Science Life Science Flashcards

A child inherits one allele for brown eyes (dominant) and one allele for blue eyes (recessive). The child's eye color will most likely be:

Answer: Brown

Because brown eye color is dominant, having even one dominant allele results in brown eyes being expressed.

Which of the following is an example of a mutualistic relationship?

Answer: Clownfish living among sea anemone tentacles for protection while cleaning the anemone

Clownfish and sea anemones both benefit — the fish gets shelter and the anemone gets cleaned — making this mutualism.

During which phase of mitosis do chromosomes line up along the cell's equator?

Answer: Metaphase

During metaphase, chromosomes align at the cell's midline (metaphase plate) before being pulled apart.

Which of the following correctly describes the flow of energy in a food chain?

Answer: Sun → Producers → Consumers → Decomposers

Energy flows from the sun to producers via photosynthesis, then to primary consumers, secondary consumers, and finally to decomposers.

A red blood cell is placed in a very salty (hypertonic) solution. What will happen to the cell?

Answer: It will shrink as water leaves by osmosis

In a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell by osmosis toward the higher solute concentration outside, causing the cell to shrink.

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins in the human body?

Answer: Storing long-term energy reserves

Long-term energy storage is primarily the role of fats (lipids), not proteins; proteins serve structural, enzymatic, and transport functions.

Two species of finch live on the same island and eat the same seeds. Over many generations, one species shifts to eating insects. This is an example of:

Answer: Character displacement driven by competition

Character displacement occurs when competing species evolve to use different resources, reducing direct competition between them.