Middle School MCAS Life Science

Which is the best conclusion that can be drawn from this evidence?

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms eat the same types of food

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms live in a similar environment

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms share a recent common ancestor

• Having similar embryos indicates that a certain protein will determine how many legs the adult will have

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

Select 2 changes that would most likely lead to a decrease in the sea otter population.

• A law is passed that results in less fishing in the area

• Warmer ocean temperatures cause more algae to grow in the area

• Chemical runoff from a factory kills many crabs and small fish in the area

• An invasive species of sea star that preys on sea urchins moves into the area

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

A small number of people have an inherited mutation that decreases the likelihood of heart disease. The mutation causes the amino acid cystine to be replaced by arginine. Which of the following is most likely responsible for this mutation?

• A large protein with a longer polypeptide chain

• The duplication of a chromosome in the genome

• The crossing over of a chromosome in the genome

• A substitution of one nucleotide in the DNA sequence

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

Which of the following shows the stages of mitosis in the correct order?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-4

Which of the following best describes a result of mitosis?

• Organisms whose genetic diversity increases over time

• Daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell

• Gametes with combinations of alleles absent in the parent cell

• Chromosomes that carry different genetic instructions to each cell

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-4

Which sequence best shows the result of transcription for the section of DNA?

• AGC TAT AGG

• UCG AUA UCC

• TCG ATA TCC

• AGC UAU AGG

A plant is sprayed with atrazine, which prevents the chemical reactions that use energy from sunlight. The production of which 2 substances will be decreased when the plant is sprayed?

• DNA

• oxygen

• carbon dioxide

• glucose

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

Genetic engineering is a process used to introduce a new trait into an individual organism or into a population of organisms. Inherited traits are passed from parents to offspring through:

• Genes

• Proteins

• Lipids

• Red blood cells

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

For a genetically engineered trait to be inherited by offspring, the genetically engineered DNA must be present in the parents':

• blood cells

• saliva

• skin cells

• gametes

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

This graph shows the changes in the population size of a mammal species introduced onto an isolated island in 1957. Which of the following is best supported by the data?

• Every year, more individuals were born than died

• A predator was removed from the island in 1990

• In the 1980s, the mammal's population size stayed around its carrying capacity

• The population decreases were the result of low immigration rates

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-1

NGSS.HS-LS2-2