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NMAT REVIEW 2018 a. the DNA of the viral genome is less stable than other viral
GENERAL BIOLOGY MODULE B
1. Cell, the basic unit of life can be divided into two groups,
prokaryotic and eukaryotic, based on fundamental
differences in their organization and size. As a cell increases
in size,
a. its volume increases more rapidly than its surface area.
b. its surface area increases more rapidly than its volume
c. its volume increases at the same rate as its surface area.
d. the relationship between the rate of increase in its
volume and that of its surface area cannot be determined
2. Bacteria are the oldest and most abundant organisms on
earth. The maintenance of life depends on them, since they
play a vital role both in productivity and cycling the
substances essential to all other life forms. The only
organism capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen is bacteria.
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
a. bacteria are always single-celled
b. all bacteria reproduce asexually by binary fission
c. certain bacteria are capable of living in an environment
containing H2 and O2
d. bacteria are much less diverse metabolically than
eukaryotes and hence survive only in very limited range of
habitats under very special circumstances
3. By what means do bacterial cells acquire new DNA?
a. by conjugation, the mating of two cells of the same
bacterial species
b. by transduction, the injection of viral DNA into bacterial
cells
c. by transformation, the uptake of DNA from the
environment
d. all of the above
4. How do various types of bacteria move?
a. by the use of flagella, composed of a filament, hook, and
motor
b. by means of pili, which help cells twitch or glide along a
surface
c. by using gas vesicles to regulate buoyancy in water
bodies
d. all of the above
5. During viral infection, attachment is usually specific to a
particular cell type because
a. the virus is attracted to the appropriate host cells by
proteins secreted into the extracellular fluid.
b. the virus recognizes and binds to specific molecules in
the cytoplasm of the host cell.
c. the virus recognizes and binds to specific molecules on
the surface of the host cell.
d. the virus releases specific proteins that make holes in the
membrane large enough for the virus to enter.
6. HIV, a retrovirus, has a high mutation rate because
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genomes.
b. the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase has a high
likelihood of making replication errors.
c. the viral genome is altered every time it is incorporated
into the host genome.
d. antibodies produced by the host cell mutate the viral
genome when infection occurs.
7. Which of the following is most likely to occur when cells
from the root tips of Allium cepa are placed in a solution
with higher concentration of water molecules than that of
the cells?
a. Hemolysis
b. Plasmolysis
c. The cells will become turgid.
d. The cells will become flaccid.
For items 8 and 9, refer to this experimental set- up
Two solutions of the different salt concentrations
(X and Y) are enclosed in bags made of a differentially
membrane. Both are immersed in a 0.5% salt solution.
8. Water molecules will move from
a. X to Z and Z to Y c. Z to both X and Y
b. Z to X and Y to Z d. X and Y to Z
9. After enough time has elapsed, the salt concentration in
Z will be
a. the same as X and Y
b. greater than X and less than Y
c. greater than Y and less than X
d. greater than either Y or X
10. A contractile vacuole is an organelle that pumps excess
water out of many freshwater protozoan cells. A freshwater
protozoan was placed in solution A and observed to form
contractile vacuoles at a rate of 11 per minute. The same
protozoan was then placed in solution B and observed to
form contractile vacuoles at a rate of 4 per minute. Based
on this information, which of the following statements is
correct?
a. Solution A is hypertonic to solution B.
b. Solutions A and B are isotonic.
c. Solution B is hypertonic to solution A.
d. Solutions A and B are isotonic to the protozoan cell.
11. Animals which practice external fertilization ensues
success by
a. providing for a few large eggs that are easily reached by
sperms
b. neutralizing unfavorable environmental conditions
c. discharging a large numbers of gametes
d. timing activities under the cover of darkness
12. Ribosomes found in the rough endoplasmic reticulum
produce proteins which are to be secreted outside the cell.
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Before leaving the cell, the proteins undergo modification b. Central Vacuole: increase cell surface area and storage
and packaging. What is the next organelle to which the c. Cytoskeleton: cell motion and internal organization
proteins could be transported? d. Lysosome: extracellular digestion
a. Centrosomes or MTOC
b. Nuclear Membrane 19. Casein, the protein found in milk, is broken down
c. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum initially by a process known as:
d. Golgi apparatus a. Glycolysis c. Transamination
b. Beta-oxidation d. Pentose phosphate pathway
13. Which of the following would you not expect to be
associated with a plasma membrane? 20. Compared to its energy content at rest, a vertebrate
a. Deoxyribonucleic acid c. Cholesterol muscle that has just undergone heavy exercise would have:
b. Phospholipids d. Glycoprotein a. more ATP and more ADP
b. less ATP and more ADP
Answer questions 14-16 based on the diagram below of a c. more ATP and less ADP
biochemical pathway. Arrows represent reactions catalyzed d. less ATP and less ADP
by the indicated enzyme. Letters represent chemical
compounds consumed or produced during the reactions. 21. When compared to a lung cell, a muscle cell would
possess:
a. more mitochondria
b. more rough endoplasmic reticulum
c. less mitochondria
d. less rough endoplasmic reticulum

