Practice Test A

irf\> r-."^ ifi' tJi^imr^.t:

1 W h i l e l o o k i n g a t a m i c r o s c o p e slide, a s t u d e n t observes a cell s i m i l a r t o t h e d i a g r a m b e i o w .

T h e s t u d e n t f o r m s t h e h y p o t h e s i s t h a t t h e cell is a p r o k a r y o t e . W h i c h o f t h e f o l l o w i n g cell
characteristics s u p p o r t s t h e h y p o t h e s i s ?

Ribosomes
DNA

A Presence o f a ceil w a l l

B Presence o f a cell m e m b r a n e

C Presence o f a f l a g e l l u m

D Absence o f a nucleus

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Riglits Reserved.

203
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

2 T h e m o l e c u l e in t h e d i a g r a m plays w h a t r o l e in t h e b o d y ?

A Releasing energy

B Forming part of the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA

C Storing f a t

D C o n t r o l l i n g b l o o d g l u c o s e levels

Adenine Ribose 3 phosphate groups

To s t u d y t h e t r a n s p o r t o f m o l e c u l e s i n t o a n d o u t o f t h e cell, t w o s t u d e n t s set u p t h e f o l l o w i n g
i n v e s t i g a t i o n . T h e s t u d e n t s w a n t e d t o d e t e r m i n e w h a t w o u l d h a p p e n if a selectively
p e r m e a b l e barrier separated t w o solutions w i t h d i f f e r e n t concentrations o f sugar molecules.
T h e d i a g r a m o n t h e l e f t s h o w s t h e i n i t i a l w a t e r levels in a c u r v e d glass t u b e . T h e d i a g r a m o n
t h e r i g h t s h o w s t h e levels o f w a t e r a f t e r t h e c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f s u g a r m o l e c u l e s w a s t h e s a m e
o n b o t h sides o f t h e barrier. In t h e s e t u p , w h a t p a r t o f t h e cell d o e s t h e b a r r i e r r e p r e s e n t ?

A T h e cell m e m b r a n e Lower concentration Higher concentration Equal concentrations of both

of sugar molecules of sugar molecules sugar and water molecules
B T h e cell w a l l

C The nuclear membrane

D The cytoskeleton

Barrier

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

204
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

4 W h a t is t h e t y p i c a l s e q u e n c e o f e v e n t s in lytic v i r a l r e p r o d u c t i o n ?

A P e n e t r a t i o n ; a t t a c h m e n t t o r e c e p t o r p r o t e i n s ; r e p l i c a t i o n ; reassembly

B A t t a c h m e n t t o r e c e p t o r p r o t e i n s ; reassembly; r e p l i c a t i o n ; p e n e t r a t i o n

C A t t a c h m e n t t o r e c e p t o r p r o t e i n s ; p e n e t r a t i o n ; r e p l i c a t i o n ; reassembly

D Reassembly; a t t a c h m e n t t o r e c e p t o r p r o t e i n s ; r e p l i c a t i o n ; p e n e t r a t i o n

5 U n l i k e cells, viruses

A can r e p r o d u c e o n l y by i n f e c t i n g l i v i n g cells

B d o n o t have p r o t e i n s

C d o n o t have nucleic acids

D o b t a i n a n d use e n e r g y

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

205
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

6 T h e d i a g r a m r e p r e s e n t s t h e cell cycle in g r a p h i c f o r m . W h a t is o n e l i m i t a t i o n o f t h i s g r a p h i c
model?

G , phase
(Cell growth)

(Preparation : : S phase
for mitosis) J : ;: ( D N A replication)

A It d o e s n o t d i f f e r e n t i a t e b e t w e e n t h e d i v i s i o n o f c h r o m o s o m e s a n d t h e d i v i s i o n o f t h e
cytoplasm.

B It c a n n o t b e used t o p r e d i c t t h e l e n g t h o f t h e cell cycle f o r a n y specific o r g a n i s m .

C T h e s e q u e n c e o f t h e f o u r phases is i n a c c u r a t e .

