable offspring in
a given environment relative to others of the same species
Adaptation - ANSWERSa heritable trait that increases the fitness of its bearer in a given
environment
Tree of Life - ANSWERSa diagram depicting the genealogical relationships of all living
organisms on earth, with a single ancestral species at the base
Domian - ANSWERSa taxonomic category, based on similarities in basic cellular
biochemistry, above the kingdom level. Three recognized domains are Bacteria,
Archaea, and Eukarya
Archaea - ANSWERS1 of the 3 taxonomic domains of life consisting of unicellular
prokaryotes more closely related to Eukarya than Bacteria based. Predominantly
unicellular, with many living in extreme environments
Bacteria - ANSWERS1 of the 3 taxonomic domains of life consisting of prokaryotic
organisms characterized by lack of a membrane-enclosed nucleus. Predominantly
unicellular
Eukarya - ANSWERS1 of the 3 taxonomic domains of life comprised of eukaryotes
(organisms whose cells contain a nucleus). Includes unicellular and multicellular
Nucleus - ANSWERSin eukaryotic cells, the large organelle containing the
chromosomes and surrounded by a double membrane
Organelle - ANSWERSany discrete, membrane-bound structure within a cell (e.g.
nucleus, mitochondrion) that has a characteristic structure and function
Phylogeny - ANSWERSthe evolutionary history of a group of organisms
Speciation - ANSWERSthe evolution of 2 or more distinct species from a single
ancestral species
Clade - ANSWERSa grouping on a phylogenetic tree that includes a common ancestor
and all of the descendants of that ancestor
Hypothesis - ANSWERSa testable statement that explains a phenomenon
ANSWERS 2026
Biology - ANSWERSthe study of life
Organism - ANSWERSany living entity that contains one or more cells
Cell - ANSWERSthe most basic structural and functional unit of all organisms. A
membrane-bound structure capable of self-replicating
Plasma membrane - ANSWERSa membrane that surrounds a cell, separating it from
the external environment and selectively regulating passage of molecules and ions into
and out of the cell. Aka cell membrane
Cell Theory - ANSWERSthe theory that all organisms are made of cells and that all cells
come from preexisting cells
Prokaryote - ANSWERSa member of the domain Bacteria or Archaea; a unicellular
organism lacking a nucleus and organelles
Eukaryote - ANSWERSa member of the domain Eukarya; an organism whose cells
contain a nucleus, numerous membrane-bound organelles, and an extensive
cytoskeleton. May be unicellular or multicellular
DNA (Unit 1) - ANSWERSa nucleic acid that carries the genetic information in the cell
and is capable of self-replication. The sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines
individual hereditary characteristics
Ribosome - ANSWERSa complex of RNA and protein that catalyzes the formation of
proteins using messenger RNA as a template (translation)
Protein - ANSWERSa linear chain of amino acids folded into a 3-D structure, facilitating
biological function
The Genetic Code - ANSWERSset of rules by which information encoded in genetic
material is translated into proteins
Evolution - ANSWERS(1) the theory that all organisms on Earth are related by common
ancestry and that they have changed over time, predominantly via natural selection. (2)
any change in the genetic characteristics of a population over time
Population - ANSWERSa group of individuals of the same species living in the same
geographic area at the same time
, Natural selection - ANSWERSthe process by which individuals with certain heritable
traits tend to produce more surviving offspring that do individuals without those traits,
often leading to a change in the genetic makeup of the population. A major mechanism
of evolution
Fitness - ANSWERSthe ability of an individual to survive and produce viable offspring in
a given environment relative to others of the same species
Adaptation - ANSWERSa heritable trait that increases the fitness of its bearer in a given
environment
Tree of Life - ANSWERSa diagram depicting the genealogical relationships of all living
organisms on earth, with a single ancestral species at the base
Domian - ANSWERSa taxonomic category, based on similarities in basic cellular
biochemistry, above the kingdom level. Three recognized domains are Bacteria,
Archaea, and Eukarya
Archaea - ANSWERS1 of the 3 taxonomic domains of life consisting of unicellular
prokaryotes more closely related to Eukarya than Bacteria based. Predominantly
unicellular, with many living in extreme environments
Bacteria - ANSWERS1 of the 3 taxonomic domains of life consisting of prokaryotic
organisms characterized by lack of a membrane-enclosed nucleus. Predominantly
unicellular
Eukarya - ANSWERS1 of the 3 taxonomic domains of life comprised of eukaryotes
(organisms whose cells contain a nucleus). Includes unicellular and multicellular
Nucleus - ANSWERSin eukaryotic cells, the large organelle containing the
chromosomes and surrounded by a double membrane
Organelle - ANSWERSany discrete, membrane-bound structure within a cell (e.g.
nucleus, mitochondrion) that has a characteristic structure and function
Phylogeny - ANSWERSthe evolutionary history of a group of organisms
Speciation - ANSWERSthe evolution of 2 or more distinct species from a single
ancestral species
Clade - ANSWERSa grouping on a phylogenetic tree that includes a common ancestor
and all of the descendants of that ancestor
Hypothesis - ANSWERSa testable statement that explains a phenomenon
