Biology Mock STAAR Review (Exam 2)

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 cell

Answer explanation

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

Based on these data, this enzyme functions best at what temperature and pH?

• Temperature of 27°C and a pH of 4

• Temperature of 37°C and a pH of 6

• Temperature of 40°C and a pH of 8

• Temperature of 50°C and a pH of 10

Answer explanation

Based on the data, the enzyme has the highest rate of reaction at 37 °C and at a pH of 6, which indicates the enzyme works best where the rate is highest.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-5

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

Answer explanation

Organism 2 does not share any amino acids in the same sequence as the other organisms presented in the table, indicating that it is the least related to the other organisms.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

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.

Answer explanation

Antibodies are created by the immune system in response to the virus. When the individual comes in contact with the virus again, the immune system "remembers" the virus to produce antigen-specific antibodies to attack the virus quickly and efficiently.

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.

Answer explanation

In mutualistic relationships, both species benefit. Intestinal bacteria are benefited by receiving nutrients from the gut, and humans benefit from the relationship by receiving vitamin K from the bacteria.

Which of these is the correct amino acid chain produced from the DNA template strand?

3’ TCC AAT GGC TTA TTT GCA 5’

• Arginine - Leucine - Proline - Asparagine - Lysine - Arginine

• Tryptophan - Phenylalanine - Leucine - Glycine - Asparagine - Phenylalanine

• Serine - Leucine - Proline - Asparagine - Lysine - Arginine

• Tryptophan - Phenylalanine - Leucine - Glycine - Asparagine - Serine

Answer explanation

The DNA template strand codes for the amino acid chain,

Arginine-Leucine-Proline-Asparagine-Lysine-Arginine, as shown.

DNA Template: 3'TCC AAT GGC TTA TTT GCA5' (remember you have to transcribe to mRNA first)

mRNA: 5'AGG UUA CCG AAU AAA CGU3' (remember you have to use the mRNA strand to find the amino acid)

amino acid: Arginine- Leucine- Proline- Asparagine- Lysine- Arginine

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

Which statement best explains the importance of the root hairs to the stems and leaves of the plant?

• Root hairs convert minerals into glucose for immediate use by cells.

• Root hairs decrease the need for osmosis and diffusion in vascular tissue.

• Root hairs prevent water loss in leaves through transpiration and gas exchange.

• Root hairs increase the surface area of the roots for nutrient and water absorption.

Answer explanation

Root hairs are tiny tube-like structures that increase the surface area of the roots, which increases absorption of nutrients and water.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-4

The Himalayan rabbit’s habitat has cold, snowy winters and mild summers. The body is typically covered in white fur except for the nose, feet, tail, and ears, which are covered in black fur.

A scientist shaved an area of white fur on the back of a Himalayan rabbit and placed an ice pack over the shaved area. The shaved area grew black fur. Which of these best explains why the hair that grew back where the ice pack was placed was black and not white?

• The genes for black hair were activated by specific temperatures.

• The white hair mutated to black hair as the rabbit’s body temperature decreased.

• The coat color changed from white to black with the age of the rabbit.

• White hair only grows during certain times of the year.

Answer explanation

The temperature of the ice pack activated the genes for black hair.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

The human body is composed of organ systems. Which list represents a system organized from least to most complex?

• Integumentary system o skin cell o hair o sweat glands

Answer explanation

Many cells with the same function form tissues. Different tissues with similar functions form an organ, and many different organs that work together form an organ system.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-2

Based on this cladogram, which statement best describes relationships among millipede orders?

• Stemmiulida is more closely related to Merocheta than Penicillata is to Merocheta.

• Spirostreptida is more closely related to Glomerida than Sphaerotheriida is to Glomerida.

• Polyzoniida is more closely related to Glomeridesmida than Sphaerotheriida is to Glomeridesmida.

• Merocheta is more closely related to Glomeridesmida than Glomerida is to Glomeridesmida.

Answer explanation

Stemmiulida and Merocheta share four common ancestors (as represented by the nodes) on the cladogram, while Penicillata and Merocheta share only one common ancestor

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2