D It d o e s n o t i n d i c a t e w h e r e in t h e cell cycle n e w D N A is s y n t h e s i z e d .

7 W h a t s t a g e o f mitosis is r e p r e s e n t e d in Centrioles
Spindle f o r m i n g
this illustration?

A Telophase

B Prophase

C Anaphase

D Metaphase

Nuclear envelope M Centromere

romosomes

Copyrigint Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

206
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

8 A scientist w a n t s t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e e f f e c t o f h i g h a c i d i t y o n t h e e p i t h e l i a l cells t h a t line t h e

d i g e s t i v e system o f a f r o g . W h i c h pieces o f l a b o r a t o r y e q u i p m e n t w o u l d b e m o s t u s e f u l t o t h e
scientist?

A A p r o b e t h a t measures p H a n d a m e t r i c r u l e r

B A microscope a n d a p r o b e t h a t measures pH

C E l e c t r o p h o r e s i s a p p a r a t u s a n d a Celsius t h e r m o m e t e r

D A l a b i n c u b a t o r a n d a Celsius t h e r m o m e t e r

9 A research t e a m is t r y i n g t o f i n d t h e specific cause o f Cancer Z. W h i c h o f t h e f o l l o w i n g m i g h t

b e a h y p o t h e s i s t h a t t h e t e a m is i n v e s t i g a t i n g ?

A Cancer Z can b e c u r e d using a c o m b i n a t i o n o f c h e m o t h e r a p y a n d r a d i a t i o n .

B Cancer Z c a n n o t be t r e a t e d w i t h o u t k n o w i n g t h e exact m u t a t i o n t h a t is c a u s i n g t h e
cancer.

C A m u t a t i o n in a g e n e o n c h r o m o s o m e 5 is d i s r u p t i n g t h e cell cycle, c a u s i n g Cancer Z.

D A l l cancers w i l l s o m e d a y be c u r a b l e .

10 T h e b i o m o l e c u l e s h o w n b e l o w is a

A carbohydrate

B lipid

C protein

D n u c l e i c acid

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

207
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

11 L i p i d m o l e c u l e s a r e w e l l s u i t e d t o f o r m p a r t o f t h e cell m e m b r a n e because

Fatty acids Glycerol

H O H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

H C o - - c c c c c c c c c = c c - C - C c c - C;H
1 1 1 I I 1 r 1 11 I
I II
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 H H H H H
H H H H H H H H H
O H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H
11
H ( o - - C C C C c c c c C = Cc-C c c - eC H
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
r
1 1 1 1 1 ,1 1 11 H H
1 H H ;H
H H H H H H H H H
O H H H H Fi H H H H H H H H

H ( -ccccccccc=cc C- c
f 1 f
c - C - C - H

H
1
H H
1 H
1 H
I HI I H H
1 H
1 H H
1 H
1 1
H H
H

A they contain b o t h carbon and hydrogen atoms

B most o f t h e carbon atoms have d o u b l e bonds

C t h e y can store energy

D o n e e n d is h y d r o p h o b i c a n d t h e o t h e r is h y d r o p h i l i c

12 E x a m i n e t h e D N A s e q u e n c e in t h e
d i a g r a m a t r i g h t . This d i a g r a m s h o w s

A a s e q u e n c e o f a m i n o acids

B a phosphate-sugar backbone w i t h
n i t r o g e n o u s base pairs

C t h a t t h e D N A has b e e n g e n e t i c a l l y m o d i f i e d

D t h a t t h e d o u b l e - h e l i x structure turns in a
l e f t - h a n d e d spiral

Copyrigint Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

208
STAAR Biology Practice Test A

13 Study t h e s e g m e n t o f D N A s h o w n below. W h a t w o u l d be t h e c o m p l e m e n t a r y sequence o f

bases in t h e o t h e r s t r a n d o f D N A t h a t m a k e s u p t h e d o u b l e h e l i x ?

