CSET CSET Subtest II Life Sciences 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organelle is responsible for synthesizing proteins in a eukaryotic cell?
- Golgi apparatus
- Ribosome (Correct answer)
- Lysosome
- Peroxisome
Correct answer: Ribosome
Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis, translating mRNA into polypeptide chains.
Question 2: During meiosis, crossing over (recombination) occurs at which stage?
- Metaphase I
- Anaphase II
- Prophase I (Correct answer)
- Telophase II
Correct answer: Prophase I
Crossing over occurs during Prophase I when homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange segments.
Question 3: Which type of symbiotic relationship benefits one organism while the other is unaffected?
- Mutualism
- Parasitism
- Commensalism (Correct answer)
- Competition
Correct answer: Commensalism
Commensalism describes an interaction where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.
Question 4: What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
- Fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia
- Convert solar energy into organic compounds
- Break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients (Correct answer)
- Produce oxygen through photosynthesis
Correct answer: Break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients
Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil.
Question 5: In a DNA double helix, adenine always pairs with which nitrogenous base?
- Cytosine
- Guanine
- Thymine (Correct answer)
- Uracil
Correct answer: Thymine
Adenine pairs with thymine in DNA via two hydrogen bonds (Chargaff's rules).
Question 6: Which process converts glucose into pyruvate without using oxygen?
- Oxidative phosphorylation
- Glycolysis (Correct answer)
- The citric acid cycle
- Beta-oxidation
Correct answer: Glycolysis
Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and splits glucose into two pyruvate molecules, producing a net gain of 2 ATP.
Question 7: Which kingdom includes organisms that are multicellular, obtain nutrients by absorption, and have cell walls made of chitin?
- Plantae
- Animalia
- Fungi (Correct answer)
- Protista
Correct answer: Fungi
Fungi are multicellular absorptive heterotrophs with chitin-containing cell walls, distinguishing them from plants and animals.
CSET CSET Subtest II Life Sciences 2
Which organelle is responsible for synthesizing proteins in a eukaryotic cell?