22. Which of the following processes results to the complete

14. If the action of enzyme 1 is blocked with an inhibitor,
which of the following statements is NOT true about the
effect on the pathway?
a. Compound A will accumulate to a high level.
b. Compound B will accumulate to a high level.
c. Compound D will not be produced.
d. Compound E will not be produced.
15. If the action of enzyme 5 is blocked with an inhibitor,
which of the following statements is TRUE about the effect
on the pathway?
a. Compound A will accumulate to a high level.
b. Compound B will accumulate to a high level.
c. Compound D will accumulate to a high level.
d. Compound E will not be produced.
16. If enzyme 3 can process compound C three times faster
than enzyme 4 can process compound C, which of the
following statements is TRUE?
a. Compound C will accumulate three times as much as
compound E.
b. Compound C will be consumed three times faster than
compound B.
c. Compound D will be consumed three times faster than
compound E.
d. Compound D will accumulate three times as much as
compound E.
17. A drug called Brefeldin A blocks transport from the
endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. If a cell that
typically secretes enzyme X is treated with Brefeldin A, what
effect will be observed on the secretion of enzyme X?
a. There will be no effect on secretion.
b. Secretion of enzyme X will increase.
c. Secretion of enzyme X will decrease.
d. Enzyme X will accumulate in the plasma membrane.
18. The cell is composed of different organelles with its
corresponding functions. Which of the following is not a
correct association?
a. Nucleolus: assembly of ribosomes
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oxidation of the substrate to ATP + CO2 + H2O?
a. Glycolysis c. Fermentation
b. Aerobic respiration d. Anaerobic respiration
23. Oxidative metabolism is carried out ____ of
mitochondria.
a. in the intermembrane space
b. on the surface of the inner membrane
c. in the inside of the outer membrane
d. in the matrix
24. The fact that large numbers of mitochondria are
observed in the tubule cells of nephrons suggests that the
nephron is involved in the process of:
a. Passive transport c. Diffusion
b. Active transport d. Osmosis
25. Cells, serving different functions, have varying organelle
composition. One cell may have a greater number of a
specific organelle compared to the other. You would expect
a cell with reduced amount of ribosomes to
a. not perform photosynthesis.
b. secrete little amount of material.
c. move passively.
d. synthesize little amount of proteins.
26. When a cell secretes a signaling molecule that binds to
receptors on its own cell surface or neighboring cells of the
same cell type, this is called ____________ signaling.
a. direct intercellular
b. contact-dependent
c. autocrine
d. paracrine
A scientist was studying differential gene expression in a
variety of tissues from the same organism. He investigated
eight different genes. The following chart describes which
genes are turned on and producing their respective proteins
in each of the different tissue types.

