Living Environment Regents Exam Practice Questions
Stable grassy field ecosystem-Disruption-New stable ecosystem identify one natural event that could cause the disruption indicated in the diagram
Allow 1 credit for identifying one natural event that could cause the disruption indicated in the diagram. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — fire — volcanic eruption — hurricane/flood — earthquake
Evolution leads to changes in how frequently certain traits appear in a population. -Describe how the process of natural selection can result in an increase in frequencies of certain traits found in a population.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — More individuals with favorable traits usually survive, passing on those traits to the next generation. — As a result of natural selection, the number of individuals with favorable traits increases. — The fittest will survive, causing an increase in the frequency of favorable traits.
With the emotional roller coaster that pregnancy brings, it can be daunting [challenging] for pregnant women to take on the additional pressure of eating the "perfect" pregnancy diet. The good news: there is no single perfect diet for pregnancy. The best way for expectant mothers to meet their nutritional needs is to focus on consuming an overall healthy diet, with a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats or meat substitutes, and low-fat dairy or dairy substitutes.... -Describe how nutrients move from the mother to the fetus.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — Nutrients move across the placenta. — diffusion across the placenta — diffusion from the mother's blood to the fetus
Twins Don't Share Everything ...Chemicals called epigenetic markers can be attached to those [inherited] genes, like fl ags or balloons hanging off the sides of the DNA ladder. These don't just change the look of the genes. Like pieces of tape stuck over a light switch, these markers can force a gene to remain turned on or off. The type of marker scientists studied in the twins generally sticks the switch in the off position so that some proteins don't get made. And that means the proteins' jobs won't get done. Every time a cell divides, new epigenetic markers may form. Foods, pollutants, and stress may all contribute to the development of new markers. So throughout our lives we tend to accumulate more and more. But a few are there from the day we're born. ...His [Jeffrey Craig's] team found that newborn twins have markers attached to different genes from the very start. It's true in identical twins, which come from the same fertilized egg. It's also true in fraternal twins, which come from different fertilized eggs. However, fraternal twins had more such differences than identical twins did. -Explain why the genetic material in an offspring produced by sexual reproduction contains genetic material that is not identical to the genetic material of either parent.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — Offspring receive genetic information from each of two parents. — Each parent contributes half of the offspring's genetic material. — Recombination of genes occurs at fertilization. — may be due to mutations — meiosis and crossing over
The diagram below represents a container of water divided by a dialysis membrane into two areas, X and Y. Starch solution was added to the water on side X. One hour later, amber-colored starch indicator solution was added to both sides. Identify the colors that could be observed at X and at Y after the addition of the starch indicator
Final color of X: black Final color of Y: amber
State why fossil fuels are considered a finite resource.
Fossil fuels are not renewable.
Explain why a mutation that occurs in a body cell will not contribute to the evolution of a species.
Genetic information in body cells isn't passed on to offspring.
Our [Nitrogen] Fertilized World It is the engine of agriculture, the key to plenty in our crowded, hungry world. ... ...Enter modern chemistry. Giant factories capture inert nitrogen gas from the vast stores in our atmosphere and force it into a chemical union with the hydrogen in natural gas, creating the reactive compounds that plants crave. That nitrogen fertilizer - more than a hundred million tons applied worldwide every year - fuels bountiful harvests. Without it, human civilization in its current form could not exist. Our planet's soil simply could not grow enough food to provide all seven billion of us our accustomed diet. In fact, almost half of the nitrogen found in our bodies' muscle and organ tissue started out in a fertilizer factory. -Identify one possible effect on the human population if nitrogen fertilizers were not available
The human population would decrease.
The diagram below represents the major parts of a growing onion plant. Nutrients are represented in the soil around the onion. -Which statement best describes how nutrients enter the root cells of the onion plant?
The nutrients usually move from an area of high concentration in the soil to an area of low concentration in root cells.
Placental mammals - as opposed to the kind that lay eggs, such as the platypus, or carry young in pouches, such as the kangaroo - are an extraordinarily diverse group of animals with more than 5000 species today. They [placental mammals] include examples that fl y, swim, and run, and range in weight from a couple of grams to hundreds of tons. Describe one advantage for an offspring to develop internally as opposed to developing externally
The offspring is more protected and therefore is more likely to survive
Placental mammals - as opposed to the kind that lay eggs, such as the platypus, or carry young in pouches, such as the kangaroo - are an extraordinarily diverse group of animals with more than 5000 species today. They [placental mammals] include examples that fl y, swim, and run, and range in weight from a couple of grams to hundreds of tons. ... Describe one function of the placenta during the internal development of an offspring.
