STAAR Biology Practice Assessment

A scientist is examining an unknown cell using an electron microscope. Which observed structure would indicate that the cell is MOST LIKELY prokaryotic?

• Mitochondrion

• Free-floating DNA

• Chloroplast

• Membrane-bound nucleus

Tags

Bio.1.B.4.A

Which environmental condition would MOST LIKELY result in the appearance of punctuated equilibrium in the fossil record?

• An environment that remains in a state of stasis

• An environment that undergoes steady changes over time

• An environment that experiences rapid large-scale destructive change

• An environment with many transitional fossils

Tags

Bio.3.B.7.B

A student is sweating after playing basketball. Which body systems are MOST DIRECTLY interacting as a response to maintain homeostasis?

• Digestive and circulatory systems

• Immune and integumentary systems

• Nervous and integumentary systems

• Circulatory and nervous systems

Tags

Bio.4.B.10.A

Ringworm is a common skin infection that appears as an itchy, red rash on exposed human skin. It is caused by approximately 40 different species of fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi require keratin, which is present in human skin, for growth and reproduction. Which term describes the relationship between dermatophytes and humans?

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

• Predation

Tags

Bio.5.B.12.A

A student makes a model to compare the process of transcription and translation to the process of using a grocery store that prepares orders for customers. A customer makes a copy of a grocery list at home. The customer drives the grocery list to the grocery store. The customer gives the grocery list to a cashier at the store. A shopper picks up the items and brings them to the cashier. The cashier assembles the order and a shopping cart with the order is produced. Based on the student’s model and your knowledge of the biological process, which person or object represents tRNA?

• The cashier

• The grocery list

• The shopper

• The shopping cart

Tags

Bio.2.B.6.C

In which beaker will osmosis cause expansion of the dialysis tubing bag?

• Beaker 1

• Beaker 2

• Beaker 3

• Beaker 4

Tags

Bio.1.B.4.B

Leguminous plants, such as bean plants, share a mutualistic relationship with certain rhizobium bacteria. The plants develop harmless nodules on their roots, where the bacteria live. In return, the bacteria convert an important element from the atmosphere into a nutrient form that the plants can use.

What essential element is converted to a useable form by the rhizobium bacteria? Record your answer in the space provided.

Tags

Bio.5.B.11.A

Which organ and tissue interact MOST DIRECTLY to absorb and transport water and dissolved minerals inside a plant?

• Flower and phloem

• Root and phloem

• Flower and xylem

• Root and xylem

Tags

Bio.4.B.10.B

Which type of mutation is LEAST LIKELY to result in a frameshift mutation?

• Insertion

• Translocation

• Substitution

• Deletion

Tags

Bio.2.B.6.E

Which two components are MOST LIKELY found in both viruses and prokaryotic cells?

• Nucleic acids and carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates and lipids

• Lipids and proteins

• Proteins and nucleic acids

Tags

Bio.1.B.4.C