Biology Mock STAAR exam 2023

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

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

• An environment that remains in stasis

• An environment that undergoes steady changes over time

• An environment that undergoes rapid large-scale destructive change

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

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

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

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

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.

Based on the student’s model and your knowledge of the biological process, which person or object represents tRNA?

(review the image carefully)

• The cashier

• The grocery list

• The shopper

• The shopping cart

Students investigate osmosis using dialysis tubing. Dialysis tubing is a semipermeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass through while preventing salt ions from passing through. 

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

(review the image carefully)

• Beaker 1

• Beaker 2

• Beaker 3

• Beaker 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-2

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?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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

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

• Insertion

• Translocation

• Substitution

• Deletion

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

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