The placenta protects the fetus from some infections.
Which statement is characteristic of reproduction in humans?
The reproductive cycles of males and females are regulated by hormones.
Lobsters are crustaceans related to crayfish, crabs, and shrimp. Most lobsters are a reddishbrown color, but on rare occasions, they can be orange, blue, or even multicolored. These color differences can be caused by
genetic variations
Monarch butterfl ies migrate from the U.S. and Canada to Mexico every winter. Over the past 10 years, there has been a drastic decrease in the number of monarch butterfl ies. Scientists have estimated that the population may have decreased from about 1 billion to 35 million. -Which action would not be considered a reason for the decline in monarch butterfly populations?
habitat preservation
The human male reproductive system is adapted for the production of
sperm and the delivery of these cells for internal fertilization
Rabbits are not native to Australia. They were imported by European settlers. In 1936, the myxoma virus was introduced into Australia as a means of biological control to infect and reduce the rabbit population. This method of controlling the rabbit population was an attempt to
stop the overproduction of an introduced species
The nucleus contains molecules which
store hereditary information
The major role of carbohydrates in the human diet is to
supply energy for the body
Exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as pesticides, may reduce fertility in males by interfering with their ability to produce gametes. These toxins are most likely having an effect on the
testes and testosterone
A factor that provides energy for living organisms is
the Sun
Green sea slugs are animals that live in water and have developed the ability to produce their own chlorophyll. These creatures can also pass this ability to make chlorophyll to their offspring. Once the offspring have one meal of algae, they are able to make food using sunlight. This one meal provides the baby slugs with the chloroplasts needed to make use of the chlorophyll, and they are able to produce their own food in the future. The best explanation for why sea slugs are able to pass on this ability to make food to their offspring is that
the gene for chlorophyll production is part of their DNA
Ecologists are concerned that the golden-winged warbler population is at a dangerously low level. One reason this could lead to extinction of this warbler is that
there may not be enough diversity among the birds for the species to be able to survive an environmental change
To prepare for an experiment, ten different sources of food were sterilized and kept in a sterile container. Bacteria of the same species were placed on each of the ten different food sources and kept at 26°C for two days. During this time, bacteria grew in nine of the containers. Based on this observation, the scientist could conclude that
this species of bacteria synthesizes enzymes needed to digest the food in nine of the ten containers
Traditional lightbulbs are only 10% efficient. Ninety percent of the energy they use is converted to heat. Modern lightbulbs are much more efficient, but may cost three times as much as traditional lightbulbs. Consumers who switch to modern lightbulbs are most likely
trading a short-term cost for long-term savings
A student observed five living cells in the field of view of a microscope as represented below. Diameter = 500 μm What is the approximate diameter of one cell?
50 µm
Five different living organisms are represented below. Flowering plant Mosquito larva Frog Green heron Aquatic plant Which statement about the organisms represented above is correct?
All of the organisms pass on traits through reproduction.
During a lab activity, a 14-year-old student took his resting pulse rate. He counted 20 beats in 20 seconds. He calculated his pulse rate for a minute and compared the result to the data shown in the table below. Children (ages 6-15) 70 - 100 Adults (ages 18 and over) 60 - 100 -According to the data table, does the student's pulse rate fall within the normal range? Circle yes or no and support your answer
Allow 1 credit for circling "no" and supporting the answer. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — because his heart rate is below the range for his age group — It falls in the range for people older than 14. — His rate of 60 beats per minute puts him in the adult range.
The chart below shows the molecular comparison between several species. Botana curus: DNA GTG GAC TGA GGA CTC mRNA CAC CUG ACU CCU GAG Amino acid His Leu Thr Pro Glu Species X: DNA GTG GAC AGA GGA CAC mRNA CAC CUG UCU CCU GUG Amino acid His Leu Ser Pro Val Species Y: DNA GTG GAC AGA GGA CAC mRNA CAC CUG UCU CCU GUG Amino acid His Leu Ser Pro Val Species Z: DNA GTA GAC TGA GGA CTC mRNA CAU CUG ACU CCU GAG Amino acid His Leu Thr Pro Glu -Identify which species is likely to be more closely related to Botana curus. Support your answer.
Allow 1 credit for correctly identifying species Z as being most closely related and supporting the answer. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — They have the same amino acid sequence. — They have more DNA bases in common.
