Biology Staar Review Category 1

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.

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

Some students used vinegar to dissolve away the shells of three eggs and used the eggs as models of human red blood cells. The students observed the changes in the eggs when they were placed in different solutions. (View Image)

Which statement best describes the role of the cell membrane in this model?

• The cell membrane is an impermeable barrier that prevents water from entering the cell.

• The cell membrane allows solutes to enter the cell, which causes the cell to shrink.

• The cell membrane allows water to enter and leave the cell.

• The cell membrane removes solutes from the environment.

The diagram shows cells in different phases of mitosis. A student is trying to find a cell in a particular phase of mitosis. The student is looking for evidence that spindle fibers are separating the chromosomes to ensure that each new nucleus has one copy of each chromosome. (View Image)

Which cell is in the phase of mitosis that the student is searching for?

• Cell 1

• Cell 2

• Cell 3

• Cell 4

The diagram represents one way an enzyme can be inhibited. (View Image)

Which statement explains the effect of an inhibitor on an enzyme?

• A substrate will be able to bond with the enzyme.

• The enzyme will likely be attacked by immune cells.

• The enzyme will be unable to produce more enzymes.

• A substrate will be unable to attach to the enzyme.

A cladogram of five species is shown. Based on the diagram, the ancestral species most likely had -

• a vertebral column

• a vertebral column and hair

• sharp teeth and retractable claws

• the ability to purr

Farmers spray pesticides on their plants to protect the plants from being eaten by insects. Some individual insects have a genetic mutation that makes them resistant to the toxins in the pesticides. Which statement best describes how only a few resistant individuals resulted in the pesticide becoming ineffective?

• The resistant insects change the toxin on the plants, making it safe for others.

• The resistant insects grow larger and eat less of the plants.

• The resistant insects eat the contaminated surface and leave the rest for others.

• The resistant insects are able to survive to reproduce and create a population that is also resistant.

Based on the information provided, which two species are most closely related? LOOK CAREFULLY

• Northern cricket frog and bullfrog

• Northern leopard frog and green treefrog

• Northern cricket frog and green treefrog

• Northern leopard frog and bullfrog

Based on the diagram, which two populations best represent trophic levels that RECIEVE the LEAST amount the total energy provided to the ecosystem by the grass?

• Crickets and sparrows

• Toads and spiders

• Rabbits and mice

• Hognose snakes and owls

When cells lose their ability to regulate the cell cycle, they divide at accelerated rate and form a mass of cells. This mass of cells is referred to as -

• a tumor

• an embryo

• a gland

• an organ