Florida Biology EOC Practice Test

Nathan is comparing the cells from a species of amoeba with a species of bacteria. Both species are unicellular, meaning individuals exist as a single cell.

Which characteristic of the cells should Nathan expect to be the same in both species?

• the size and shape of the cell
• the method of reproduction, or making more cells of the species.
• the organization of DNA into structures such as chromosomes and the cell nucleus
• the genetic code that is used by DNA and RNA to direct protein synthesis

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NGSS.MS-LS1-1

Water has a variety of unique properties, including a low melting point, ability to dissolve other substances, and strong adhesion and cohesion. Which statement is MOST useful for explaining the unique properties of water?

• Water molecules are nonpolar, so a very minimal electrical force attracts them to one another.
• Water molecules may sometimes gain or lose an oxygen atom to become ions, which are held together by ionic bonds.
• Water molecules are held together by hydrogen bonds, which are attractive forces stronger than ionic bonds.
• Water molecules are held together by hydrogen bonds, which are attractive forces weaker than covalent bonds.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-1

What is shown by the arrow labeled "Activation energy"?

• the energy released by the reaction
• the energy absorbed by the reaction
• the input of energy needed for the reaction to begin
• the sum of the energies of the reactants and products

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NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Which event is occurring because of increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

• an increase in the greenhouse effect
• a decrease in oxygen levels in the atmosphere
• a decrease in the thickness and size of the ozone layer
• an increase in the amount of sunlight that reaches Earth's surface

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Simon is comparing the communities of living things that live in two bodies of water: a long river, and the ocean bay just beyond the mouth of the river. Comparing which of these abiotic factors would be most useful for Simon to explain the differences in the communities? Assume that the water is unaffected by pollution.

• the salinity of the water
• the volume of water in each ecosystem
• the rate of evaporation of the water
• the sediments that are deposited on the river bottom or ocean floor

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NGSS.HS-LS2-1

Which process occurs only in autotrophs, and never in heterotrophs?

• protein synthesis
• food digestion
• cellular respiration
• photosynthesis

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

The carbon cycle involves a variety of processes that transfer carbon among Earth systems. Many of these processes also transfer which other element?

• oxygen, which bonds with carbon in carbon dioxide
• nitrogen, which bonds with carbon in amino acids
• phosphorus, which bonds with carbon in DNA
• chlorine, which bonds with carbon in a variety of compounds

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A population of seals live along the rocky shores of the northern coast of California. The seals hunt and eat fish that they catch in the water. As the population increases in size, which of these events becomes more likely to occur?

• The seal population expands onto land, and the growth rate continues to increase.
• A severe storm or a tidal wave acts to reduce the seal population by 25 percent.
• Competition for food acts to slow the growth rate of the population.
• Infectious diseases stop spreading through the population as the seals develop resistance to them.

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NGSS.HS-LS2-2

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

Mary is arguing that sea otters are a keystone species in the coastal ecosystem where they live. Which of the following statements provides the strongest evidence for Mary's argument?

• The sea otters are the largest population of mammals in the ecosystem.
• Unlike other ecosystem members, sea otters spend time both in the water and on land.
• Many other species depend either directly or indirectly on the sea otter population.
• The sea otter population increases or decreases with population changes of its food source.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Jorge is studying a pond ecosystem in his neighborhood. The pond is home to a variety of plant and animal species, as well as a stop for birds that migrate through the region.

One summer, heavy rains wash an unusual amount of fertilizer into the pond. Jorge observes the algae population growing rapidly, and quickly algae cover the pond's surface. Several weeks later, many fish and other animals die in the pond. However, within two years, the algae population has returned to its previous size, as have the populations of all the ecosystem members.

• The pond ecosystem has very high biodiversity that protects it from invasive species.
• The pond ecosystem is resilient to changes in many abiotic and biotic factors.
• The pond ecosystem can withstand only certain levels of algal growth.
• The pond ecosystem may change over time, but its species will continue living there indefinitely.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4