An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light on the growth of bacteria. Equal quantities of bacterial cells were spread on Petri dishes that are used to grow colonies of bacteria. Half of each dish was shielded from the UV light with a UV screen. The other half was exposed to UV light for various amounts of time. After the UV treatment, the bacteria were grown in an incubator for 24 hours and the number of colonies was counted. -state a hypothesis for the experiment
Allow 1 credit for stating a hypothesis for the experiment. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — If bacteria are exposed to UV light, they will form fewer colonies than those not exposed. — Longer exposure to UV light will limit bacterial growth. — Exposure to UV light affects the growth of bacteria. — If bacteria are exposed to UV light, they will not form colonies. — Bacteria protected from UV light will produce more colonies.
Twins Don't Share Everything ...Chemicals called epigenetic markers can be attached to those [inherited] genes, like fl ags or balloons hanging off the sides of the DNA ladder. These don't just change the look of the genes. Like pieces of tape stuck over a light switch, these markers can force a gene to remain turned on or off. The type of marker scientists studied in the twins generally sticks the switch in the off position so that some proteins don't get made. And that means the proteins' jobs won't get done. Every time a cell divides, new epigenetic markers may form. Foods, pollutants, and stress may all contribute to the development of new markers. So throughout our lives we tend to accumulate more and more. But a few are there from the day we're born. ...His [Jeffrey Craig's] team found that newborn twins have markers attached to different genes from the very start. It's true in identical twins, which come from the same fertilized egg. It's also true in fraternal twins, which come from different fertilized eggs. However, fraternal twins had more such differences than identical twins did. Identify two environmental factors that can lead to an increase in the number of epigenetic markers that modify gene expression.
Allow 1 credit for two environmental factors. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — stress — pollutants — food — smoke/pesticides/alcohol/drugs — temperature
Using a biological explanation, state one reason why a person's heart rate increases during exercise.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — During exercise, there is an increase in carbon dioxide, which causes the heart to beat faster. — There is a feedback mechanism that causes the heart to beat faster in response to an increase in activity. — When the heart beats faster, it increases the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles. — The heart pumping faster removes wastes faster.
Twins Don't Share Everything ...Chemicals called epigenetic markers can be attached to those [inherited] genes, like fl ags or balloons hanging off the sides of the DNA ladder. These don't just change the look of the genes. Like pieces of tape stuck over a light switch, these markers can force a gene to remain turned on or off. The type of marker scientists studied in the twins generally sticks the switch in the off position so that some proteins don't get made. And that means the proteins' jobs won't get done. Every time a cell divides, new epigenetic markers may form. Foods, pollutants, and stress may all contribute to the development of new markers. So throughout our lives we tend to accumulate more and more. But a few are there from the day we're born. ...His [Jeffrey Craig's] team found that newborn twins have markers attached to different genes from the very start. It's true in identical twins, which come from the same fertilized egg. It's also true in fraternal twins, which come from different fertilized eggs. However, fraternal twins had more such differences than identical twins did. -State one reason why identical twins should have fewer genetic differences than fraternal twins.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — Fraternal twins arise from two fertilized eggs. — Identical twins are produced from one zygote/fertilized egg. — Identical twins come from the same fertilized egg.
Evolution leads to changes in how frequently certain traits appear in a population. -Explain the importance of the presence of variations within a population.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — More variation increases the chances that some members of the population will survive in a changing environment. — Differences between offspring increase the likelihood that some individuals will have adaptations to their new environment. — Variations provide raw material for natural selection when environments change. — More variation increases the stability of the population. — Without the variations, the population may not survive in a changing environment.
With the emotional roller coaster that pregnancy brings, it can be daunting [challenging] for pregnant women to take on the additional pressure of eating the "perfect" pregnancy diet. The good news: there is no single perfect diet for pregnancy. The best way for expectant mothers to meet their nutritional needs is to focus on consuming an overall healthy diet, with a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats or meat substitutes, and low-fat dairy or dairy substitutes.... -State one other way, in addition to consuming a balanced diet, pregnant women can help ensure proper development of the fetus.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — Pregnant women should have regular doctor visits. — exercise during the pregnancy — avoid alcohol/drugs
A typical human liver cell can have over 90,000 insulin receptors. Due to a genetic difference, some people have liver cells that contain only about 1000 insulin receptors. -Describe the importance of the shape of receptor molecules for carrying out their function.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — Receptor molecules have specific shapes that influence how they interact with other molecules. — The shape determines with which molecules they interact. — The shape of the receptor molecule and messenger molecule must match. — The shapes must match/fit together
A typical human liver cell can have over 90,000 insulin receptors. Due to a genetic difference, some people have liver cells that contain only about 1000 insulin receptors. -Describe the importance of receptors in cellular communication.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — Receptors receive messages sent by other cells. — They enable cells to respond appropriately
Bacteria often evolve clever ways of evading chemical assaults, but they will always struggle to resist the old-fashioned way of killing them; heating them up. It takes only a relatively mild warming to kill bugs [bacteria] without discomfort or harm to tissues. So imagine if little electric heaters could be implanted into wounds and powered wirelessly to fry bacteria during healing before dissolving harmlessly into body fluids once their job is done.... -State one way the use of these new "little electric heaters" might represent a long-term benefit over using antibiotics to treat bacterial infections.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — The bacteria may not become resistant to the heaters. — Antibiotics may have negative side effects. — Heaters will act faster than the antibiotics.
