Comprehensive Biology Test: Missouri Standard LS3.A.1

How do the structures of plant and animal cells differ in terms of organelles involved in energy conversion?

• Plant cells have mitochondria, while animal cells do not.

• Animal cells have chloroplasts, while plant cells do not.

• Plant cells have both mitochondria and chloroplasts, while animal cells only have mitochondria.

• Animal cells have both mitochondria and chloroplasts, while plant cells only have chloroplasts.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Explain how genetic variation within a population can affect the survival of a species in a changing environment.

• Genetic variation decreases the likelihood of survival as it leads to more competition.

• Genetic variation increases the likelihood of survival as it provides a wider range of traits for adaptation.

• Genetic variation has no effect on survival as environmental changes are random.

• Genetic variation only affects survival in stable environments.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Analyze the role of keystone species in maintaining the structure of an ecosystem.

• Keystone species are the most abundant species in an ecosystem.

• Keystone species have little impact on the ecosystem structure.

• Keystone species play a critical role in maintaining the balance and diversity of an ecosystem.

• Keystone species are always top predators.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Describe the process of photosynthesis and its importance to the energy flow in an ecosystem.

• Photosynthesis converts chemical energy into light energy, which is used by plants.

• Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose, which is used by plants and other organisms.

• Photosynthesis converts light energy into thermal energy, which is dissipated into the environment.

• Photosynthesis converts chemical energy into thermal energy, which is used by animals.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Evaluate the impact of human activities on biodiversity and suggest strategies to mitigate these effects.

• Human activities have no significant impact on biodiversity.

• Human activities increase biodiversity by creating new habitats.

• Human activities often decrease biodiversity through habitat destruction and pollution; strategies include conservation and sustainable practices.

• Human activities only affect biodiversity in urban areas.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Discuss how natural selection leads to evolution and provide an example.

• Natural selection leads to evolution by random chance, without any specific traits being favored.

• Natural selection leads to evolution by favoring traits that increase an organism's fitness in a specific environment, such as the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

• Natural selection leads to evolution by eliminating all genetic variation.

• Natural selection leads to evolution by favoring traits that decrease an organism's fitness.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

How does the structure of the cell membrane contribute to its function in regulating the movement of substances into and out of the cell?

• The cell membrane is rigid and impermeable, preventing any movement of substances.

• The cell membrane is composed of a lipid bilayer with embedded proteins that facilitate selective permeability.

• The cell membrane is a single layer of lipids that allows all substances to pass freely.

• The cell membrane is composed of proteins only, which block all substances.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Analyze the relationship between cellular respiration and photosynthesis in the carbon cycle.

• Cellular respiration and photosynthesis are unrelated processes.

• Photosynthesis releases carbon dioxide, which is used in cellular respiration to produce glucose.

• Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide into glucose, which is then used in cellular respiration to release energy and carbon dioxide.

• Cellular respiration converts glucose into carbon dioxide, which is then used in photosynthesis to release energy.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Evaluate the evidence supporting the theory of evolution, including fossil records and genetic data.

• Fossil records and genetic data provide no evidence for evolution.

• Fossil records show a progression of species over time, and genetic data reveal similarities in DNA sequences among different species, supporting the theory of evolution.

• Fossil records show no change in species over time, and genetic data are irrelevant to evolution.

• Fossil records and genetic data contradict each other, disproving evolution.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

How do mutations contribute to genetic variation and the process of natural selection?

• Mutations decrease genetic variation and hinder natural selection.

• Mutations increase genetic variation by introducing new traits, which can be acted upon by natural selection.

• Mutations have no effect on genetic variation or natural selection.

• Mutations only occur in response to environmental changes.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking