PRAXIS II Biology and General Science Exam

The Biology and General Science exam assesses the knowledge and the ability of future high school teacher to teach biology and general sciences. The exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions, with 60% of the questions concentrating on biology and the remaining 40% focusing on general science topics. The questions are divided into eight categories as follows:

• 20 questions covering Diversity of Life, Plant, and Animals
• 18 questions covering Molecular and Cellular Biology
• 18 questions covering Evolution and Classical Genetics
• 16 questions covering Ecology
• 12 questions covering History/Philosophy/Methodology of Science; Technology
• 12 questions covering Chemistry
• 12 questions covering Physics
• 12 questions covering Earth and Space Science

The category of Diversity of Life, Plants, and Animals encompasses the scientific classifications, evolution, reproduction, anatomy and physiology of plants, the main organ systems such as circulatory and digestive in animals, and the behavior of animals.

The area of Molecular and Cellular Biology includes the structure and workings of cells and chemicals as the foundation of life forms. The molecular components of genetics and the human genome map are also questioned under this category.

For the category of Evolution and Classical Genetics, some of the questions regarding evolution will include proof of evolution and extinction of species, and the questions pertaining to genetics will include topics such as inheritance and genetic disorders.

The category of Ecology will contain questions on populations, such as growth and competition; question on communities, such as the variance of species and niches; and questions about ecosystems.

The questions in the category of History, Philosophy, and Methodology of Science; Science, Technology, and Society will cover scientific perspectives and investigation, and the influence of technology and science on nature and society.

The Chemistry questions will cover the features of matter, including structure and properties; chemical reactions and states of equilibrium; safety rules and methods for testing in laboratories; and concerns associated with chemistry and the environment.

The questions in Physics will focus on mechanics, energy, electricity and magnetism, optics, atomic and nuclear physics, and the concerns of the environment related to physics.

The category of Earth and Space Science will include questioning of astronomy, oceanography, meteorology, geology, and concerns related to the environment.

In addition to covering these topics, the questions will also assess the examinee's skill of recognizing and using principles of science to describe scientific occurrences.

PRAXIS II Biology And General Science Practice Questions

1. Which of the following is not an area of science?

A. Informal
B. Natural
C. Social
D. Formal
E. Applied

2. Scientific method provides guidelines to:

A. investigate an event
B. pose questions
C. analyze data
D. reach conclusions
E. All of the above

3. Which of the following is not a unifying principle of biology?

A. Cell theory
B. Evolution
C. DNA
D. Gene theory
E. Homeostasis

4. Which of the following is not a core theory of physics?

A. Classic mechanics
B. Geometry
C. Relativity
D. Thermodynamics
E. Optics

5. Chemistry is the science that studies:

A. atoms
B. molecules
C. crystals
D. aggregate matter
E. All of the above

Answer Key To Biology And General Science

1. Answer: A

The American Heritage College Dictionary defines science as "the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena." Its Latin root is "scientia," which means knowledge.

NATURAL SCIENCE is concerned with the natural world-matter, energy, and relationships between the two (i.e., objectively measurable phenomena). Physics, chemistry, and biology are all natural sciences.

SOCIAL SCIENCE studies human relationships and society. Certain aspects of social science, such as demographics and statistical trends for a society, are based on empirical evidence, which is observable data that can be verified by other scientists working in similar situations under the same conditions-as with the natural sciences. Other aspects would, however, make use of more subjective criteria, or a priori evidence (see below). Examples of social sciences include anthropology and political science.

FORMAL SCIENCE is the systematic study of a specific area It is essential to developing hypotheses, theories, and laws used in other scientific disciplines, i.e., describing how things work (natural science), how people think, and why they do what they do individually and as a society (social sciences). It is based on a priori evidence, which proceeds from a theory or assumption rather than observable phenomena.

APPLIED SCIENCE is using the results of scientific research in any of the natural, social, and formal sciences and adapting it to address human needs. Examples of applied science fields include nanotechnology and optics.

2. Answer: E

SCIENTIFIC METHOD is a set of procedures used to study natural phenomena. It provides guidelines with which to pose questions, analyze data, and reach conclusions. It is used to investigate an event, gain knowledge, or correct earlier conclusions about the occurrence and integrate the new information with previously learned data. Researchers pose hypotheses and design experiments and studies to test them. The process must be objective, documented, and shared with other researchers so the results can be verified by replicating the study in similar situations under the same conditions.

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY is used to explore theories and develop explanations for natural phenomena. It has two functions: to provide a description of how something happens and explain why the process succeeds or fails.

DEDUCTIVE REASONING is a process in which a specific conclusion logically follows from a general premise. If the premise is true, the conclusion is true. It is used in mathematics.

INDUCTIVE REASONING is a process in which a universal conclusion is formed from considering an individual example. It is the methodology of the natural and social sciences.

3. Answer: C

CELL THEORY: The cell is the basic building block of all living things. It is the smallest unit of life able to function on its own. In higher organisms, groups of cells form the organs and tissues. There are two kinds of cells: prokaryotic, which are present only in bacteria, and eukaryotic, which are found in all other life forms. New cells form by dividing from existing cells.

EVOLUTION: As a result of natural selection and changes in the gene pool (genetic drift), inherited traits morph from one generation to the next.

GENE THEORY: The traits of all living organisms are encoded in their DNA, the chromosome component that carries genetic information. These traits are passed from generation to generation. The physical or biochemical characteristics are capable of adapting to changes in the environment, but the only way these adaptations can be transferred to the genes is through evolution.

HOMEOSTASIS is a self-regulating, physiological process that keeps biological systems stable and in proper balance internally no matter what is happening in the external environment.

4. Answer: B

Physics is a fundamental, experimental science that studies matter, motion, energy, space, and time and how they interact. Its goal is to understand the natural world by formulating and testing hypotheses in an effort to develop scientific laws that predict other phenomena. Physics is one of the oldest sciences; humans have been trying to figure out how the world works for thousands of years.

Physicists specialize in either theoretical (the development of new theories) or experimental (testing theories and discovering new phenomena) research. The core theories of physics, as described in Webster's New Explorer Desk Encyclopedia, are:

• CLASSICAL MECHANICS: the motion of objects
• ELECTROMAGNETISM: interaction between charged particles
• RELATIVITY: measurement changes in various states of motion
• THERMODYNAMICS: relationship between heat, work, temperature, and energy
• QUANTUM MECHANICS: mathematical explanation of atomic and subatomic systems
• OPTICS: production, propagation, changes, and manipulation of light

5. Answer: E

Chemistry grew out of the practice known as alchemy, a philosophical and spiritual discipline that investigated the possibility of transforming base metals into gold. Modern chemistry is the physical science that studies the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of atoms, molecules, crystals, and other aggregate matter by themselves or in relationship to each other.

It is sometimes called the "central science" because it connects the other natural sciences. Chemistry studies matter in relation to energy (the capacity to do work), entropy (the measurement of energy unable to do work), and the spontaneity of chemical reactions (the changing of matter into one or more substances).