An experiment is performed to determine the effect of watching basketball games on pulse rates. Ten students agreed to wear devices that monitor pulse rates while watching a basketball game between competitive opponents. Their pulse rates were measured every minute for five minutes in the first quarter of the game. The data collected indicated that pulse rates did not change significantly during the monitored period. -State one way that this experiment could be improved to obtain a valid conclusion.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — The experimental group should have been larger. — The data should have been collected for a longer time period. — A control group should have been included in the study. — Data should have been collected during the last quarter of the game. — Repeat the experiment.
A child became ill with the measles. Measles is a disease that is highly contagious. The child's mother did not get sick, even though she and the child were close while the child was ill. -State one reason why the mother did not get sick with the measles
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — The mother had antibodies against the measles. — The mother had been vaccinated against measles. — The mother had measles when younger and still had immunity to measles. — The mother is immune to the measles. — The mother had a mutation that made her resistant.
A starch solution in a test tube was separated from the water in a beaker by a dialysis membrane. One hour later, it was observed that the liquid had risen in the test tube. -If a starch indicator solution was initially added to the water in the beaker, describe one observation that would be made after one hour.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — The starch solution would turn blue-black. — The water in the beaker would be amber-colored. — The liquid in the test tube would be blue-black. — A color change would occur in the test tube. — There would be a color change.
The table below shows the food sources for two different species of Galapagos finches on an island. Two Galapagos Finches and Their Sources of Food Name: Vegetarian finch (Platyspiza crassirostris) foods:Buds, leaves, fruit of trees Name: Cactus finch (Geospiza scandens) foods: Cactus flowers and nectar -State one reason why these two species probably do not live in the same area of this island
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — Trees and cacti do not usually grow in the same areas. — Their food may only be available in certain areas on the island and the foods are different. — Their foods do not grow in the same place since they are different. — There is another resource one of the species needs that is not available where the other species lives.
A typical human liver cell can have over 90,000 insulin receptors. Due to a genetic difference, some people have liver cells that contain only about 1000 insulin receptors. -Identify one effect a reduced number of insulin receptors might have on an individual.
Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to: — high levels of glucose in the blood/urine — The person might be diabetic. — Less glucose will go into the cells. — The blood glucose level will not be controlled.
Explain how the process of natural selection can account for the increase in frequency of the antifreeze protein gene in the icefish population.
As the ocean cooled, fish with the antifreeze protein were more likely to survive and pass on this trait.
During the process of chromosome replication, a genetic error occurs. As a result, a sequence of events occurs as described below. Event A: a protein with a new sequence of amino acids is produced Event B: a DNA strand with an altered base sequence is formed Event C: a new inheritable trait is expressed in an organism Event D: an mRNA strand with a new sequence of bases is synthesized The usual order in which these events would occur is
B — D — A — C
Scientists have studied oceanic plastic garbage "patches" around the world. These are areas that accumulate plastic garbage from coastal regions. Their environmental effect ranges from killing sea life to blocking sunlight from reaching photosynthetic organisms. Without a change in human plastic usage, new garbage patches will continue to form. -Which human activity would most directly reduce the amount of plastic garbage that enters the ocean?
Clean up plastic trash from shorelines, rivers, and other waterways that fl ow into the oceans.
Which statement best explains why different body cells of the same individual look and function differently?
Different genes are activated in different kinds of cells
State one reason why there is less energy available at each trophic level going from the first to the third trophic level.
Energy is lost.
