2019 STAAR BIOLOGY BENCHMARK REVIEW 1

A new predator of rabbits has been introduced within an ecosystem. This new predator runs faster than the native predators of rabbits. Which statement describes what will most likely occur in the rabbit population due to the introduction of the predator? A The rabbits will mutate their genes and express genes that increase their speed. B Slower rabbits will develop stronger legs and pass this trait to their offspring. C Rabbits will mate and produce offspring with a different species that has faster runners. D Faster rabbits will survive and reproduce increasing the average speed of the rabbit population.

Faster rabbits will survive and reproduce increasing the average speed of the rabbit population.

In a study of physical endurance, researchers observed significant increases in the heart rates and breathing rates of participants immediately after they engaged in strenuous exercise. Which statement best explains the increase in the heart rate and the breathing rate during exercise? F The water concentration in the blood increases. G Body cells require increased oxygen as energy is expended. H Muscle cells increase in temperature and require fluid to reduce the temperature. J An increase in muscle activity causes increases in glucose levels in red blood cells.

G Body cells require increased oxygen as energy is expended.

A team of students encounters an unknown organism in a field while conducting a biodiversity study. Some students think the organism is a plant, while others think it is a fungus. Which question should the students investigate to classify the organism correctly? F Is there a cell wall around the cells of the organism? G Does the organism perform photosynthesis? H Is there nervous tissue present in the organism? J Does the organism reproduce sexually?

G Does the organism perform photosynthesis?

Which four body systems interact to allow a person to sneeze? A Muscular, immune, nervous, respiratory B Nervous, respiratory, circulatory, skeletal C Respiratory, endocrine, skeletal, circulatory D Lymphatic, skeletal, respiratory, muscular

A Muscular, immune, nervous, respiratory

Ribosome

A Venn diagram comparing and contrasting two types of cells is provided. What additional characteristic (X) belongs in the central section of the Venn diagram?

When cells lose their ability to regulate the cell cycle, they can divide at an accelerated rate and form a mass of cells. This mass of cells is referred to as — A a tumor B an embryo C a gland D an organ

A a tumor

Definition has question with Diagram. Answer: A. Organisms at higher trophic levels have less energy available to them than organisms at lower trophic levels.

A biomass pyramid of an ecosystem is shown.Which statement provides the best explanation for the difference in biomass of organisms found at each trophic level? A Organisms at higher trophic levels have less energy available to them than organisms at lower trophic levels. B Organisms at higher trophic levels require smaller habitats than organisms at lower trophic levels. C Organisms at lower trophic levels provide less energy than organisms at higher trophic levels. D Organisms at lower trophic levels outcompete organisms at higher trophic levels.

Definition has question with Diagram. Answer: A. Glassy sweeper and squirrelfish

A dichotomous key for identifying fish is shown.Based on this key, which two fish have eyes located on either side of their head and are not spotted? A Glassy sweeper and squirrelfish B Glasseye snapper and spotted eagle ray C Spotted goatfish and bandtail puffer D Peacock flounder and glassy sweeper

gravity

A germinating seed is shown below. In a germinating seed, the downward growth of roots and upward growth of leaves and stems are the plant's responses to —

Definition has question with Diagram. Answer: G. Ants and grasshoppers

A partial Texas food web is shown.The populations of which organisms will most likely increase as a result of a disease that suddenly reduced the population of Texas horned lizards? F Grasses and ants G Ants and grasshoppers H Grasshoppers and Texas cottonmouths J Texas cottonmouths and red-shouldered hawks

Definition has question with Diagram. Answer: C. Both protect genetic information for the structures.

A student produces a labeled drawing of a virus for a presentation. The student states that the capsid has a function similar to the nuclear membrane found in animal cells.Which of these describes the similar functions of capsids and nuclear membranes? A Both transport proteins throughout the structures. B Both provide energy for activities in the structures. C Both protect genetic information for the structures. D Both code for the proteins needed for reproduction of the structures.

Definition has question with Diagram. Answer: F. Energy: glycogen and starch Structure: cellulose and chitin

A table of four types of carbohydrates is shown.Which list correctly matches the functions to the types of carbohydrates? F Energy: glycogen and starch Structure: cellulose and chitin G Energy: cellulose and chitin Structure: glycogen and starch H Energy: chitin and glycogen Structure: cellulose and starch J Energy: cellulose and starch Structure: chitin and glycogen

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a prokaryotic cell?

Absence of a membrane-bound nucleus

Cells are the basic unit of structure for each organism.

According to cell theory, what do each of the following organisms have in common?

The eagle eats more types of organisms in the food web than the snake does.

Analyze the positions of the eagle and the snake in the food web pictured above. Which of the following statements is correct? -The eagle eats more types of organisms in the food web than the snake does. -The eagle eats the same types of organisms as the snake does. -The snake eats more types of organisms in the food web than the eagle does. -The snake is eaten by the same types of organisms as the eagle is.

