Practice Test #1 + #2 Flashcards
(98 cards)
Isotopes are elements with a different ____________.
A. Number of electrons
B. Number of neutrons
C. Number of protons
D. Atomic number
B. Number of neutrons
Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element which differ in neutron number, while all isotopes of a given element have the same number of protons in each atom. The number of protons (the atomic number) determines the type of element. For example, carbon (C) has an atomic number of 6, so all carbon atoms have 6 protons. However, carbon can have different isotopes, such as carbon-12 (with 6 neutrons) and carbon-14 (with 8 neutrons), which differ only in the number of neutrons in the nucleus.
If Element A is in the same horizontal row of the Periodic Table of Elements as Element B, which of the following is most likely to be true?
A. They have the same number of neutrons.
B. Element B has more protons than Element A.
C. They have similar chemical properties.
D. They have the same number of electron shells.
D. They have the same number of electron shells.
In the periodic table, the horizontal rows are known as periods. Elements that are in the same period have their electrons filling the same principal energy level (or the same number of electron shells). As you move from left to right across a period, the number of protons and electrons increases by one for each subsequent element, and the properties of the elements change.
Which of the following statements best characterizes a reduction reaction?
A. The charge or oxidation state of a substance is changed.
B. A strong acid is used to neutralize a base.
C. A precipitate forms within the solution.
D. No chemical bonds are broken or formed.
A. The charge or oxidation state of a substance is changed.
A reduction reaction is characterized by the gain of electrons by a molecule, atom, or ion, which decreases its oxidation state. In a reduction reaction, the species that is reduced gains electrons, typically becoming more negatively charged or less positively charged if it’s an ion. Reduction is one half of a redox reaction, which consists of two half-reactions: reduction and oxidation. In the oxidation half-reaction, another species loses electrons and its oxidation state increases.
Carbon is an essential component in the makeup of all of the following compounds except:
A. Sugars
B. Lipids
C. Acids
D. Carbohydrates
C. Acids
Carbon is a fundamental component of many types of compounds, including organic molecules which are the basis of life. Here’s a breakdown of why carbon is essential in all but one of the listed compound types:
A. Sugars
Sugars are a subset of carbohydrates and are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, often with the general formula Cn(H2O)n. Hence, carbon is an essential element in their structure.
B. Lipids
Lipids, which include fats, oils, waxes, and certain vitamins, are largely made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms. They are organic compounds and thus have carbon as a central element.
D. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are organic molecules consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually with a hydrogen-oxygen atom ratio of 2:1, as in water. They are a major biological macromolecule and include sugars, starches, and cellulose.
C. Acids
This is the correct answer because not all acids contain carbon. Acids are defined by their ability to donate protons (H+) or accept an electron pair in reactions. While many acids do contain carbon, such as carboxylic acids (e.g., acetic acid), there are many that do not. For example, hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and nitric acid (HNO3) do not contain carbon. These are known as mineral acids or inorganic acids.
Which of these is directly proportional to the strength of the gravitational force between two objects?
A. The distance between the objects
B. The mass of one of the objects
C. The temperature of the objects
D. The inverse of the gravitational constant
B. The mass of one of the objects
The strength of the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the mass of each object and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.
A child goes down a playground slide. Which of the following forces is exerted in the direction opposite the child’s path of motion?
A. Gravitational force
B. Frictional force
C. Normal force
D. Magnetic force
B. Frictional force
is the correct answer because friction always acts in a direction opposite to the movement of two surfaces sliding against each other. When a child goes down a slide, the surface of the slide exerts a frictional force on the child, which opposes the child’s downward motion. This frictional force is what slows down the child’s descent and ensures that they don’t accelerate uncontrollably while sliding down.
In which of the following scenarios would the distance the object traveled most closely resemble the object’s displacement?
A. A racecar completes 200 laps around an elliptical track.
B. A hiker traverses a set of switchbacks to ascend a steep hill.
C. A feather is dropped from the roof of a tall building.
D. A marble is rolled across a flat floor.
D. A marble is rolled across a flat floor.
If the marble is rolled in a straight line across a flat floor and comes to a stop without changing direction, then the path it takes is a straight line. In this scenario, the distance the marble has traveled (the length of the path it has taken across the floor) would be identical to its displacement, which is the straight line distance from the starting point to the ending point.
Which of these is the best example of gravitational force at work?
A. Two protons being attracted to each other (in an atom’s nucleus)
B. Two magnetic bars being attracted to each other
C. The earth revolving around the sun
D. Wind blowing on the ocean’s surface
C. The earth revolving around the sun
Gravitational force is a natural phenomenon by which all things with mass or energy—including planets, stars, galaxies, and even light—are brought toward (or gravitate toward) one another. On the larger scales of planets, stars, and celestial bodies, gravity is the dominant force and is what governs their motion.
Which of the following aspects does the Law of Reflection describe?
