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Exam Review

Key Facts: Scio NSZ Biology Exam

Scio NSZ Biologie is used by over 30 university faculties across the Czech Republic and Slovakia for undergraduate admissions.

Contains exactly 40 multiple-choice questions.

Total testing time is 40 minutes.

Questions have 4 options with a negative marking penalty of -1/3 point per incorrect response.

No calculators, notes, or reference tables are allowed.

Scores are reported as harmonized percentiles from 0 to 100.

Faculties evaluate the applicant's highest percentile across all attempted sittings.

Widely required for natural sciences (PrF UK, PřF MU) and allied healthcare degrees.

The Scio NSZ Biologie is a 40-task, 40-minute standardized university admissions biology exam with 4 choices and -1/3 penalty; scored in percentiles.

Sample Scio NSZ Biology Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Scio NSZ Biology exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 104+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to the fluid mosaic model, what is the fundamental structural basis of eukaryotic plasma membranes?
A.A continuous monolayer of glycolipids interspersed with peripheral nucleic acids
B.A phospholipid bilayer with hydrophobic interior fatty acid tails and hydrophilic exterior phosphate heads
C.A rigid meshwork of cellulose microfibrils embedded in an amorphous pectin matrix
D.A triple layer of structural proteins surrounding an internal core of neutral triglycerides
Explanation: The fluid mosaic model describes biological membranes as an amphipathic phospholipid bilayer where hydrophilic polar phosphate heads face the aqueous extracellular and cytosolic environments, while hydrophobic fatty acyl chains orient inward, shielding themselves from water.
2Which statement correctly describes the operational mechanism and stoichiometry of the primary active transport pump Na+/K+-ATPase in animal cells?
A.It hydrolyzes one ATP molecule to export 3 Na+ ions out of the cell and import 2 K+ ions into the cell.
B.It uses the electrochemical gradient of H+ to import 3 Na+ ions and export 2 K+ ions without consuming ATP.
C.It hydrolyzes one ATP molecule to import 3 Na+ ions and export 2 K+ ions down their respective concentration gradients.
D.It phosphorylates glucose to transport 2 Na+ ions and 2 K+ ions symmetrically in an electroneutral cycle.
Explanation: The Na+/K+-ATPase is an electrogenic P-type primary active transporter. Per cycle, it consumes one molecule of ATP to pump 3 Na+ ions out of the cell against their electrochemical gradient while moving 2 K+ ions into the cytosol, thereby maintaining resting membrane potential and cellular osmotic balance.
3Which cellular function is primarily localized to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), differentiating it functionally from the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
A.Synthesis of membrane and secretory proteins via bound ribosomes
B.Biosynthesis of lipids, steroid hormones, and sequestration of intracellular calcium ions
C.Transcription of ribosomal RNA precursors in the fibrillar center
D.Glycolytic breakdown of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate
Explanation: The smooth endoplasmic reticulum lacks bound ribosomes and is specialized for lipid and steroid hormone biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, drug detoxification (via cytochrome P450 enzymes in hepatocytes), and calcium ion storage (as the sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle fibers).
4Which organelle contains acid hydrolases requiring an internal acidic pH (approx. 4.5–5.0) to degrade endocytosed macromolecules and damaged organelles?
A.Peroxisome
B.Ribosome
C.Lysosome
D.Centrosome
Explanation: Lysosomes are membrane-enclosed organelles containing diverse acid hydrolases (proteases, nucleases, lipases, glycosidases) that operate optimally at acidic pH (~4.8), maintained by vacuolar H+-ATPase proton pumps in the lysosomal membrane.
5Which structural feature provides strong evidence supporting the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria from ancestral alphaproteobacteria?
A.The presence of 80S ribosomes and linear chromosomes wrapped around histone octamers
B.The presence of circular double-stranded DNA and bacterial-type 70S ribosomes within the matrix
C.A single phospholipid monolayer containing peptidoglycan crosslinks
D.Direct continuity of the inner mitochondrial membrane with the nuclear envelope
