LE AUGUST 2008 MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The DNA of a human cell can be cut and rearranged by using

A scalpel

Electrophoresis

Hormones

Enzymes

BIOLOGICAL SCISSORS AND GLUE, YO!!!

Explanation

BIOLOGICAL SCISSORS AND GLUE, YO!!!

2. The graph below indicates the size of a fish population over a period of time.

The section of the graph labeled A represents

Biodiversity within the species

Nutrition relationships of the species

A population becoming extinct

A population at equilibrium

This is the carrying capacity. Equilibrium means stable and balanced and homeostasis.

Explanation

This is the carrying capacity. Equilibrium means stable and balanced and homeostasis.

3. Base your answer to this question on the information and diagram below and on your knowledge of biology. A small water plant (elodea) was placed in bright sunlight for five hours as indicated below. Bubbles of oxygen gas were observed being released from the plant.

What substance did the plant most likely absorb from the water for the process that produces the oxygen gas?

Dissolved nitrogen

Carbon dioxide

An enzyme

A hormone

PLANTS are associated with carbon dioxide. Only possibility.

Explanation

PLANTS are associated with carbon dioxide. Only possibility.

4. To determine evolutionary relationships between organisms, a comparison would most likely be made between all of the characteristics below except

Methods of reproduction

Number of their ATP molecules

Sequences in their DNA molecules

Structure of protein molecules present

This question was all about DNA. Reproduction is how the DNA gets copied (exactly, as in mitosis...or switcheroo like in meiosis); DNA determines evolutionary relationships; proteins are made by DNA...what's ATP to do with anything??

(nothing)

Explanation

This question was all about DNA. Reproduction is how the DNA gets copied (exactly, as in mitosis...or switcheroo like in meiosis); DNA determines evolutionary relationships; proteins are made by DNA...what's ATP to do with anything??

(nothing)

5. Base your answer to this question on the diagram below and on your knowledge of biology. Each arrow in the diagram represents a different hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates the gland indicated in the diagram. All structures are present in the same organism.

The pituitary gland may release hormone 2 when blood pressure drops. Hormone 2 causes gland B to release a different hormone that raises blood pressure which, in turn, stops the secretion of hormone 2. The interaction of these hormones is an example of

DNA base substitution

Manipulation of genetic instructions

A feedback mechanism

An allergen-antibody reaction

Three different organs that are controlled by the brain are interacting. There is no DNA or genes and I don't see any little triangles.

So that leaves feedback, which is how our body gets information from other parts of the body.

Explanation

Three different organs that are controlled by the brain are interacting. There is no DNA or genes and I don't see any little triangles.

So that leaves feedback, which is how our body gets information from other parts of the body.

6. In several species of birds, the males show off their bright colors and long feathers. The dull-colored females usually pick the brightest colored males for mates. Male offspring inherit their father's bright colors and long feathers. Compared to earlier generations, future generations of these birds will be expected to have a greater proportion of

Bright-colored females

Dull-colored females

Dull-colored males

Bright-colored males

Bright-colored males have the reproductive advantage...they call the shots. Consider their DNA passed along to the next generation.

Explanation

Bright-colored males have the reproductive advantage...they call the shots. Consider their DNA passed along to the next generation.

7. The diagram below represents a biochemical process.

Which molecule is represented by X?

DNA

Starch

Protein

ATP

This is sort of tricky: The cellular respiration has NOTHING to do with proteins, yet it says CELLULAR ACTIVITIES on the next arrow...a lot of you think that proteins give the energy to the cell (because they give us energy in and out of the gym), but it is really CELLULAR RESPIRATION, which produces ATP.

Explanation

This is sort of tricky: The cellular respiration has NOTHING to do with proteins, yet it says CELLULAR ACTIVITIES on the next arrow...a lot of you think that proteins give the energy to the cell (because they give us energy in and out of the gym), but it is really CELLULAR RESPIRATION, which produces ATP.

8. An organelle that releases energy for metabolic activity in a nerve cell is the

Chloroplast

Ribosome

Mitochondrion

Vacuole

ENERGY = ATP. ATP is produced in the mitochondria through the process of respiration.

Explanation

ENERGY = ATP. ATP is produced in the mitochondria through the process of respiration.

9. The graph below represents a predator-prey relationship.

What is the most probable reason for the increasing predator population from day 5 to day 7?

An increasing food supply from day 5 to day 6

A predator population equal in size to the prey population from day 5 to day 6

The decreasing prey population from day 1 to day 2

The extinction of the yeast on day 3

The food (yeast, the prey) increased from day 5 to day 6. The Paramecium would take a day, but their populations would also increase.