A. Angle
B. Energy
C. Polarity
D. Wavelength
A. Angle
The Law of Reflection primarily deals with angles, specifically the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection. It states that when a ray of light reflects off a surface, the angle of incidence (the angle at which the incoming ray hits the surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle at which the ray bounces off the surface). Both angles are measured from the normal, which is an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence.
What property allows light to be transmitted through an object?
A. The frequency of the light’s waves do not match the natural frequencies of the object.
B. The object is able to create light.
C. The energy source and the object are composed of the same compounds.
D. The amplitude of the light wave is greater than the height of the object.
A. The frequency of the light’s waves do not match the natural frequencies of the object.
The transmission of light through an object is largely dependent on the interaction between the light waves and the atomic structure of the material. When light encounters a material, several things can happen: it can be reflected, absorbed, scattered, or transmitted.
If the frequency of the light waves does not match the natural frequencies of the vibrations of electrons in the material, the light will not be absorbed to a significant degree. Instead, it can pass through the object, which is the case with materials that are transparent to that frequency of light.
An experimenter measures two samples of the same substance. She finds that the molecules in sample A are moving faster than molecules in sample B. Which of the following must be true?
A. Sample A has a higher temperature than sample B.
B. Sample A has more energy than sample B.
C. Sample B has a higher temperature than sample A.
D. Sample B has more energy than sample A.
A. Sample A has a higher temperature than sample B.
In the context of temperature at the molecular level, temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. If the molecules in sample A are moving faster than those in sample B, it means that on average, the particles in sample A have more kinetic energy. Since temperature is a measure of this average kinetic energy of particles, sample A would have a higher temperature than sample B.
A pot of water is placed atop a hot plate. Heat is transferred through the metal of the pot by means of ________.
A. Radiation
B. Convection
C. Conduction
D. Boiling
C. Conduction
Conduction is the process by which heat is transferred through a material without any overall movement of the material itself. It occurs through the collisions and diffusion of particles within a substance, where faster-moving (hotter) molecules collide with slower-moving (cooler) molecules, transferring some of their kinetic energy in the process.
When a pot of water is placed on a hot plate, the heat from the hot plate is transferred to the pot’s metal by direct contact. The molecules in the hot plate vibrate at an increased rate due to their higher energy level and transfer energy to the molecules in the metal of the pot that are in contact with it. This transfer of energy continues throughout the metal of the pot until the heat reaches the water.
Which of these best describes the cause of electrostatic phenomena?
A. Stationary or slow moving electrical charges
B. Hyper electron movement
C. Sudden electrical bursts
D. Random electric fields
A. Stationary or slow moving electrical charges
Electrostatic phenomena are caused by stationary or slow-moving electrical charges. When certain materials come into contact and are then separated, electrons may be transferred from one material to the other. This transfer of electrons leaves an excess of positive charge on one material and an excess of negative charge on the other. Because the charges are stationary, they create an electric field around the material, which can exert a force on other charges within that field, leading to electrostatic attractions or repulsions.
Which of the following could be the parameters of a simple circuit if the voltage between two points in the circuit is 5,000 volts?
A. The resistance is 250 ohms and the current is 20 amperes.
B. The resistance is 100,000 ohms and the current is 20 amperes.
C. The resistance is 250 amperes and the current is 20 ohms.
D. The Resistance is 20 ohms and the Current is 100,000 amperes.
A. The resistance is 250 ohms and the current is 20 amperes.
Ohm’s law is a fundamental principle in electrical engineering that describes the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance. It states that the current flowing through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points, and inversely proportional to the resistance of the conductor 1. The formula for Ohm’s law is V = IR, where V is the voltage, I is the current, and R is the resistance 1
All of the following organelles are typically found in higher level plants except:
A. chloroplasts
B. mitochondria
C. cell walls
D. centrioles
D. centrioles
Centrioles are organelles typically found in animal cells but are not a feature of higher plant cells. They play a crucial role in cell division in animal cells by helping to organize the assembly of the spindle fibers during mitosis and meiosis. Plant cells, however, do not have centrioles; they use other structures to organize their spindles during cell division.
tRNA can best be described as:
A. An RNA molecule that transfers an amino acid during translation, which contributes to the process of creating a protein
B. An RNA molecule that transfers an amino acid during translation, which contributes to the process of creating a carbohydrate
C. A small RNA molecule that translates an amino acid during transfer, which contributes to the process of creating a protein
D. A large RNA molecule that translates an amino acid during transfer, which contributes to the process of creating a carbohydrate
A. An RNA molecule that transfers an amino acid during translation, which contributes to the process of creating a protein
tRNA, or transfer RNA, is a type of RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in the process of translation—the synthesis of proteins in cells. Each tRNA molecule is responsible for bringing a specific amino acid to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized. The tRNA matches its anticodon with the appropriate codon on the mRNA strand to ensure that the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain in the sequence dictated by the mRNA template. This is a fundamental step in the translation part of protein synthesis.
Which of the following is considered a tissue?
