Introduction to Programming: Master the Basics for Biology Majors

Question 1

Which characteristic is not a feature of structured programming?

Accepted Answer

Spaghetti code and unstructured flow

Answer

Modularity and decomposition

Answer

Reusability and adaptability

Answer

Maintainability and readability

Question 2

An algorithm is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem

Answer

A type of programming language

Answer

A tool for debugging code

Answer

A way to store data

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a data structure?

Accepted Answer

To organize and store data efficiently

Answer

To perform mathematical operations

Answer

To control the flow of a program

Answer

To create graphical user interfaces

Question 4

Programming can be described as both a creative and analytical discipline.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 5

In Python, how do you correctly declare a variable named 'age'?

Accepted Answer

age=25

Answer

int age=25

Answer

age = '25'

Answer

_age= 'twenty five

Question 6

What is the primary goal of a high-level programming language?

Accepted Answer

To create human-readable instructions that can be easily translated into machine code.

Answer

To perform complex mathematical operations that are difficult to express in assembly language.

Answer

To manage and process vast amounts of data efficiently.

Answer

To design visually appealing user interfaces.

Question 7

Which of the following data structures is most suitable for storing elements in a specific order while allowing efficient insertion and deletion operations?

Accepted Answer

Linked list: A collection of nodes connected by pointers, allowing flexible insertion and deletion.

Answer

Array: A contiguous block of memory that holds elements in a fixed order.

Answer

Queue: A first-in, first-out (FIFO) data structure that follows the order of insertion.

Answer

Hash table: A data structure that uses a hash function to map keys to values, providing fast lookup and insertion.

Question 8

What is the primary distinction between a compiler and an interpreter in the context of program execution?

Accepted Answer

A compiler translates the entire program into machine code before execution, while an interpreter executes the program line by line.

Answer

An interpreter translates the program into machine code before execution, while a compiler executes the program line by line.

Answer

Compilers generally produce faster code than interpreters.

Answer

Interpreters generally produce faster code than compilers.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a valid variable type in the Python programming language?

Accepted Answer

Character: A single character, such as 'a' or 'Z'.

Answer

Integer: A whole number, such as 10 or -5.

Answer

Float: A decimal number, such as 3.14 or -2.71.

Answer

String: A sequence of characters, such as 'Hello' or 'World'.

Question 10

What is the main purpose of defining functions in a programming language?

Accepted Answer

To decompose a program into smaller, reusable modules that perform specific tasks.

Answer

To store and organize data in a structured manner.

Answer

To define the overall logic and flow of a program.

Answer

To create a visual representation of the program's execution.

Question 11

What is a key objective of exception handling in programming?

Accepted Answer

To gracefully handle errors during program execution, preventing abnormal termination.

Answer

To terminate the program immediately when an error occurs.

Answer

To store error messages in a central location for later analysis.

Answer

To prevent errors from occurring in the first place.

Question 12

What is the primary role of a debugger in the software development process?

Accepted Answer

To identify and resolve errors in code by providing step-by-step execution and variable inspection capabilities.

Answer

To optimize the performance of code by identifying and fixing inefficiencies.

Answer

To generate test cases to ensure the correctness and completeness of code.

Answer

To create user documentation that explains the functionality and usage of the software.

Question 13

What data type is most appropriate for storing a student's ID number?

Accepted Answer

Integer

Answer

String

Answer

Double

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental concept of programming introduced in this unit?

Accepted Answer

Object-oriented design

Answer

Algorithms

Answer

Problem-solving

Answer

Computational thinking

Question 15

A step-by-step set of instructions that a computer follows to solve a problem is known as:

Accepted Answer

Algorithm

Answer

Compiler

Answer

Debugger

Answer

Program

Question 16

The process of converting high-level code into machine code is called:

Accepted Answer

Compilation

Answer

Interpretation

Answer

Execution

Answer

Debugging

Question 17

Which of the following programming paradigms allows for modular and reusable code organization?

