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Worksheets

Living Environment Regents Questions

Total questions: 88

Worksheet time: 3hrs 56mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Caffeine is a compound found in the seeds of many different plants, such as coffee beans, cola nuts, and cacao beans (the source of chocolate). The presence of this chemical in all three types of plants suggests that these plants
a)
inherited identical mutations
b)
share a common ancestry
c)
were exposed to the same type of radiation in the past 
d)
were cloned from a caffeine plant
2.
The corn we eat today is larger and has more kernels than the corn people first grew thousands of years ago. Which process is most likely responsible for the changes that have occurred? 
a)
mitosis
b)
direct harvesting
c)
succession
d)
selective breeding
3.
The technique used to separate the DNA for analysis is 
a)
genetic engineering
b)
chromatography
c)
electrophoresis
d)
protein synthesis
4.
This part of the experiment serves as a basis of comparison; the one variable being tested has been omitted. 
a)
experimental group
b)
control group
c)
data
d)
variables
5.
Continued depletion of the ozone layer will most likely result in
a)
an increase in skin cancer among humans 
b)
a decrease in atmospheric pollutants 
c)
an increase in marine ecosystem stability 
d)
a decrease in climatic changes
6.
An error in DNA copying that results in a new trait
a)
Homeostasis
b)
Mutation
c)
Natural Selection
d)
Selective Breeding
7.

Which statement is characteristic of reproduction in humans?

a)

The reproductive cells of males and females differ in chromosome number.

b)

Males and females produce gametes in the ovaries.

c)

Males and females produce the same number of gametes.

d)

The reproductive cycles of males and females are regulated by hormones.

8.

A diagram of the female reproductive system is shown below. Identify the structure within which the egg cell is normally fertilized.

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

9.

Five different living organisms are represented below. Which statement about the organisms represented above is correct?

a)

All of the organisms are autotrophs.

b)

Only the flowering plant, green heron, and aquatic plant carry out photosynthesis.

c)

Only the frog and green heron can maintain homeostasis

d)

All of the organisms pass on traits through reproduction.

10.

Research has shown that treadmill training increases the number of certain energy-releasing structures in the brain cells of rats.The cellular structures referred to in this study are most likely

a)

mitochondria

b)

nuclei

c)

vacuoles

d)

ribosomes

11.

Acid rain is a major problem in the Adirondack Mountains. Evidence that acid rain negatively affected the Adirondack ecosystem is that

a)

this rain has increased the amount of water in Adirondack lakes

b)

there has been a decrease in the variety of fish found in Adirondack lakes

c)

the amount of carbon dioxide in the air over the Adirondack Mountains has drastically decreased in recent years

d)

the number of heterotrophic organisms in Adirondack lakes has increased

12.
How can you make an experiment more valid?
a)
Increase the sample size
b)
Repeat the experiment
c)
Add more trials 
d)
All of the above 
13.

Which two systems work together to maintain homeostasis while transporting oxygen throughout the body and removing carbon dioxide?

a)

circulatory and respiratory

b)

respiratory and excretory

c)

circulatory and digestive

d)

respiratory and digestive

14.

Doctors sometimes use a vaccine to prepare the body to defend itself against future infections. These vaccines most often contain

a)

antibodies

b)

antibiotics

c)

white blood cells

d)

weakened pathogens

15.

Building large manufacturing facilities can affect ecosystems by increasing the

a)

atmospheric quality

b)

biodiversity in the area

c)

demand for resources such as fossil fuels

d)

availability of space and resources for organisms

16.

An ameba is a single-celled organism. It uses its cell membrane to obtain food from its environment, digests the food with the help of organelles called lysosomes, and uses other organelles to process the digested food. From this, we can best infer that

a)

all single-celled organisms have lysosomes to digest food

b)

amebas are capable of digesting any type of food molecule

c)

single-celled organisms are as complex as multicellular organisms

d)

structures in amebas have functions similar to organs in multicellular organisms

17.

White blood cells are most closely associated with which two body systems?

a)

circulatory and digestive

b)

immune and circulatory

c)

digestive and excretory

d)

excretory and immune

18.

Anhidrosis is the inability to sweat normally. If the human body cannot sweat properly, it cannot cool itself, which is potentially harmful.

