Biology Toughest Practice Test: Quiz!

Why is a mushroom considered a heterotroph?

• A.

  (1) It manufactures its own food

• B.

  (2) It divides by mitosis.

• C.

  (3) It transforms light energy into chemical energy.

• D.

  (4) It obtains nutrients from its environment.

Three days after an organism eats some meat, many of the organic molecules originally contained in the meat would be found in newly formed molecules of

• A.

  Glucose

• B.

  Protein

• C.

  Starch

• D.

  Oxygen

Which body system is correctly paired with its function?

• A.

  Excretory—produces antibodies to fight disease-causing organisms

• B.

  Digestive—produces hormones for storage and insulation

• C.

  Circulatory—transports materials for energy release in body cells

• D.

  Respiratory—collects waste material for digestion

Which statement best explains why some cells in the reproductive system only respond to certain hormones?

• A.

  These cells have different DNA than the cells in other body systems.

• B.

  These cells have specific types of receptors on their membranes.

• C.

  Reproductive system cells could be harmed if they made contact with hormones from other body systems.

• D.

  Cells associated with the female reproduc- tive system only respond to the hormone testosterone.

In the cell shown below, which lettered structure is responsible for the excretion of most cellular wastes?

• A.

  A

• B.

  B

• C.

  C

• D.

  D

What is the main function of a vacuole in a cell?

• A.

  Storage

• B.

  Coordination

• C.

  Synthesis of molecules

• D.

  Release of energy

If 15% of a DNA sample is made up of thymine, T, what percentage of the sample is made up of cytosine, C?

• A.

  15%

• B.

  35%

• C.

  70%

• D.

  85%

Global warming has been linked to a decrease in the

• A.

  Size of the polar ice caps

• B.

  Temperature of the Earth

• C.

  Rate of species extinction

• D.

  Rate of carbon dioxide production

Several structures are labeled in the diagram of a puppy shown below. Every cell in each of these structures contains

• A.

  Equal amounts of ATP

• B.

  Identical genetic information

• C.

  Proteins that are all identical

• D.

  Organelles for the synthesis of glucose

A characteristic that an organism exhibits during its lifetime will only affect the evolution of its species if the characteristic

• A.

  Results from isolation of the organism from the rest of the population

• B.

  Is due to a genetic code that is present in the gametes of the organism

• C.

  Decreases the number of genes in the body cells of the organism

• D.

  Causes a change in the environment surrounding the organism

Agriculturists have developed some varieties of vegetables from common wild mustard plants, which reproduce sexually. Which statement best explains the development of these different varieties of vegetables?

• A.

  Different varieties can develop from a single species as a result of the recombination of genetic information.

• B.

  Different species can develop from a single species as a result of the effect of similar environmental conditions.

• C.

  Mutations will occur in the genes of a species only if the environment changes.

• D.

  Variations in a species will increase when the rate of mitosis is decreased.

The diagram below represents a technique used in some molecular biology laboratories. This technique is a type of

• A.

  Chromatography

• B.

  Gel electrophoresis

• C.

  Direct harvesting

• D.

  Genetic engineering

A species of bird known as Bird of Paradise has been observed in the jungles of New Guinea. The males shake their bodies and sometimes hang upside down to show off their bright colors and long feathers to attract females. Females usually mate with the “flashiest” males. These observations can be used to support the concept that

• A.

  Unusual courtship behaviors lead to extinction

• B.

  Someorganismsarebetteradaptedforasexual reproduction

• C.

  Homeostasis in an organism is influenced by physical characteristics

• D.

  Behaviors that lead to reproductive success have evolved

Which statement concerning the evolution of species A, B, C, D, and E is supported by the diagram below?

• A.

  Species B and C can be found in today’s environments.

• B.

  Species A and D evolved from E.

• C.

  Species A and C can still interbreed.

• D.

  SpeciesA,B,andEallevolvedfromacommon ancestor and all are successful today.

The diagram below represents a process that occurs during human reproduction. The process represented by the arrow will ensure that the

• A.

  Zygote contains a complete set of genetic information

• B.

  Gametes contain a complete set of genetic information

• C.

  Zygote contains half of the genetic information

• D.

  Gametes contain half of the genetic information

Even though identical twins have the same genetic material, they may develop slightly different characteristics because

• A.

  Each twin receives different chromosomes from the egg

• B.

  One twin may only have genes from the father

• C.

  Gene expression may be influenced by factors that switch genes on and off

• D.

  A gene mutation may have occurred before the zygote divided

What normally happens immediately after fertilization in sexual reproduction?

• A.

  Specialization of cells to form a fetus from an egg

• B.

  Production of daughter cells having twice the number of chromosomes as the parent cell

• C.

  Production of daughter cells having half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell

• D.

  Division of cells resulting in the development of an embryo from a zygote

The human female reproductive system is represented in the diagram below. Production of gametes and support of the fetus normally occur in structures

• A.

  1 and 2

• B.

  2 and 4

• C.

  3 and 5

• D.

  4 and 5

Essential materials needed for development are transported to a human fetus through the

• A.

  Reproductive hormones

• B.

  Egg cell

• C.

  Placenta

• D.

  Ovaries

The failure to regulate the pH of the blood can affect the activity of

• A.

  Enzymes that clot blood

• B.

  Red blood cells that make antibodies

• C.

  Chlorophyll that carries oxygen in the blood

• D.

  DNA that controls starch digestion in the blood

Young birds that have been raised in isolation from members of their species build nests characteristic of their species. This suggests that the nest-building behavior is

• A.

  Genetically inherited from parents

• B.

  Learned by watching members of their species

• C.

  A disadvantage to the survival of the species

• D.

  A direct result of the type of food the bird eats

Some people with spinal cord injuries do not sweat below the area of the injury. Without the ability to sweat, the human body temperature begins to rise. Which statement would best describe this situation?

• A.

  Feedback mechanisms regulate blood sugar levels.

• B.

  Gene mutations are increased.

• C.

  Energy from ATP is not available.

• D.

  Dynamic equilibrium is disrupted.

Decomposers are necessary in an ecosystem because they

• A.

  Produce food for plants by the process of photosynthesis

• B.

  Provide energy for plants by the process of decay

• C.

  Can rapidly reproduce and evolve

• D.

  Make inorganic materials available to plants

A manatee is a water-dwelling herbivore on the list of endangered species. If manatees were to become extinct, what would be the most likely result in the areas where they had lived?

• A.

  The biodiversity of these areas would not be affected.

• B.

  Certain producer organisms would become more abundant in these areas.

• C.

  Other manatees would move into these areas and restore the population.

• D.

  Predators in these areas would occupy higher levels on the energy pyramid.

A serious threat to biodiversity is

• A.

  Habitat destruction

• B.

  Maintenance of food chains

• C.

  Competition within a species

• D.

  A stable population size

Which action will result in the greatest decrease in rain forest stability?

• A.

  Removing one species of plant for medicine

• B.

  Harvesting nuts from some trees

• C.

  Cutting down all the trees for lumber

• D.

  Powering all homes with wind energy

One way that humans could have a positive impact on local environments is to

• A.

  Generate waste products as a result of technological advances

• B.

  Use resources that are renewable

• C.

  Increase planting large areas of one crop

• D.

  Increase the use of pesticides

Which statement provides evidence that evolution is still occurring at the present time?

• A.

  The extinction rate of species has decreased in the last 50 years.

• B.

  Many bird species and some butterfly species make annual migrations.

• C.

  New varieties of plant species appear more frequently in regions undergoing climatic change.

• D.

  Through cloning, the genetic makeup of organisms can be predicted.

The diagram below represents the various stages of ecological succession in New York State. If the ecosystem is not altered, which stage would be the most stable?

• A.

  Grass

• B.

  Shrub

• C.

  Pine forest

• D.

  Hardwood forest

A clear plastic ruler is placed across the middle of the field of view of a compound light microscope. A row of cells can be seen under low-power magnification (100×). What is the average length of a single cell in micrometers (μm)?

• A.

  10 μm

• B.

  100μm

• C.

  200μm

• D.

  2000 μm

The graph below represents the populations of two different species in an ecosystem over a period of several years. Which statement is a possible explanation for the changes shown?

• A.

  Species A is better adapted to this environment.

• B.

  Species A is a predator of species B.

• C.

  Species B is better adapted to this environment.

• D.

  Species B is a parasite that has benefited species A.

A mineral supplement designed to prevent the flu was given to two groups of people during a scientific study. Dosages of the supplement were measured in milligrams per day, as shown in the table below. After 10 weeks, neither group reported a case of the flu. Which procedure would have made the outcome of this study more valid?

• A.

  Test only one group with 200 mg of the supplement

• B.

  Test the supplement on both groups for 5 weeks instead of 10 weeks

• C.

  Test a third group that receives 150 mg of the supplement

• D.

  Test a third group that does not receive the supplement

The diagram below shows a normal gene sequence and three mutated sequences of a segment of DNA. Which row in the chart below correctly identifies the cause of each type of mutation?

• A.

  1

• B.

  2

• C.

  3

• D.

  4

Because of an attractive tax rebate, a homeowner decides to replace an oil furnace heating system with expensive solar panels. The trade-offs involved in making this decision include

• A.

  High cost of solar panels, reduced fuel costs, and lower taxes

• B.

  Low cost of solar panels, increased fuel costs, and higher taxes

• C.

  Increased use of fuel, more stable ecosystems, and less availability of solar radiation

• D.

  More air pollution, increased use of solar energy, and greater production of oil

Which level includes organisms that receive their energy from level B?

• A.

  A

• B.

  B

• C.

  C

• D.

  D

Which level includes organisms that get their energy exclusively from a source other than the organisms in this ecosystem?

• A.

  A

• B.

  B

• C.

  C

• D.