DNA
strand

A GCACUGCUA

B CGTGCAGAT

C ATUUATCTA

D GCACGTCTA

14 D N A m o l e c u l e s , w h i c h s t o r e t h e g e n e t i c c o d e , a r e f o u n d in

A animals b u t n o t plants

B eukaryotes but not prokaryotes

C viruses b u t n o t cells

D all o r g a n i s m s

15 D u r i n g p r o t e i n synthesis, t h e t r a n s l a t i o n process

A t a k e s place in t h e n u c l e u s

B does n o t always involve mRNA

C i n v o l v e s t R N A m o l e c u l e s t h a t each c a r r y o n l y o n e k i n d o f a m i n o acid

D r e q u i r e s RNA p o l y m e r a s e

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

209
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

16 In e u k a r y o t i c cells, s o m e t r a n s c r i p t i o n f a c t o r s r e g u l a t e t h e e x p r e s s i o n o f g e n e s b y

A r e m o v i n g a base f r o m a D N A m o l e c u l e

B t r a n s f e r r i n g a m i n o acids t o r i b o s o m e s

C a c t i v a t i n g t h e o p e r a t o r r e g i o n o f t h e lac o p e r o n

D e n a b l i n g RNA p o l y m e r a s e t o a t t a c h t o D N A

17 A g e n e t i c i s t w a n t s t o d e t e r m i n e w h a t m u t a t i o n in a D N A m o l e c u l e c h a n g e d t h e s t r u c t u r e o f a
specific p r o t e i n . W h a t w o u l d t h e scientist n e e d t o k n o w before p l a n n i n g t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n ?

A T h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f bases in t h e D N A m o l e c u l e

B W h e t h e r t h e DNA was part of an o p e r o n

C W h e t h e r t h e m u t a t i o n was a s u b s t i t u t i o n , an insertion, or a d e l e t i o n

D T h e n o r m a l s e q u e n c e o f bases t h a t c o d e f o r t h e p r o t e i n

18 Look at t h e diagram of the t w o chromosomes below.

To p r o d u c e t h e m u t a n t c h r o m o s o m e ,

CM)P)O)N)Q)R)S)

A p a r t o f t h e n o r m a l c h r o m o s o m e has b e e n d u p l i c a t e d

B p a r t o f t h e n o r m a l c h r o m o s o m e has b e c o m e i n v e r t e d

C p a r t o f t h e n o r m a l c h r o m o s o m e has b e e n d e l e t e d

D p a r t o f a n o t h e r c h r o m o s o m e has a t t a c h e d t o t h e n o r m a l c h r o m o s o m e .

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

210
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

19 In peas, r o u n d shape (R) is d o m i n a n t o v e r w r i n k l e d s h a p e (r), a n d y e l l o w c o l o r (Y) is d o m i n a n t

o v e r g r e e n c o l o r (y). L o o k a t t h e cross s h o w n in t h e P u n n e t t s q u a r e b e l o w . W h a t is t h e
g e n o t y p e t h a t is missing in t h e b o t t o m r o w ?

RY Ry rY

RY RRYY RRYy RrYY RrYy

Ry RRYy RRyy RrYy Rryy

RrYy:

rY RrYY RrYy rrYY rrYy

ry RrYy Rryy rrYy

Fj G e n e r a t i o n

A RrYy

B RRyy

C rrYY

D rryy

20 In t h e n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r y , G r e g o r M e n d e l
crossed t r u e - b r e e d i n g t a l l p e a p l a n t s w i t h t r u e -
b r e e d i n g s h o r t pea p l a n t s . This cross (P) a n d its
results (F,) a r e d i a g r a m e d a t r i g h t . W h e n t w o F,
p l a n t s a r e crossed, w h a t p e r c e n t a g e o f t h e
o f f s p r i n g w i l l p r o b a b l y be s h o r t ?