Anhidrosis most directly interferes with:

a)

a feedback mechanism that maintains homeostasis

b)

an immune system response to harmless antigens

c)

the synthesis of hormones in the circulatory system

d)

the enzymatic breakdown of water in cells

19.

The hair colors of the members of a family are listed below.

mother – brown hair

father – blond hair

older son – brown hair

younger son – blond hair

The hair colors of the sons are most likely a direct result of

a)

natural selection in males

b)

heredity

c)

evolution

d)

environmental influences

20.

Carmine, a compound that comes from the cochineal beetle, shown above, is used as a food coloring.The food coloring is not harmful to most people, but in a small number of individuals, it causes a reaction and affects their ability to breathe. This response to carmine is known as

a)

a stimulus

b)

an allergy

c)

natural selection

d)

an adaptation

21.

As a way to reduce the number of cases of malaria, a human tropical disease, a specific DNA sequence is inserted into the reproductive cells of Anopheles mosquitoes. Which process was most likely used to alter these mosquitoes? cloning studies

a)

cloning studies

b)

genetic engineering

c)

natural selection

d)

random mutations

22.

Which group of organisms in an ecosystem fills the niche of recycling organic matter back to the environment?

a)

carnivores

b)

decomposers

c)

producers

d)

predators

23.

The governments of many countries have regulations that are designed to prevent the accidental introduction of nonnative insects into their countries. This is because, in these new habitats, the nonnative insects might

a)

become food for birds

b)

not survive a cold winter

c)

not have natural predators

d)

add to the biodiversity

24.

The process of transferring energy during respiration occurs in a series of steps. This prevents too much heat from being released at one time. Maintaining an appropriate temperature is beneficial to an organism because

a)

enzymes need a proper range of temperatures to catalyze vital reactions

b)

cellular waste products can only be excreted in cooler temperatures

c)

hormones can only produce antibodies if temperatures are not excessive

d)

nutrients diffuse faster into cells when temperatures are lower

25.

The role of antibodies in the human body is to

a)

stimulate pathogen reproduction to produce additional white blood cells

b)

increase the production of guard cells to defend against pathogens

c)

promote the production of antigens to stimulate an immune response

d)

recognize foreign antigens and mark them for destruction

26.

Producers are generally found at the beginning of a food chain. Which statement best explains why this is true?

a)

Producers are usually smaller in size than consumers.

b)

Producers do not rely on other organisms for food

c)

There are always more consumers than producers in food chains.

d)

Consumers are always more complex organisms than producers.

27.

A lion cub resembles its parents because it inherits genes that produce

a)

DNA identical to all of the DNA found in both parents

b)

proteins identical to all of the proteins found in both parents

c)

ATP identical to some of the ATP found in each parent

d)

enzymes identical to some of the enzymes found in each parent

28.

The diagram below represents relationships in an ecosystem. What is the primary source of energy in this environment?

a)

cellular respiration in the plants

b)

energy from minerals in the soil

c)

fossil fuels

d)

solar energy

29.

The diagram below represents the formation of a cancerous growth. Which statement best explains the events represented in this diagram?

a)

A gene mutation caused the cells to become muscle cells.

b)

The growth resulted from the introduction of a vaccine.

c)

A gene mutation caused abnormal mitotic cell division

d)

The growth resulted from uncontrolled meiotic cell division.

30.

A standard laboratory technique used to produce a new plant is represented in the diagram below. This technique is best identified as

a)

gene alteration

b)

selective breeding

c)

replication

d)

cloning

31.

Which statement best explains why different body cells of the same individual look and function differently?

a)

Each cell contains different genes

b)

Different genes are activated in different kinds of cells.

c)

Cells are able to change to adapt to their surroundings.

d)

Half of the genes in the cells came from the mother and half from the father.

32.

The development of organs and tissues from a zygote includes

a)

mitosis and differentiation

b)

mitosis and gamete production

c)

meiosis and gamete production

d)

meiosis and fertilization

33.