  D

The chart below compares the size of three structures: a gene, a nucleus, and a chromosome. Based on this information, structure A would most likely be a

• A.

  Chromosome that is part of structure C

• B.

  Chromosome that contains structures B and C

• C.

  Nucleus that contains both structure B and structure A

• D.

  Gene that is part of structure B

The diagram below shows molecules represented by X both outside and inside of a cell. A process that would result in the movement of these molecules out of the cell requires the use of

• A.

  DNA

• B.

  ATP

• C.

  Antigens

• D.

  Antibodies

Which statement most accurately predicts what would happen in the aquarium shown below if it were tightly covered and maintained in natural light for one month?

• A.

  The water temperature would rapidly decrease.

• B.

  The process of respiration in the snail would decrease.

• C.

  The rate of reproduction of the fish would be affected.

• D.

  The organisms would probably survive because materials would cycle.

The data table below shows an effect of secondhand smoke on the birth weight of babies born to husbands and wives living together during pregnancy. Based on these data, a reasonable conclusion that can be drawn about secondhand smoke during pregnancy is that secondhand smoke

• A.

  Is unable to pass from the mother to the fetus

• B.

  Causes mutations in cells of the ovaries

• C.

  Slows the growth of the fetus

• D.

  Blocks the receptors on antibody cells

After the Aswan High Dam was built on the Nile River, the rate of parasitic blood-fluke infection doubled in the human population near the dam. As a result of building the dam, the flow of the Nile changed. This changed the habitat, which resulted in an increase in its population of a certain aquatic snail. The snails, which were infected, released larvae of the fluke. These larvae then infected humans. 42 This situation best illustrates that

• A.

  The influence of humans on a natural system is always negative in the long term

• B.

  The influence of humans on a natural system can have unpredictable negative impacts

• C.

  Human alteration of an ecosystem does not need to be studied to avoid ecological disaster

• D.

  Human alteration of an ecosystem will cause pollution and loss of finite resources

After the Aswan High Dam was built on the Nile River, the rate of parasitic blood-fluke infection doubled in the human population near the dam. As a result of building the dam, the flow of the Nile changed. This changed the habitat, which resulted in an increase in its population of a certain aquatic snail. The snails, which were infected, released larvae of the fluke. These larvae then infected humans. The role of the snail may be described as a

• A.

  Host

• B.

  Parasite

• C.

  Producer

• D.

  Decomposer

A limiting factor unique to a field planted with corn year after year is most likely

• A.

  Temperature

• B.

  Sunlight

• C.

  Water

• D.

  Soil nutrients

The table below shows the abundance of some greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Identify the most abundant greenhouse gas and state one human activity that is a source of this gas. [1]

The United States government does not allow travelers from foreign countries to bring plants, fruits, vegetables, animals, or other living organisms into this country. State one biological reason for keeping these out of the United States. [1]

Birds colliding with aircraft either on the ground or in the air create problems for the Air Force. An organization known as BASH (Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard) studied the impact of birds colliding with aircraft. In 2001, there were 3854 bird collisions reported at a total cost to the Air Force of over 31 million dollars in damage—approximately eight thousand dollars per collision. August, September, and October were the busiest months with 1442 collisions. Nearly 50% of all these collisions occurred in the airfield environment, an environment that can most easily be controlled. Is the problem with birds and aircraft limited to birds living on or near airport grounds? Support your answer using information from the passage. [1]

Birds colliding with aircraft either on the ground or in the air create problems for the Air Force. An organization known as BASH (Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard) studied the impact of birds colliding with aircraft. In 2001, there were 3854 bird collisions reported at a total cost to the Air Force of over 31 million dollars in damage—approximately eight thousand dollars per collision. August, September, and October were the busiest months with 1442 collisions. Nearly 50% of all these collisions occurred in the airfield environment, an environment that can most easily be controlled. State one possible reason that the greatest number of bird collisions occurs during August, September, and October. [1]

The Control of Transpiration Plants normally lose water from openings (stomates) in their leaves. The water loss typically occurs during daylight hours when plants are exposed to the Sun. This water loss, known as transpiration, is both beneficial and harmful to plants. Scientists believe wind and high temperatures increase the rate of transpiration, but the size of each stomate opening can be regulated. Reducing the size of the openings during drought conditions may help reduce the dehydration and wilting that would otherwise occur. A leaf may lose more than its own weight in water each day. Transpiration also lowers the internal temperature of the leaf as water evaporates. On hot days, temperatures in the leaves may be from 3° to 15°C cooler than the outside air. With stomates open, vital gases may be exchanged between the leaf tissues and the outside environment. Researchers have also found many plants that use another response when leaf temperatures rise. Special molecules known as heat shock proteins are produced by plant cells and help to hold enzymes in their functional shapes. 50 State one way transpiration is beneficial to plants. [1]

Identify two of the “vital gases” that are exchanged between leaf tissues and the outside environment. [1]

Identify the specific leaf structures that regulate the opening and closing of stomates. [1]