Biology STAAR Category

Deforestation by burning has been described as a "double whammy" to the environment, meaning it has 2 negative impacts. Why is this description accurate? 

• Forest burning releases CO₂ while decreasing oxygen, which disrupts cycles

• Deforestation reduces the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, which depletes the ozone layer

• Forest clearing is often followed by land development, which often leads to increased noise pollution

• Deforestation increases the number of plant and animal species by destroying habitat

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

• 10%

• 20%

• 80%

• 50%

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The number of species within a specific habitat.

• Conservation

• Sustainable development

• Biodiversity

• Preservation

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Grass>>>>>mouse>>>>>cat>>>>>coyote.  The coyote is a

• primary consumer

• producer

• second level consumer

• tertiary consumer

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Which will most likely cause an increase in the frequency of genetic mutations in humans?

• increased exposure to mold spores in the air

• increased exposure to the rising levels of atmospheric CO2

• increased exposure to bacteria in drinking water

• increased exposure to X-rays

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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.

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Scientists are studying the effects of climate change on the Baltic Sea. Some scientist predict that if current trends continue, the Baltic sea will become less salty, and it will contain less dissolved oxygen. As a result of theses changes, the Baltic Sea will have less biodiversity. The location of the Baltic Sea is shown on the map below. Which statement best explains why biodiversity in the Baltic Sea could decrease f these changes occur?

• Fewer types of plants and animals are found in warm water than in cool water.

• Plants and animals adapted for living in saltwater will grow more slowly in water that has less salt.

• Plants and animals adapted for living in saltier conditions will not be able to survive and reproduce.

• Animals adapted for living in warm water will eat all of the plants and animals adapted for living in cool water.

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Which statement best describes how a virus replicates?

• A virus divides into two identical virus particles before infecting the host cell.

• A virus enters a host cell and uses the materials from the host cell to produce new virus particles.

• Multiple virus particles fuse and form a large particle that breaks apart, releasing new virus particles.

• Multiple virus particles break down in component parts, which then reassemble into new copies of the virus.

Answer explanation

Viruses cannot replicate on their own. They enter host cells. Once inside, they use the materials and metabolic pathways from the host cells and incorporate the viral RNA or DNA into the host cells to replicate new virus particles.

When a stem cell divides, it produces two daughter cells. One daughter cell will remain a stem cell, while the other daughter cell will differentiate into a specialized cell. Which factor will most directly determine what type of specialized cell will be produced?

• The size of the cell.

• The length of the cell cycle.

• They number of chromosomes that are replicated.

• The genes that are expressed.

Answer explanation

The genes that are expressed are directly responsible for the function of a cell.

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Scientists determined the total mass of DNA from a sample of animal cells. The masses of equal numbers of cells were taken during three different stages of the cell cycle. Stage I contains cells massed during G1 of the cell cycle. Which statement best describes the cells during Stage II?

• The cells have replicated their DNA, but have not completed mitosis and cytokinesis.

• The cells have completed mitosis and cytokinesis without replicating their DNA.

• The cells have replicated their DNA and completed mitosis and cytokinesis.

• The cells have temporarily exited the cell cycle without replicating their DNA.

Answer explanation

During Stage II, the cells have replicated their DNA, but have not completed mitosis and cytokinesis. Therefore, the mass of DNA is double the mass of the DNA in stages I and III.

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