Accepted Answer

Object-oriented programming

Answer

Procedural programming

Answer

Functional programming

Answer

Logic programming

Question 18

A variable used to store a whole number in a programming language is typically referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Integer variable

Answer

Numeric variable

Answer

Float variable

Answer

Real variable

Question 19

Which of the following control structures allows for the selective execution of code based on a condition?

Accepted Answer

If statement

Answer

While loop

Answer

For loop

Answer

Switch statement

Question 20

The process of locating and fixing errors in a program is known as:

Accepted Answer

Debugging

Answer

Testing

Answer

Compiling

Answer

Refactoring

Question 21

Which of the following is an example of a programming language specifically designed for scientific computing?

Accepted Answer

MATLAB

Answer

Python

Answer

C++

Answer

Java

Question 22

The ability of a program to adapt to changes in its environment or inputs is known as:

Accepted Answer

Robustness

Answer

Modularity

Answer

Scalability

Answer

Reusability

Question 23

What is the primary function of a programming language?

Accepted Answer

To translate human-readable code into machine code

Answer

To design and implement computer hardware

Answer

To analyze and visualize data

Answer

To manage and maintain computer systems

Question 24

How do variables differ from constants in programming?

Accepted Answer

Variables can be modified while constants remain unchanged

Answer

Constants are defined at compile-time while variables are defined at runtime

Answer

Variables store data while constants store instructions

Answer

There is no fundamental difference

Question 25

What is the primary purpose of an algorithm?