Explanation: According to the endosymbiotic theory formulated by Lynn Margulis, mitochondria evolved from engulfed aerobic alphaproteobacteria. Key evidence includes their own circular double-stranded DNA lacking histone octamers, 70S ribosomes sensitive to chloramphenicol, and autonomous binary fission.
6In eukaryotic cellular respiration, where does glycolysis take place, and what is its net yield per molecule of glucose?
A.Mitochondrial matrix; 2 acetyl-CoA, 2 FADH2, and 4 ATP
B.Inner mitochondrial membrane; 32 ATP and 6 H2O
C.Cytoplasm (cytosol); 2 pyruvate, 2 net ATP, and 2 NADH
D.Intermembrane space; 2 lactate, 4 net ATP, and 2 FAD
Explanation: Glycolysis is an anaerobic cytoplasmic pathway that converts one 6-carbon glucose molecule into two 3-carbon pyruvate molecules. It consumes 2 ATP during the preparatory phase and generates 4 ATP via substrate-level phosphorylation, yielding a net gain of 2 ATP and 2 NADH per glucose.
7During oxidative phosphorylation, what directly powers the catalytic synthesis of ATP by the F0F1 ATP synthase complex?
A.The active transport of sodium ions from the matrix into the cytoplasm
B.The electrochemical proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane driven by chemiosmosis
C.Direct transfer of high-energy phosphate groups from succinyl-CoA in the outer membrane
D.The reduction of molecular oxygen to superoxide radicals in the intermembrane space
Explanation: Peter Mitchell's chemiosmotic hypothesis explains that electron transport through Complexes I, III, and IV pumps protons (H+) from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space. The resulting proton motive force drives H+ back through the F0 rotor subunit of ATP synthase, driving ATP synthesis.
8Which cytoskeletal element forms the structural core of eukaryotic cilia and flagella (the axoneme) and organizes the mitotic spindle during cell division?
A.Actin microfilaments
B.Microtubules composed of alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers
C.Keratin intermediate filaments
D.Collagen fibers
Explanation: Microtubules are hollow cylindrical polymers of alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers (25 nm diameter). They radiate from the centrosome to form the mitotic spindle and constitute the characteristic '9+2' axonemal arrangement in eukaryotic motile cilia and flagella.
9During which specific phase of the eukaryotic cell cycle does semi-conservative replication of nuclear DNA take place?
A.G1 phase
B.G2 phase
C.S phase
D.M phase
Explanation: The S phase (Synthesis phase) of interphase is dedicated to duplicating genomic DNA and synthesizing core histone proteins. The cell progresses from a 2n 2c DNA content to a 2n 4c state before entering G2 phase.
10What defining event marks the transition from metaphase to anaphase during somatic cell mitosis?
A.Condensation of chromatin fibers and breakdown of the nuclear envelope
B.Alignment of paired bivalent homologous chromosomes along the equatorial plate
C.Enzymatic cleavage of cohesin complexes leading to the separation of sister chromatids toward opposite spindle poles
D.Decondensation of chromosomes and reassembly of nuclear envelopes around daughter nuclei
Explanation: At the metaphase-to-anaphase transition, the spindle assembly checkpoint is satisfied, activating the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C). APC/C triggers the destruction of securin, freeing the protease separase to cleave cohesin rings, allowing sister chromatids to separate.

About the Scio NSZ Biology Exam

The Scio NSZ Biologie is the standardized national comparative examination in biology utilized for university admissions across the Czech Republic and Slovakia by faculties of natural sciences, agriculture, veterinary medicine, sports studies, and select healthcare and biomedical programs. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 40 minutes (1 minute per question). Scio defines the scope as biology 'as taught at gymnázia' and publishes a topic list covering general biology and genetics, animal tissues, microbiology (virology and prokaryotes), botany, zoology and human biology — but no percentage weightings. Each question offers 4 choices, and a deduction of -1/3 point applies for incorrect responses. This practice bank is an English-language study adaptation of that scope, focusing on anatomical terminology, physiological mechanisms, genetic laws, microbial biology and evolutionary concepts; the official test is administered in Czech.

