WorksheetsBiology STAAR 2021
Total questions: 50
Worksheet time: 2hrs 40mins
During the cell cycle, proteins called cyclins bind to enzymes that send signals for the cell to progress through stages of cell replication. At the end of this cycle, the cyclins degrade to prevent further signaling for the cell to divide.
Uncontrolled production of cyclins will most likely result in —
the formation of tumors
the immediate death of the cell
the transfer of cyclins to other cells
the formation of haploid cells
The life cycle of a frog is illustrated in the diagram.
Which statement best explains how the cell cycle is important to the life cycle of the frog?
It enables frogs to produce tadpoles that are clones.
It allows frogs to grow, develop, and reproduce.
It prevents overproduction of frog offspring.
It ensures the best adapted frogs survive and pass on traits to offspring.
Students created note cards comparing characteristics of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Which set of note cards most accurately compares these cells?
Which statement describes the process of osmosis in an animal cell?
Sugar molecules move across the plasma membrane until the cell has enough energy to grow in size and divide.
Water molecules move across the plasma membrane until solute concentrations are equal on both sides of the membrane.
Ions move across the plasma membrane until the inside of the cell has a higher concentration of positive charges.
Enzymes move across the plasma membrane until the cell has completed metabolism.
Environmental factors typically activate genes in a cell by causing the cell to —
produce identical daughter cells through mitosis
form haploid gamete cells through meiosis
fuse with another cell to increase the size of its genome
transcribe specific DNA segments to mRNA for translation
Materials are provided to students to build models of a prokaryotic cell, a eukaryotic cell, and a virus. The materials and the structures they represent are listed in the table shown.
Which material will students use in all three models?
Yellow paper oval
Gray paper hexagon
Blue yarn
Purple buttons
Which table correctly identifies how the plasma membrane contributes to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis?
The diagram shows the major stages of the cell cycle and the percentage of time spent in each phase.
Which statement best describes why a cell spends the majority of its time in interphase?
The cell is growing and carrying out processes such as metabolism and DNA replication.
The cell is aging and processes are stopping as lysosomes clear dead cell matter away.
The cell needs time to synthesize spindle fibers to complete mitosis
The cell needs time to complete cytokinesis.
A diagram of an HIV infection is shown.
Which conclusion about the HIV infection of a host cell is best supported by the diagram?
It takes place outside of living cells
It relies on the host cell to reproduce.
It involves the process of meiosis.
It requires carbon dioxide.
An illness caused by a certain virus includes fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, and headache. The virus is transmitted to people by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms quickly occur within three to twelve days after contracting the virus. There is no vaccine for this virus.
Which description best explains the reproductive cycle of this virus?
Lytic, because the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes
Lysogenic, because there is no way to vaccinate against it
Lytic, because of the quick incubation time
Lysogenic, because the virus causes a fever
An illustration of how a particular DNA mutation will most likely affect the polypeptide produced is shown. What type of mutation is illustrated?
Insertion
Translocation
Substitution
Deletion
Which property is shared by the 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.
A segment of DNA is shown in the diagram. Which of these identifies the part of the DNA segment labeled X?
Nucleotide
Phosphate group
Hydrogen bond
Deoxyribose
Snowshoe hares can be found living in the Rocky Mountains of New Mexico. During the summer months, when there is no snow on the ground, the snowshoe hare’s coat color is typically brown. During the winter months, when the mountains are covered in snow, the snowshoe hare’s coat is typically white. Which statement describes the genetic basis for the seasonal changes in coat color?
The snow causes mutations in the genes that regulate coat color so that snowshoe hares are adapted to their environment during the winter months.
The genes that control coat color are regulated by hormone signals that are altered by changes in environmental factors.
Sunlight causes cancer cells to develop in the bodies of snowshoe hares, resulting in an apparent brown-colored coat as a result of hair loss.
The genes that control coat color in snowshoe hares are deleted from the genome during the summer months.
A genetic cross involving two unlinked genes is represented. AaGG x aaGg
Which genotype is NOT possible in the offspring produced by the cross?
AaGG
Aagg
aaGg
aaGG
A partial DNA segment and an mRNA codon chart are shown. 3′ TCATGCATG 5′
What amino acid sequence is encoded in the partial DNA segment?
Serine – Threonine – Tyrosine
Serine – Serine – Tyrosine
Serine – Threonine – Methionine
Serine – Alanine – Methionine
In Texas Longhorn cattle, coat coloration is an inherited trait. What is the genetic basis of coat-color variation in Texas Longhorn cattle?
Differences in the nucleotide sequences of genes
Differences in the numbers of chromosomes in cells
Differences in the diets of individual cattle
Differences in the environmental conditions of different geographic areas
7 When a new mutation occurs in a somatic cell of a sexually reproducing organism, what percentage of the individual’s offspring are likely to inherit the mutation?
