BSC 109 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
How did multicellular life evolve from unicellular life by endosymbiosis? - ANSWER-
1st: Unicellular organisms form colonies.
2nd: Cells in the colony become more specialized, acting more interdependently --
different functions.
3rd: Additional specialization among cells in the colony led to distinctions between
sex cells (gametes) & nonproductive cells (somatic cells).
What are the three modes of nutrition for protists? - ANSWER-1. Autotrophs
2. Heterotrophs
3. Mixotrophs
Autotrophs: - ANSWER-Produce food by photosynthesis.
Heterotrophs: - ANSWER-Acquire food from other organisms.
Mixotrophs: - ANSWER-Capable of both photosynthesis & heterotrophy.
How are plants adapted for life on land? - ANSWER-- Reproductive spores &
gametes.
- Vascular tissue transports & conserves water and nutrients.
- Leaves perform photosynthesis, absorbing sunlight for energy.
- Cuticle (wax-like covering epidermis) reduces water loss.
- Stomata (spores found on the surface of a leaf) regulate gas exchange.
- Roots anchor the plant & absorb water from minerals in the soil.
What are the four major groups of a plant? - ANSWER-1. Bryophytes
2. Ferns
3. Gymnosperms
4. Angiosperms
Bryophytes: - ANSWER-NONVASCULAR plants.
Ferns: - ANSWER-SEEDLESS VASCULAR plants.
Ex.) Have vascular tissues unlike moss.
Gymnosperms: - ANSWER-NAKED, SEED-LIKE plants with an embryo packed with
a store of food but NO chambers.
, Ex.) Trees.
Angiosperms: - ANSWER-FLOWERING plants that bear seeds with ovaries
(protective chambers).
How do fungi differ from plants? - ANSWER-Fungi are heterotrophs, they rely on
other organisms to survive.
Photosynthetic: NO.
Plants are autotrophs that produce their own food.
Photosynthetic: YES!
How do fungi obtain nutrients? - ANSWER-Absorb and metabolize carbohydrates, as
well as decomposers that secrete enzymes to break down material to absorb the
nutrients.
Ex.) Gluclose, xylose, fructose & (more difficult carbs) cellulose and hemicellulose.
How do fungi reproduce? - ANSWER-Sexually or asexually.
Sexually: - ANSWER-Fusion of two nuclei when two sex cells unite.
Asexually: - ANSWER-Majority, by fragmentation, budding, or producing spores.
Mycorrhizae: - ANSWER-Fungi that help plants absorb water & increase plant
productivity.
Hyphae: - ANSWER-Branching filaments that make up mycelia.
Mycelia: - ANSWER-The vegetative part of the fungus.
Lichen: - ANSWER-Algae and fungi combined when they form a symbiotic
relationship.
What are the three main plant organs? - ANSWER-1. Roots
2. Stem
3. Leaves
In a plant, what are the purpose of root hairs? - ANSWER-To increase the surface
area for more absorption of water & nutrients.
What are the three main substances a plant needs to grow? - ANSWER-1. Water
2. Minerals/Nutrients
3. Air
What are the three tissue systems in plants? - ANSWER-1. Dermal Tissues
2. Vascular Tissues
3. Ground Tissues
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
How did multicellular life evolve from unicellular life by endosymbiosis? - ANSWER-
1st: Unicellular organisms form colonies.
2nd: Cells in the colony become more specialized, acting more interdependently --
different functions.
3rd: Additional specialization among cells in the colony led to distinctions between
sex cells (gametes) & nonproductive cells (somatic cells).
What are the three modes of nutrition for protists? - ANSWER-1. Autotrophs
2. Heterotrophs
3. Mixotrophs
Autotrophs: - ANSWER-Produce food by photosynthesis.
Heterotrophs: - ANSWER-Acquire food from other organisms.
Mixotrophs: - ANSWER-Capable of both photosynthesis & heterotrophy.
How are plants adapted for life on land? - ANSWER-- Reproductive spores &
gametes.
- Vascular tissue transports & conserves water and nutrients.
- Leaves perform photosynthesis, absorbing sunlight for energy.
- Cuticle (wax-like covering epidermis) reduces water loss.
- Stomata (spores found on the surface of a leaf) regulate gas exchange.
- Roots anchor the plant & absorb water from minerals in the soil.
What are the four major groups of a plant? - ANSWER-1. Bryophytes
2. Ferns
3. Gymnosperms
4. Angiosperms
Bryophytes: - ANSWER-NONVASCULAR plants.
Ferns: - ANSWER-SEEDLESS VASCULAR plants.
Ex.) Have vascular tissues unlike moss.
Gymnosperms: - ANSWER-NAKED, SEED-LIKE plants with an embryo packed with
a store of food but NO chambers.
, Ex.) Trees.
Angiosperms: - ANSWER-FLOWERING plants that bear seeds with ovaries
(protective chambers).
How do fungi differ from plants? - ANSWER-Fungi are heterotrophs, they rely on
other organisms to survive.
Photosynthetic: NO.
Plants are autotrophs that produce their own food.
Photosynthetic: YES!
How do fungi obtain nutrients? - ANSWER-Absorb and metabolize carbohydrates, as
well as decomposers that secrete enzymes to break down material to absorb the
nutrients.
Ex.) Gluclose, xylose, fructose & (more difficult carbs) cellulose and hemicellulose.
How do fungi reproduce? - ANSWER-Sexually or asexually.
Sexually: - ANSWER-Fusion of two nuclei when two sex cells unite.
Asexually: - ANSWER-Majority, by fragmentation, budding, or producing spores.
Mycorrhizae: - ANSWER-Fungi that help plants absorb water & increase plant
productivity.
Hyphae: - ANSWER-Branching filaments that make up mycelia.
Mycelia: - ANSWER-The vegetative part of the fungus.
Lichen: - ANSWER-Algae and fungi combined when they form a symbiotic
relationship.
What are the three main plant organs? - ANSWER-1. Roots
2. Stem
3. Leaves
In a plant, what are the purpose of root hairs? - ANSWER-To increase the surface
area for more absorption of water & nutrients.
What are the three main substances a plant needs to grow? - ANSWER-1. Water
2. Minerals/Nutrients
3. Air
What are the three tissue systems in plants? - ANSWER-1. Dermal Tissues
2. Vascular Tissues
3. Ground Tissues