Exam sponsor: Scio s.r.o. (Národní srovnávací zkoušky — NSZ). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

40 questions

Time Limit

40 minutes.

Passing Score

Harmonized percentile score (0–100); admission requirements set by individual university faculties (e.g., faculties of science, medicine, pharmacy, veterinary).

Exam / Certification Fees

920 CZK (Mini), 1,290 CZK (Standard) or 1,490 CZK (Komplet) per exam date; free with Scio's social discount or a faculty voucher.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Obecna biologie a genetika (Genetics & Cell Biology)

Cell organelle functions, membrane transport mechanisms, mitosis and meiosis phases, DNA/RNA structures, and monohybrid/dihybrid crosses.

30%

Biologie cloveka (Human Biology & Physiology)

Anatomy and physiology of major human organ systems, neural and hormonal regulation, cardiovascular hemodynamics, nephron function, and immunity.

20%

Zoologie (Zoology & Animal Physiology)

Invertebrate and vertebrate body plans, circulatory, respiratory, and excretory evolutionary developments, and major animal taxa.

15%

Botanika a mykologie (Botany & Fungi)

Primary and secondary plant tissues, vascular systems, gymnosperm vs. angiosperm reproduction, photoperiodism, and fungal characteristics.

10%

Ekologie a evoluce (Ecology & Evolution)

Ecological succession, trophic levels, symbiotic relationships, natural selection, speciation mechanisms, and hominid evolution.

4%

Mikrobiologie (Microbiology & Virology)

Virus structure and replication, bacteriophages and retroviruses, prions, prokaryotic cell organisation, and bacterial genetic exchange.

Preparing for the Scio NSZ Biology Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Harmonized percentile score (0–100); admission requirements set by individual university faculties (e.g., faculties of science, medicine, pharmacy, veterinary).
  • Exam length: 40 questions
  • Time limit: 40 minutes.
  • Exam / certification fees: 920 CZK (Mini), 1,290 CZK (Standard) or 1,490 CZK (Komplet) per exam date; free with Scio's social discount or a faculty voucher. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 104 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Scio NSZ Biology: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the nephron and renal countercurrent multiplication mechanism, which is frequently tested in human physiology questions.
2Practice Mendelian genetics and pedigree analysis quickly; solve for phenotypic and genotypic ratios without drawing out full 16-square Punnett squares.
3Review comparative vertebrate anatomy: compare the heart chambers and circulation loops of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
4Memorize the reproductive lifecycles of seedless vascular plants (ferns) and seed plants (gymnosperms and angiosperms), paying attention to gametophyte vs. sporophyte dominance.
5Keep track of the 40-minute timer: aim to complete the first 20 questions within 18 minutes to leave sufficient time for longer genetics problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Scio NSZ Biologie test and how many questions are on it?

The test contains exactly 40 multiple-choice questions and has a strict time limit of 40 minutes (giving an average of 60 seconds per question).

Is negative marking applied on the Scio Biologie exam?

Yes. Each correct answer earns 1 point, unanswered questions receive 0 points, and each incorrect answer deducts 1/3 of a point (-0.33).

What areas of biology receive the greatest emphasis?

Scio publishes the topic list — general biology and genetics, animal tissues, microbiology (virology and prokaryotes), botany, zoology, human biology and genetics — but no official percentage weightings. The percentages shown here describe how this free practice bank distributes its own questions, weighted toward human biology and genetics because those areas dominate published past papers.

Are reference tables or calculators allowed?

No aids, tables, or calculators are permitted. The exam tests factual knowledge, conceptual connections, and analytical interpretation of biological data.