ALL STAAR - Released Questions

In the 1940s, the scientist J.B.S. Haldane linked many human red blood cell disorders with the tropical regions where malaria occurs. Haldane hypothesized that the widespread presence of these red blood cell disorders as well as traits that protect individuals from malaria were the result of natural selection. Haldane's hypothesis was later confirmed by the research of A.C. Allison.

The resistance to malaria carried by individuals in areas where malaria is widespread is the result of --

• a vaccine against malaria

• the individual's genetic composition

• antibiotic medications

• the individuals' behavior in avoiding those with the infection

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

Scientists estimate that there are more than 20,000 species of ants. The species range in size from 1 mm long to 38 mm long and live in most environments. The diets of ants range from flowers and seeds to fluids from their own larvae. Ants have been able to successfully inhabit so many different environments because their populations have been able to --

• hybridize with other species of insects

• adapt to a variety of habitats and food sources

• fill niches usually occupied by mammals

• occupy habitats that have no other life-forms

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Common baboons live on the savanna in breeding groups called troops. While females tend to stay with the troop, younger or less dominant males may leave to join a neighboring troop. Which of these is a likely outcome of movement by young males?

• Gene flow occurs between populations.

• Allele frequencies suddenly change.

• Relative genotypic frequencies reach a constant state.

• Intermediate phenotypes increase in the species.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

Two populations of mice living in the same forest are separated by a large water-filled ditch. After a rainstorm, flooding brings several mice from one population to the other population. When the mice from the first population reproduce with members of the second population, which of the following will likely occur?

• All of the offspring will die as a result of reproductive mutations.

• The offspring will be forced to leave the second population.

• The offspring will be genetically identical to their parent from the first population.

• The offspring in the second population will have greater genetic variety.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

A student reads this advertisement for a product containing a plant micronutrient that can be added to soil. (View Image)

Based on this information, the student can conclude that boron is absorbed by plant roots from the soil and then-

• transported to reproductive tissues by the plant's shoot system.

• stored in plant stems until the flowers are pollinated.

• concentrated in the roots until the plant's reproductive tissues mature.

• transported by the phloem to the stomata in leaves, where it attracts pollinators.

A student conducted an investigation to study phototropism in grasses. The only difference between the control group and the experimental group was the light conditions. The control group was provided full light, while the experimental group was shaded on one side. The diagrams show the average heights and positions of blades of grass in the investigation. (View Image)

Which statement best explains why the grass tips of the experimental group bent toward the light?

• Water evaporated faster on the side of the plant having full light.

• Light sensors in the grass tips simulated a hormone in the shoot system.

• The xylem in the roots system absorbed more nutrients from the shaded side.

• The side facing the light has greater chance of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Several structures work together to allow flowering plants to reproduce. The diagram shows a typical flower. (View Image)

Which list correctly identifies the function of each structure or group of structures in the reproduction of the plant?

• X- Pollen production

  Y- Pollen transfer

  Z- Production of eggs

• X- Attraction of pollinators

  Y- Production of male sex cells

  Z- Egg production and embryo development

• X- Protection for embryo

  Y- Supply nourishment to embryo

  Z- Place of embryonic development

• X- Photosynthesis

  Y- Production of cells that protect internal organs

  Z- Production of egg and sperm.

Some students are instructed to put a celery stalk in a red dye solution for a lab activity. First the students carefully cut the bottom of the stalk with a scalpel. Then they put the stalk in the beaker with the solution and place the beaker on a shelf in the lab room. The next day they check the stalk and make observations. The students note that the leaves at the end of the stalk have changed color from green to red. The students cut across the celery stalk and use a hand lens to see that the small tube openings along the edge of the celery stalk are also red. The cross section is shown in the image. (View Image)

How do plant systems work together to make this movement of liquid possible?

• The roots absorb water and minerals and move them up to the stem, while the stem moves food produced in the leaves down to the roots in tiny tubes.

• The roots anchor that plant in the soil, and the stem holds the leaves up.

• The roots absorb their own water and minerals, while the stem absorbs its water and minerals through the leaves.

• The roots lose water vapor to the soil, and the stem loses water vapor through the leaves.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-3

The energy pyramid shows the energy made available by producers. (View Image)

Base on the energy flow between trophic levels in an energy pyramid, how much energy would be expected to be found at the secondary consumer level in this pyramid?

• 100 joules

• 500 joules

• 1,000 joules

• 50 joules

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

The diagram shows a partial East Texas food web. (View Image)

Which list correctly classifies these organisms?

• Producers: Striped skunks, great horned owls, red-tailed hawks

  Primary Consumers: Striped skunks, Louisiana milk snakes

  Secondary Consumers: Field sparrows, white-tailed deer, eastern gray squirrels, white-footed mice, beetles, ants

  Top Predators: Longleaf woodoats, water oaks

• Producers: Longleaf woodoats, water oaks

  Primary Consumers: Field sparrow, white-footed mice, beetles, ants

  Secondary Consumers: Striped skunks, Louisiana milk snakes, eastern gray squirrels, white-tailed deer

  Top Predators: Striped skunks, great horned owls, red-tailed hawks

• Producers: Longleaf woodoats, water oaks

  Primary Consumers: Field sparrows, white-tailed deer, eastern gray squirrels, white-footed mice, beetles, ants

  Secondary Consumers: Striped skunks, Louisiana milk snakes

  Top Predators: Great horned owls, red-tailed hawks

• Producers: Longleaf woodoats, water oaks, beetles, ants

  Primary Consumers: Field sparrows, white-tailed deer, eastern gray squirrels, white-footed mice

  Secondary Consumers: Striped skunks, Louisiana milk snakes

  Top Predators: Striped skunks, great horned owls, red-tailed hawks

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-3