The Cornell University News Service reported, “The sugar maple is the most economically valuable tree in the eastern United States because of its high-priced lumber, syrup and tourist-attracting fall colors.” The effects of acid rain now threaten the survival of these trees. This threat is the result of a human activity that has

a)

introduced a foreign species by accident

b)

stabilized a forest ecosystem through technology

c)

weakened an ecosystem through pollution

d)

weakened a species by direct harvesting

34.

The major role of carbohydrates in the human diet is to

a)

form the membranes that surround mitochondria

b)

act as a catalyst for cellular reactions

c)

supply energy for the body

d)

provide building blocks for amino acids

35.

The breathing rate, heart rate, and blood hormone levels of an individual would directly provide information about that individual’s

a)

cellular organization

b)

nutrition

c)

inheritance

d)

metabolic activity

36.
The failure of the human body to effectively maintain dynamic equilibrium can result in
a)
 reproductive success
b)
 gene manipulation
c)
 differentiation
d)
 disease
37.
 The first successful transplant of insulin producing cells from a living donor pancreas was completed in April 2000 in Japan. This enabled the body of the recipient to
a)
regulate fat concentration by a feedback mechanism
b)
provide protection against an infectious disease
c)
 slow down the heart rate after a period of activity ends
d)
 maintain blood sugar levels throughout the day
38.
A 6-year-old child ate a peanut butter sandwich at snack time in school. Five minutes later, her throat became swollen and she collapsed. This allergic reaction occurred because her body
a)
 recognized an antigen in peanut butter and produced antibiotics against it
b)
 digested the white blood cells that can recognize an antigen in peanut butter
c)
 did not recognize an antigen in peanut butter and could not produce antibodies against it
d)
 recognized an antigen in peanut butter and produced an immune response
39.
The chart below lists substances involved in the process of photosynthesis.
Which statement best describes how these substances interact in photosynthesis? 
a)
A and B combine to produce C and D.
b)
 C and D combine to produce A and B. 
c)
B and C combine to produce A and D. 
d)
A and C combine to produce B and D.
40.
A towel placed on a lawn for a length of time can cause the grass beneath to lose its green color.  the most probable explanation for this is that darkness
a)
affects the expression of certain genes in the grass
b)
causes a mutation in the plants
c)
affects the structure of cell membranes in the grass
d)
causes plants to switch to heterotrophic nutrition
41.
Students in a science class took their pulse rates before and after they ran in place for one minute. The class data showed that pulse rates increased with exercise. A graph of the data would look most like (SEE DIAGRAM)
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
42.
The factor most often acting as a selecting agent for the survival of a species in a particular location is the  
a)
strength of the organism
b)
 speed of the organism
c)
 new mutations within the individual 
d)
environment they inhabit
43.

Scientists at Penn State have sequenced the DNA of the extinct woolly mammoth. The data suggested that the woolly mammoth was more closely related to present-day elephants than previously believed.


Which statement could account for the similarities between the woolly mammoth and present-day elephants?

a)

Common gene mutations were caused by agents such as industrial chemicals and radiation

b)

Present-day species developed from earlier, different species

c)

Selective breeding results in offspring better able to survive.

d)

Both animals have identical genetic information

44.

The theory of evolution states that

a)

species that are extinct have no biological relationship to living species

b)

different animal species always interbreed to form new and different species

c)

species change over time, sometimes developing into new species

d)

the environment of Earth is constant over time

45.

Evolution can occur at different rates; however, for evolution to occur, there must be

a)

variations within a species

b)

extinction of the species

c)

asexual reproduction

d)

no change in the genes of an organism

46.

Natural selection is best described as

a)

a change in an organism in response to a need of that organism

b)

a process of nearly constant improvement that leads to an organism that is nearly perfect

c)

differences in survival rates as a result of different inherited characteristics

d)

inheritance of characteristics acquired during the life of an organism

47.

Which sequence best represents the levels of organization in a paramecium, a single-celled organism?

a)

cells→tissues→organs→organ systems→organism

b)

organelles→organ systems→organism

c)

cells→organs→organ systems→organism

d)

organelles→organism

48.

Which technique could be used to make the structures in the cells more visible when using a compound light microscope?

a)

paper chromatography

b)

staining

c)

electrophoresis

d)

gene manipulation

49.

