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Biology STAAR Review

Total questions: 32

Worksheet time: 17mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which characteristic best distinguishes these cells as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic.

a)

The organization of the genetic material

b)

The location of the cytoplasm

c)

The role of the cell membrane

d)

The function of the flagella

2.

Which statements best describe the difference between active transport and passive transport?

a)

Active transport occurs only in cells that require large amounts of energy. Passive transport occurs in all cells.

b)

Active transport requires ATP. Passive transport does not require ATP.

c)

Active transport moves substances along the concentration gradient. Passive transport moves substances against the concentration gradient.

d)

Active transport occurs in all cells. Passive transport requires ATP.

3.

Which type of movement across a cell's plasma membrane requires energy supplied by ATP?

a)

Passive transport

b)

Simple diffusion

c)

Active transport

d)

Osmosis

4.

In the late 1700s Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine from cowpox, an infectious virus found in cows. How do viruses, like the one responsible for cowpox, cause disease?

a)

By sexually reproducing with other viruses in the environment

b)

By replicating inside the cell and then lysing the cell

c)

By gaining energy from metabolizing their food

d)

By competing for water with cells of the infected organism

5.

Which statement best describes how a virus replicates?

a)

A virus divides into two identical virus particles before infecting the host cell.

b)

A virus enters a host cell and uses the materials from the host cell to produce new virus particles.

c)

Multiple virus particles fuse and form a large particle that breaks apart, releasing new virus particles.

d)

Multiple virus particles break down in component parts, which then reassemble into new copies of the virus.

6.

The images show a cell in various phases of mitosis. Which of these lists the phases in the order that they occur in mitosis?

a)

Z, Y, X, W

b)

X, W, Z, Y

c)

Z, X, W, Y

d)

X, Z, Y, W

7.

Environmental factors typically activate genes in a cell by causing the cell to -

a)

produce identical daughter cells through mitosis

b)

form haploid gamete cells through meiosis

c)

fuse with another cell to increase the size of its genome

d)

transcribe specific DNA segments to mRNA for translation

8.

Which of these properties is found only in cancer cells?

a)

unregulated cell division

b)

regulated gene expression

c)

response to signals outside of the cell

d)

presence of mitochondria

9.

Albumin is a protein that is secreted by liver cells and transported to the bloodstream. What factor most directly determines the amino acids that are combined to create albumin?

a)

The temperature of the cell when translation is taking place

b)

The number of chromosomes in a cell

c)

The sequence of nucleotides in DNA

d)

The amount of energy that is available in the cell

10.

What components make up the backbone of a DNA molecule?

a)

Purines and deoxyribose

b)

Pyrimidines and purines

c)

Deoxyribose and phosphate groups

d)

Phosphate groups and pyrimidines

11.

A diagram of the steps in the production of a protein is shown. Which description identifies the purpose of Step A in this process?

a)

To correct mutations in the DNA sequence

b)

To produce an exact copy of the DNA molecule

c)

To copy the DNA of a gene sequence onto a strand of mRNA

d)

To assist in the folding of a protein

12.

Which statements explain how a mutation in a somatic cell is different from a mutation that occurs in gametes?

a)

Somatic cell mutations occur in cells that give rise to gametes. Gamete mutations occur in cells that result in apoptosis.

b)

Somatic cell mutations are maintained in the gene pool. Gamete mutations are expelled from the gene pool.

c)

Somatic cell mutations are generally not passed to offspring. Gamete mutations are usually passed to offspring.

d)

Somatic cell mutations will not be expressed by the individual that contains the mutation. Gamete mutations will be expressed by the individual.

13.

A genetic cross involving two unlinked genes is represented.

AaGG x aaGg

Which genotype is NOT possible in the offspring produced by the cross?

a)

AaGG

b)

Aagg

c)

aaGg

d)

aaGG

14.

A cell undergoing a biological process is shown. Which process occurs between Step 2 and Step 3 and creates more genetic diversity in the resulting cells?

a)

Chromosome nondisjunction

b)

Genome replication

c)

Crossing over

d)

Chromosomal deletion

15.

A cellular process is shown. Which statement best describes the significance of this process?

a)

The process allows organisms to grow and heal.

b)

The process produces clones of the parent organism.

c)

The process copies DNA before cell divison.

d)

The process creates genetic variation in the resulting cells.

16.

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?

a)

Ptenochirus minor and Megaerops niphanae

b)

Dyacopterus spadiceus and Otopteropus cartilagonodus

c)

Haplonycteris fischeri and Ptenochirus jagori

d)

Cynopterus sphinx and Chironax melanocephalus

17.