Accepted Answer

To provide step-by-step instructions for solving a problem

Answer

To store data efficiently

Answer

To create a graphical user interface

Answer

To perform mathematical calculations

Question 26

What will be the output of the following Python code: 
```print(type(25))```

Accepted Answer

Integer

Answer

String

Answer

Float

Answer

None

Question 27

What is the main purpose of using comments in a program?

Accepted Answer

To make the code more readable and understandable

Answer

To execute instructions conditionally

Answer

To store sensitive data securely

Answer

To optimize the performance of the program

Question 28

Which of the following is a best practice when naming variables?

Accepted Answer

Use descriptive and meaningful names

Answer

Use short and generic names

Answer

Use special characters and numbers

Answer

Capitalize the first letter of each word

Question 29

What is the primary difference between a function and a method in Python?

Accepted Answer

Methods are defined within classes, while functions are defined outside classes

Answer

Functions are defined within classes, while methods are defined outside classes

Answer

There is no difference between functions and methods

Answer

Functions can take arguments, while methods cannot

Question 30

What is the primary function of a debugger?

Accepted Answer

To step through the execution of a program and identify errors

Answer

To optimize the performance of a program

Answer

To generate test cases for a program

Answer

To compile a program into machine code

Question 31

Which of the following is a fundamental concept in programming that describes a step-by-step process for solving a problem?

Accepted Answer

Algorithm

Answer

Data Structure

Answer

Recursion

Answer

Compiler

Question 32

What is the main objective of an algorithm?

Accepted Answer

To solve a problem systematically

Answer

To represent data effectively

Answer

To create user-friendly interfaces

Answer

To automate repetitive tasks

Question 33

Which of the following is a type of data structure that stores data in a hierarchical manner, allowing for efficient searching and retrieval?

Accepted Answer

Tree

Answer

Array

Answer

Graph

Answer

Linked List

Question 34

What is the key distinction between a function and a procedure in programming?

Accepted Answer

Functions return a value, while procedures do not.

Answer

Procedures return a value, while functions do not.

Answer

Functions can be called multiple times, while procedures cannot.

Answer

Procedures can be called multiple times, while functions cannot.

Question 35

What is a significant advantage of utilizing recursion in programming?

Accepted Answer

Facilitates code reuse and simplification

Answer

Improves code efficiency

Answer

Enhances code readability

Answer

Reduces memory consumption

Question 36

What is the primary function of a compiler in programming?

Accepted Answer

To translate high-level code into machine code

Answer

To interpret high-level code line by line

Answer

To identify and debug errors in code

Answer

To optimize code for better performance

Question 37

What is the purpose of using a debugger while writing code?

Accepted Answer

To identify and resolve errors in the code

Answer

To enhance code performance

Answer

To generate documentation for the code

Answer

To evaluate different code versions

Question 38

How does computational thinking enhance the research capabilities of biologists?

Accepted Answer

Facilitates the analysis and interpretation of complex biological data

Accepted Answer

Enables the simulation and modeling of biological systems

Answer

Improves collaboration and communication with computer scientists

Answer

Reduces the need for laboratory experimentation

Question 39

In programming, an algorithm is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

A set of instructions that define how a task is performed

Answer

A type of data structure used to store large datasets

Answer

A method for representing complex relationships between variables

Answer

A software tool for designing and developing websites

Question 40

What is the primary function of a compiler in programming?

Accepted Answer

To convert source code into machine code

Answer

To execute the program on the computer

Answer

To debug the program and identify errors

Answer

To store the program's binary representation

Question 41

What is the key difference between a variable and a constant in programming?

Accepted Answer

Variables can be modified, while constants cannot

Answer

Constants can be modified, while variables cannot

Answer

Variables and constants serve the same purpose

Answer

There is no difference between variables and constants

Question 42

Which characteristic is NOT associated with an algorithm?

Accepted Answer

Ambiguity

Answer

Clarity

Answer

Definiteness

Answer

Effectiveness

Question 43

What is a programming language primarily utilized for?

Accepted Answer

Facilitating communication of instructions to a computer

Answer

Creating graphical user interfaces

Answer

Storing and retrieving data

Answer

Performing mathematical calculations

Question 44

Which data structure is most suitable for storing an ordered list of values?

Accepted Answer

Array

Answer

Queue

Answer

Stack

Answer

Dictionary

Question 45

In most programming languages, which option is a fundamental data type?

Accepted Answer

Integer

Answer

List

Answer

Object

Answer

Class

Question 46

Which programming paradigm is well-suited for simulating real-world systems?

Accepted Answer

Object-oriented programming

Answer

Procedural programming

Answer

Functional programming

Answer

Logic programming

Question 47

What is the primary purpose of a programming library?

Accepted Answer

Providing pre-written code reusable in programs

Answer

Storing data specific to a program

Answer

Creating graphical user interfaces for programs

Answer

Connecting to databases

Question 48

Which option is NOT an advantage of using a programming framework?

Accepted Answer

Increased complexity

Answer

Reduced development time

Answer

Enhanced code quality

Answer

Increased flexibility

Question 49

What is the primary role of exception handling in programming?

Accepted Answer

Managing errors to prevent program crashes

Answer

Storing data for the program

Answer

Creating graphical user interfaces for programs

Answer

Connecting to databases

Question 50

What is the primary purpose of an algorithm in programming?

Accepted Answer

To provide a step-by-step solution to a problem.

Answer

To store large amounts of data efficiently.

Answer

To translate code into machine language.

Answer

To control the physical hardware of a computer.

Question 51

In programming, which data type is typically used to store whole numbers without any decimal places?

Accepted Answer

Integer (int)

Answer

String (str)

Answer

Floating-point (float)

Answer

Boolean (bool)

Question 52

What is the key difference between a variable and a constant in programming?

Accepted Answer

A variable can have its value changed during program execution, while a constant's value remains fixed.

Answer

A variable stores data, while a constant stores code instructions.

Answer

A variable is declared using a specific keyword, while a constant is not.

Answer

A variable is used for input, while a constant is used for output.

Question 53

Which of the following is a fundamental control flow statement used to execute different code blocks based on a condition?

Accepted Answer

if statement

Answer

import statement

Answer

input() function

Answer

print() function