A 0 percent

B 100 p e r c e n t

C A b o u t 25 p e r c e n t

D A b o u t 50 p e r c e n t

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

211
STAAR B i o i o g y Practice Test A

21 D u r i n g m e i o s i s , g e n e t i c r e c o m b i n a t i o n results because

A g e n e m u t a t i o n s occur m o r e f r e q u e n t l y t h a n a t o t h e r t i m e s

B c h r o m o s o m e m u t a t i o n s occur m o r e f r e q u e n t l y t h a n a t o t h e r t i m e s

C c h r o m o s o m e s assort i n d e p e n d e n t l y a n d c r o s s i n g - o v e r occurs

D g e n e t i c d r i f t occurs

22 A g e n e t i c c o u n s e l o r h y p o t h e s i z e s t h a t a c e r t a i n i n d i v i d u a l has a n e x t r a c h r o m o s o m e . W h a t is
t h e best e v i d e n c e she c o u l d use t o t e s t h e r h y p o t h e s i s ?

A A g e l e l e c t r o p h o r e s i s analysis

B A family pedigree

C A c o m p u t e r p r o g r a m t h a t sequences t h e bases in a D N A m o l e c u l e
D A karyotype

23 The d i a g r a m b e l o w shows an example o f w h a t t y p e of h o m o l o g y ?

Ancient, lobe-finned fish

A Vertebrate homology

B Molecular homology

C Biogeographical homology
D Anatomical homology

Copyriglit Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. Ail Rights Reserved.

212
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

24 A scientist c o m p a r e d t h e s e q u e n c e o f bases in a r e g i o n o f t h e s a m e g e n e , HoxcS, in a m o u s e ,

a b a l e e n w h a l e , a n d a c h i c k e n . L o o k a t t h e base sequences in t h e t a b l e b e l o w . W h i c h o f t h e
f o l l o w i n g s t a t e m e n t s is p r o b a b l y t r u e ?

I Mouse C]A G A A A f r G C C K C M ^ T A T G G C C C O r G T T T G T C fr C C C iT G C T C

Baleen whale G I A A A T G t C iT T i T : ! T A . T : G : G G;T T T IG C:C T i G k l G l c

Chicken A k A U i A A :T G G Ic TiliT-T AiCiAiG CiT G:T:T|T G Tic T G I C I T I A

A T h e m o u s e is m o r e closely r e l a t e d t o t h e b a l e e n w h a l e t h a n t o t h e c h i c k e n .

B T h e c h i c k e n is m o r e closely r e l a t e d t o t h e m o u s e t h a n t h e b a l e e n w h a l e is.

C T h e HoxcS g e n e s o f t h e t h r e e a n i m a l s are v e r y d i f f e r e n t f r o m o n e a n o t h e r .

D HoxcS g e n e s a r e n o t s u i t a b l e f o r d e t e r m i n i n g m o l e c u l a r h o m o l o g i e s .

25 M a n y p a l e o n t o l o g i s t s h y p o t h e s i z e t h a t p r e s e n t - d a y w h a l e s e v o l v e d f r o m a n c i e n t ancestors
t h a t h a d f o u r legs a n d w a l k e d o n l a n d . Evidence f o r t h a t h y p o t h e s i s w o u l d be a s e q u e n c e o f
w h a l e - l i k e fossils

A in w h i c h t h e o l d e s t fossils h a d f l i p p e r l i k e a p p e n d a g e s a n d t h e m o s t r e c e n t fossils h a d f o u r
limbs

B in w h i c h t h e o l d e s t fossils h a d f o u r l i m b s a n d t h e m o s t r e c e n t fossils h a d f l i p p e r l i k e
appendages

C t h a t i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e ancestors o f p r e s e n t - d a y w h a l e s w e r e w i p e d o u t d u r i n g a mass
extinction

D t h a t i n d i c a t e t h a t w h a l e s e v o l v e d b e f o r e a n i m a l s w i t h f o u r legs

26 A f a r m e r uses a c h e m i c a l p e s t i c i d e t o kill insects t h a t d e s t r o y t h e c o r n p l a n t e d in a f i e l d . A t

f i r s t , t h e c h e m i c a l kills 95 p e r c e n t o f t h e insects. A f t e r a f e w years, t h e p e s t i c i d e kills o n l y
a b o u t 50 p e r c e n t o f t h e insects. W h i c h o f t h e f o l l o w i n g is t h e best i n f e r e n c e a b o u t w h a t
caused t h e c h a n g e in t h e pesticide's e f f e c t i v e n e s s ?

