Life Science AA Benchmark Test

What is the function of the mitochondria?

• to protect the nucleus

• to digest food

• to carry out cellular respiration, produce ATP

• to carry out photosynthesis

The __________________ is the cellular organelle that converts energy into a form the cell can use.

• Nucleus

• Mitochondria

• Ribosomes

• Vacuole

Kayla summarizes the cell theory to her class. She states that all organisms are made up of one or more cells. Which pair of statements correctly completes her summary?

• All cells come from existing cells and all cells have the same parts.

• All cells are the same size, and the cell is the basic unit of all organisms.

• The cell is the basic unit of all organisms, and all cells have the same parts.

• The cell is the basic unit of all organisms, and all cells come from existing cells.

Mike is trying to explain scientific names to a classmate. What are the two parts of a scientific name?

• genus and species

• phylum and class

• domain and genus

• domain and kingdom

Unicellular organisms include bacteria, some algae, and some animals. They live in virtually every environment on the planet. Which of the following statements BEST describes the ratio of unicellular animals to multicellular animals?

• Multicellular organisms outnumber unicellular organisms only in terrestrial environments

• Unicellular and multicellular organisms exist in about the same number in both aquatic and terrestrial environments

• Unicellular organisms outnumber multicellular organisms in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.

• Multicellular organisms outnumber unicellular organisms only in aquatic environments.

The sexual cell division process is called ___________.

• meiosis

• mitosis

• symbiosis

• parasitism

Humans need blood to provide cells with oxygen. Where does the blood pick up oxygen?

• the heart

• cells

• bone marrow

• the lungs

Why does a person’s heart beat faster when he or she is involved in physical activities?

• Because the heart is not getting enough energy to pump the blood

• Because blood needs to provide the cells with oxygen faster

• Because the moving muscles cause strain on the heart

• Because the veins and arteries become thin and it is harder to move blood through them

Organisms that have more than one cell are called ______.

• multicellular

• unicellular

• bacteria

• virus

Which of these choices describes the set of instructions that determine a specific trait in a person, such as attached earlobes?

• a gene

• a phenotype

• a chromosome

• a characteristic