Explanation

The food (yeast, the prey) increased from day 5 to day 6. The Paramecium would take a day, but their populations would also increase.

10. A technique used to reproduce plants is shown in the diagram below.

This technique is a form of

Sexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction

Gamete production

Gamete manipulation

It's the same plant that grew new tissue. ONLY ONE PLANT: mitosis. MITOSIS: asexual reproduction.

Explanation

It's the same plant that grew new tissue. ONLY ONE PLANT: mitosis. MITOSIS: asexual reproduction.

11. The graph below shows the levels of glucose and insulin in the blood of a human over a period of time.

This graph represents

An allergic reaction

An antigen-antibody reaction

Maintenance of homeostasis

Autotrophic nutrition

Insulin and glucose is like sweating and shivering in the hot or cold...they work together to make sure our bodies remain in balance. BALANCE = HOMEOSTASIS.

Explanation

Insulin and glucose is like sweating and shivering in the hot or cold...they work together to make sure our bodies remain in balance. BALANCE = HOMEOSTASIS.

12. Base your answer to this question on the diagram below, which represents stages in the digestion of a starch, and on your knowledge of biology.

The products would most likely contain

Simple sugars

Fats

Amino acids

Minerals

PRODUCTS are what you end up with. When you break down starch, you are left with simple sugars like GLUCOSE.

Explanation

PRODUCTS are what you end up with. When you break down starch, you are left with simple sugars like GLUCOSE.

13. A pattern of reproduction and growth in a one- celled organism is shown below.

Which statement best describes this pattern of reproduction?

All genetic material comes from one parent.

Only some of the genetic material comes from one parent.

The size of the parent determines the amount of genetic material.

The size of the parent determines the source of the genetic material.

one cell dividing into two cells is mitosis. MITOSIS is asexual, which means all genetic material (DNA) comes from one parent. They are clones.

Explanation

one cell dividing into two cells is mitosis. MITOSIS is asexual, which means all genetic material (DNA) comes from one parent. They are clones.

14. The diagram below shows a cell in the human body engulfing a bacterial cell.

The cell labeled X is most likely a

Red blood cell

White blood cell

Liver cell

Nerve cell

White blood cells are the bouncers. They remove the offenders that have been identified by others (antibodies).

Explanation

White blood cells are the bouncers. They remove the offenders that have been identified by others (antibodies).

15. Abiotic factors that characterize a forest ecosystem include

Light and biodiversity

Temperature and amount of available water

Types of producers and decomposers

PH and number of heterotrophs

biodiversity, producers, decomposers, and heterotrophs are all BIOTIC.

light, temperature, water, and pH are ABIOTIC.

Choose the one with both ABIOTIC.

Explanation

biodiversity, producers, decomposers, and heterotrophs are all BIOTIC.

light, temperature, water, and pH are ABIOTIC.

Choose the one with both ABIOTIC.

16. The diagram below represents early stages of embryo development.

The greatest amount of differentiation for organ formation most likely occurs at arrow

A

B

C

D

The embryo is the alien-looking thing that is starting to form new organs, etc. The embryo is organized into tissues which means it's differentiating.

Explanation

The embryo is the alien-looking thing that is starting to form new organs, etc. The embryo is organized into tissues which means it's differentiating.

17. Much of the carbon dioxide produced by green plants is not excreted as a metabolic waste because it

Can be used for photosynthesis

Is too large to pass through cell membranes

Is needed for cellular respiration

Can be used for the synthesis of proteins

KEYWORDS in question: CO2, excreted, plants.
KEYWORDS in answer: used, photosynthesis.

in other words, CO2 goes out (respiration) and the CO2 can be used (taken in) during photosynthesis.

Explanation

KEYWORDS in question: CO2, excreted, plants.
KEYWORDS in answer: used, photosynthesis.

in other words, CO2 goes out (respiration) and the CO2 can be used (taken in) during photosynthesis.

18. Many homeowners who used to collect, bag, and discard grass clippings are now using mulching lawnmowers, which cut up the clippings into very fine pieces and deposit them on the soil. The use of mulching lawnmowers contributes most directly to

Increasing the diversity of life

Recycling of nutrients

The control of pathogens

The production of new species

Putting something back to where it came from is recycling. Aluminum cans become more aluminum cans, etc.

Explanation

Putting something back to where it came from is recycling. Aluminum cans become more aluminum cans, etc.