A S o m e o f t h e c o r n p l a n t s w e r e a b l e t o c h a n g e t h e m s e l v e s so t h a t t h e y resisted t h e e f f e c t s
o f t h e pesticide.

B A f t e r t h e f i r s t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e c h e m i c a l , s o m e o f t h e insects m i g r a t e d t o a d i f f e r e n t
f i e l d . T h e a l l e l e f r e q u e n c y in t h e r e m a i n i n g p o p u l a t i o n c h a n g e d .

C In t h e b e g i n n i n g , a f e w insects w e r e a b l e t o survive t h e p e s t i c i d e . O v e r t i m e , t h e
f r e q u e n c y o f t h e a l l e l e f o r p e s t i c i d e resistance increased in t h e p o p u l a t i o n .

D A f t e r t h e first a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e pesticide, t h e f a r m e r switched t o a d i f f e r e n t pesticide

t h a t k i l l e d a h i g h e r p e r c e n t a g e o f t h e insects.

Copyrigint Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

213
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

27 T h e g r a p h s h o w s t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n b e a k size a n d s u r v i v a l f o r t h e m e d i u m
g r o u n d f i n c h , Geospiza fortis, d u r i n g a d r o u g h t o n o n e o f t h e G a l a p a g o s Islands.
The g r a p h shows t h a t

A w h e n c o n d i t i o n s are n o t dry, Geospiza fortis Bird S u r v i v a l B a s e d on Beak Size

p r e f e r s s m a l l seeds

B all f i n c h e s w i t h b e a k sizes g r e a t e r t h a n 11 m m
survived

C h e r i t a b l e v a r i a t i o n a c c o u n t s f o r t h e d i f f e r e n c e in
b e a k size

D d u r i n g a d r o u g h t , l a r g e b e a k size is a n a d a p t i v e
a d v a n t a g e in Geospiza fortis

9 10 11 12 13
Beak Size (mm)

28 Researchers are t r y i n g t o f i n d n e w a n t i b i o t i c s t o t r e a t b a c t e r i a l diseases. W h y is t h e search f o r

new antibiotics urgent?

A N e w a n t i b i o t i c s are n e e d e d t o t r e a t e m e r g i n g diseases t h a t h a v e p r e v i o u s l y b e e n
u n k n o w n in t h e d e v e l o p e d w o r l d .

B N e w a n t i b i o t i c s are needed t o t r e a t a variety o f s y m p t o m s .

C Over t i m e , m o r e a n d m o r e bacteria have become resistant t o t h e antibiotics currently

available.

D Each a n t i b i o t i c kills o n l y o n e k i n d o f b a c t e r i a .

29 By c h a n c e , a f e w acorns f r o m a n o a k t r e e are c a r r i e d b y a r i v e r f o r h u n d r e d s o f miles t o a n e w

e n v i r o n m e n t . M o s t o f t h e acorns g e r m i n a t e a n d g r o w . A f t e r t w o o r t h r e e g e n e r a t i o n s , t h e
n e w p o p u l a t i o n o f o a k t r e e s has s o m e t r a i t s t h a t a r e s i g n i f i c a n t l y d i f f e r e n t f r o m t h o s e o f t h e
o r i g i n a l p o p u l a t i o n . W h a t p r o b a b l y l e d t o t h e d i f f e r e n c e in t r a i t s ?

A T o g e t h e r , t h e acorns c a r r i e d a w a y b y t h e river h a d a l l e l e f r e q u e n c i e s t h a t w e r e d i f f e r e n t
f r o m t h o s e in t h e o r i g i n a l p o p u l a t i o n .