Which organelle is correctly paired with its function?

a)

lysosome - synthesize carbohydrates

b)

mitochondria - synthesize proteins

c)

chloroplast - site for photosynthesis

d)

nucleus - site for cellular respiration

50.

What substance would you predict was added to the cells to cause the change shown?

a)

Distilled Water

b)

Tap Water

c)

Salt Water

d)

Gummy Bears

51.

Which structure is present in plant, but not animal cells?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

E

d)

F

52.

What is number 1 and what does it do?

a)

ribosome; protein synthesis

b)

ribosome; cellular respiration

c)

mitochondrion; cellular respiration

d)

nucleus; controls cell activities

53.

What statement is true about asexual reproduction?

a)

It involves one parent

b)

It makes unique offspring

c)

Sperm and egg combine

d)

It uses meiosis

54.

The diagram below represents a system in the human body. The primary function of structure X is to

a)

produce energy needed for sperm to move

b)

produce and store urine

c)

provide food for the sperm to carry to the egg

d)

form gametes that may be involved in fertilization

55.

Which of the following describes the control group?

a)

The group with the most constant variables

b)

The group with the largest sample size

c)

The group that does not receive the independent variable

d)

The group that does not receive the dependent variable

56.

You think adding peanuts to soil makes plants grow taller. What would be the dependent variable?

a)

The group that gets peanuts in the soil

b)

The soil

c)

The height of the plant

d)

The plants are grown in the same size container.

57.

Even though human proteins are synthesized

from only 20 different amino acids, there are

thousands of different proteins found in human

cells. This great variety of proteins is possible

because the

a)

size of a specific amino acid can vary within

a protein

b)

chemical composition of a specific amino

acid can vary

c)

sequence and number of amino acids can be

different in each protein

d)

same amino acid can have many different

properties

58.

In order to enter cells and be useful to the body,

starch must be

a)

absorbed through the skin

b)

broken down into fats and water

c)

digested into simple sugars

d)

digested into simple sugars

59.

The diagram below represents the region

between two nerve cells. Cell A releases a

chemical that travels to and binds with structure

X on cell B.

Structure X most likely represents

a)

a receptor molecule

b)

an inorganic substance

c)

a ribosome

d)

an antibody

60.

Chemicals that help chemical reactions occur at

faster rates in living organisms are known as

a)

biotic resources

b)

organic catalysts

c)

simple sugars

d)

oxygen molecules

61.

The shape of a protein is originally determined

by the

a)

size of the protein molecule

b)

location of the protein within the cell

c)

arrangement of amino acids in the protein

d)

function the protein must carry out

62.

Which row in the chart contains correct information concerning synthesis?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

63.
When preparing a wet mount slide, the cover slip is placed at a 45 degree angle.  This is to:
a)
not break the slide
b)
reduce the amount of air bubbles
c)
kill the organisms on the slide
d)
prevent bacteria from getting on the slide
64.
To bring the specimen into sharp focus on high power, use the:
a)
Coarse Adjustment Knob
b)
Fine Adjustment Knob
c)
Eyepiece
d)
Diaphragm
65.
Enzymes or biological catalysts are necessary for which of the following?
a)
the number of chromosomes in a species
b)
the size of organs
c)
chemical activities occurring in cells
d)
minerals ingested by an organism
66.
Which of these is NOT true.
a)
Enzymes can denature (change shape) when the temperature gets too high.
b)
Enzymes can only be used once in a chemical reaction. 
c)
Enzymes can denature when the pH changes. 
d)
Enzymes speed up chemical reactions. 
67.

Which organisms and set of characteristics are correctly paired?

a)

fungi—carry out photosynthesis and heterotrophic nutrition

b)

plants—carry out respiration and autotrophic nutrition

c)

decomposers—carry out photosynthesis and autotrophic nutrition

d)

animals—carry out autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic nutrition

68.

If the areas labeled were completely blocked on both sides, the most likely result would be that

a)

egg and estrogen production would stop

b)

sperm and insulin production would stop

c)

fertilization would not occur

d)

an embryo would develop

69.

Finches on the Galapagos Islands express a variety of traits. Variability in the offspring of these finches is a result of

a)

mutation and cloning

b)

meiosis and mutation

c)

mitosis and asexual reproduction

d)

mitosis and genetic recombination

70.

