High School Science · Life Science · Biology

Biology Practice Test

Build high school Biology skills with original questions on cells, genetics, evolution, ecology, scientific practices, and biological data.

Biology practice sets

This high school Biology practice hub includes five short sets of 10 original questions. The sets cover cells, structure and energy; genetics and heredity; evolution and natural selection; ecology and ecosystems; and scientific practices and biological data.

Course scope and standards

The course connects structure and function, energy and matter, heredity, variation, evolution, ecosystems, biodiversity, models, investigations, data analysis, and evidence-based explanations. Expectations vary by state, school, and course sequence. This is a supplemental study map connected to the NGSS HS-LS1 life-science structure and processes standards, HS-LS2 ecosystems standards, HS-LS3 heredity standards, and HS-LS4 evolution standards.

Skills covered

  • Explain cell structure, membrane transport, enzymes, photosynthesis, respiration, and homeostasis
  • Use models and probability to reason about DNA, genes, alleles, gene expression, mutations, and heredity
  • Analyze variation, natural selection, common ancestry, adaptation, biodiversity, and conservation evidence
  • Interpret population limits, food webs, nutrient cycles, energy transfer, and human impacts on ecosystems
  • Design investigations, identify variables and controls, interpret graphs, evaluate claims, and communicate uncertainty

How to use these practice tests

Start with the set that matches your current unit. For missed questions, identify the biological system or process, locate the evidence, explain the relationship, and compare your reasoning with the solution. For data questions, check variables, controls, units, sample size, trends, and whether the evidence supports correlation or causation.

These are original supplemental practice questions. They are not official state assessments, school examinations, NGSS materials, medical advice, or a substitute for teacher feedback. Confirm your course standards, laboratory expectations, reading list, and accommodations with your teacher or school.

For more study options, visit High School Course Tests, Biology Tests, Anatomy and Physiology, Environmental Science, or Pomodoro.

1. Test

Biology Practice Questions

A 10-question high school Biology practice set on cells, structure, and energy, with answers and explanations.

Choose the best answer. Use biological models, evidence, data, and relationships among structure, function, heredity, evolution, and ecosystems, then review the explanation.

10 Questions
0/100%
Reading settings
Reading settings
Text size
18px
Line spacing
1.70
C 0I 0U 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

Why is the cell membrane described as selectively permeable?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It allows some substances to cross more easily than others.

  1. Identify the biology concept: Determine whether the prompt concerns structure and function, energy and matter, heredity, evolution, ecology, or scientific investigation.
  2. Use the evidence: Membrane structure and transport proteins help control which molecules enter or leave a cell.
  3. Check the relationship: Confirm that the answer explains the biological process or data pattern without adding unsupported claims.

Membrane structure and transport proteins help control which molecules enter or leave a cell.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the relationship between a gene and a protein?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A gene contains DNA information that can help specify a protein.

  1. Identify the biology concept: Determine whether the prompt concerns structure and function, energy and matter, heredity, evolution, ecology, or scientific investigation.
  2. Use the evidence: Genes are DNA regions that contain information used in making functional products, including proteins.
  3. Check the relationship: Confirm that the answer explains the biological process or data pattern without adding unsupported claims.

Genes are DNA regions that contain information used in making functional products, including proteins.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

How does an enzyme usually affect a chemical reaction?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is It lowers the activation energy without being consumed by the reaction.

  1. Identify the biology concept: Determine whether the prompt concerns structure and function, energy and matter, heredity, evolution, ecology, or scientific investigation.
  2. Use the evidence: Enzymes are biological catalysts that help reactions proceed more readily while remaining available for reuse.
  3. Check the relationship: Confirm that the answer explains the biological process or data pattern without adding unsupported claims.

Enzymes are biological catalysts that help reactions proceed more readily while remaining available for reuse.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the main outcome of mitosis in a multicellular organism?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is One cell divides to form two genetically similar daughter cells.

  1. Identify the biology concept: Determine whether the prompt concerns structure and function, energy and matter, heredity, evolution, ecology, or scientific investigation.
  2. Use the evidence: Mitosis supports growth, repair, and maintenance by producing daughter cells with matching genetic information.
  3. Check the relationship: Confirm that the answer explains the biological process or data pattern without adding unsupported claims.