B T h e r i v e r w a t e r a l t e r e d t h e a c o r n s , g i v i n g t h o s e acorns g r e a t e r f i t n e s s t h a n t h e a c o r n s in
the original population.

C M o r e m u t a t i o n s o c c u r r e d in t h e n e w p o p u l a t i o n t h a n in t h e o r i g i n a l p o p u l a t i o n .

D T h e t r e e s in t h e o l d e n v i r o n m e n t h a d less g e n e t i c v a r i a t i o n t h a n t h e t r e e s in t h e n e w
environment.

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

214
STAAR Biology Practice Test A

30 Scientists use b i n o m i a l n o m e n c l a t u r e t o n a m e species because

A a s t a n d a r d i z e d n a m i n g system is critical in s c i e n t i f i c c l a s s i f i c a t i o n

B i t i n d i c a t e s w h e r e a species is f o u n d

C i t is t h e o n l y l o g i c a l system o f c l a s s i f i c a t i o n

D L a t i n is t h e o n l y a c c e p t e d s c i e n t i f i c l a n g u a g e

31 A d i c h o t o m o u s key is used t o

A make cladograms

B i d e n t i f y d e r i v e d characteristics

C trace e v o l u t i o n a r y d e v e l o p m e n t

D i d e n t i f y t h e species o f a n o r g a n i s m

32 A j o u r n a l a r t i c l e c o n t a i n s t h e c l a d o g r a m s h o w n b e l o w . To c o m m u n i c a t e i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t t h e
c l a d o g r a m shows, a s t u d e n t could report t h a t

Lamprey Trout Salamander Lizard Wallaby Human

A w a l l a b i e s lack m a m m a r y g l a n d s

B all t h e g r o u p s h a v e f o u r l i m b s

C the amniotic-egg trait appeared before the backbone trait

D all t h e g r o u p s h a v e n o t o c h o r d s

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

215
 Practice Test A

33 W h a t process does t h e f o l l o w i n g e q u a t i o n d e s c r i b e ?

6CO2 + SH^O CgH^Pg + 6O2

A G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions

B Photosynthesis

C E n e r g y t r a n s f e r in b a c t e r i a cells

D Cellular respiration

34 W h y is m a i n t e n a n c e o f a c o n s t a n t b l o o d p H critical f o r b o d y processes?

A Enzymes w o r k best w i t h i n a n a r r o w pH r a n g e .

B B l o o d w i t h a h i g h pH helps p r e v e n t cancer.

C T h e p r o d u c t i o n o f v i t a m i n C b y skin cells r e q u i r e s l o w p H v a l u e s .

D S o m e b a c t e r i a t h r i v e in v e r y acidic c o n d i t i o n s .

35 The secretions of t h e pancreas c o n t a i n b o t h enzymes and s o d i u m b i c a r b o n a t e . The g r a p h

s h o w s t h e s e c r e t i o n s o f t h e pancreas in response t o h y d r o c h l o r i c a c i d , p r o t e i n , a n d f a t . W h a t
p e r c e n t a g e o f s e c r e t i o n s is m a d e u p o f e n z y m e s w h e n t h e r e is f a t in t h e s e m i - d i g e s t e d f o o d ?

A 80 p e r c e n t
Pancreatic Secretions
B 20 p e r c e n t 100
90 -
C 50 p e r c e n t
80
D 40 p e r c e n t

0 0) 70-
1-5 60
0
C U 50-
40 -
I
0 u 30
U C
0 20
a.
10
0-^
Hydrochloric acid Protein Fat
Substance in Small Intestine

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

216
STAAR Biology Practice Test A

The Human Digestive System

36 T h e d i a g r a m s h o w s t h e h u m a n d i g e s t i v e system.
In w h i c h s t r u c t u r e s d o t h e d i g e s t i v e a n d m u s c u l a r
systems w o r k closely t o g e t h e r ?