Scientists think eukaryotes may have evolved from an endosymbiotic relationship between prokaryotes of mitochondria and host parasitic cells. One piece of evidence that supports this endosymbiosis theory is that mitochondria have their own system of transcription and translation that more closely resembles protein synthesis in prokaryotes than eukaryotes. Upon evaluation of this information, which of the following statements is most likely true?

At one time, mitochondria may have been primitive prokaryotic cells.

Which of the following is arranged in the order of increasing levels of organization?

Atom, molecule, cell

Four of the six kingdoms are comprised of organisms that contain eukaryotic cells. Which of the following structures in a cell would not be evidence that the cell is eukaryotic?

Cell walls

Which of the following cell components are most involved in determining an organism's traits?

Chromosomes

Which phrase best describes the function of mitochondria?

Converts energy for cell use

In 1898 Friedrich Loeffler and Paul Frosch found evidence that the cause of the highly contagious hoof-and-mouth disease in livestock was a microscopic infectious particle. It was discovered that this particle requires a host cell to reproduce. Which pathogen is most likely responsible for causing hoof-and-mouth disease in livestock? A A bacterium, because it is contagious B A fungus, because it infects livestock C A protist, because it is microscopic D A virus, because it requires a host cell to reproduce

D A virus, because it requires a host cell to reproduce

Which statement accurately describes the energy needs for photosynthesis and cellular respiration? A Solar energy is needed for cellular respiration but not for photosynthesis. B Chemical energy in the form of glucose is needed for both cellular respiration and photosynthesis. C Chemical energy in the form of glucose is needed for photosynthesis, and solar energy is needed for cellular respiration. D Solar energy is needed for photosynthesis, and chemical energy in the form of glucose is needed for cellular respiration.

D Solar energy is needed for photosynthesis, and chemical energy in the form of glucose is needed for cellular respiration.

Many tree frog populations are threatened due to habitat loss. In an effort to promote conservation, tree frogs may be bred in captivity. A zoo acquired male and female tree frogs from two different populations. In the zoo, the tree frogs were able to successfully mate within their own population, but breeding attempts between the two populations were unsuccessful. Based on this information, which statement correctly describes the relationship between the two populations of tree frogs? A They are in the same species but different kingdoms. B They are in the same class but different phyla. C They are in the same family but different orders. D They are in the same genus but different species.

D They are in the same genus but different species.

The San Marcos salamander, Eurycea nana, is a light reddish-brown translucent salamander about 2-5 cm in length. E. nana is found only in Spring Lake and a portion of the San Marcos River. Which human activity would most likely decrease the ability of the salamanders to survive? A Increasing water consumption that decreases the flow of clean water from the springs that feed the river B Public transportation that reduces the number of automobiles that contribute to pollution runoff into the river C Tourism that helps fund the educational programs related to river ecosystem conservation D The addition of a new food source into the river that limits competition for resources

A Increasing water consumption that decreases the flow of clean water from the springs that feed the river

Enzymes are proteins that have a three-dimensional shape that is specific to a particular substrate. Environmental conditions can change the shape of the protein. What is the most likely result if the shape of the enzyme changes? F The substrate will change its shape to match the enzyme. G The enzyme will no longer be able to catalyze the reaction with the substrate. H The products made from the enzyme and the substrate will be changed. J The enzyme will be able to bind to more diverse substrates than before.

G The enzyme will no longer be able to catalyze the reaction with the substrate.

Gametes produced by an organism contain a combination of genes from that organism. In every gamete, this combination is — A the same because it is created from the same DNA B the same because chromosomes are copied prior to meiosis C different due to DNA replication prior to mitosis D different due to independent assortment during meiosis

D different due to independent assortment during meiosis

Which answer choice best describes a community? F Praying mantises caring for their young G Three-spined sticklebacks living in estuaries H Different species of lizards occupying the same niche in a desert J Roosting mother bats recognizing their offspring

Different species of lizards occupying the same niche in a desert

What type of biomolecule is a major part of the cell membrane because it creates a thin hydrophobic layer that helps maintain selective permeability?

this biomolecule is lipids

Which of the following macromolecules is a prominent part of animal tissue that functions in insulation, helping animals conserve heat?

this macromolecule is Lipids

Some species of millipedes will roll into a ball when threatened, while other species of millipedes can secrete noxious chemicals from their bodies. These adaptations allow the millipedes to — F survive in different temperatures G avoid different types of predators H conserve different amounts of energy J blend into different types of environments

G avoid different types of predators

During photosynthesis, energy is stored in the chemical bonds of

Glucose

What would be the most likely effect of a wildfire that burned a large area of a forest? F More sugars and starches would be available for animals in the area. G The availability of fossil fuels for use by industries in the area would be reduced. H Less carbon dioxide would be removed from the atmosphere in the area by plants. J An increase in animal respiration would increase the release of carbon dioxide in the area.

