MODERATE COMPLEXITY QUESTIONS (1–5)

Which of the following shows the correct order of organization in a living organism from smallest to largest?

• Cell → Atom → Tissue → Organ → Organism

• Atom → Molecule → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism

• Molecule → Atom → Cell → Organ System → Tissue

• Atom → Cell → Molecule → Organ → Tissue → Organism

Answer explanation

The correct order of organization in a living organism is from smallest to largest: Atom → Molecule → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism. This choice accurately reflects the hierarchical structure of biological organization.

A student observes a heart, a stomach, and a brain. What do these structures have in common?

• They are made only of connective tissue.

• They are all parts of a single organ system.

• They are all organs made from groups of tissues.

• They are all made from single cells performing one function.

Answer explanation

The heart, stomach, and brain are all organs composed of multiple types of tissues working together to perform specific functions, making the correct choice "They are all organs made from groups of tissues."

Which function do all cells in living organisms perform to help maintain homeostasis?

• Breathing air

• Creating organs

• Using food to release energy

• Moving the entire organism

Answer explanation

All cells in living organisms perform the function of using food to release energy, which is essential for maintaining homeostasis. This process helps regulate internal conditions and supports cellular activities.

Which of the following best explains why the human body has different types of tissues?

• Tissues give the body color.

• Tissues prevent cells from dividing.

• Each tissue type performs specific functions.

• All tissues work independently of each other.

Answer explanation

Each tissue type performs specific functions, allowing the body to carry out various processes efficiently. This specialization is essential for maintaining overall health and functionality.

A student is learning about how cells get rid of waste. Which of the following would be the best example to show this process?

• plant leaf producing sugar

• heart pumping blood

• cell removing carbon dioxide

• nerve sending a signal

Answer explanation

The best example of a cell getting rid of waste is 'cell removing carbon dioxide.' This process is essential for maintaining cellular function, as carbon dioxide is a waste product of cellular respiration that needs to be expelled.

A scientist finds a new organism and observes the following: it uses energy from food, removes waste, and is made of cells. What conclusion can best be drawn?

• It is an animal because it eats.

• It is a plant because it removes waste.

• It is alive because it performs life functions at the cellular level.

• It is not alive because only animals remove waste.

Answer explanation

The organism performs essential life functions, such as using energy from food and removing waste, indicating it is alive. The correct conclusion is that it is alive because it performs life functions at the cellular level.

Analyze the scenario: A group of cells work together to pump blood. These cells form tissues, and those tissues create the heart. What would be the next level of organization in this system?

• Molecule

• Organ system

• Organism

• Cell

Answer explanation

The cells form tissues, which create the heart, an organ. The heart is part of the circulatory system, making 'organ system' the next level of organization in this biological hierarchy.

A student compares a muscle cell and a plant cell. Both types of cells extract energy from food and remove waste. Why is this important for the organism’s survival?

• These processes are only needed during growth.

• These processes help the organism change shape.

• These processes help cells maintain balance and function.

• These processes make the cells identical in function.

Answer explanation

These processes are crucial for maintaining homeostasis, allowing cells to function properly by balancing energy production and waste removal, which is essential for the organism's overall survival.

A teacher presents a diagram showing the movement from atoms to molecules, then to cells, tissues, organs, and so on. How can this be used to explain how a disease can affect the entire body?

• A disease only affects atoms, so the body is not affected.

• A disease stops molecules from forming, but tissues still function.

• A problem at the cellular level can impact tissues, organs, and the organism as a whole.

• The body can ignore changes at the cell level unless the brain is involved.

Answer explanation

A disease can disrupt cellular functions, leading to problems in tissues and organs. This illustrates how issues at the cellular level can cascade, ultimately affecting the entire organism.

A student collects data showing how plant cells use sunlight to create energy while animal cells use food. Despite this difference, both cells are able to grow and repair. What does this suggest about cells across organisms?

• Only plant cells perform life functions.

• All cells rely on light to survive.

• Different cells use different inputs but perform similar life functions.

• Energy is not necessary for cell growth or repair.

Answer explanation

The observation that plant and animal cells use different inputs (sunlight and food) yet both grow and repair suggests that while their energy sources differ, they perform similar essential life functions.