Biology STAAR Quiz 1 2018

The diagram illustrates the activity of vesicles during a cellular process.

Which statement best explains the function of the vesicles?

• Delivering packaged materials to the Golgi apparatus for protein synthesis

• Exchanging genetic information between the Golgi apparatuses of separate cells

• Extracting portions of the Golgi apparatus to be regenerated for growth within the cell

• Transporting packaged molecules from the Golgi apparatus to be released out of the cel

A mutation in which types of cells would only affect the organism and not future generations?

• Egg cell and liver cell

• Sperm cell and egg cell

• Nerve cell and brain cell

• Sperm cell and lung cell

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Scientists can determine relatedness among organisms by comparing partial amino acid sequences. The table shows four partial amino acid sequences from four organisms.

Which organism is the LEAST related to the other three organisms?

• Organism 1

• Organism 2

• Organism 3

• Organism 4

The white cattail is a hybrid species of plant that is a result of the cross between the broad-leaved cattail and the narrow-leaved cattail. Over time, the white cattail has established itself in the wetlands of Midwestern states. Which of these explains the success of the white cattail?

• Favorable genes from parental generations provide advantageous characteristics to the hybrid species.

• Hybridization produces offspring traits that allow different species to survive in extreme environments.

• Inherited traits passed on from parental generations make hybrid species more susceptible to disease.

• Hybrid species display more adaptations due to their reduced genetic diversity.

In the mid-1980s an aggressive strain of algae known as Caulerpa was accidentally introduced into the Mediterranean Sea when a seaside aquarium cleaned out its tanks. The algae contains a toxin that prevents native herbivores from consuming it. Caulerpa quickly spread over the sea floor, crowding out many species including sponges, corals, sea fans, and lobsters. Which statement explains the most likely impact Caulerpa has had on the biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea?

• The presence of Caulerpa within an ecosystem is an indicator of the ecosystem’s health.

• The spread of Caulerpa improved the habitat for many species of sea grasses, and increased the biodiversity.

• Caulerpa interbred with native species with the same adaptations within the ecosystem.

• Caulerpa became dominant within the ecosystem and reduced the biodiversity.

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In the 1880s, Louis Pasteur developed a method of weakening viruses. The weakened viruses could be injected into healthy individuals. How is this method effective in fighting viral diseases?

• The immune system develops antibodies in response to the weakened viruses.

• The weakened viruses attach to unaffected viruses in the host and interrupt the viral reproductive cycle.

• The rate of genetic mutation in the host is decreased due to the introduction of weakened viruses.

• Weakened viruses are unable to enter the host organism.

In humans blood type is determined by the A, B, and O alleles. The A and B alleles are codominant to each other and dominant over the O allele. An individual with the AO genotype and an individual with the BO genotype can produce offspring with which of the following phenotypes?

• O only

• A or B only

• A, B, or O only

• A, B, AB, or O

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

A student used a microscope to study four members of the phylum Ciliophora. Members of this phylum move when propelled by hundreds of tiny cilia.

Although these organisms belong to the same phylum, they are classified as different

• families

• species

• kingdoms

• orders

The female reproductive and endocrine systems work interactively for which main purpose?

• To maintain homeostasis by removing waste products from the body

• To release neurotransmitters during times of stress

• To control hormone levels to prepare the body for pregnancy

• To exchange gases to support cellular aerobic respiration

Which of these best demonstrates mutualism between certain types of bacteria and humans?

• Intestinal bacteria obtain nutrients from the gut and produce vitamin K used by humans.

• Bacteria become resistant to antibacterial medication that humans use for treatment.

• Invasive bacteria at an area of injury produce toxins that damage healthy tissues of the human body.

• Bacteria in improperly prepared food is consumed by humans, causing food poisoning