Moose-killing Winter Ticks Moose habitat is determined by temperature. Moose prefer areas where the average summer temperature is around 15°C and does not exceed 27°C for too long. The reason for this temperature dependency: Moose cannot sweat. Besides the cooling effect of water, which moose are almost always near, aquatic environments provide them with a good supply of food, and in the past, have protected them against biting insects. However, the North American moose population is facing a new threat: a parasite called the winter tick. These ticks lodge themselves in the animal's fur and hold on through the winter, sucking the animal's blood. Many infected moose end up dying of exhaustion and weakness as a result of the large number of ticks feeding on them. Ticks are most active during dry days in the fall. Adult ticks that drop off moose in the spring and land on snow cover have a poorer survival rate. Climate change can be predicted to improve conditions for winter ticks due to longer and warmer falls, and earlier snowmelt in the spring. Surveys of the moose population in northeastern Minnesota have recorded the change shown below in the moose population between 2005 and 2013. Explain how climate change could result in an increased number of moose infested with winter ticks.
Falls are longer and warmer, increasing the chances of ticks surviving and infesting moose.
Our [Nitrogen] Fertilized World It is the engine of agriculture, the key to plenty in our crowded, hungry world. ... ...Enter modern chemistry. Giant factories capture inert nitrogen gas from the vast stores in our atmosphere and force it into a chemical union with the hydrogen in natural gas, creating the reactive compounds that plants crave. That nitrogen fertilizer - more than a hundred million tons applied worldwide every year - fuels bountiful harvests. Without it, human civilization in its current form could not exist. Our planet's soil simply could not grow enough food to provide all seven billion of us our accustomed diet. In fact, almost half of the nitrogen found in our bodies' muscle and organ tissue started out in a fertilizer factory. -Explain how the building of factories to produce fertilizer is an example of a trade-off.
Fertilizers help plants grow, but could harm the environment.
For several years now, there has been discussion of constructing a large oil pipeline across the United States. Which statement expresses a major concern many people are likely to have about the proposed pipeline?
If this pipeline were to leak, the oil could contaminate soil, water, and wildlife.
Based on the information provided, explain how the sharp population increase from 1910 to 1925 might have resulted in the decrease in the carrying capacity after 1925.
In 1925, the deer ate too much food, lowering the amount of food available in future years.
An invasive species, the spiny water fl ea, was recently found in a New York lake. These water fleas eat zooplankton, a food also consumed by native fishes. The fleas spread from lake to lake by attaching to fishing lines, anchor ropes, and boats. Which statement best describes the effect of the water fl ea on the lake?
It will feed on organisms that are important to other species.
Stable grassy field ecosystem-Disruption-New stable ecosystem state what would most likely happen to the new stable ecosystem in future years if no further disruptions occur
It will remain a stable ecosystem
Scientists at Penn State have sequenced the DNA of the extinct woolly mammoth. The data suggested that the woolly mammoth was more closely related to present-day elephants than previously believed.
Present-day species developed from earlier, different species.
Producers are generally found at the beginning of a food chain. Which statement best explains why this is true?
Producers do not rely on other organisms for food.
How does the genetic makeup of the skin cells differ from the genetic makeup of the gametes?
Skin cells contain the full number of chromosomes for the individual. Gametes contain half the number of chromosomes.
The diagram below represents one of many microscopic air sacs in a human lung. The alveolus (air sac) is the place where oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) move into or out of the blood, as represented in the diagram.
The blood coming to the lungs is high in CO2 and low in O2, so the gases each diffuse from a higher to a lower concentration in this area.
An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light on the growth of bacteria. Equal quantities of bacterial cells were spread on Petri dishes that are used to grow colonies of bacteria. Half of each dish was shielded from the UV light with a UV screen. The other half was exposed to UV light for various amounts of time. After the UV treatment, the bacteria were grown in an incubator for 24 hours and the number of colonies was counted. -state whether the results of the experiment support or fail to support your hypothesis. Support your answer.
The experiment supports the hypothesis that longer exposure to UV light limits bacterial growth, since fewer colonies grew with longer exposure to UV light.
When comparing characteristics of two organisms, which evidence would be considered the strongest for supporting a possible evolutionary relationship?
The two organisms produce many of the same proteins.
Green sea slugs are animals that live in water and have developed the ability to produce their own chlorophyll. These creatures can also pass this ability to make chlorophyll to their offspring. Once the offspring have one meal of algae, they are able to make food using sunlight. This one meal provides the baby slugs with the chloroplasts needed to make use of the chlorophyll, and they are able to produce their own food in the future. Explain how green sea slugs can be considered both a producer and a consumer.
They can eat and make their own food.