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

a)

seasonal variation in the diet of a species

b)

gradual change of a species over time

c)

DNA functioning as the genetic material of organisms

d)

an unchanging environment

18.

Green anoles are lizards that can change their skin color rapidly in response to various stimuli. This adaptation is the result of -

a)

selective breeding of lizards by humans

b)

beneficial traits passed from parents to offspring

c)

geographic isolation that prevented genetic mutation

d)

environmental pollutants that changed their genotype

19.

Cross-pollination of flowers from different populations of the same species will most likely result in -

a)

gene flow as new alleles are introduced

b)

evolution of a different species as alleles mix

c)

hybrid sterility as gametes from different individuals are incompatible

d)

a decrease of genetic variation among individuals

20.

Why is it important to assign each organism a scientific name?

a)

Each scientific name applies to only one species, making it universally identifiable to scientists.

b)

Each scientific name allows scientists to better study the behavior of an organism.

c)

The scientific name allows scientists to develop common names for organisms.

d)

The scientific name describes how an individual looks relative to others of the same genus.

21.

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?

a)

Size of the firefly populations

b)

Type of habitat in which the fireflies live

c)

Color of light produced by the fireflies

d)

Species name of the fireflies studied

22.

Blue whales are narwhals are both marine mammals in Order Cetacea. Which other classification group must these whales share?

a)

Family

b)

Phylum

c)

Genus

d)

Species

23.

Which characteristic do all organisms in Kingdoms Animalia, Protista, and Fungi have in common?

a)

They are eukaryotic

b)

They are prokaryotic

c)

They are unicellular

d)

They are multicellular

24.

Which statements best compare a function of proteins and lipids in a human cell?

a)

Proteins provide energy for cellular processes. Lipids catalyze chemical reactions inside the cell.

b)

Proteins catalyze chemical reactions inside the cell. Lipids allow for the transport of certain molecules into and out of the cell.

c)

Proteins allow for the transport of certain molecules into and out of the cell. Lipids store genetic information for cells.

d)

Proteins store genetic information for cells. Lipids provide energy for cellular processes.

25.

The diagram represents a cellular process. Which molecule is a direct product of this cellular process?

a)

Glucose

b)

Phospholipid

c)

Insulin

d)

DNA

26.

The function of an enzyme in a biochemical reaction is to -

a)

raise the temperature of the system

b)

speed up the rate of the reaction

c)

increase the amount of substrate added

d)

change the type of product formed

27.

Which sequence best describes an interaction between the integumentary and excretory systems that helps maintain homeostasis?

a)

Heart rate increase -> Blood vessels constrict -> Blood pressure increases

b)

Blood vessel is damaged -> Platelets begin to clump -> Blood vessel ruptures

c)

Blood sugar levels rise -> Pancreas secretes insulin -> Blood sugar continues to rise

d)

Body temperature increases -> Glands release sweat -> Body temperature decreases

28.

Which plant response would best aid a plant in maximizing and retaining water acquired during a drought?

a)

Decreasing root growth, while increasing stem and leaf growth

b)

Increasing root, stem, and leaf growth

c)

Decreasing stem and leaf growth, while increasing root growth

d)

Increasing leaf and root growth, while decreasing stem growth

29.

Which sequence represents the levels of organization found in a multicellular organism, from smallest to largest?

a)

Cell -> tissue -> organ -> organ system

b)

Organ system -> organ -> tissue -> cell

c)

Tissue -> organ -> organ system -> cell

d)

Cell -> organ system -> organ -> tissue

30.

After a wheat field is cleared, wild grasses and weeds begin growing. This process is considered -

a)

primary succession because pioneer species appear

b)

primary succession because there are no large trees

c)

secondary succession because soil is already present

d)

secondary succession because the field contains inorganic matter

31.

Spores of the fungus Ustilago maydis land and grow on sweet corn. The fungus then infects the plant tissue, extracting nutrients from the plant's cells. The relationship between sweet corn and Ustilago maydis can best be describe as -

a)

competition

b)

commensalism

c)

predation

d)

parasitism

32.

Some adaptations of two species of salamanders are in the table shown. Which statement best compares the areas where the axolotl and tiger salamanders live based on their adaptations?

a)

Axolotl salamanders live on land near fresh water. Tiger salamanders live in lakes.

b)

Axolotl salamanders live in trees. Tiger salamanders live in caves.

c)

Axolotl salamanders live in caves. Tiger salamanders live in trees.

d)

Axolotl salamanders live in lakes. Tiger salamanders live on land near fresh water.