Mitosis supports growth, repair, and maintenance by producing daughter cells with matching genetic information.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does protein shape matter for protein function?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The three-dimensional shape determines how the protein interacts with other molecules.

  1. Identify the biology concept: Determine whether the prompt concerns structure and function, energy and matter, heredity, evolution, ecology, or scientific investigation.
  2. Use the evidence: Interactions depend on molecular shape, including the fit between an enzyme and its substrate or a receptor and its signal.
  3. Check the relationship: Confirm that the answer explains the biological process or data pattern without adding unsupported claims.

Interactions depend on molecular shape, including the fit between an enzyme and its substrate or a receptor and its signal.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the likely result when a cell is placed in a solution with a much lower solute concentration than its cytoplasm?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Water may move into the cell by osmosis.

  1. Identify the biology concept: Determine whether the prompt concerns structure and function, energy and matter, heredity, evolution, ecology, or scientific investigation.
  2. Use the evidence: Water moves toward the side with the higher effective solute concentration across a selectively permeable membrane.
  3. Check the relationship: Confirm that the answer explains the biological process or data pattern without adding unsupported claims.

Water moves toward the side with the higher effective solute concentration across a selectively permeable membrane.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What does photosynthesis accomplish for a plant or alga?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is It transforms light energy into stored chemical energy in organic molecules.

  1. Identify the biology concept: Determine whether the prompt concerns structure and function, energy and matter, heredity, evolution, ecology, or scientific investigation.
  2. Use the evidence: Photosynthesis captures light energy and helps form energy-rich carbon compounds from carbon dioxide and water.
  3. Check the relationship: Confirm that the answer explains the biological process or data pattern without adding unsupported claims.

Photosynthesis captures light energy and helps form energy-rich carbon compounds from carbon dioxide and water.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the role of cellular respiration?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is It transfers energy from food molecules into a form cells can use.

  1. Identify the biology concept: Determine whether the prompt concerns structure and function, energy and matter, heredity, evolution, ecology, or scientific investigation.
  2. Use the evidence: Cellular respiration releases usable energy as food molecules are processed, with matter and energy relationships continuing through the system.
  3. Check the relationship: Confirm that the answer explains the biological process or data pattern without adding unsupported claims.

Cellular respiration releases usable energy as food molecules are processed, with matter and energy relationships continuing through the system.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Why can a change in temperature affect enzyme activity?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Temperature can change molecular motion and protein shape, altering enzyme-substrate interactions.

  1. Identify the biology concept: Determine whether the prompt concerns structure and function, energy and matter, heredity, evolution, ecology, or scientific investigation.
  2. Use the evidence: Enzyme activity depends on conditions that preserve useful molecular interactions; extremes can reduce function.
  3. Check the relationship: Confirm that the answer explains the biological process or data pattern without adding unsupported claims.

Enzyme activity depends on conditions that preserve useful molecular interactions; extremes can reduce function.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which observation best supports the idea that cells are organized systems?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A cell uses specialized structures that interact to obtain energy, process information, and maintain conditions.

  1. Identify the biology concept: Determine whether the prompt concerns structure and function, energy and matter, heredity, evolution, ecology, or scientific investigation.
  2. Use the evidence: Cells are systems whose components interact, linking structure, function, matter, energy, and information.
  3. Check the relationship: Confirm that the answer explains the biological process or data pattern without adding unsupported claims.

Cells are systems whose components interact, linking structure, function, matter, energy, and information.

Previous testNext test

Choose your next study path

Frequently asked questions about Biology Practice Tests

What do these Biology practice tests cover?

They cover cells, structure and energy, genetics, heredity, evolution, natural selection, ecology, ecosystems, scientific practices, biological data, and evidence-based reasoning.

How many questions are included?

The page includes five mini tests with 10 questions each, for 50 Biology questions in total.

Are these official state or NGSS questions?

No. They are original supplemental educational questions connected to broad high school life-science concepts and NGSS topic references.

How should I review a missed question?

Identify the process, connect structure and function or cause and effect, check the evidence, and then use the explanation to revise your reasoning.

Does this page replace lab or teacher instruction?

No. Your teacher, school, course materials, laboratory safety rules, local standards, and assigned work remain the authority for required study.