Free AP Biology Trivia Question and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Chemicals emitted by creatures that cause other members of the same species to exhibit a physiological or behavioral response are referred to as
- hormones
- enzymes
- auxins
- pheromones (Correct answer)
Correct answer: pheromones
Pheromones are chemical signals released by an animal that affect the behavior or physiology of other members of the same species. They play crucial roles in communication, such as attracting mates, marking territory, signaling alarm, or coordinating social behaviors. Unlike hormones, which act internally, pheromones act externally between individuals.
Question 2: The sympathetic nervous system stimulates all of the following EXCEPT
- constriction of the blood vessels
- increased peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract (Correct answer)
- dilation of the pupil of the eye
- increased secretion of the sweat glands
Correct answer: increased peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract
The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses, which generally involves inhibiting non-essential functions like digestion. Increased peristalsis, the muscular contractions that move food through the gastrointestinal tract, is a function stimulated by the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes 'rest and digest' activities. Therefore, the sympathetic nervous system would not stimulate increased peristalsis.
Question 3: Mycorrhizae fungi help the calypso orchid, Calypso bulbosa, flourish in close proximity to them. The fungi get within the flower's roots and feed off the plant's nutrients. Rare minerals, including phosphates, are concentrated by the fungi in the roots where the orchid may easily reach them. This instance exemplifies
- commensalism
- parasitism
- endosymbiosis
- mutualism (Correct answer)
Correct answer: mutualism
Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms involved benefit from the interaction. In this example, the fungi benefit by obtaining nutrients from the orchid, while the orchid benefits significantly from the fungi's ability to concentrate rare minerals like phosphates, making them accessible. Since both the orchid and the fungi gain a survival advantage, this interaction is a clear case of mutualism.
Question 4: Which of the following traits apply to both fungi and bacteria?
- Nucleus, organelles, and unicellular
- Cell wall, DNA, and plasma membrane (Correct answer)
- Cell wall, unicellular, and mitochondria
- Plasma membrane, multicellularity, and Golgi apparatus
Correct answer: Cell wall, DNA, and plasma membrane
Both fungi (eukaryotes) and bacteria (prokaryotes) possess a cell wall for structural support, DNA as their genetic material, and a plasma membrane that regulates the passage of substances into and out of the cell. While fungi have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, and can be multicellular, bacteria lack these features and are typically unicellular. Therefore, cell wall, DNA, and plasma membrane are common traits.
Question 5: Which of the subsequent trypsin-related claims is FALSE?
- It is operative over a wide pH range (Correct answer)
- It is an organic compound made of proteins
- The rate of catalysis is affected by the concentration of substrate
- It is a catalyst that alters the rate of a reaction
Correct answer: It is operative over a wide pH range
Trypsin is a protease enzyme that functions optimally in the alkaline environment of the small intestine, typically around pH 8. Like most enzymes, trypsin has a specific optimal pH range and will denature and lose activity if the pH deviates significantly from this range. Therefore, the claim that it is operative over a wide pH range is false, as its activity is highly sensitive to pH changes.
Question 6: Which of the following DOES NOT take place during DNA replication?
- DNA ligase links the Okazaki fragments
- RNA polymerase is used to elongate both chains of the helix (Correct answer)
- DNA strands grow in the 5' to 3' direction
- Helicase unwinds the double helix
Correct answer: RNA polymerase is used to elongate both chains of the helix
During DNA replication, the enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands is DNA polymerase, not RNA polymerase. RNA polymerase is primarily involved in transcription, the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template. DNA ligase links Okazaki fragments, DNA strands grow in the 5' to 3' direction, and helicase unwinds the double helix are all correct steps in DNA replication.
Question 7: A decrease from +50 millivolts to -70 millivolts in a neuron's membrane potential is referred to as
- hyperpolarization
- an actional potential
- repolarization (Correct answer)
- depolarization
Correct answer: repolarization
During an action potential, depolarization is the phase where the membrane potential rapidly rises from its resting negative state to a positive peak (e.g., from -70mV to +50mV). Repolarization is the subsequent phase where the membrane potential returns to its negative resting state, moving from the positive peak back towards the resting potential. A decrease from +50mV to -70mV precisely describes this repolarization phase.
Free AP Biology Trivia Question and Answers
Chemicals emitted by creatures that cause other members of the same species to exhibit a physiological or behavioral response are referred to as