North Carolina Biology EOC Practice Quiz

The cell is the smallest living unit that performs all necessary life functions. Tissues, organs, and organ systems are composed of cells working together.

Mitochondria generate most of the cell's energy in the form of ATP. Other organelles have distinct roles unrelated to energy production.

Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy, enabling plants to produce their own food. The other processes are not primarily involved in energy production from sunlight.

Proteins are composed of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. The other biomolecules consist of different types of building blocks.

In eukaryotic cells, the nucleus houses the DNA, making it the center of genetic storage. Other cell parts perform functions such as energy production or material transport.

Mitosis is the process wherein a single eukaryotic cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells. The other division methods do not produce identical copies in this context.

Ribosomes are responsible for translating mRNA into proteins, making them essential for protein synthesis. The other processes are carried out by different cellular components.

The cell membrane is primarily composed of a phospholipid bilayer that forms a semi-permeable barrier. Although proteins and carbohydrates are present, they are secondary in structure.

During the S phase, the cell replicates its DNA in preparation for division. Other phases focus on cell growth, preparation, or the actual division process.

Evolution refers to the change in genetic composition of a population over successive generations. Homeostasis, osmosis, and metabolism pertain to different physiological processes.

Osmosis is the specific process of water moving across a semi-permeable membrane from a region of low solute concentration to high solute concentration. The other processes involve the movement of substances but not specifically water in this manner.

An allele is one variant form of a gene found at a particular locus on a chromosome. The terms genotype and phenotype refer to the genetic makeup of an organism and its observable traits, respectively.

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the sites of photosynthesis in plant cells. Other organelles serve different purposes such as energy conversion or storage.

A mutation is defined as a change in the DNA sequence, which can introduce genetic variability. It is not a process designed to repair DNA, select traits, or stimulate physical growth.

Crossing over occurs during prophase I of meiosis and allows homologous chromosomes to exchange segments, creating new allele combinations. The other processes do not contribute significantly to genetic diversity.

The electron transport chain, through oxidative phosphorylation, produces the majority of ATP during cellular respiration. Glycolysis and the Krebs cycle generate ATP in much smaller amounts.

Natural selection enhances evolution by favoring organisms with traits that improve survival and reproductive success. It is a non-random process that leads to adaptive changes in populations over time.

Keystone species have a disproportionate effect on their environment relative to their abundance. Removing one can disrupt ecosystem balance and lead to cascading effects that reduce biodiversity.

An increase in temperature increases kinetic energy, causing atoms to vibrate more rapidly and move further apart. This effect is a result of thermal expansion, not a change in ionic charge or static behavior.

Convergent evolution describes the process by which unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures. In contrast, divergent evolution and genetic drift describe different evolutionary processes, and mutualism refers to species interactions.