19. Deforestation of areas considered to be rich sources of genetic material could limit future agricultural and medical advances due to

The improved quality of the atmosphere

The maintenance of dynamic equilibrium

An increase in the rate of evolutionary change

The loss of biodiversity

Cutting down trees (deforestation) also removes homes for animals (birds, insects, mammals, etc.) and prevents excess CO2 (from factories, etc.) from being removed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.

Explanation

Cutting down trees (deforestation) also removes homes for animals (birds, insects, mammals, etc.) and prevents excess CO2 (from factories, etc.) from being removed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.

20. The data table below shows the presence or absence of DNA in four different cell organelles.

Information in the table suggests that DNA functions

Within cytoplasm and outside of the cell membrane

Both inside and outside of the nucleus

Only within energy-releasing structures

Within cell vacuoles

I told you to learn that DNA is only in the nucleus, but there's really DNA found in the mitochondria that brings up a whole evolutionary debate which brings up a whole bunch of other things...

ANYWAY, FOR THE REGENTS: know that DNA is only found in the nucleus. But if you see a graph that says otherwise, listen to what it tells you.

Explanation

I told you to learn that DNA is only in the nucleus, but there's really DNA found in the mitochondria that brings up a whole evolutionary debate which brings up a whole bunch of other things...

ANYWAY, FOR THE REGENTS: know that DNA is only found in the nucleus. But if you see a graph that says otherwise, listen to what it tells you.

21. In all organisms, the coded instructions for specifying the characteristics of the organism are directly determined by the arrangement of the

Twenty kinds of amino acids in each protein

Twenty-three pairs of genes on each chromosome

Strands of simple sugars in certain carbohydrate molecules

Four types of molecular bases in the genes

There are 23 pairs of chromosomes, NOT GENES. The four types of bases (A, T, C, and G) in the genes determine the characteristics (traits).

Explanation

There are 23 pairs of chromosomes, NOT GENES. The four types of bases (A, T, C, and G) in the genes determine the characteristics (traits).

22. One possible reason for the rise in the average air temperature at Earth's surface is that

Decomposers are being destroyed

Deforestation has increased the levels of oxygen in the atmosphere

Industrialization has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the air

Growing crops is depleting the ozone shield

DEFORESTATION decreases oxygen.
CFCs destroy the ozone shield.
INDUSTRIALIZATION requires energy. This causes CO2 to rise. TOO MUCH CO2...nelly's gonna start singin HOT IN HERRE...

Explanation

DEFORESTATION decreases oxygen.
CFCs destroy the ozone shield.
INDUSTRIALIZATION requires energy. This causes CO2 to rise. TOO MUCH CO2...nelly's gonna start singin HOT IN HERRE...

23. The size of a frog population in a pond remains fairly constant over a period of several years because of

Decreasing competition

Environmental carrying capacity

Excessive dissolved oxygen

The depth of water

The frogs reached their limit. There's only so much food, water, and shelter (limiting factors) that can go around. They have shown their carrying capacity (the squiggly line on the population graph).

Explanation

The frogs reached their limit. There's only so much food, water, and shelter (limiting factors) that can go around. They have shown their carrying capacity (the squiggly line on the population graph).

24. A single cell and a multicellular organism are represented below.

Which structures are correctly paired with their primary function?

A and G—transmission of nerve impulses

B and E—photosynthesis

C and H—digestion of food

D and F—gas exchange

cell membrane in cells (O2, CO2) and lungs in humans (O2, CO2) provide gas exchange.

Explanation

cell membrane in cells (O2, CO2) and lungs in humans (O2, CO2) provide gas exchange.

25. Which row in the chart below contains an event that is paired with an appropriate response in the human body?

1

2

3

4

When a virus enters the body, the host identifies the antigens and produces antibodies to fight and help destroy the virus.

Explanation

When a virus enters the body, the host identifies the antigens and produces antibodies to fight and help destroy the virus.

26. The females of certain species of turtles will sneak into a nest of alligator eggs to lay their own eggs and then leave, never to return. When the baby turtles hatch, they automatically hide from the mother alligator guarding the nest and go to the nearest body of water when it is safe to do so. Which statement best explains the behavior of these baby turtles?

More of the turtles’ ancestors who acted in this way survived to reproduce, passing this behavioral trait to their offspring.

The baby turtles are genetically identical, so they behave the same way.

Turtles are not capable of evolving, so they repeat the same behaviors generation after generation.