A. the lungs
B. the epithelium
C. a gamete
D. the circulatory system
B. the epithelium
Tissues are groups of cells that have a similar structure and act together to perform a specific function in the body. The epithelium is a type of tissue that lines the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body, and it also forms many glands. It serves various functions including protection, secretion, absorption, excretion, filtration, diffusion, and sensory reception.
Which of the following is not true of ATP?
A. The hydrolysis of ATP releases energy and forms ADP.
B. ATP contains a sugar.
C. ATP contains a chain of 3 phosphate groups.
D. Two AMP molecules are combined to form ATP.
D. Two AMP molecules are combined to form ATP.
ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is not formed by combining two AMP (adenosine monophosphate) molecules. ATP is typically formed from ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and an inorganic phosphate group, through a process known as phosphorylation. This process requires energy, which is usually derived from the breakdown of food in cellular respiration or from light energy in photosynthesis.
Which of the following best describes a major difference between vascular and non-vascular plants?
A. Non-vascular plants grow to a larger size than vascular plants.
B. Non-vascular plants perform photosynthesis and vascular plants do not.
C. Vascular plants are found only in small, isolated regions, but non-vascular plants grow worldwide.
D. Vascular plants transport water using xylem; non-vascular plants do not.
D. Vascular plants transport water using xylem; non-vascular plants do not.
This statement is true and highlights a major difference between vascular and non-vascular plants. Vascular plants have a specialized conducting system, composed primarily of xylem and phloem, which transports water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant. This system allows vascular plants to grow larger and live in a wider variety of habitats because they can transport fluids effectively against gravity.
Which of these is an example of a commensalism?
A. the HIV virus in the bloodstream; the human body is unable to generate a specific immune response.
B. a wildebeest stirs up insects in the grass; several stork follow behind and eat the insects.
C. a rabbit eats grass; a sparrow observes from a tree branch.
D. a bear goes into hibernation; smaller animals temporarily have no predator.
B. a wildebeest stirs up insects in the grass; several storks follow behind and eat the insects.
Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is not significantly helped or harmed. In the example given, the wildebeest is not affected by the storks that follow it and eat insects that it stirs up. However, the storks benefit by having easier access to food thanks to the wildebeest’s movements. This is a classic example of commensalism where the beneficiary (storks) gains a benefit without affecting the other organism (wildebeest).
A certain species of frog exists in two geographically isolated populations within a rainforest. The population to the north is at carrying capacity, while the population to the south is significantly below carrying capacity due to a contagious fungal infection. Which of the following would adversely affect the northern population more than the southern population?
A. A decrease in rainforest water levels.
B. A decrease in the population of frog predators.
C. An increase in average summer temperature.
D. A decrease in the population of frog prey.
D. A decrease in the population of frog prey.
If the northern population of frogs is at carrying capacity, it means that the ecosystem is supporting the maximum number of frogs that it can sustain. This implies that any resource reduction could be critical, and food is a primary resource. A decrease in the population of frog prey would directly impact the northern frogs’ ability to obtain food, which could quickly lead to starvation and a decrease in the frog population as the carrying capacity is recalculated based on the new availability of food.
Which of the following is the best evidence for the Theory of Evolution?
A. The number of species on the planet
B. The existence of fossils
C. The recorded change in generations of a species
D. The variation in all living animals
C. The recorded change in generations of a species
The Theory of Evolution by natural selection, first formulated in Darwin’s book “On the Origin of Species” in 1859, is supported by a wide range of evidence from various scientific disciplines. Among the options provided, the recorded change in generations of a species — often referred to as microevolution — is one of the best pieces of evidence for evolution. It can be directly observed and quantified in scientific studies.
Which phenomenon provides the strongest evidence for evolution?
A. Similar function of a bat wing and a bird wing
B. Similar structure of a human hand and a whale flipper
C. Similar function of a human leg and a beetle leg
D. Similar environment of two spiked mammals, the echidna and the porcupine
B. Similar structure of a human hand and a whale flipper
The strongest evidence for evolution among the options provided is the similar structure of a human hand and a whale flipper. This similarity is an example of homologous structures, which are structures that are different in function but similar in structure and origin, indicating a common ancestor. These structures often have a similar bone arrangement or architecture but are adapted for different tasks. The human hand can grasp and manipulate objects, while the whale flipper is used for swimming. Despite these different functions, the underlying skeletal structures are remarkably alike, which is evidence that humans and whales share a common ancestry.
In addition to the development of terrestrial volcanoes, what major evolutionary event contributed to the modern levels of atmospheric oxygen?
A. The development of the Krebs Cycle
B. The development of photosynthesis
C. The development of the nucleus
D. The development of cellular motility
B. The development of photosynthesis
The major evolutionary event that contributed to the modern levels of atmospheric oxygen is the development of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight. The oxygen released during photosynthesis eventually led to the significant increase in atmospheric oxygen, which is a defining feature of our current atmosphere.