UCL University Preparatory Certificate for Science & Engineering

Biology Sample Test

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This is a photograph of an organelle found in living cells. Use it to help answer questions 1, 2 and 3.

(From Essential Cell Biology, Alberts B et al (2009) 3rd edition; Garland Science, NY & London. Photo by Daniel S Friend.)

(From Essential Cell Biology, Alberts B et al (2009) 3rd edition; Garland Science, NY & London. Photo by Daniel S Friend.)

1) What is the name of this organelle?

A. Chloroplast

B. Endoplasmic reticulum

C. Mitochondrion

D. Ribosome

2) What is the function of this organelle?

A. Anaerobic respiration

B. Aerobic respiration

C. Protein release from cell

D. Photosynthesis

3) Which one of the following substances is produced when this organelle is functioning.

A. Oxygen

B. Carbon dioxide

C. Glucose

D. Starch

Figure 2 is a photograph of cell division taking place in the tip of a plant root.

A group of cells undergoing division - photo taken by Islam El-Konaissi, UPCSE student 2007/08, of his cell preparation.

4) Why is a root tip a good place to see this type of cell division?

A.
No light is present

B.
Plant roots only grow downwards

C.
It is an area of active growth

D.
Plants often store food reserves in roots

5) The cell marked I on the diagram has 24 chromosomes. How many chromosomes are present in the cell marked II?

A. 6

B. 12

C. 24

D. 48

6) During the production of gametes the number of chromosomes is halved. What name is given to this type of cell division?

A. Somatic

B. Meiosis

C. Reproductive

D. Mitosis

7) What is the correct equation for photosynthesis?

A.
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂→
6CO₂ + 6H₂O

B.
6CO₂ + 6H₂O →
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

C.
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ →
6CO₂ + 12H₂O

D.
6CO₂ + 6H₂O →
C₅H₁₀O₅ + 6O₂

This genetics diagram is for questions 8 and 9. The diagram shows a genetics experiment involving breeding flies which vary in their body colour.

B for Black body is dominant to the allele b which is for white body.

8) Which two insects are homozygous?

A.
I and II

B.
IV and V

C.
III and VI

D.
V and VI

9) What is the ratio of body colour in the offspring?

A.
3 black: 1 white

B.
1 black : 2 grey : 1 white

C.
1 black : 3 white

D.
All black

10) In genetics what term is given to the appearance of an organism?

A. Genotype

B. Genome

C. Gene pool

D. Phenotype

The figure shows the bones and muscles of the upper and lower arm. Study it and answer questions 11, 12 and 13.

11) What is the name of the bone labelled I?

A. Femur

B. Humerus

C. Radius

D. Ulna

12) What is the type of muscle labelled II?

A. Cardiac

B. Smooth

C. Striated

D. Involuntary

13) What type of joint is present at III, the elbow?

A. Hinge

B. Ball and socket

C. Sliding

D. Fixed

14) What is the name given to the tissue that transmits water and dissolved minerals from the root of a plant up towards the leaves?

A. Phloem

B. Xylem

C. Parenchyma

D. Cambium

15) What tissues provides support to hold up the stem of a plant?

A. Phloem

B. Xylem

C. Parenchyma

D. Cambium

16) What is the process that moves water through a plant?

A. Guttation

B. Replication

C. Transpiration

D. Germination

17) If a plant is described as xerophytic, what conditions will it live and grow in?

A. Salty soils

B. Wet soils

C. Cold climates

D. Dry conditions

18) What name is given to the type of cell that carries oxygen in blood?

A. Lymphocyte

B. Leucocyte

C. Erythrocyte

D. Phagocyte

19) What is the red pigment present in cells that carry oxygen?

A. Haemoglobin

B. Pepsin

C. Adrenalin

D. Immunoglobin

20) Which of the following, found in animals, is NOT a protein?

A. Hair or fur

B. Nails or claws

C. Haemoglobin

D. Glycogen

The diagram shows the outline of a human body with various glands marked. Use it to answer questions 21 and 22.

Outline of a human body showing various endocrine glands

21) Which gland produces the hormone insulin?

A. I

B. II

C. III

D. IV

22) What is the target tissue of the hormone insulin?

A. Kidney

B. Stomach

C. Liver

D. Pituitary gland

23) What is phototropism?

A.
Growth of a plant towards light

B.
The light stage of photosynthesis

C.
An animal's response to sun rise

D.
A bee's ability to fly towards flowers

24) What name is given to the flat teeth found towards the back of an animal's mouth and which are used for grinding food?

A. Incisors

B. Molars

C. Canines

D. Premolars

25) What is the approximate pH of the stomach of a mammal?

A. 1-2

B. 4-5

C. 7-8

D. 12-14

26) What does the term absorption mean?

A.
The breakdown of protein into amino acids

B.
The production of pancreatic enzymes

C.
The uptake of digested food into the blood

D.
The transport of amino acids in the lymphatic system

27) Why were the Galapagos Islands important to Charles Darwin as he developed the theory of evolution?

A.
It was home to many species protected by European explorers

B.
The islands are close to other chains of islands

C.
There were differences between giant tortoises on different small islands

D.
The same species were present as ones found on mainland Chile

28) To what phylum do birds belong?

A. Arthropoda

B. Mollusca

C. Chordata

D. Reptilia

29) When an organism is given a proper formal name like Homo sapiens for human beings, what do the two words tell you about the classification group?

A.
Homo is the class and sapiens the genus

B.
Homo is the order and sapiens the species

C.
Homo is the species and sapiens the genus

D.
Homo is the genus and sapiens the species

30) What gas is a major cause of global warming?

A. Argon

B. Nitrogen

C. Carbon dioxide

D. Sulphur dioxide