1.
Organisms that are able to manufacture organic nutrients from substances in the abiotic environment are classified as
Correct Answer
D. Autotrophs
Explanation
Autotrophs make their own food from CO2 and H2O, both ABIOTIC substances.
2.
Which factor would have the greatest effect on the flow of energy into an ecosystem?
Correct Answer
A. A large decrease in the amount of sunlight available
Explanation
If there's no sunlight, there will be no energy flowing into an ecosystem.
3.
Which structures carry out life functions within cells?
Correct Answer
C. Organelles
Explanation
organelles are the only substance in the list that are found INSIDE cells.
4.
Which process is most directly responsible for maintaining internal stability in an organism when its environment is constantly changing?
Correct Answer
B. Feedback
Explanation
Feedback is when you respond to information based on what happens in an ecosystem.
5.
The function of a cell depends primarily on its
Correct Answer
C. Structure
Explanation
The structure of a cell determines how it functions.
6.
In some cases, humans have chosen to mate certain individual farm animals within a species. For example, by allowing only the largest cattle to reproduce over many generations, strains of very large cattle have been produced. This process is known as
Correct Answer
C. Selective breeding
Explanation
creating the perfect cow, horse, dog, fruit, or vegetable requires the act of selective breeding, which is choosing certain traits that you want to see in the offspring.
7.
A boy inherits genes for tallness, but his growth is limited as a result of poor nutrition. This is an example of
Correct Answer
B. Environmental influence on gene expression
Explanation
The environment (nutrition) is affecting this boy's growth.
8.
The sickle-cell trait is an inherited condition resulting from the presence of abnormal molecules of the protein hemoglobin in red blood cells. A person with the sickle-cell trait may have a child with the same condition because the child receives from the parent
Correct Answer
C. A code for the production of abnormal hemoglobin
Explanation
The sequence of amino acids produces hemoglobin in an abnormal shape. The amino acids themselves are not abnormal. The hemoglobin is abnormal.
9.
The sorting and recombining of genes during meiosis and fertilization usually leads to the production of
Correct Answer
D. Offspring with some traits that did not appear in their parents
Explanation
Recombining of genes allows new combinations to occur in the offspring. Traits that didn't appear in the parents may show up in the offspring.
10.
Which situation would most likely produce a gene mutation in a squirrel?
Correct Answer
B. The squirrel is exposed to radiation for several days.
Explanation
Radiation causes mutations. Simple as that.
11.
Which row in the chart below best describes what happens when some DNA bases are deleted from a gene?
Correct Answer
D. 4
Explanation
If the gene is changed, the trait may change as a result.
12.
The diagram below represents a technique currently used by scientists in the field of biotechnology.
Which statement describes a possible outcome of this technique?
Correct Answer
A. The bacterium is able to produce a human hormone.
Explanation
Bacteria is able to produce hormones for humans, most notably INSULIN.
13.
When antibiotics were first developed, most infectious diseases could be controlled by them. Today, certain bacteria are resistant to many antibiotics. One possible explanation for this change is that
Correct Answer
A. The antibiotics killed most of the bacteria that did not have a genetic variation for resistance
Explanation
Those bacteria that were killed were not resistant. They were not adapted properly. They did not pass on their resistant traits.
14.
Thousands of genetically identical trees have been discovered growing in a remote, undisturbed mountain area in Colorado. These trees are most likely the result of
Correct Answer
B. Asexual reproduction
Explanation
KEY WORD: IDENTICAL.
identical means asexual.
15.
The ability of the human body to keep blood-sugar levels within a fairly narrow range, despite the intake of meals high in carbohydrates, is an example of
Correct Answer
C. Homeostasis
Explanation
Homeostasis is a balance in organisms. This balance is maintained in the body through the actions of many organ systems (or organelles in single-celled organisms).
16.
A large number of sperm cells are produced by males every day. This large number of sperm cells increases the chance that
Correct Answer
C. Some of the sperm cells will survive to reach the egg
Explanation
Millions of sperm need to be produced so that some will reach the egg. The female's body is not a good environment for sperm. Many die before they even reach the fallopian tubes.
17.
Which statement best describes the relationship between the blood of a human fetus and the blood of the mother?
