1.
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?
Correct Answer
A. Chloroplasts are visible inside the cells.
Explanation
Autotroph = plant or plant-like. In other words, PHOTOSYNTHESIS. Chloroplasts are where photosynthesis takes place.
2.
Abiotic factors that characterize a forest ecosystem include
Correct Answer
B. Temperature and amount of available water
Explanation
biodiversity, producers, decomposers, and heterotrophs are all BIOTIC.
light, temperature, water, and pH are ABIOTIC.
Choose the one with both ABIOTIC.
3.
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
Correct Answer
C. Organisms in this food web are interdependent
Explanation
If one organism increases or decreases, there will be a chain reaction in the feeding relationships. Therefore, INTERDEPENDENT is a good key word.
4.
Which statement best describes a population of organisms if cloning is the only method used to reproduce this population?
Correct Answer
B. There would be little chance for variation within the population.
Explanation
Cloning means producing organisms that have exactly the same DNA. Same DNA means no differences between organisms. There will be LITTLE VARIATION.
5.
An organelle that releases energy for metabolic activity in a nerve cell is the
Correct Answer
C. Mitochondrion
Explanation
ENERGY = ATP. ATP is produced in the mitochondria through the process of respiration.
6.
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
Correct Answer
C. Gene expression can be modified by interactions with the environment
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)
7.
In all organisms, the coded instructions for specifying the characteristics of the organism are directly determined by the arrangement of the
Correct Answer
D. Four types of molecular bases in the genes
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).
8.
Which sequence shows a decreasing level of complexity?
Correct Answer
D. Organism → organs → tissues → cells
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)
9.
Which row in the chart below contains an event that is paired with an appropriate response in the human body?
Correct Answer
A. 1
Explanation
When a virus enters the body, the host identifies the antigens and produces antibodies to fight and help destroy the virus.
10.
The diagram below represents a genetic procedure.
Which statement best describes the outcome of this procedure?
Correct Answer
D. The inserted human DNA may direct the synthesis of human proteins.
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).
11.
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
Correct Answer
C. Increases the chance for variations in offspring
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.
12.
One disadvantage of a genetic mutation in a human skin cell is that it
Correct Answer
A. May result in the production of a defective protein
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!!
13.
The DNA of a human cell can be cut and rearranged by using
Correct Answer
D. Enzymes
Explanation
BIOLOGICAL SCISSORS AND GLUE, YO!!!
14.
Much of the carbon dioxide produced by green plants is not excreted as a metabolic waste because it
Correct Answer
A. Can be used for 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.
15.
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
Correct Answer
D. Bright-colored males
Explanation
Bright-colored males have the reproductive advantage...they call the shots. Consider their DNA passed along to the next generation.
16.
To determine evolutionary relationships between organisms, a comparison would most likely be made between all of the characteristics below except
Correct Answer
B. Number of their ATP molecules
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)
17.
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?
Correct Answer
A. More of the turtles’ ancestors who acted in this way survived to reproduce, passing this behavioral trait to their offspring.
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).
18.
A pattern of reproduction and growth in a one- celled organism is shown below.
Which statement best describes this pattern of reproduction?
Correct Answer
A. All genetic material comes from one parent.
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.
19.
A technique used to reproduce plants is shown in the diagram below.
This technique is a form of
Correct Answer
B. Asexual reproduction
Explanation
It's the same plant that grew new tissue. ONLY ONE PLANT: mitosis. MITOSIS: asexual reproduction.
20.
The diagram below represents a biochemical process.
Which molecule is represented by X?
Correct Answer
D. 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.
21.
The diagram below represents early stages of embryo development.
The greatest amount of differentiation for organ formation most likely occurs at arrow
Correct Answer
D. D
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.
22.
The diagram below shows a cell in the human body engulfing a bacterial cell.
The cell labeled X is most likely a
Correct Answer
B. White blood cell
Explanation
White blood cells are the bouncers. They remove the offenders that have been identified by others (antibodies).
23.
The graph below shows the levels of glucose and insulin in the blood of a human over a period of time.
This graph represents
Correct Answer
C. Maintenance of 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.
24.
Which concept is best represented in the diagram shown below?
Correct Answer
A. Human actions are a threat to equilibrium in ecosystems.
Explanation
All three of the boxes have to do with human actions. We should all apologize.
25.
One possible reason for the rise in the average air temperature at Earth’s surface is that
Correct Answer
C. Industrialization has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the air
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...
26.
The size of a frog population in a pond remains fairly constant over a period of several years because of
Correct Answer
B. Environmental carrying capacity
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).
27.
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
Correct Answer
C. Biological catalysts
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.
28.
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?
Correct Answer
A. The ecosystem will change until a new stable community is established.
Explanation
Perfect example of ecological succession. After a natural disaster, the ecosystem will slowly grow back to how it was in the beginning.
29.
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
Correct Answer
B. Recycling of nutrients
Explanation
Putting something back to where it came from is recycling. Aluminum cans become more aluminum cans, etc.
30.
Deforestation of areas considered to be rich sources of genetic material could limit future agricultural and medical advances due to
Correct Answer
D. The loss of biodiversity
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.
31.
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?
Correct Answer
C. pHotosynthetic rate in the algae is greatest 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.
32.
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?
Correct Answer
A. An increasing food supply from day 5 to day 6
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.
33.
A single cell and a multicellular organism are represented below.
Which structures are correctly paired with their primary function?
Correct Answer
D. D and F—gas exchange
Explanation
cell membrane in cells (O2, CO2) and lungs in humans (O2, CO2) provide gas exchange.
34.
The graph below indicates the size of a fish population over a period of time.
The section of the graph labeled A represents
Correct Answer
D. A population at equilibrium
Explanation
This is the carrying capacity. Equilibrium means stable and balanced and homeostasis.
35.
The data table below shows the presence or absence of DNA in four different cell organelles.
Information in the table suggests that DNA functions
Correct Answer
B. Both inside and outside of the nucleus
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.
36.
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
Correct Answer
A. Simple sugars
Explanation
PRODUCTS are what you end up with. When you break down starch, you are left with simple sugars like GLUCOSE.
37.
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
Correct Answer
C. An enzyme
Explanation
ENZYMES are biological scissors and glue!!!
38.
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
Correct Answer
C. A feedback mechanism
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.
39.
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?
Correct Answer
D. The level of testosterone may start to decrease.
Explanation
gland C is where testosterone is produced and released.
40.
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?
Correct Answer
B. The cells of glands B and C contain different receptors than the cells of gland A.
Explanation
HORMONE and RECEPTOR...can I make it any more obvious???
41.
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
Correct Answer
A. Producing glucose
Explanation
Oxygen gas means photosynthesis...which also produces GLUCOSE.
42.
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?
Correct Answer
B. Carbon dioxide
Explanation
PLANTS are associated with carbon dioxide. Only possibility.