Which concept is correctly matched with an example from The Beaks of Finches lab?
Variation - different "beaks" were available.
A student designed an experiment to determine if air temperature had an effect on the rate of photosynthesis in corn plants. Which tool is correctly paired with a procedure that could be used during this experiment?
a graduated cylinder to measure 30 mL of water for each plant daily
The ATP molecule is commonly used to
actively transport molecules in an organism
A student designed an experiment to determine if air temperature had an effect on the rate of photosynthesis in corn plants. The independent variable in this experiment is the
air temperature at which the corn plants were grown
An immune response to a usually harmless environmental substance is known as
an allergy
Which row in the chart below represents the most likely changes in the atmosphere due to widespread deforestation?
as oxygen concentration decreases↓ carbon dioxide concentration increases↑
Harmless Skin Virus Fights Acne ...Acne is caused when hair follicles become blocked with an oily substance called sebum, which the body makes to stop the hair and skin from drying out. Normally harmless bacteria, such as Propionibacterium acnes, that live on the skin can then contaminate and infect the plugged follicles. Phages [a type of virus] appear to help counteract this. When the scientists sequenced the DNA coding of the phages, they discovered that, as well as sharing most of their genetic material, the viruses all had some key features in common. All carry a gene that makes a protein called endolysin - an enzyme thought to destroy bacteria by breaking down their cell walls. And unlike antibiotics, which kill many types of bacteria, including "good" ones that live in our gut, phages are programmed to target only specific bacteria... The protein endolysin belongs to which group of chemical substances?
biological catalysts
In the early 1600s, a scientist planted a willow tree that weighed 5 pounds in 200 pounds of dry soil. He placed it outside and watered it for 5 years. At the end of that time, he observed that the tree had gained 164 pounds 3 ounces, while the soil had lost just 2 ounces. From this, he concluded that plants gain weight from the water they take in. His conclusion was based on
careful observation, measurements, and inferences from his data
Single-celled organisms are able to maintain homeostasis, even though they lack higher levels of organization such as organs and organ systems, because
cell structures work together to maintain homeostasis in single-celled organisms
Which two factors could lead to the evolution of a species over time?
changes in the genes of sex cells and survival of the fittest
Which system in a multicellular organism functions most like the cytoplasm in a singlecelled organism?
circulatory
Stability within an ecosystem is achieved partially by the presence of organisms that break down important molecules and make them available for other organisms to use. These organisms are
decomposers
The chart below represents some of the events that occur during the cycling of nutrients in an ecosystem X Converts Organic Wastes into Compounds usable by autotrophs Which organisms would most appropriately complete the chart when written in the circle at X?
decomposers
Which process must first take place in order for the proteins in foods to be used by body cells?
digestion
Many oak trees are cut down and removed from an oak-hickory forest. A likely result of the direct harvesting of the oak species would be the
disruption of natural cycles
Which human activity most directly causes a significant increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
driving cars long distances
Harmless Skin Virus Fights Acne ...Acne is caused when hair follicles become blocked with an oily substance called sebum, which the body makes to stop the hair and skin from drying out. Normally harmless bacteria, such as Propionibacterium acnes, that live on the skin can then contaminate and infect the plugged follicles. Phages [a type of virus] appear to help counteract this. When the scientists sequenced the DNA coding of the phages, they discovered that, as well as sharing most of their genetic material, the viruses all had some key features in common. All carry a gene that makes a protein called endolysin - an enzyme thought to destroy bacteria by breaking down their cell walls. And unlike antibiotics, which kill many types of bacteria, including "good" ones that live in our gut, phages are programmed to target only specific bacteria... This treatment for acne, using phages, is effective because phages
eliminate bacteria by attacking specific cell structures
The organic compounds that scientists use to cut, copy, and move segments of DNA are
enzymes
A lion cub resembles its parents because it inherits genes that produce
enzymes identical to some of the enzymes found in each parent
If body temperature is too high, some blood vessels increase in size and sweat glands will excrete sweat, resulting in a lower body temperature. These changes are an example of
feedback mechanisms
The diagram below represents structures found in the female reproductive system. -If the areas labeled A were completely blocked on both sides, the most likely result would be that
fertilization would not occur
An immune response is primarily due to the body's white blood cells recognizing
foreign antigens
In an effort to reduce the number of deaths due to malaria, scientists have successfully introduced a gene into mosquitoes. The gene makes the mosquitoes unable to support the development of the parasite that causes malaria. The technique used to produce this new variety of mosquito is most likely
genetic engineering
Although we rely on coal, oil, and natural gas to produce energy, some environmental scientists have proposed that we use less fossil fuel. One reason to support this proposal is to
