Biology PRAXIS (5236)

Which of the following terms indicates the ecological role that an organism plays in a community?

• Biome
• Niche
• Ecotone
• Territory

Answer explanation

A niche describes how an organism fits into its ecosystem — its role, behavior, and interactions.

Which of the following characteristics distinguishes members of the domain Eukarya from members of the domains Archaea and Bacteria?

• The ability to perform photosynthesis
• The ability to replicate chromosomes
• The presence of RNA polymerase
• The presence of a nuclear envelope

Answer explanation

A characteristic that distinguishes members of the domain Eukarya from members of the domains Archaea and Bacteria is the presence of a nuclear membrane. Organisms classified as members of the domain Eukarya have cells in which the nucleus containing the genomic DNA is enclosed by a nuclear envelope. In contrast, organisms classified as members of the domains Archaea and Bacteria have cells that lack a nuclear envelope.

Valine is typically classified as a hydrophobic amino acid because a valine molecule has which of the following types of side chains?

• Polar and neutral
• Nonpolar
• Positively charged
• Negatively charged

Answer explanation

Valine and other amino acids that are typically classified as hydrophobic amino acids have nonpolar side chains.

How are data collected in an experiment typically used as evidence?

• To confirm an existing belief
• As unquestionable facts
• To support or reject a hypothesis
• To turn a theory into a law

Answer explanation

Scientific data are used to evaluate hypotheses, not to prove or confirm beliefs.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-PS1-2

NGSS.HS-PS2-5

Which of the following biomes is characterized by long winters, short summers, nutrient-poor acidic soil, and evergreen trees with needlelike leaves?

• Savanna
• Boreal forest
• Hot and dry desert
• Tropical rain forest

Answer explanation

A boreal forest (taiga) biome is characterized by long winters and short summers, snow as the predominant form of precipitation, soil that is acidic and poor in nutrients, and wooded areas made up mostly of evergreen trees with needlelike leaves.

Given the DNA sequence 5′-AGATGTCCAGTA-3′, what is the complementary strand?

• 3′-TCTACAGGTCAT-5′
• 3′-CTCGTGAAGTGC-5′
• 3′-GAGCACTTGACG-5′
• 3′-AGATGTCCAGTA-5′

Answer explanation

The complementary base pairs of DNA are A with T and G with C. Also, the two strands of a DNA double helix typically have an antiparallel configuration.

In aerobic respiration, glucose is oxidized to CO₂ and oxygen is reduced to produce what?

• ADP
• NADH
• Sucrose
• Water

Answer explanation

The overall process of aerobic cellular respiration is best described as the oxidation of glucose to produce carbon dioxide and the reduction of oxygen to produce water. Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in oxidative phosphorylation, resulting in the production of water.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-7

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

In an experiment measuring wind's effect on water loss in plants, the bar graph's y-axis should represent what?

• Fan speed
• Number of plants
• Average water loss
• Exposure duration

Answer explanation

The student should construct the bar graph by representing the results for each treatment group as a separate bar. The student should also make the height of each bar represent the average water loss for that treatment group so that the results for the different treatment groups can be easily compared.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Interphase is the part of the cell cycle that includes which of the following?

• Cytokinesis
• Synapsis of homologous chromosomes
• Replication of DNA
• Condensation of chromosomes

Answer explanation

Interphase is the nonmitotic part of the cell cycle during which a cell is growing and carrying out its normal metabolic processes. Replication of DNA occurs during interphase, specifically during S phase of the cell cycle.

A model of secondary succession typically includes which of the following?

• Arrival of pioneer species
• Changes in species composition over time
• A stable community structure
• Volcanic rock formation

Answer explanation

A model of secondary succession typically includes changes in species composition over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4