STAAR Biology

What type of organism is known to break down bare rock during primary succession?

• lichen

• grasses

• insects

• deciduous trees

Answer explanation

Lichen is known to break down bare rock during primary succession by secreting acids that weather the rock and create soil for other plants to grow.

According to the food web, which of these supply energy for all the other organisms?     

• snakes

• insects

• grasses

• cougars

Answer explanation

Grasses supply energy for all the other organisms in the food web, making them the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Striped fish are affected by abiotic and biotic factors in the environment.  Which of these factors is biotic?

• water temperature

• mineral nutrients

• algae

• sediment

Answer explanation

The biotic factor among the given options is algae, as it is a living organism that directly interacts with the striped fish in the environment.

Refer to the illustration above. Level “A” is composed of

• secondary consumers

• primary consumers

• producers

• predators

Answer explanation

Level 'A' is composed of producers, which are organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

The diagram represents a food chain. The arrows in the diagram indicate the  

• 
  return of chemical substances to the environment

• order of importance of the various organisms.  

• direction of energy flow through a series of organisms

• direction in which organisms move in the environment. 

Answer explanation

The arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of energy flow through a series of organisms, showing how energy is transferred from one organism to another in the food chain.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The amount of energy that usually transfers from one trophic level to the next...

• 10%

• 20%

• 80%

• 50%

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 10% because only a small amount of energy (around 10%) transfers from one trophic level to the next due to energy loss through respiration, heat, and waste.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The number of species within a specific habitat.

• Conservation

• Sustainable development

• Biodiversity

• Preservation

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Biodiversity' as it refers to the variety of species within a specific habitat.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

All energy originates from ?

• food

• the sun

• mitochondria

• consumers

Answer explanation

All energy originates from the sun, as it is the primary source of energy for most living organisms through processes like photosynthesis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Which of the following would be the most likely effect, if there were a sudden increase in the cricket population?

• There would be a decrease in the small bird population.

• There would be a decrease in the grass/flowers population.

• There would be a decrease in the mice population.

• There would be an increase in the grass/flowers population.

Answer explanation

A sudden increase in the cricket population would likely lead to a decrease in the grass/flowers population as crickets feed on vegetation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What type of succession is shown going from figure A to figure B?

• primary succession

• ecological succession

• secondary succession

• intermediate

Answer explanation

The correct type of succession shown going from figure A to figure B is secondary succession, where new growth occurs after a disturbance in an area that already has soil.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4