help us to reduce the production of carbon dioxide gas
Nuclear power plants, which produce electrical energy, use large quantities of water for cooling. Often, small fish, larvae, and fish eggs are sucked in along with the cooling water and destroyed. This example illustrates how
industrialization can have positive and negative effects
Higher blood sugar-Pancreas secretes more hormone-Lower blood sugar-Pancreas secretes less hormone (Then it repeats) The hormone referred to in this feedback mechanism is
insulin
Under the supervision of experts, certain areas in a nature preserve are regularly exposed to frequent, low-intensity fires. These controlled fires maintain specific populations of plants by directly
interfering with the process of ecological succession
A factor that contributed to the evolution of finches on the Galapagos Islands was most likely the
isolation of the finches on separate islands
left off at January 2018 living environment regents question 11
left off at January 2018 living environment regents question 11
Humans have an effect on ecosystems when they use native grasslands or forested areas for farming or urban use. One negative effect of these changes on the ecosystem is that there will be
less biodiversity
Finches on the Galapagos Islands express a variety of traits. Variability in the offspring of these finches is a result of
meiosis and mutation
The breathing rate, heart rate, and blood hormone levels of an individual would directly provide information about that individual's
metabolic activity
Research has shown that treadmill training increases the number of certain energy-releasing structures in the brain cells of rats. The cellular structures referred to in this study are most likely
mitochondria
The development of organs and tissues from a zygote includes
mitosis and differentiation
Genetic researchers have discovered a number of different gene mutations that have led to the development of cancer. These mutations affect how frequently a cell reproduces. Which process would be directly influenced by these mutations?
mitotic cell division
Placental mammals - as opposed to the kind that lay eggs, such as the platypus, or carry young in pouches, such as the kangaroo - are an extraordinarily diverse group of animals with more than 5000 species today. They [placental mammals] include examples that fl y, swim, and run, and range in weight from a couple of grams to hundreds of tons. Identify one factor, besides genetics, that could influence the development of human offspring
mother's health/nutrition
Fat molecules typically contain long chains of carbon atoms. Animals tend to store fats for use when food resources are scarce. This is an advantage to the animal because
much energy can be gained by breaking the bonds between atoms in the fats
Scientists have analyzed the icefish DNA and documented genetic changes that gave rise to the antifreeze gene. Their findings are represented in the diagram below. Digestive enzyme gene-Process X-Antifreeze protein gene
mutation
State one possible cause for the increase in the number of species extinctions
not enough food
A stable ecosystem can have high biodiversity because each species in that ecosystem
occupies a different niche
A student placed a test tube containing elodea (an aquatic plant) and pond water 10 cm from a light source. He observed that the plant gave off bubbles of a gas and counted how many bubbles were released in one minute. He moved the plant farther away from the light source to see if distance from the source made a difference. The data table below shows his results. The gas that was being produced was most likely
oxygen as a product of the process of photosynthesis
Which organisms and set of characteristics are correctly paired?
plants—carry out respiration and autotrophic nutrition
Harmless Skin Virus Fights Acne ...Acne is caused when hair follicles become blocked with an oily substance called sebum, which the body makes to stop the hair and skin from drying out. Normally harmless bacteria, such as Propionibacterium acnes, that live on the skin can then contaminate and infect the plugged follicles. Phages [a type of virus] appear to help counteract this. When the scientists sequenced the DNA coding of the phages, they discovered that, as well as sharing most of their genetic material, the viruses all had some key features in common. All carry a gene that makes a protein called endolysin - an enzyme thought to destroy bacteria by breaking down their cell walls. And unlike antibiotics, which kill many types of bacteria, including "good" ones that live in our gut, phages are programmed to target only specific bacteria... The typical response of the human body to an infection by bacteria is to
produce white blood cells and antibodies
An example of competition between members of two different species is
purple loosestrife plants growing in the same wet areas as cattail plants
The ameba, a single-celled organism, reproduces asexually. Variations in an ameba would most commonly occur through
random mutations
Throughout New York State, some farmers have switched from growing a variety of vegetable crops to growing a single crop, such as corn. Other farmers are concerned that such a practice will make it more likely that an entire crop could be lost to disease or infestation by an insect pest. This is a valid concern because this practice
reduces the biodiversity of their fields
While looking at the bottom surface of a leaf with a compound light microscope, a student notices pairs of cells with openings between them on the surface of the leaf. The main purpose of these openings and the cells that surround them is
regulating gas exchange
One primary function of the cell membrane is
regulating the flow of simple sugars into or out of the cell
Which two processes are required for the technique to successfully produce hormones?