100%
75%
25%
0%
Some angelfish colors are determined by codominance. Possible phenotypes and genotypes of angelfish colors are shown.
Which table shows the expected phenotypes of offspring resulting from a cross between a black angelfish and a black-lace angelfish?
8 A cellular process is shown. Which statement best describes the significance of this process?
The process allows organisms to grow and heal.
The process produces clones of the parent organism.
The process copies DNA before cell division
The process creates genetic variation in the resulting cells
Farmers spray pesticides on their plants to protect the plants from being eaten by insects. Some individual insects have a genetic mutation that makes them resistant to the toxins in the pesticides.
Which statement 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.
A cladogram of five species is shown.
Based on the cladogram, the ancestral species most likely had —
a vertebral column
a vertebral column and hair
sharp teeth and retractable claws
the ability to purr
The Mexican long-nosed bat roosts in Big Bend National Park in West Texas. The bat feeds on nectar and pollen and hovers while it feeds. Additionally, its tongue can extend up to eight centimeters. The features of Mexican long-nosed bats are evidence of natural selection because the features are adaptations that —
lead to an increase in predation by other species of animals
show that most DNA mutations are necessary and advantageous but do not increase survival or reproductive success
help individuals outcompete other individuals for food resources to increase survival and reproductive success
are the result of intentional breeding
A researcher determines an organism to be eukaryotic, unicellular, and autotrophic. In which taxonomic group should this organism be classified?
Bacteria
Protista
Archae
Animalia
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
Students examine images of a certain species of bat commonly found in Texas. Using the bat dichotomous key, they conclude that the bat species is a Mexican free-tailed bat due to its large, round ears.
Based on the dichotomous key, in addition to the shape of the bat’s ears, which other set of features should the students look for to confirm the identity of the bat?
Solitary with a wingspan greater than 35 cm
Solitary with a wingspan less than 35 cm
Colonial with a wingspan greater than 35 cm
Colonial with a wingspan less than 35 cm
The taxonomic classifications of four species of amphibians are shown.
Based on the information provided, which two species are most closely related?
Northern cricket frog and bullfro
Northern leopard frog and green treefrog
Northern cricket frog and green treefrog
Northern leopard frog and bullfrog
The giant octopus lays 20,000 to 100,000 fertilized eggs. After hatching, most octopuses become prey to larger marine organisms, and less than 5% will reach adulthood to reproduce. One benefit of the giant octopus laying many eggs is to —
increase the average body size for surviving individuals to avoid predation
decrease competition between different octopus species to maintain resources in the population
increase the chance that more individuals will survive to maintain the population
decrease the likelihood of offspring being consumed by predators
Researchers analyzed a mitochondrial gene of different bat species to determine relatedness. A cladogram of their results is shown.
Based on the cladogram, which set of bat species is the least related?
Ptenochirus minor and Megaerops niphanae
Dyacopterus spadiceus and Otopteropus cartilagonodus
Haplonycteris fischeri and Ptenochirus jagori
Cynopterus sphinx and Chironax melanocephalus
Two scientists want to compare their research of fireflies. Which information must the two scientists provide to each other to determine if they studied the same type of fireflies?
Size of the firefly populations
Type of habitat in which the fireflies live
Color of light produced by the fireflies
Species name of the fireflies studied
When the skin comes in contact with an irritant, receptors in the skin send signals to the spinal cord. The signal is then sent to the brain for processing, and the individual begins to scratch the affected area. Which two systems are most likely interacting when a person experiences itching caused by a skin irritant?
Circulatory and excretory
Integumentary and nervous
Digestive and muscular
Respiratory and lymphatic
Which graphic organizer best compares the energy inputs and outputs of cellular respiration and photosynthesis?
Which statements best compare the function of an ATP molecule to a DNA molecule?
ATP carries and transmits the genetic information of organisms. DNA serves as a biological catalyst that speeds up the rate of chemical reactions.
ATP provides energy for chemical reactions in the cell. DNA carries and transmits the genetic information of organisms.
ATP serves as a biological catalyst that speeds up the rate of chemical reactions. DNA acts as a structural sugar in the cell walls of plants.
ATP acts as a structural sugar in the cell walls of plants. DNA provides energy for chemical reactions in the cell.
For an enzyme to be able to catalyze a reaction, the active site must —
be occupied by an inhibitor
increase the activation energy level
have a complementary shape to the substrate
cause the enzyme to be destroyed in the reaction
A flower that has both male and female reproductive structures is shown.
Which statement best describes an interaction that will allow a flowering plant to reproduce by self-pollination?An anther is transferred from a filament to another filament within the same flower.
An anther is transferred from a filament to another filament within the same flower.
An ovule is transferred from the ovary to a petal on a different flower.
H A pollen grain is transferred from an anther to the stigma of the same flower.