Correct Answer
D. Their blood systems are separate, but certain materials pass from one to the other.
Explanation
The mother and the child each have their own blood systems, but the materials may be exchanged through the placenta.
18.
To replace burned skin, doctors can successfully transplant replacement skin taken from another part of the body of the burn victim. Which state- ment best explains why the transplanted skin is not rejected?
Correct Answer
B. The antigens of the replacement skin are the same as those of the damaged skin.
Explanation
The skin is from the SAME individual so the DNA (and proteins like those that make up the antigens) would be identical. Therefore, no rejection.
19.
The soil on a farm can very quickly become depleted of the minerals essential to plants because harvesting of crops can interfere with the
Correct Answer
B. Recycling of inorganic compounds
Explanation
Nutrients aren't recycled when they harvest the crops (like wheat, corn, and barley), so the soil becomes quickly depleted of the nutrients.
20.
A vaccine used against an infectious disease may contain
Correct Answer
D. Weakened pathogens
Explanation
Weakened viruses (or pathogens) are found in vaccines.
21.
What will most likely occur if two different plant species compete for the same requirements in an ecosystem?
Correct Answer
C. One species may be eliminated from that ecosystem.
Explanation
When two organisms compete for the same resources, it is very likely that one organism will survive (better adapted for the ecosystem) and one organism will die out (poorly adapted).
22.
Some of the energy taken in by an organism is not available to other organisms in a food web. Energy that is not available to other organisms in a food web is energy that is
Correct Answer
B. Lost to the environment as heat
Explanation
When energy is lost between different organisms in a feeding relationship, the energy is lost as heat.
23.
The relationship that exists when athlete’s foot fungus grows on a human is an example of
Correct Answer
C. Parasite/host
Explanation
Don't be fooled by this one. The fungus in this case is a parasite. The human is not an autotroph.
24.
If an ecosystem is changed through a natural disaster, organisms will have the best chance of survival if
Correct Answer
D. Their species exhibits genetic variation
Explanation
more genetic variation means that there is more chances of survival in the case of a natural disaster.
25.
In state forests and parks containing varieties of flowering trees and shrubs, there are signs that say “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.” These signs are necessary because
Correct Answer
A. Humans can destroy habitats by removing flowering trees and shrubs
Explanation
Habitats need diversity to survive. Without the diversity of flowering trees and shrubs, the ecosystem may be destroyed by human interaction.
26.
Which human activity creates the least threat to global stability?
Correct Answer
D. Reuse of plastic bags
Explanation
Three of these are bad. One of these is good. Go with the good one in this case.
27.
Which change is a cause of the other three?
Correct Answer
C. Increased industrialization
Explanation
Increased industrialization is the cause of the other three. None of the others would be happening if it weren't for the industrialization.
28.
In an attempt to improve environmental quality, local officials in a county in New York State want to build a garbage-to-steam plant. At the plant, garbage would be burned to produce energy, but air pollution would also be produced. In order to decide whether or not to build this plant, the community must consider
Correct Answer
A. The trade-offs involved
Explanation
A trade-off is when you consider the good with the bad and decide how you want to proceed based on the potential outcome.
29.
An evolutionary pathway is represented below.
Which statement about evolutionary pathways is most accurate?
Correct Answer
B. Two organisms on the same branch of an evolutionary pathway are more closely related to each other than to those on distant branches.
Explanation
Just because something is at the end of the tips doesn't mean it's still alive...the organisms are still alive if they make it to "PRESENT" time. On the same branch, they are closely related.
30.
Which graph represents a population that grew and is maintained at the carrying capacity of its ecosystem?
Correct Answer
D.
Explanation
This population grew rapidly then leveled out. The carrying capacity graph typically looks like a squiggly line at the top, which levels out.
31.
A laboratory procedure calls for heating 50 milliliters of a sugar solution to 60°C. Which piece of laboratory equipment will not be needed?
Correct Answer
B. Ruler
Explanation
Rulers are for measuring distance, not volume or temperature!!
32.
Which statement best describes a hypothesis?
Correct Answer
C. A hypothesis serves as a basis for determining what data to collect when designing an experiment.
Explanation
The hypothesis tells us what data to collect. In other words, IF we exercise, THEN we will squeeze more clothespins.