A 4, 5, a n d 6

B 1, 3, a n d 8

C 5, 6, a n d 8

D 4 , 7, a n d 8

37 T h e b o d y r e g u l a t e s b l o o d pressure in a process in w h i c h nerves sense t h e b l o o d f l o w

resistance associated w i t h h i g h e r b l o o d pressure; t h e nerves relay t h i s message t o t h e b r a i n ;
t h e b r a i n t h e n slows d o w n t h e h e a r t r a t e a n d d i l a t e s t h e b l o o d vessels, l o w e r i n g t h e b l o o d
pressure. This process is a n e x a m p l e o f

A action potential

B positive feedback

C negative feedback

D atherosclerosis

38 P u b e r t y b e g i n s w h e n t h e h y p o t h a l a m u s signals t h e p i t u i t a r y t o release f o l l i c l e - s t i m u l a t i n g
h o r m o n e (FSH) a n d l u t e i n i z i n g h o r m o n e (LH). D u r i n g t h i s process, w h i c h are t h e p r i m a r y b o d y
systems t h a t a r e i n t e r a c t i n g ?

A T h e i m m u n e , r e p r o d u c t i v e , a n d n e r v o u s systems

B T h e c i r c u l a t o r y , i n t e g u m e n t a r y , a n d e x c r e t o r y systems

C T h e r e p r o d u c t i v e , e n d o c r i n e , a n d n e r v o u s systems

D T h e e x c r e t o r y , r e p r o d u c t i v e , a n d e n d o c r i n e systems

Copyrigint Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

217
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

39 The d i a g r a m at r i g h t shows t h e setup f o r an

investigation. Which of the following was the
scientist p r o b a b l y u s i n g t h e s e t u p t o i n v e s t i g a t e ?

A H o w t h e r a t e a t w h i c h t h e r o o t system a b s o r b s
Glass tube
w a t e r affects photosynthesis

B H o w a p l a n t ' s r o o t s , stems, a n d leaves w o r k

t o g e t h e r d u r i n g photosynthesis Water

C H o w w a t e r m o v e s f r o m t h e r o o t system i n t o t h e
plant's s t e m

D W h e t h e r s u n l i g h t affects t h e a m o u n t o f w a t e r
t h a t a r o o t absorbs

40 The d i a g r a m at right shows h o w hormones

p r o d u c e d by a f u l l y d e v e l o p e d f l o w e r i n h i b i t
the development of a bud, temporarily
preventing t h e bud from maturing. Which
t w o systems a r e i n t e r a c t i n g in t h e d i a g r a m ?

A Reproductive and support

B R e p r o d u c t i v e a n d response

C Support and transport

D Response a n d p h o t o s y n t h e t i c

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

218
STAAR Biology Practice Test A

41 In a villus, w h a t k i n d s o f tissue w o r k t o g e t h e r t o a b s o r b n u t r i e n t s a n d t r a n s p o r t t h e m
t h r o u g h o u t t h e body?

A E p i t h e l i a l tissue a n d c o n n e c t i v e tissue

B Nerve tissue a n d muscle tissue

C E p i t h e l i a l tissue a n d muscle tissue

D A r t e r y tissue a n d v e i n tissue

42 W h i c h i n t e r a c t i o n o f b o d y systems is a n e x a m p l e o f h o m e o s t a s i s m a i n t e n a n c e ?

A W h e n y o u w a t c h a scary m o v i e , y o u f e e l y o u r h e a r t r a c i n g .

B D u r i n g t h e m o v i e , y o u e a t a n d d i g e s t candy. As a response, y o u r b o d y ' s h o r m o n e s

s t i m u l a t e cells t o t a k e u p s u g a r f r o m y o u r b l o o d .

C A f t e r t h e m o v i e , y o u r n e r v o u s system s t i m u l a t e s t h e muscles in y o u r legs so y o u can w a l k

out of t h e theater.

D Your brain enables you t o r e m e m b e r a f u n n y m o m e n t f r o m t h e f i l m and you laugh.

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

219
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

43 A scientist is w r i t i n g a r e p o r t a n d w a n t s t o i n c l u d e t h e f o l l o w i n g d i a g r a m . W h i c h is t h e best
title f o r this diagram?