An ovary is transferred from a flower on one plant to a flower on a different plant.
Breaking down food for nutrients involves many body systems. A student made a partial list of the processes that occur.
Which body systems interact most directly in the three listed processes?
Digestive, Integumentary, Muscular
Excretory, Immune, Muscular
Circulatory, Excretory, immune
Circulatory, DIgestive, Endocrine
A student makes a Venn diagram to compare the functions of carbohydrates and lipids
Which cellular function of carbohydrates and lipids should be placed in the shared section of the Venn diagram?
Hormone production
Structural support of cell walls
Energy storage
Catalyst for chemical reactions
Students construct a graphic organizer to illustrate the different levels of biological organization.
Which term does the letter X represent in the graphic organizer?
Cell
Organism
Ecosystems
Biosphere
Students set up a controlled experiment by growing the same type of seedlings in two different locations. After a period of time, the students observed the seedlings and recorded their observations in the table shown
What caused the shoots of the seedlings on the windowsill to bend toward the window?
Hormones produced in response to a light stimulus
Sugars produced in response to a gravity stimulus
Carbon dioxide produced in response to a water stimulus
Water produced in response to a nitrogen stimulus
Which statement best describes an interaction between the muscular system and the respiratory system?
The hormone adrenaline causes blood vessels to contract and send more blood to major muscles.
Metabolic wastes generated by muscle cells are eliminated in urine.
The diaphragm contracts causing the chest cavity to expand, which draws air into the lungs.
Nutrients absorbed in the small intestine are transported in blood to the brain.
The defenses of two flightless birds that live in different habitats are shown. How do the wings of the Gentoo penguin and the legs of the common ostrich provide an advantage in their habitat?
Allows them to find prey
Allows them to escape from predators
Allows them to control their body temperature
Allows them to be camouflaged in their environments
The flow of energy in a grassland ecosystem is shown. Based on the diagram, which two populations best represent trophic levels that receive the LEAST amount of the total energy provided to the ecosystem by the grass?
Crickets and sparrows
Toads and spiders
Rabbits and mice
Hognose snakes and owls
Overfishing is causing the decline of fish populations, such as Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean. Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna are caught faster than they can reproduce. Which statement describes the most likely effect that overfishing will have on this ecosystem?
Overfishing makes the ecosystem more stable by increasing competition for limited resources
Overfishing decreases the stability of the ecosystem by disrupting food chains
Overfishing has no effect on ecosystem’s stability because it affects one species out of many
Overfishing increases ecosystem stability by allowing prey populations to overproduce.
Sand dunes along the coast are formed of bare sand. Eventually, grasses take root on the dunes. Over time, larger plants such as shrubs and trees are able to grow at the edge of the sand dune ecosystem. This gradual change in plant communities of a sand dune ecosystem can result in —
reduced symbiotic relationships between producers and bacteria
reduced energy absorption by consumers
greater erosion rates
greater species diversity
In an experiment, two plants are grown together for a time and then separated. Plant 2 is a parasite of Plant 1. Which graph best predicts the growth of Plant 1 and Plant 2 during the experiment?
A farmer is struggling to control the population of a certain insect on his farm. After researching population control techniques, he discovers that a particular bird is a predator of this insect. The farmer purchases a number of these birds and releases them onto his farm. How might the farmer’s action most likely have a negative impact on the ecosystem?
The birds will increase biodiversity of native plant species.
The birds will pollinate native species, increasing genetic variation
The birds will consume beneficial insects, as well as the pest species
The birds will mate with native birds and create a new species.
Which statement is an example of how carbon moves through a food chain as part of the carbon cycle?
Producers release carbon dioxide, and consumers take it in.
Producers take in carbon dioxide, and consumers release it
Producers take in carbon from the soil, and they release it when they decompose.
Producers release carbon into the soil, and consumers take it in from the soil.
Researchers have observed striped hyenas and gray wolves hunting together in certain areas. One hypothesis suggests that changing hunting behavior aids both species in obtaining better and more resources. In this hypothesis the hyenas benefit because the wolves chase and take down large animals, such as goats, that the hyenas usually cannot catch alone. The wolves benefit from hyenas using their jaw strength to crack open large bones of prey to access additional nutrients from bone marrow. Which table best identifies the ecological relationships among the gray wolf, hyena, and goats?
A food web representing a Gulf Coast ecosystem is shown. Based on this food web, which organism occupies multiple trophic levels?
Canada goose
Eastern cottontail
Loggerhead sea turtle
Sand dollar
Which statement best describes how bacteria recycle matter in an ecosystem?
Bacteria are producers that create energy for second-order consumers.
Bacteria produce toxins to prevent the growth of invasive species.
Bacteria cause diseases that limit the reproduction of organisms in a population.
Bacteria are decomposers that help to transfer organic material to the soil.