33.
The diagram below represents a species of bee that helps one type of orchid plant reproduce by carrying pollen on structure X from one orchid flower to another. Pollination by this species of bee is the only way the orchid can reproduce.
If this bee species dies out, this orchid species would most likely
Correct Answer
A. Cease to exist
Explanation
The orchid and the bee require each other for reproduction. Without the bee, the orchid will go extinct.
34.
Which model best represents the relationship between a cell, a nucleus, a gene, and a chromosome?
Correct Answer
B.
Explanation
The gene is the smallest component. The cell is the largest component. The rest fall into place.
35.
A researcher recently discovered a new species of bacteria in the body of a tubeworm living near a hydrothermal vent. He compared the DNA of this new bacterial species to the DNA of four other species of bacteria. The DNA sequences came from the same part of the bacterial chromosome of all four species.
According to these data, the unknown bacterial species is most closely related to
Correct Answer
D. Species IV
Explanation
There is only one difference between the unknown species and species IV.
36.
Base your answers to this question on the passage below and on your knowledge of biology.
Alaska: Anchorage — Birders noted a sharp increase in European starlings in the 2005 Anchorage Christmas Bird Count. The sometimes aggressive species is relatively new to Alaska. Only three starlings were spotted during the 1995 Christmas bird count. Last year, there were 35. This year, birders counted 156.
Which graph best represents the change in the number of starlings seen in the Anchorage area?
Correct Answer
A.
Explanation
Last year, there were 35 and this year, there were 156. 'NUFF SAID.
37.
Base your answers to this question on the passage below and on your knowledge of biology.
Alaska: Anchorage — Birders noted a sharp increase in European starlings in the 2005 Anchorage Christmas Bird Count. The sometimes aggressive species is relatively new to Alaska. Only three starlings were spotted during the 1995 Christmas bird count. Last year, there were 35. This year, birders counted 156.
The change in the starling population in Anchorage from 1995 to 2005 could have been due to the presence of
Correct Answer
C. An abundant food supply
Explanation
with an abundant food supply, there will be a sharp increase in population.
38.
The diagram below represents the bones of the forelimbs of two animals alive today that most likely evolved from a common ancestor. Members of the original ancestral population were isolated into two groups by natural events.
If these two animals did have a common ancestor, which statement would best explain why there are differences in the bones?
Correct Answer
B. Changes contributed to the survival of the organisms in their new environment.
Explanation
The differences in bones enable the species to survive in different environments.
39.
Within which structure shown in the diagram below are energy-rich organic compounds used to produce ATP?
Correct Answer
A. 1
Explanation
Mitochondria use glucose to produce ATP through the process of respiration.
40.
The graph below shows the relative concentra- tions of certain hormones in the blood during the human female reproductive cycle.
Which hormone has the lowest concentration on which day?
Correct Answer
B. Hormone B on day 2
Explanation
Simple as looking at a graph...day 2, hormone B has the lowest concentration.
41.
Which statement best describes the starch content of two leaves taken from the same plant shown in the chart below?
Correct Answer
D. Leaf B contains more starch than leaf A.
Explanation
Leaf B was performing photosynthesis and should have more starch than Leaf B.
42.
Base your answers to this question on the diagram below, which represents a chemical reaction that occurs in the human body, and on your knowledge of biology.
Substances X and Y are examples of which kind of molecule?
Correct Answer
A. Simple sugar
Explanation
Based on the diagram and knowledge of biology, substances X and Y in the chemical reaction are examples of simple sugars. This can be inferred because simple sugars are commonly involved in metabolic reactions in the human body, and the diagram represents a chemical reaction occurring in the body. The presence of substances X and Y suggests that they are simple sugars, which are important sources of energy for cellular processes.
43.
Base your answers to this question on the diagram below, which represents a chemical reaction that occurs in the human body, and on your knowledge of biology.
Which statement describes a characteristic of molecule Z?
Correct Answer
C. Molecule Z will function best at a specific pH.
Explanation
Molecule Z (an enzyme) works best at a specific pH. Too high or too low will destroy the enzyme.