A sequence of events is represented in the diagram. Which statement best describes a result of this process?

a)

The spider from which the DNA sample was obtained can no longer produce spider silk.

b)

The goat milk now contains DNA molecules made of spider silk proteins.

c)

Both the spider and the goat can now produce both spider silk and goat milk.

d)

Spider silk proteins can now be produced in large quantities without killing spiders to obtain them.

71.
An ameba, a one-celled organism, can move, ingest, and transport materials within the cell, because it has 
a)
systems
b)
organelles
c)
tissues 
d)
 organs
72.
What observation could lead to the conclusion that an object is nonliving?
a)
It passes on hereditary information only through asexual reproduction
b)
It carries out synthesis
c)
It cannot perform metabolic processes
d)
it is composed of a cell, but does not have tissues
73.
In the 18th century, Carolus Linnaeus classified organism based on their structural similarities. Modern classification determines relationships more accurately because it is based on genetic and other biochemical similarities. This change in classification method best illustrations that
a)
multiple trials are required to increase the validity of a scientific explanation
b)
scientific explanations are subject to the ethical view of the scientist proposing them
c)
peer review is required to validate the results of scientific investigations
d)
all scientific explanations are tentative and subject to change and improvement
74.
The inability of an organism to produce certain proteins can occur when an organism is lacking an enzyme needed to combine
a)
oxygen molcules
b)
simple sugars
c)
amino acids
d)
biological catalyts
75.
The energy used to obtain, transfer, and transport materials within an organism comes directly from
a)
ATP
b)
DNA
c)
sunlight
d)
starch 
76.
Organisms undergo constant chemical changes as they maintain an internal balance known as
a)
interdependence
b)
homeostasis
c)
synthesis
d)
recombination
77.
Which two cell structures work together in the process of protein synthesis?
a)
nucleus and chloroplast
b)
ribosome and vacuole
c)
nucleus and ribosome
d)
mitochondria and cell membrane
78.

In the lab activity Making Connections, an experiment was designed to test the effect of exercise on the ability to squeeze a clothespin. The number of times the clothespin was squeezed served as the

a)

independent variable

b)

dependent variable

c)

hypothesis

d)

control

79.

Red onion cells undergo the change represented in the diagram below. This change is most likely caused by the cell being transferred from

a)

distilled water to starch indicator

b)

distilled water to salt water

c)

salt water to tap water

d)

salt water to distilled water

80.

Which chemicals are used to cut DNA into fragments for a gel electrophoresis procedure?

a)

molecular bases

b)

restriction enzymes

c)

hormones

d)

ATP molecules

81.
Protein sequences in one organism that resemble those of another suggest a 
a)
coincidence
b)
lack of evolutionary relationship
c)
great number of mutations
d)
shared ancestry
82.
According to this cladogram, sharks are MOST closely related to which organism? 
a)
Amphibians
b)
Ray finned fish
c)
Crocodiles
d)
Birds
83.
Which two bat species are most closely related?
a)
 Bat 1 and Bat 2
b)
Bat 1 and Bat 3
c)
Bat 2 and Bat 3
d)
There’s no way to tell
84.

The term for any substance that shows the presence of another substance.

a)

Benedict's Solution

b)

Lugol's Solution

c)

Indicator

d)

Solution

85.

What did the beak type of finches on different islands tell Darwin?

a)

Finch populations evolved over time to favor beaks based on food type

b)

Finch populations had not evolved over time

c)

The finch beaks had no relationship to the available food on the islands

d)

Humans artificially selected finches based on their desired beak type

86.

Which molecule is too large to cross the cell membrane?

a)

water

b)

glucose

c)

O2

d)

starch

87.

An investigation is carried out to determine the effect of exercise on the rate at which a person can squeeze a clothespin.

In this investigation, the independent variable is the

a)

control

b)

exercise

c)

rate of squeezing

d)

number of participants

88.

If a control group is not included in an experiment, it would be difficult to

a)

formulate a hypothesis for the experiment

b)

make observations about the experimental group

c)

record data in a data table

d)

draw a valid conclusion