The chart will help you to answer question 27-29:
27. Which two cell types are the closest in the
differentiation pathway?
a. 1 and 2 c. 3 and 4
b. 2 and 5 d. 4 and 5
28. Which two are the farthest apart in the differentiation
pathway?
a. 2 and 5 c. 1 and 7
b. 2 and 3 d. 5 and 7
29. Gene 8 codes for a protein that digest fats. The cell type
that expresses this gene is probably found in the
a. gallbladder c. liver
b. stomach d. pancreas
30. Apoptosis is the process of
a. cell migration
b. cell signaling
c. signal transduction
d. programmed cell death
31. Prokaryotic cells do not contain a nucleus or any other
membrane-bound organelle whereas, eukaryotic cells do.
The mature mammalian red blood cell has no nucleus;
however, it is still considered a eukaryotic cell. What is the
possible explanation?
a. Mammalian RBC’s have nuclei during the early phases
but extrude them as they mature.
b. Mammalian RBC’s are prokaryotes having symbiotic
relationship with the mammalian host.
c. Mammalian RBC’s failed to evolve.
d. Mature mammalian RBC’s lacking nuclei is a hoax.
32. A medical student survived a plane crash in an isolated
island. He surveyed the area and found out that there was
available water, but no food. In what sequence are the
following organic compounds used up by the body of the
medical student?
a. Lipids first, carbohydrates next and proteins last
b. Carbohydrates first, lipids next and proteins last
c. Proteins first, lipids next and carbohydrates last
d. Carbohydrates first, proteins next and lipids last
33. The skeletal system includes all of the bones and joints
in the body. Each bone is a complex living organ that is
made up of many cells, protein fibers, and minerals. Which
of the following is not a function of bones?
a. Place for muscle attachment
b. Protection of vital organs
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c. Secretion of hormones for calcium regulation in blood and
bones
d. Production of blood corpuscles
34. Cellular transport is the movement of materials across
membranes. It includes passive and active transport.
Which of the following is not a correct association?
a. active transport: movement of molecules/ions from an
area of higher to lower concentration which requires ATP
b. facilitated diffusion: net movement of molecules/ions
from an area of higher to lower concentration through
channels
c. diffusion: net movement of solute molecules from an area
of higher to lower concentration
d. All of the above is correct.
35. Joe accidentally touched a hot pan. His arm jerked back
and an instant later, he felt a burning pain. How would you
explain that his arm moved before he felt the pain?
a. his limbic system blocked the pain momentarily, but the
important pain signals eventually got through.
b. his response was a spinal cord reflex that occurred before
the pain signals got to pain
c. it took a while for his brain to search long term memory
& figure out what was going on
d. the automatic nervous system responded to the danger
because the brain was too busy to react quickly
36. The cell cycle consists of four major phases: G 1 (gap)
→ S (DNA synthesis) → G2 (gap) → M (mitosis). The yeast
mutation cdc8 blocks the cell-cycle transition from G2 phase
into M phase. If the DNA content of a normal haploid yeast
cell is N, what is the DNA content of a haploid cdc8 mutant
blocked in G2 phase?
a. N
b. 2N
c. 3N
d. 4N
37. Which of the following statements accurately describes
a difference between mitosis and meiosis?
a. Mitosis may produce diploid cells, whereas meiosis
produces haploid cells
b. Homologous chromosomes synapse during mitosis but
do not synapse during meiosis
c. Crossing over commonly occurs during meiosis, but it
does not commonly occur during mitosis
d. Both a and c are correct
38. During crossing over in meiosis I,
a. homologous chromosomes are not altered
b. homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material
c. chromosomal damage occurs
d. genetic information is lost
39. Cell division is a process by which a parent cell divides
into two or more daughter cells done for reproduction,
repair, growth and development. Which of the following
stages of cell division is associated with its correct
description?
a. Prophase: Nuclear envelope fragments and nucleolus
reappears.
b. Anaphase: The centromeres of sister chromatids are not
yet separated.
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c. Metaphase: Chromosomes are now arranged in the
equatorial plate.
d. Telophase II: There are now two daughter haploid cells.
40. What is the function of villi of a mammal?
a. The villi help in the efficient absorption of meat.
b. The villi protect the lining of the gastrointestinal tract
from acidic chemicals.
c. The villi are microscopic structures found in the stomach
for better digestion.
d. The villi increase the absorptive surface area of the
intestinal epithelium
48. Flordeliza and her lover, Roman, carved their initials on
the trunk of a Macopa tree at a height of 3 m. After 30
years, Flordeliza came back to bury Roman’s ashes under
the foot of the tree. She noticed that their initials were still
at the same height, even though the tree has grown. What
could be the possible explanation?
a. the tree trunk shows primary growth.
b. the tree trunk shows primary apical growth of the plant,
but apical elongation should not occur in that part of the
tree.
c. trees lack apical meristems and so do not get taller.
d. Flordeliza is in a state of grief and is hallucinating.

41. Most vertebrates are made up of bones and have a bony
endoskeleton. Which of the following vertebrates does not
have bony endoskeleton?
a. Shark c. Salamander
b. Milk Fish d. King Cobra
42. Which of the following characteristics made some avian
organisms capable of flight?
a. They have large air-filled pneumatic cavities
b. They have two large-flight muscles, the pectoralis and
supraoracoideus.
c. They have skeleton consisting of hollow lightweight
bones.
d. All of the following are adaptations for flight.
43. Fungal cells differ from animal cells in that fungal cells
a. lack ribosomes, though these are present in animal cells
b. lack mitochondria, though these occur in animal cells
c. have cell walls, whereas animal cells lack rigid walls
d. lack cell walls, whereas animal cells possess walls
49. Which of the following statements best describes the
chemical composition of biomembranes?
a. Biomembranes are bilayers of proteins with associated
lipids and carbohydrates
b. Biomembranes are composed of two layers—one layer of
phospholipids and one layer of proteins
c. Biomembranes are bilayers of phospholipids with
associated proteins and carbohydrates
d. Biomembranes are composed of equal numbers of
phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates
50. When using microscopes, the resolution refers to
a. the ratio between the size of the image produced by the
microscope and the actual size of the object
b. the degree to which a particular structure looks different
from other structures around it
c. the ability to observe certain dyes
d. the ability to observe two adjacent objects as being
distinct from each other

44. Symbiotic relationships occur in different interacting

species in wildlife. An example is the lichen, organisms
formed by a symbiotic relationship between algae or
canobacterium and a fungus. Which of the following is false
regarding lichens?
a. Lichens erode rock surfaces and harbor bits of organic
matter in their crusty bodies.
b. Lichens may be found on rocks, trees or soil.
c. Lichen can live in harsh conditions such as the tundra
without many nutrients.
d. All of the above are true.

45. Which of the following phylum includes organisms

whose cells are not organized into tissues?
a. Porifera c. Platyhelminthes
b. Cnidaria d. Nematoda

46. In some amphibians, the adult retains certain larval

characteristics, which is known as
a. metamorphosis c. parthenogenesis
b. paedomorphosis d. hermaphrodism

47. Which of the following is the ocean zone that remains

in perpetual darkness and is dominated by organisms with
bioluminescence?
a. Abyssal c. Neritic
b. Littoral d. Pelagic

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