H Less carbon dioxide would be removed from the atmosphere in the area by plants.

One function of the carbohydrate macromolecule is to store energy. Which other macromolecule also functions in storing energy?

Lipids also have this function

What evidence best supports the endosymbiotic theory which states that current cell organelles, like mitochondria and chloroplasts, were once prokaryotic cells consumed by other prokaryotic cells?

Mitochondria and chloroplasts have DNA coding different from the nuclear DNA.

Which structure is not present in a prokaryotic cell?

Nuclear membrane

Which structure can be found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?

Nucleic acid

The nervous system of the human organism is most like which cell organelle?

Nucleus

Which cell organelle stores DNA?

Nucleus

Which of the following statements accurately represents the differences in plant and animal cells?

Only plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large vacuole.

In what ways do plant and animal cells differ?

Plant cells have cell walls and chloroplasts.

Animal dispersal

Plant species rely on various methods of seed dispersal. Which type of seed dispersal would most likely be used by the organism shown in the diagram above?

Which structures are found in all prokaryotic cells?

Small, protein-producing units composed of RNA and protein

What is one of the functions of nucleic acids?

Stores genetic information and helps to make proteins

Definition has question with Diagram. Answer: G. Cell X

Students use a microscope to look for structures present in four different cells. The students placed an X for each structure that was viewed for each cell on the table shown.Which cell that was viewed is most likely a prokaryote?

Definition has question with Diagram. Answer: J. Food sources that are hard to find

The aye-aye lemur is a mammal that feeds mostly on insect larvae that live inside trees. The aye-aye lemur has a specialized middle finger that is long and thin. The aye-aye lemur moves along a tree branch and taps the branch with its specialized finger. When the aye-aye lemur hears a difference in the echo, it will tear open the bark with its teeth until the insect tunnel is exposed. The aye-aye lemur then uses its specialized finger to reach the insect larvae and remove it.Which selective pressure most likely resulted in the development of the aye-aye lemur's special adaptation? F Limited availability of water G Competing for mates H Large numbers of natural predators J Food sources that are hard to find

Cacti and sagebrush

The diagram below shows a desert food web. Which organisms above represent the producers?

Definition has question with Diagram. Answer: G. Horses slowly developed over time

The diagram shows data on the evolution of horses.The data in the diagram is evidence that — F a new species of horse suddenly appeared G horses slowly developed over time H horses have similar stages of rapid embryological development J horses have a common ancestry with other hooved animals

Definition has question with Diagram. Answer: D. ATP

The diagram shows molecules that a mitochondrion uses and produces during a cellular process.Which other molecule is a product of this process? A DNA B RNA CC6H12O6 D ATP

Definition has question with Diagram. Answer: F. Competition: stinkbugs Parasitism: geometrid moths

The diagrams show a partial food web containing the Glyptapanteles wasp and the life cycle of this wasp.Based on the two diagrams, which list correctly identifies the relationships Glyptapanteles wasp larvae have with other organisms? F Competition: stinkbugs Parasitism: geometrid moths G Competition: geometrid moths Commensalism: stinkbugs Mutualism: guava and eucalyptus trees H Competition: stinkbugs and geometrid moths Commensalism: guava and eucalyptus trees J Parasitism: geometrid moths Commensalism: stinkbugs Mutualism: guava and eucalyptus trees

The passage of genetic instructions from one generation to the next is known as —

heredity

During the process of photosynthesis,

light energy is converted to chemical energy

What types of organisms have cells with very large vacuoles?

plant cells

The purpose of the cell wall is to —

provide structure for a cell

Conservation biologists studying cheetah populations have determined that the lack of genetic diversity among the cheetahs is due to genetic drift. Which statement explains the most likely consequence of having a low genetic diversity on the cheetah population? F The chances of a mutation occurring in the cheetah population are decreased, increasing the cheetah survival rate. G The gene pool remains in equilibrium and future generations of cheetah offspring are stronger and better adapted to their environments. H The cheetah population becomes less likely to survive an outbreak of a disease or an environmental change, increasing the chance of species extinction. J Genetic variability is maintained from older cheetah populations that have survived and endured environmental stressors.

H The cheetah population becomes less likely to survive an outbreak of a disease or an environmental change, increasing the chance of species extinction.

Where is the genetic material that determines the inherited traits of an organism located inside of a eukaryotic cell?

It is located in the nucleus

Students observed cells under the microscope. They observed that the cells had a cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, and many chloroplasts. Which observation helps students identify the type of cell observed?

The presence of chloroplasts means that the cells are from a plant.

What is a group of similar cells that perform a common function?

Tissues

Which statement applies to eukaryotic cells but not to prokaryotic cells?

Utilize mitochondria during energy production

Through which cell structure does waste exit the cell?

Vacuole

plant

What kind of cell is represented by the diagram shown above?

The primary function of a chloroplast is to —

convert radiant energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis

The fluid surrounding the organelles of a cell is the —

cytoplasm