The baby turtles’ ancestors who learned to behave this way taught the behaviors to their offspring

Those turtles that had the ALLIGATOR NEST EGG LAYING trait survived. Their offspring also had that trait. They survived and passed along their genetic material (contributing to evolution through natural selection).

Explanation

Those turtles that had the ALLIGATOR NEST EGG LAYING trait survived. Their offspring also had that trait. They survived and passed along their genetic material (contributing to evolution through natural selection).

27. One season, there was a shortage of producers in a food web. As a result, the number of deer and wolves decreased. The reason that both the deer and wolf populations declined is that

Producers are not as important as consumers in a food web

More consumers than producers are needed to support the food web

Organisms in this food web are interdependent

Populations tend to stay constant in a food web

If one organism increases or decreases, there will be a chain reaction in the feeding relationships. Therefore, INTERDEPENDENT is a good key word.

Explanation

If one organism increases or decreases, there will be a chain reaction in the feeding relationships. Therefore, INTERDEPENDENT is a good key word.

28. Base your answer to this question on the diagram below, which represents stages in the digestion of a starch, and on your knowledge of biology.

The structure labeled X most likely represents

An antibody

A receptor molecule

An enzyme

A hormone

ENZYMES are biological scissors and glue!!!

Explanation

ENZYMES are biological scissors and glue!!!

29. Which sequence shows a decreasing level of complexity?

Organs → organism → cells → tissues

Organism → cells → organs → tissues

Cells → tissues → organs → organism

Organism → organs → tissues → cells

ORGANISM = human
ORGANS = lungs
TISSUES = part of a lung
CELLS = lung cell

(the smallest things are organelles, and organ systems are groups of organs that work together, like the respiratory system)

Explanation

ORGANISM = human
ORGANS = lungs
TISSUES = part of a lung
CELLS = lung cell

(the smallest things are organelles, and organ systems are groups of organs that work together, like the respiratory system)

30. The diagram below represents a genetic procedure.

Which statement best describes the outcome of this procedure?

Bacterial cells will destroy defective human genetic material.

Bacterial cells may form a multicellular embryo.

The inserted human DNA will change harmful bacteria to harmless ones.

The inserted human DNA may direct the synthesis of human proteins.

REMEMBER: DNA controls the production of proteins. When you put DNA into a bacteria, it's tricked into making proteins, no matter their source (either bacterial or human).

Explanation

REMEMBER: DNA controls the production of proteins. When you put DNA into a bacteria, it's tricked into making proteins, no matter their source (either bacterial or human).

31. Scientists studying ocean organisms are discovering new and unusual species. Which observation could be used to determine that an ocean organism carries out autotrophic nutrition?

Chloroplasts are visible inside the cells.

Digestive organs are visible upon dissection.

The organism lives close to the surface.

The organism synthesizes enzymes to digest food.

Autotroph = plant or plant-like. In other words, PHOTOSYNTHESIS. Chloroplasts are where photosynthesis takes place.

Explanation

Autotroph = plant or plant-like. In other words, PHOTOSYNTHESIS. Chloroplasts are where photosynthesis takes place.

32. Plants such as the Venus flytrap produce chemical compounds that break down insects into substances that are usable by the plant. The chemical compounds that break down the insects are most likely

Fats

Minerals

Biological catalysts

Complex carbohydrates

An enzyme is a catalyst, which is a fancy way of saying that they speed up a reaction without becoming part of the reaction. Sort of like a stylist. They make you pretty, but they are never seen. Enzymes are biological scissors and glue. This makes so much sense.

Explanation

An enzyme is a catalyst, which is a fancy way of saying that they speed up a reaction without becoming part of the reaction. Sort of like a stylist. They make you pretty, but they are never seen. Enzymes are biological scissors and glue. This makes so much sense.

33. Base your answer to this question on the diagram below and on your knowledge of biology. Each arrow in the diagram represents a different hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates the gland indicated in the diagram. All structures are present in the same organism.

What would most likely occur if the interaction is blocked between the pituitary and gland C, the site of meiosis in males?

The level of progesterone would start to increase.

The pituitary would produce another hormone to replace hormone 3.

Gland A would begin to interact with hormone 3 to maintain homeostasis.

The level of testosterone may start to decrease.

gland C is where testosterone is produced and released.

Explanation

gland C is where testosterone is produced and released.

34. One disadvantage of a genetic mutation in a human skin cell is that it

May result in the production of a defective protein

May alter the sequence of simple sugars in insulin molecules

Can lead to a lower mutation rate in the offspring of the human

Can alter the rate of all the metabolic processes in the human

This may seem like a trick question, but the question read GENETIC MUTATION and we all know that mutations happen in DNA. Also DNA is the code to make proteins.

