Biology Milestone Practice Test Part B

The common cuckoo is a parasitic bird that lays its eggs in the nests of host birds. The cuckoo's ability to copy the marking patterns on host birds' eggs has evolved over time. However, the egg patterns of most bird species have also evolved, making them harder to copy and easier for parents to recognize. When host birds do not recognize an egg in their nest, they push it out of the nest. When host birds fail to reject a cuckoo egg, they care for the extra egg, and when it hatches, the baby cuckoo pushes the host birds eggs out of the nest. The table shows the rate at which three host species recognize their own eggs and the rate at which it rejects the cuckoo's eggs. Based on the data, the ​ (a)   has co-evolved with cuckoos over the longest. Because it has a ​ (b)   developed ability to produce recognizable eggs and the ​ (c)   rejection rate of cuckoo eggs. The co-evolution of genetic traits that allows cuckoos to copy host eggs and their hosts to produce recognizable eggs is a result of ​ (d)   because the genes of successful birds are passed on to offspring, ​ (e)   the frequency of the genes that cause those beneficial traits in these populations. Type question here including a ​

• red-backed shrike
• reed warbler
• highly
• poorly
• highest
• lowest
• natural selection
• genetic drift
• increasing
• decreasing

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Portions of the protein sequence alignments for a group of ciliates are shown. Which of the following cladograms BEST represents these data?

• 
• 
• 
• 

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A genome is the complete set of genetic material present in a species. Genome analysis usually includes the study of both the structure and the function of genes. Analysis of the structure involves determining the sequence of all genes and the chromosomes of individuals, and analysis of the function involves determining how the genes are expressed in an individual.

PART A: Use the drop down menus to explain how the two areas of genome analysis help researchers determine the sequence and patterns of expression of the genes in a species genome.

Analysis of genome structure and function helps researchers understand how the products of genes, ​ (a)   , interact during the ​ ​ (b)   of individuals of the species.

Part B: Use the drop down menu to explain how information about the genomes of different species could influence our understanding of genetics.

Understanding the structure and function of the genomes of species helps researchers determine ​ (c)   .

• proteins
• amino acids
• nucleic acids
• development
• mutation
• evolution
• how species are related to each other.
• how to prevent genetic mutations
• why some genes are passed on and others are not.
• why some species' traits don't change over time.

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The model shows part of a process that uses tRNA. Which description explains the role of the tRNA in the process shown in this model?

• The tRNA delivers amino acids to the ribosome so that they can be added to the developing peptide.

• The tRNA recognizes the stop codon of a developing peptide so that no new amino acids are added.

• The tRNA signals the release of the peptide from the ribosome once all of the amino acids have been added.

• The tRNA scans the developing peptide to make sure that the sequence of the amino acids matches the mRNA .

The diagram represents a model of how bacteria become resistant to an antibiotic, allowing bacteria to survive treatment.

Which BEST explains how the indicated step in the model allows bacteria to develop resistance?

• Genetic mutations that promote resistance occur

• The bacteria are infected by viruses that confer resistance

• Alleles for antibiotic resistance become dominant over recessive alleles

• A portion of the genetic material is re-replicated, allowing for resistance

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A student is performing an investigation using two solutions. The solution in the dialysis bag has a lower solute concentration in moles per liter (M) than the solution in the beaker.

The dialysis bag is ​ (a)   . The beaker solution is ​ (b)   . The water will move ​ (c)   .

• hypotonic
• hypertonic
• isotonic
• out of the dialysis bag
• into the dialysis bag
• into and out of the dialysis bag at the same rate

Hemoglobin is a protein found in the red blood cells of vertebrates and in the plasma of many invertebrates . The function of this protein is to transport oxygen throughout the body and to bring carbon dioxide back to be expelled from the organism . If the amino acid sequence of the protein is altered, the mutated protein is not as efficient at carrying oxygen as is the normal hemoglobin . Which argument is supported by this information?

• The mutated hemoglobin protein can still carry carbon dioxide to be expelled from the organism .

• Hemoglobin must be a simple molecule because it is found in both vertebrates and invertebrates.

• Structural changes of hemoglobin affect its ability to carry oxygen, indicating that the shape of a protein is important to its function .

• Normal hemoglobin must be a larger molecule than the mutated hemoglobin since it has sufficient space to attach to and carry both oxygen molecules and carbon dioxide molecules.

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A long-term study off the coast of Japan found that sea urchin populations are affected by harmful algal blooms known as red tides. Sea urchins are shallow water herbivores that play an important role in the structure of coastal marine communities. Red tides discolor the water, deplete oxygen levels in the water, and release harmful toxins into the water and air. Four main components are necessary for an algal population to bloom.

1. 1. The presence of certain algal species

2. 2. A major nutrient source

3. 3. Wind and water currents that move the algae close together

4. 4. Increasing water temperatures

Some human activities have a direct effect on the four components that increase the number of algal blooms. Other human activities can have an indirect effect that can be observed only over long periods of time. Which components are directly affected by human activities? Choose the TWO that apply.

• presence of algae

• nutrient sources

• wind and water currents

• water temperatures

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A long-term study off the coast of Japan found that sea urchin populations are affected by harmful algal blooms known as red tides. Sea urchins are shallow water herbivores that play an important role in the structure of coastal marine communities. Red tides discolor the water, deplete oxygen levels in the water, and release harmful toxins into the water and air. Four main components are necessary for an algal population to bloom.

1. 1. The presence of certain algal species

2. 2. A major nutrient source

3. 3. Wind and water currents that move the algae close together

4. 4. Increasing water temperatures

What TWO solutions would directly reduce the impact of human activities on the components that cause algal blooms.

• reduce overfishing in rivers and oceans

• reduce fertilizer runoff into rivers and oceans

• reduce the use of nonrenewable energy sources

• reduce the temperature of wastewater released into rivers and oceans

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

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Researchers recently compiled data about 2300 mammal species and 6700 bird species and determined that the number of species found had tropic latitudes is greater than the numbers found at temperate and polar latitudes. Which three statements best explain why biodiversity is greatest in the tropics?

Groups:

(a) Correct explanations

,

(b) Incorrect explanations

• There is less land in temperate and polar latitudes.

• There is a large amount of annual precipitation in tropic latitudes.

• Species in temperate and polar latitudes are better adapted to extreme weather.

• Regions near the equator have a longer growing season for plants.

• Tropic latitudes experience less seasonal changes in climate.

• Temperate and polar latitudes have a large amount of water from snow melt.

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