Biology STAAR Questions

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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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

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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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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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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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Arthropods are joint-legged animals. Spiders, crabs, pill bugs, centipedes, and millipedes are examples of the many types of arthropods. Which of these arthropods are most closely related?

• Arthropods of the same family
• Arthropods of the same class
• Arthropods of the same genus
• Arthropods of the same species

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Plant hormones serve as chemical messengers between cells and tissues. Auxin is a plant hormone that causes the cells on the shady side of a plant shoot to elongate. The response enabled by auxin is known as —

• geotropism
• thigmotropism
• phototropism
• photosynthesis

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5 Health-care workers are exposed to many different types of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms. Which body systems work together to protect the body from pathogens?

• Muscular and vascular

• Digestive and excretory

• Circulatory and immune

• Endocrine and reproductive

15 The picture shows bean-shaped glands called nodes. The clusters of cells in nodes include macrophages that break down viruses and other potentially harmful materials. Nodes also contain cells that produce protein particles capable of capturing harmful materials that flow in tissue fluid through the nodes. Different parts of the body are drained by nodes in different regions of the body.

Which body systems are directly responsible for regulating these nodes and protecting the body from harmful materials in tissue fluid?

• Immune and lymphatic systems

• Digestive and nervous systems

• Endocrine and digestive systems

• Circulatory and nervous systems

20 The diagram demonstrates a feedback process involving antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH increases the permeability of parts of the nephrons of the kidney, resulting in less water in the urine.

This feedback loop is likely to be activated when —

• the body experiences dehydration

• blood glucose levels are stable

• body temperature drops

• the urinary tract is infected

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