HOLLA!!

Explanation

This may seem like a trick question, but the question read GENETIC MUTATION and we all know that mutations happen in DNA. Also DNA is the code to make proteins.

HOLLA!!

35. Base your answer to this question on the diagram below and on your knowledge of biology. Each arrow in the diagram represents a different hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates the gland indicated in the diagram. All structures are present in the same organism.

Why does hormone 1 influence the action of gland A but not gland B or C?

Every activity in gland A is different from the activities in glands B and C.

The cells of glands B and C contain different receptors than the cells of gland A.

Each gland contains cells that have different base sequences in their DNA.

The distance a chemical can travel is influenced by both pH and temperature.

HORMONE and RECEPTOR...can I make it any more obvious???

Explanation

HORMONE and RECEPTOR...can I make it any more obvious???

36. The diagram below represents the genetic contents of cells before and after a specific reproductive process.

This process is considered a mechanism of evolution because it

Decreases the chance for new combinations of inheritable traits in a species

Decreases the probability that genes can be passed on to other body cells

Increases the chance for variations in offspring

Increases the number of offspring an organism can produce

This process is meiosis. Through meiosis (makes gametes, or sperm + eggs), there is crossing over of the chromosomes, which gives us more possibilities for new gene combinations...which is why we can look like mommy AND daddy.

Explanation

This process is meiosis. Through meiosis (makes gametes, or sperm + eggs), there is crossing over of the chromosomes, which gives us more possibilities for new gene combinations...which is why we can look like mommy AND daddy.

37. In 1883, Thomas Engelmann, a German botanist, exposed a strand of algae to different wavelengths of light. Engelmann used bacteria that concentrate near an oxygen source to determine which sections of the algae were releasing the most O2. The results are shown below.

Which statement is a valid inference based on this information?

Oxygen production decreases as the wavelength of light increases from 550 to 650 nm.

Respiration rate in the bacteria is greatest at 550 nm.

Photosynthetic rate in the algae is greatest in blue light.

The algae absorb the greatest amount of oxygen in red light.

The "oxygen-using bacteria" is just a fancy way of saying that oxygen is given off at these wavelengths of light. The most oxygen is in the blue range. Oxygen is released during photosynthesis, which means that photosynthetic rate is also greater in blue light.

Explanation

The "oxygen-using bacteria" is just a fancy way of saying that oxygen is given off at these wavelengths of light. The most oxygen is in the blue range. Oxygen is released during photosynthesis, which means that photosynthetic rate is also greater in blue light.

38. In December 2004, a tsunami (giant wave) destroyed many of the marine organisms along the coast of the Indian Ocean. What can be expected to happen to the ecosystem that was most severely hit by the tsunami?

The ecosystem will change until a new stable community is established.

Succession will continue in the ecosystem until one species of marine organism is established.

Ecological succession will no longer occur in this marine ecosystem.

The organisms in the ecosystem will become extinct.

Perfect example of ecological succession. After a natural disaster, the ecosystem will slowly grow back to how it was in the beginning.

Explanation

Perfect example of ecological succession. After a natural disaster, the ecosystem will slowly grow back to how it was in the beginning.

39. A student notices that fruit flies with the curly-wing trait develop straight wings if kept at a temperature of 16°C, but develop curly wings if kept at 25°C. The best explanation for this observation is that

Wing shape is controlled by behavior

Wing shape is influenced by light intensity

Gene expression can be modified by interactions with the environment

Gene mutations for wing shape can occur at high temperatures

different wing traits develop depending on the temperature (which is part of the ENVIRONMENT)...traits are controlled by genes...

(also, 25C isn't that high of a temperature...it's roughly 80F)

Explanation

different wing traits develop depending on the temperature (which is part of the ENVIRONMENT)...traits are controlled by genes...

(also, 25C isn't that high of a temperature...it's roughly 80F)

40. Base your answer to this question on the information and diagram below and on your knowledge of biology. A small water plant (elodea) was placed in bright sunlight for five hours as indicated below. Bubbles of oxygen gas were observed being released from the plant.

Since oxygen gas is being released, it can be inferred that the plant is

Producing glucose

Making protein

Releasing energy from water

Carrying on active transport

Oxygen gas means photosynthesis...which also produces GLUCOSE.

Explanation

Oxygen gas means photosynthesis...which also produces GLUCOSE.