BIO 141 Exam 1 (NVCC) Study Guide –
Updated Academic Review
BIO 141 Exam 1: Foundations of Cell Biology
Chapter 1: Introduction to Biology & Themes
1. What is the smallest unit of life that can perform all life's processes?
o a) Molecule
o b) Organ
o c) Cell ✓
o d) Tissue
2. Which of the following is the correct order of biological organization from simplest to
most complex?
o a) Organelle, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organism
o b) Cell, Organelle, Organ, Tissue, Organism
o c) Organelle, Tissue, Cell, Organ, Organism
o d) Cell, Tissue, Organelle, Organ, Organism ✓
3. The process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment is
called:
o a) Metabolism
o b) Homeostasis ✓
o c) Evolution
o d) Development
4. A proposed explanation for a set of observations is a(n):
o a) Theory
o b) Hypothesis ✓
o c) Experiment
, o d) Conclusion
5. In a controlled experiment, which group does not receive the experimental treatment?
o a) Hypothesis group
o b) Control group ✓
o c) Variable group
o d) Test group
Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life
6. The atomic number of an element is defined by the number of:
o a) Protons ✓
o b) Neutrons
o c) Electrons
o d) Protons and Neutrons
7. Isotopes of an element differ in their number of:
o a) Protons
o b) Electrons
o c) Neutrons ✓
o d) Chemical Bonds
8. A covalent bond is formed when:
o a) Two atoms share a pair of electrons ✓
o b) One atom donates an electron to another
o c) Hydrogen is attracted to a slightly negative atom
o d) Two ions of opposite charge come together
9. An atom that has gained or lost an electron is called a(n):
o a) Isotope
o b) Ion ✓
o c) Molecule
, o d) Element
10. What type of bond is responsible for the surface tension of water?
o a) Ionic bonds
o b) Nonpolar covalent bonds
o c) Hydrogen bonds ✓
o d) Peptide bonds
11. A substance with a pH of 5 is considered:
o a) Acidic ✓
o b) Basic
o c) Neutral
o d) Alkaline
12. A solution with a high concentration of H+ ions is a(n):
o a) Acid ✓
o b) Base
o c) Buffer
o d) Salt
13. A substance that minimizes changes in pH is a(n):
o a) Acid
o b) Base
o c) Buffer ✓
o d) Salt
Chapter 3: Water and Carbon - The Chemical Basis of Life
14. Water molecules are polar because:
o a) They have a linear shape.
o b) Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen. ✓
o c) Hydrogen is more electronegative than oxygen.
, o d) They can form ionic bonds.
15. The property of water that allows it to stick to other substances is called:
o a) Cohesion
o b) Adhesion ✓
o c) Surface Tension
o d) High Specific Heat
16. Carbon is well-suited to be the backbone of organic molecules because it has:
o a) 2 valence electrons
o b) 4 valence electrons ✓
o c) 6 valence electrons
o d) 8 valence electrons
17. Which of the following is a hydrocarbon?
o a) CH₃OH
o b) C₂H₆ ✓
o c) CO₂
o d) H₂CO₃
18. Isomers are molecules that have:
o a) The same molecular formula and the same structure.
o b) Different molecular formulas but the same structure.
o c) The same molecular formula but different structures. ✓
o d) Different molecular formulas and different structures.
Chapter 4: Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life
19. Which functional group is characteristic of alcohols?
o a) Carbonyl
o b) Carboxyl
o c) Hydroxyl ✓
Updated Academic Review
BIO 141 Exam 1: Foundations of Cell Biology
Chapter 1: Introduction to Biology & Themes
1. What is the smallest unit of life that can perform all life's processes?
o a) Molecule
o b) Organ
o c) Cell ✓
o d) Tissue
2. Which of the following is the correct order of biological organization from simplest to
most complex?
o a) Organelle, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organism
o b) Cell, Organelle, Organ, Tissue, Organism
o c) Organelle, Tissue, Cell, Organ, Organism
o d) Cell, Tissue, Organelle, Organ, Organism ✓
3. The process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment is
called:
o a) Metabolism
o b) Homeostasis ✓
o c) Evolution
o d) Development
4. A proposed explanation for a set of observations is a(n):
o a) Theory
o b) Hypothesis ✓
o c) Experiment
, o d) Conclusion
5. In a controlled experiment, which group does not receive the experimental treatment?
o a) Hypothesis group
o b) Control group ✓
o c) Variable group
o d) Test group
Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life
6. The atomic number of an element is defined by the number of:
o a) Protons ✓
o b) Neutrons
o c) Electrons
o d) Protons and Neutrons
7. Isotopes of an element differ in their number of:
o a) Protons
o b) Electrons
o c) Neutrons ✓
o d) Chemical Bonds
8. A covalent bond is formed when:
o a) Two atoms share a pair of electrons ✓
o b) One atom donates an electron to another
o c) Hydrogen is attracted to a slightly negative atom
o d) Two ions of opposite charge come together
9. An atom that has gained or lost an electron is called a(n):
o a) Isotope
o b) Ion ✓
o c) Molecule
, o d) Element
10. What type of bond is responsible for the surface tension of water?
o a) Ionic bonds
o b) Nonpolar covalent bonds
o c) Hydrogen bonds ✓
o d) Peptide bonds
11. A substance with a pH of 5 is considered:
o a) Acidic ✓
o b) Basic
o c) Neutral
o d) Alkaline
12. A solution with a high concentration of H+ ions is a(n):
o a) Acid ✓
o b) Base
o c) Buffer
o d) Salt
13. A substance that minimizes changes in pH is a(n):
o a) Acid
o b) Base
o c) Buffer ✓
o d) Salt
Chapter 3: Water and Carbon - The Chemical Basis of Life
14. Water molecules are polar because:
o a) They have a linear shape.
o b) Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen. ✓
o c) Hydrogen is more electronegative than oxygen.
, o d) They can form ionic bonds.
15. The property of water that allows it to stick to other substances is called:
o a) Cohesion
o b) Adhesion ✓
o c) Surface Tension
o d) High Specific Heat
16. Carbon is well-suited to be the backbone of organic molecules because it has:
o a) 2 valence electrons
o b) 4 valence electrons ✓
o c) 6 valence electrons
o d) 8 valence electrons
17. Which of the following is a hydrocarbon?
o a) CH₃OH
o b) C₂H₆ ✓
o c) CO₂
o d) H₂CO₃
18. Isomers are molecules that have:
o a) The same molecular formula and the same structure.
o b) Different molecular formulas but the same structure.
o c) The same molecular formula but different structures. ✓
o d) Different molecular formulas and different structures.
Chapter 4: Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life
19. Which functional group is characteristic of alcohols?
o a) Carbonyl
o b) Carboxyl
o c) Hydroxyl ✓
