Biology (Grades 9–10) Midterm — Units 3–4

Science Grades 9–10 20 multiple choice + 1 written

Free printable Biology midterm (Grades 9–10): 20 multiple-choice questions plus 1 written response covering Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration, Cell Division & DNA. Answer key included — customize it in the Midterm Maker.

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Directions: Read each question carefully and choose the best answer. Answer the written response in complete sentences.

Covers: Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration · Cell Division & DNA

Part 1: Multiple Choice

What are the reactants of photosynthesis?
1. A. Oxygen and water
2. B. Carbon dioxide and water
3. C. Glucose and oxygen
4. D. Glucose and carbon dioxide
Where in the chloroplast does the Calvin cycle take place?
1. A. Thylakoid membrane
2. B. Stroma
3. C. Cytoplasm
4. D. Mitochondrial matrix
When oxygen is scarce, human muscle cells carry out fermentation that produces what?
1. A. Oxygen
2. B. Ethanol
3. C. Lactic acid
4. D. Glucose
Which stage of aerobic cellular respiration produces the most ATP?
1. A. Fermentation
2. B. Glycolysis
3. C. Krebs cycle
4. D. Electron transport chain
Which are the products of aerobic cellular respiration?
1. A. Glucose and carbon dioxide
2. B. Glucose and oxygen
3. C. Oxygen and water
4. D. Carbon dioxide, water, and ATP
Where does glycolysis take place?
1. A. Inner mitochondrial membrane
2. B. Chloroplast
3. C. Cytoplasm
4. D. Mitochondrial matrix
The oxygen gas released during photosynthesis comes from which molecule?
1. A. Water
2. B. Chlorophyll
3. C. Carbon dioxide
4. D. Glucose
Which statement correctly relates photosynthesis and cellular respiration?
1. A. The products of one are the reactants of the other
2. B. Both processes release oxygen
3. C. Plants carry out photosynthesis but not respiration
4. D. Animals carry out both processes
Why do most plants appear green?
1. A. Chlorophyll stores green light
2. B. Chlorophyll produces green light
3. C. Chlorophyll reflects green light
4. D. Chlorophyll absorbs green light
What is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain?
1. A. Water
2. B. Glucose
3. C. Oxygen
4. D. Carbon dioxide
In a sample of double-stranded DNA, 30% of the bases are adenine. What percent are guanine?
1. A. 40%
2. B. 20%
3. C. 30%
4. D. 70%
Meiosis produces what?
1. A. Four genetically different haploid cells
2. B. Two identical diploid cells
3. C. Four identical diploid cells
4. D. Two different haploid cells
One DNA strand reads ATCGGA. What is the complementary DNA strand?
1. A. GCTAAG
2. B. UAGCCU
3. C. ATCGGA
4. D. TAGCCT
In RNA, which base replaces thymine?
1. A. Uracil
2. B. Guanine
3. C. Cytosine
4. D. Adenine
Crossing over, which increases genetic variation, occurs during which stage?
1. A. S phase of interphase
2. B. Anaphase of mitosis
3. C. Telophase II of meiosis
4. D. Prophase I of meiosis
What is the process of copying a gene's DNA into messenger RNA called?
1. A. Replication
2. B. Translation
3. C. Transcription
4. D. Mutation
During which phase of mitosis do chromosomes line up along the middle of the cell?
1. A. Prophase
2. B. Anaphase
3. C. Telophase
4. D. Metaphase
Where does translation, the building of a protein from mRNA, take place?
1. A. At a ribosome
2. B. In the Golgi apparatus
3. C. In the nucleolus
4. D. Inside a lysosome
A human body cell has 46 chromosomes. How many chromosomes are in a human egg cell?
1. A. 46
2. B. 92
3. C. 12
4. D. 23
Mitosis followed by cytokinesis produces what?
1. A. Two cells with half the chromosomes
2. B. Four identical sex cells
3. C. Two genetically identical cells
4. D. Four genetically different cells

Part 2: Written Response

Compare mitosis and meiosis. Explain why meiosis is necessary for sexual reproduction and how it increases genetic variation.

Answer Key — Biology (Grades 9–10) Midterm — Units 3–4

B — Carbon dioxide and water 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
B — Stroma The Calvin cycle uses ATP and NADPH in the stroma to fix carbon.
C — Lactic acid Lactic acid fermentation regenerates NAD⁺ so glycolysis can continue.
D — Electron transport chain The electron transport chain drives ATP synthase to make most ATP.
D — Carbon dioxide, water, and ATP C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP.
C — Cytoplasm Glycolysis splits glucose in the cytoplasm.
A — Water Water is split in the light-dependent reactions, releasing O₂.
A — The products of one are the reactants of the other Plants and animals respire; plants also photosynthesize.
C — Chlorophyll reflects green light Chlorophyll absorbs mainly red and blue light, reflecting green.
C — Oxygen Oxygen accepts electrons and hydrogen ions to form water.
B — 20% A = T = 30%, leaving 40% split equally: G = C = 20%.
A — Four genetically different haploid cells Meiosis has two divisions and creates variation.
D — TAGCCT A pairs with T and C pairs with G.
A — Uracil RNA uses uracil, which pairs with adenine.
D — Prophase I of meiosis Homologous chromosomes exchange segments in prophase I.
C — Transcription Transcription makes mRNA from a DNA template.
D — Metaphase In metaphase, chromosomes align at the cell's equator.
A — At a ribosome Ribosomes read mRNA codons and link amino acids.
D — 23 Gametes are haploid, carrying half the diploid number.
C — Two genetically identical cells Mitosis makes identical daughter cells for growth and repair.

Written Response — Look-Fors

Mitosis: one division, 2 identical diploid cells, growth/repair; meiosis: two divisions, 4 different haploid gametes; keeps chromosome number constant after fertilization; crossing over and independent assortment create variation.

Biology (Grades 9–10) Midterm — Units 3–4

Part 1: Multiple Choice

Part 2: Written Response

Written Response — Look-Fors

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