STAAR Biology

Overfishing is when fish are caught faster than they can reproduce, causing the decline of fish populations. Overfishing ​ (a)   the stability of the ecosystem by ​ (b)   .

• increases

• disrupting food chains

• decreases

• increasing competition for limited resources

• allowing prey populations to overproduce

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Reorder the following traits from oldest to youngest.

• four limbs

• sharp teeth

• vertebral column

• retractable claws

• hair

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Eukaryotic cells have ​ (a)   and DNA in the ​ (b)   . Prokaryotic cells have ​ (c)   and DNA in the ​ (d)   .

• membrane-bound nuclei or organelles

• nucleus

• NO membrane-bound nuclei or organelles

• cytoplasm

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NGSS.MS-LS1-2

Snowshoe hares change coat color during the year. In the summer, when there is no snow on the ground, their coat is brown. In the winter when there is snow, their coat is white. Which describes the genetic basis for seasonal changes in coat color?

• The snow causes mutations in the genes

• The genes are regulated by hormone signals that are altered by changes in the environment

• Sunlight causes cancer cells to develop

• The genes are deleted during the summer

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Two plants are grown together for a time and then separated. Plant 2 is a parasite of Plant 1. Which graph depicts the growth of Plant 1 and Plant 2 during the experiment?

• 
• 
• 
• 

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

When multiple transitional fossils are found in many rock layers, they provide evidence of -

• seasonal variation in the diet of a species

• gradual change of a species over time

• DNA functioning as the genetic material of organisms

• an unchanging environment

Answer explanation

transitional = CHANGE. Look for the answer choice talkig about change occurring.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Match the following

• region of an enzyme where reactants bind

• transition

• speed up

• parasite

• organism that lives and feeds on another organism for food

• catalyze

• proteins that speed up chemical reactions

• enzyme

• changing from one state to another

• active site

Cyclins signal cells to progress through stages of cell replication. Uncontrolled production of cyclins will most likely result in...

• the formation of haploid cells

• transfer of cyclins to other cells

• formation of tumors

• death of the cell

Farmers spray pesticides on plants to protect plants from being eaten by insects. Some individual insects have a genetic mutation that makes them resistant to the pesticides. Which best describes how only a few resistant individuals resulted in the pesticide becoming ineffective?

• the resistant insects change the toxin on the plants, making it safe for others

• the resistant insects grow larger and eat less of the plants

• the resistant insects eat the contaminated surface and leave the rest for others

• the resistant insects are able to survive to reproduce and create a population that is also resistant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What property is shared by cells of all living things?

• the cells contain DNA composed of adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine

• the cells are surrounded by a phospholipid bilayer and a cell wall made of cellulose

• the cells have chromosomes that are located inside a membrane-bound nucleus

• the cells rely on mitochondria to carry out aerobic cellular respiration