replication of DNA in bacterial cells and cell division
As human red blood cells mature, they lose their nuclei. As a result of this loss, which process would be impossible for mature red blood cells to carry out?
reproduction
Sharks are often followed by smaller fish that eat some of the scraps from the organisms eaten by the shark. These smaller fish are acting as
scavengers
In the 1920s, two conflicting newspaper headlines called attention to a mysterious new illness. 1921-"Don't breathe the air! Mysterious disease affecting thousands is caused by breathing the air in swamps." 1922-"Don't drink the water! Mysterious disease affecting thousands is caused by drinking the water in swamps." Another series of headlines appeared in the 1940s and 50s. 1945-"New technology finds tiny worms on swamp vegetation." 1950-"Tiny worms found in lungs of patients suffering from mysterious swamp disease." 1952-"Mysterious disease known to be caused by worms given name Swamp Lung Disease." Headlines such as these best illustrate the concept that
scientific explanations are tentative and subject to change
A farmer grows beans that he sells to local markets. Over a period of 40 years, the farmer has identifi ed the plants that produced the most beans and only used those beans to produce new plants. This procedure is part of the process of
selective breeding
The testes of a human male produce gametes. The process that produces these gametes differs from the process that produces new skin cells in the same individual. Identify the type of cell division involved in each process.
skin cells: produced by mitosis gametes: produced by meiosis
The rings in the diagram below represent the annual growth of a tree approximately 20 years old. Tree trunks grow wider each year by continuous growth in a thin layer of cells just beneath the bark. Since one new layer is added each year, the number of rings in a tree can be used to tell its age. The thickness of the rings provides information about the environmental conditions in past years. By observing the annual rings in the diagram, one can infer that
some years provide better conditions for growth than other years
Acid rain is a major problem in the Adirondack Mountains. Evidence that acid rain negatively affected the Adirondack ecosystem is that
there has been a decrease in the variety of fish found in Adirondack lakes
To clone a mammal, a cloned embryo is often put into an adult female of the same species to continue internal development. The structure in which the embryo will develop is the
uterus
A and B below represent two different slide preparations of elodea leaves. Elodea is a plant found in streams and ponds in New York State. The water used on slide A contained 1% salt and 99% water. The salt solution used on slide B contained 6% salt and 94% water. Elodea cells normally contain 1% salt. -Five minutes after the slides were prepared, a student using a compound light microscope to observe the cells in leaves A and B would most likely see that
water had moved out of the cells of the leaf on slide B
A starch solution in a test tube was separated from the water in a beaker by a dialysis membrane. One hour later, it was observed that the liquid had risen in the test tube. -The rise of the liquid in the test tube that was observed after one hour can be explained as a result of the
water moving from the beaker into the test tube
The Cornell University News Service reported, "The sugar maple is the most economically valuable tree in the eastern United States because of its high-priced lumber, syrup and tourist-attracting fall colors." The effects of acid rain now threaten the survival of these trees. This threat is the result of a human activity that has
weakened an ecosystem through pollution
In the 1920s, over 25 million acres of the American southern plains were stripped of prairie grasses to provide more land for farmers to grow wheat. The prairie grasses had served to hold the soil in place and prevent erosion. In the early 1930s, a series of severe dust storms eroded topsoil from more than 13 million acres of the southern plains and dumped it as tons of dust particles over many cities in the Northeast. Farmland was destroyed and people were sickened from "dust pneumonia." This occurrence illustrates that
when humans alter ecosystems, serious consequences may result
Our [Nitrogen] Fertilized World It is the engine of agriculture, the key to plenty in our crowded, hungry world. ... ...Enter modern chemistry. Giant factories capture inert nitrogen gas from the vast stores in our atmosphere and force it into a chemical union with the hydrogen in natural gas, creating the reactive compounds that plants crave. That nitrogen fertilizer - more than a hundred million tons applied worldwide every year - fuels bountiful harvests. Without it, human civilization in its current form could not exist. Our planet's soil simply could not grow enough food to provide all seven billion of us our accustomed diet. In fact, almost half of the nitrogen found in our bodies' muscle and organ tissue started out in a fertilizer factory Nitrogen fertilizers are used by plants to synthesize amino acids. -State one reason why a supply of amino acids is important for the survival of complex organisms.
— Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.
