2023 STAAR BIOLOGY

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Answer explanation

 The axolotl salamander has gills, so it is adapted to live in water. The tiger salamander has lungs and stout legs, so it is adapted to live on land. 

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

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• D

Answer explanation

Glucose is a product of photosynthesis, the cellular process shown in the diagram. 

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

Answer explanation

2 pts. 

The student describes and explains one of the following: An increase in grasses (because mice consume grasses), a decrease in snakes (because snakes consume mice), a decrease in rabbits (because, in the absence of mice as a food source, hawks would prey upon more rabbits), a decrease in lizards (because, in the absence of mice as a food source, hawks would prey upon more lizards ), a decrease in hawks (because hawks consume mice as a food source), or an increase in grasshoppers (because grasshoppers compete with mice for grasses as a food source). 

1 pt. 

The student describes one change but does not explain the reason for this change. 

0 pts. 

The response is incorrect or irrelevant. 

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS2-3

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Answer explanation

The diagram shows cell differentiation, which results from cells expressing different sets of genes at different times. 

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-4

NGSS.HS-LS1-2

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Answer explanation

The diagram shows a translocation mutation in which parts of the chromosomes replace each other. 

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

PART A: ____

PART B:____

Answer explanation

PART A: Option A is correct, In primary succession, first mosses will cover the rocks, creating new soil, then small shrubs will grow, and then small trees will begin to grow. 

PART B: Option C is correct, The nunataks are bare rock, so they will undergo primary succession. 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Viruses:

BOTH (middle):

Bacteria:

Answer explanation

VIRUS:

The phrase “Utilize a capsid structure” is placed in the “Viruses” portion of the Venn diagram because the genetic material of viruses is encased within a protein structure that is known as a capsid, whereas the genetic material of bacteria is found within the cytoplasm of these cells. 

BOTH(middle):

The phrase “Contain genetic material” is placed within the overlap in the Venn diagram because viruses and bacterial cells both contain some form of genetic material. 

BACTERIA:

The phrase “Replicate independently” is placed in the “Bacteria” portion of the Venn diagram because replication of the genetic material of viruses is dependent upon a host cell, whereas replication of the genetic material of bacteria takes place within the bacterial cell’s own cytoplasm. 

The phrase “Have active metabolism” is placed within the “Bacteria” portion of the Venn diagram because bacteria are cells and therefore are capable of metabolism, whereas viruses lack most of the components found in cells and are therefore unable to perform the processes of metabolism. 

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• D

Answer explanation

As sharks eat otters, the prey that otters eat will increase, and the kelp forest will become less stable. 

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

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• D

Answer explanation

Active transport requires ATP because this process moves materials against the concentration gradient. Passive transport does not require an additional energy input from ATP since materials move along the concentration gradient. 

Answer explanation

The gene for the condition is dominant (A). One parent is homozygous dominant (AA), while the other parent is homozygous recessive (aa). The only possible outcome of a cross between these parents (AA × aa) is that 100% of their offspring will have the genotype Aa and the phenotype of achondroplasia. 

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS3-1