Biology MCAS Test 2016

Which of the following are mainly cycled through the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration?

• carbon and sulfur

• carbon and oxygen

• nitrogen and sulfur

• nitrogen and oxygen

A mutation caused a phenotypic change in an organism’s offspring. The mutation most likely occurred in which type of cell from the parent?

• blood cell

• gamete

• neuron

• skin cell

Black bears can be found in several areas in Texas and Mexico. The size of one of these bear populations decreased when some individuals from the population moved to another area.

Based on this information, what caused a decrease in the size of this bear population?

• emigration

• extinction

• natural selection

• speciation

A company provides genetic analysis to people who want to learn more about their ancestors. One couple sent the company samples of their biological children’s cells as well as samples of their own cells for testing. Which of the following describes how the genetic material in the chromosomes of the children will compare to the genetic material in the chromosomes of the parents?

• Each child will have all of the mother’s genetic material and all of the father’s genetic material.

• The daughters will have exactly the same genetic material as the mother, and the sons will have exactly the same genetic material as the father.

• About half of the genetic material in each child will be the same as the mother’s, and about half of the genetic material will be the same as the father’s.

• Half of the children will have exactly the same genetic material as the mother, and half of the children will have exactly the same genetic material as the father.

A scientist concludes that two organisms belong to the same species within the class Mammalia. Which of the following observations most likely led the scientist to conclude that the organisms are the same species?

• The organisms move in the same way

• The organisms live in the same habitat.

• The organisms are nocturnal and carnivorous.

• The organisms mate and produce fertile offspring.

In betta fish, alleles for color are incompletely dominant. Green fish have genotype CC, dark blue fish have genotype cc, and royal blue fish have genotype Cc. Two royal blue betta fish are crossed. What percentage of the offspring is expected to be green?

• 0%

• 25%

• 50%

• 75%

A cell from an organism has the structures listed.

The organism is most likely classified as which of the following?

• animal

• bacterium

• fungus

• plant

Cholesterol is a waxy, organic substance found in body cells and in blood. The human body uses cholesterol to make cell membranes, vitamin D, hormones, and bile (a liver product). There are two major types of cholesterol, both produced by the liver. • LDL cholesterol is called “bad cholesterol.” Excess amounts of LDL cholesterol in the blood mix with other substances and stick to the walls of arteries. The arteries become narrow and lose flexibility as these cholesterol layers build up and harden (a condition called atherosclerosis). • HDL cholesterol is called “good cholesterol.” HDL cholesterol can help transport LDL cholesterol out of the blood to be processed and eliminated from the body. Total cholesterol levels in the body can be affected by genetics and diet. For example, a person may inherit genes that result in low cholesterol or high cholesterol; or a person may eat large amounts of animal products, such as meat, dairy, and eggs, that are high in cholesterol. Exercise, medications, or changes in diet may help lower LDL blood cholesterol levels in humans. Increasing the amount of fiber in a diet, for example, is one specific action that may lower LDL cholesterol levels.

What is the typical path that dietary cholesterol takes through the digestive system, from the mouth to where it is absorbed into the bloodstream?

• mouth → esophagus → pharynx → small intestine → stomach

• mouth → pharynx → esophagus → small intestine → stomach

• mouth → pharynx → esophagus → stomach → small intestine

• mouth → esophagus → stomach → pharynx → small intestine

Cholesterol is a waxy, organic substance found in body cells and in blood. The human body uses cholesterol to make cell membranes, vitamin D, hormones, and bile (a liver product). There are two major types of cholesterol, both produced by the liver. • LDL cholesterol is called “bad cholesterol.” Excess amounts of LDL cholesterol in the blood mix with other substances and stick to the walls of arteries. The arteries become narrow and lose flexibility as these cholesterol layers build up and harden (a condition called atherosclerosis). • HDL cholesterol is called “good cholesterol.” HDL cholesterol can help transport LDL cholesterol out of the blood to be processed and eliminated from the body. Total cholesterol levels in the body can be affected by genetics and diet. For example, a person may inherit genes that result in low cholesterol or high cholesterol; or a person may eat large amounts of animal products, such as meat, dairy, and eggs, that are high in cholesterol. Exercise, medications, or changes in diet may help lower LDL blood cholesterol levels in humans. Increasing the amount of fiber in a diet, for example, is one specific action that may lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol belongs to which category of organic molecules?

• carbohydrates

• lipids

• nucleic acids

• proteins

Cholesterol is a waxy, organic substance found in body cells and in blood. The human body uses cholesterol to make cell membranes, vitamin D, hormones, and bile (a liver product). There are two major types of cholesterol, both produced by the liver. • LDL cholesterol is called “bad cholesterol.” Excess amounts of LDL cholesterol in the blood mix with other substances and stick to the walls of arteries. The arteries become narrow and lose flexibility as these cholesterol layers build up and harden (a condition called atherosclerosis). • HDL cholesterol is called “good cholesterol.” HDL cholesterol can help transport LDL cholesterol out of the blood to be processed and eliminated from the body. Total cholesterol levels in the body can be affected by genetics and diet. For example, a person may inherit genes that result in low cholesterol or high cholesterol; or a person may eat large amounts of animal products, such as meat, dairy, and eggs, that are high in cholesterol. Exercise, medications, or changes in diet may help lower LDL blood cholesterol levels in humans. Increasing the amount of fiber in a diet, for example, is one specific action that may lower LDL cholesterol levels

Which of the following changes will most likely decrease the risk of atherosclerosis?

• decreasing the permeability of cells’ plasma membranes

• slowing the rate at which vitamins and hormones are produced

• raising the amount of HDL cholesterol released into blood

• increasing the rate at which LDL cholesterol is produced by the liver