Biology STAAR 2013 questions

A photograph of a virus is shown.  The projections on the surface of the virus allow the virus to -

• move inside a host cell
• attach to a host cell
• control the host cell's DNA
• signal other viruses to infect the host cell

Having a standard taxonomic system benefits the scientific community by allowing scientists from all over the world to do which of the following?

• Have a common system for the classification of locations containing fossils
• Use a similar system to classify the impact of removing species from ecosystems
•  Have a common understanding in the classification of organisms
• Understand how other scientists classify predator–prey relationships

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Which of these statements best explains the process of energy conversion that takes place in the mitochondria?

• Energy is required for carbon dioxide molecules to form six-carbon sugar molecules.
• Water molecules and radiant energy are necessary for anaerobic respiration to take place.
• Oxygen molecules release energy in the form of heat during combustion reactions.
• The energy in the bonds of glucose molecules is transferred to the phosphate bonds in ATP.

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Leaves are part of a plant’s shoot system. The xylem tissue in leaves transports —

• the bacteria needed for nitrogen fixation in root nodules
• the wax required to coat the surface of actively growing tissue
•  the water and minerals that are absorbed by the roots
• the oxygen that regulates the rate of carbohydrate production

Some organisms have genes that improve their ability to survive and reproduce. If the genes also help their offspring survive and reproduce, then which of the following will most likely increase?

• The frequency of the genes in one individual
• The frequency of the genes in the population
• The number of genes in one chromosome
• The number of genes in the species

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The overgrowth of algae poses a major problem for coral reefs. Intensive fishing is one factor that contributes to algae overgrowth because it does which of the following?

• Allows more sunlight to be available to algae
•  Inhibits the spread of pathogens in algae colonies
•  Reduces the number of organisms that feed on algae
• Increases the competition between different algae species

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Enzymes are proteins that help increase the rate of chemical reactions inside cells. These proteins are composed of many simpler molecules called amino acids. Which of the following suggests that the shape of an enzyme determines the enzyme’s function?

• Enzymes are specific to a substrate
•  Enzymes can operate in a wide range of conditions.
• Enzymes are activated by neighboring molecules.
• Enzymes can be found in all life-forms.

Which of the following correctly describes how a diagram of cellular respiration would differ from a diagram of photosynthesis?

• The cellular-respiration diagram would show electromagnetic waves as the final product.
• The cellular-respiration diagram would show glucose as the main source of energy.
• The cellular-respiration diagram would show energy stored in large protein molecules.
• The cellular-respiration diagram would show water as the main source of chemical energy.

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Which of the following are missing from the food web shown above?

• producers
• decomposers
• omnivores
• carnivores

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The concept of gene flow is demonstrated when a cow is driven off from its herd, joins another herd, and reproduces. When the cow contributes to the gene pool of the new herd, which of these most likely increases?

• natural selection
• genetic variation
• environmental fitness
• reproductive mutations

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