ASVAB General Science Biology and Ecology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the basic unit of life?
- Cell (Correct answer)
- Atom
- Molecule
- Organ
Correct answer: Cell
The cell is considered the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. All life forms are composed of one or more cells.
Question 2: Which organelle is responsible for producing energy in a cell?
- Mitochondria (Correct answer)
- Ribosome
- Golgi apparatus
- Nucleus
Correct answer: Mitochondria
Mitochondria are known as the 'powerhouses of the cell' because they generate most of the cell's supply of ATP, which is used as a source of chemical energy.
Question 3: What process do plants use to convert sunlight into food?
- Photosynthesis (Correct answer)
- Cellular respiration
- Fermentation
- Osmosis
Correct answer: Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
Question 4: Which level of ecological organization includes all the organisms of the same species living in a particular area?
- Population (Correct answer)
- Community
- Ecosystem
- Biome
Correct answer: Population
A population consists of all individuals of a single species living in the same geographic area at the same time. A community includes multiple species, while an ecosystem includes both living and nonliving components.
Question 5: What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
- Break down dead organic matter (Correct answer)
- Produce oxygen
- Consume primary producers
- Fix nitrogen from the atmosphere
Correct answer: Break down dead organic matter
Decomposers break down dead organisms and waste products, recycling nutrients back into the soil and making them available for producers to use again.
Question 6: DNA is composed of repeating units called what?
- Nucleotides (Correct answer)
- Amino acids
- Fatty acids
- Monosaccharides
Correct answer: Nucleotides
DNA is a polymer made of repeating units called nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
What is the basic unit of life?