2025 Characteristics of Life and Water Quiz

Student name

When a doctor hits a patient’s knee to test for reflexes, which characteristic of life is being displayed?

• all living things contain DNA
• all living things contain cells
• all living things reproduce
• all living things respond to stimuli

When you stand up, your body adjusts your blood pressure to account for the sudden change in position, so you do not pass out. Which characteristic of life best explains this mechanism?

• All living things grow and develop.
• All living things maintain homeostasis.
• All living things contain DNA.
• All living things are made of cells.

All living things contain genetic material in the form of ______.

• DNA
• cell
• organ
• tissue

What is the process by which molecules are broken down and formed within organisms?

• homeostasis
• reproduction
• metabolism
• evolution

Which atom in a water molecule has a slightly negative charge?

• hydrogen
• nitrogen
• oxygen
• both hydrogen and oxygen

The bonds between water molecule are called ______.

• ionic bonds
• hydrogen bonds
• covalent bonds
• peptide bonds

Which property of water allows water molecules to stick to each other in a water droplet?

• capillary action
• cohesion
• universal solvent
• adhesion

There are partial charges within a water molecule which causes water to have special properties. What do you call a molecule that has partial charges?

• polar
• hydrophobic
• nonpolar
• tension

Water has the ability to dissolve many substances. Some substances like oil cannot be dissolved in water. These substances are said to be “water fearing” or _________.

• hydrophilic
• hydrophobic
• polar
• adhesive