'"mm
Warm environment
and exercise cause
body temperature
to increase.

Hypothalamus senses temperature

STOP I change and sends signals that : START j
start or stop cooling mechanisms.

Body temperature
decreases.

A B o d y T e m p e r a t u r e C o n t r o l T h r o u g h N e g a t i v e Feedback

B B o d y T e m p e r a t u r e C o n t r o l T h r o u g h Positive F e e d b a c k

C B o d y T e m p e r a t u r e o n a H o t S u m m e r Day

D The Function of t h e Hypothalamus

44 Scientists a t a f e r t i l i z e r - m a n u f a c t u r i n g c o m p a n y p e r f o r m e d a n e x p e r i m e n t t o d e t e r m i n e
w h e t h e r a n i t r o g e n - c o n t a i n i n g f e r t i l i z e r (NitroPro) increased t h e h e i g h t t o w h i c h grass w o u l d
g r o w . T h e scientists a d d e d t h e f e r t i l i z e r t o o n e p l o t o f grass; a n o t h e r p l o t o f grass, w h i c h
a c t e d as a c o n t r o l , r e c e i v e d n o n i t r o g e n f e r t i l i z e r . T h e g r a p h , w h i c h s h o w s t h e results o f t h e
e x p e r i m e n t , w a s used in t h e c o m p a n y ' s a d v e r t i s i n g . W h i c h o f t h e f o l l o w i n g s t a t e m e n t s is
j u s t i f i e d by t h e data s h o w n o n t h e g r a p h ?

Time

A NitroPro p r o m o t e s t h e g r o w t h o f grass.

B NitroPro makes your g a r d e n g r o w .

C W i t h NitroPro, y o u r g a r d e n i n g p r o b l e m s w i l l be s o l v e d .

D NitroPro l a w n s a r e t h e g r e e n e s t l a w n s in t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d .

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

220
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

45 M y c o r r h i z a e a r e s y m b i o t i c associations b e t w e e n s o m e f u n g i a n d p l a n t r o o t s . T h e g r a p h
b e l o w s h o w s t h e g r o w t h r a t e o f t h r e e species o f t r e e s s p r u c e , l e m o n , a n d a s p e n w h e n
m y c o r r h i z a e a r e p r e s e n t a n d w h e n t h e y a r e n o t . Based o n t h e g r a p h , w h a t w o u l d p r o b a b l y
h a p p e n if m y c o r r h i z a e w e r e r e m o v e d f r o m t h e soil?

I I Mycorrhizae absent B i Mycorrhizae present

Spruce Lemon Aspen

Type of Tree

A T h e aspens w i l l d o b e t t e r w i t h o u t t h e m y c o r r h i z a e .

B T h e e f f e c t o n t h e aspens w i l l b e g r e a t e r t h a n o n t h e l e m o n t r e e s .

C T h e g r o w t h o f all t h r e e k i n d s o f t r e e s w i l l s l o w d o w n .

D A l l t h r e e k i n d s o f t r e e s w i l l d i e w i t h i n a y e a r a f t e r t h e m y c o r r h i z a e are r e m o v e d .

46 S t u d e n t s a r e o b s e r v i n g p r i m a r y succession in a n a r e a t h a t has j u s t e x p e r i e n c e d a v o l c a n i c
e r u p t i o n . T h e s t u d e n t s f o r m u l a t e d several h y p o t h e s e s . W h i c h o f t h e f o l l o w i n g h y p o t h e s e s
w i l l p r o b a b l y be s u p p o r t e d by evidence?

A Lichens w i l l be t h e p i o n e e r species.

B Raccoons w i l l be t h e p i o n e e r species.

C N e s t i n g b i r d s w i l l c o l o n i z e t h e area b e f o r e grasses d o .

D M a p l e t r e e s w i l l a p p e a r b e f o r e mosses d o .

47 In w h i c h o f t h e f o l l o w i n g areas w o u l d s e c o n d a r y succession m o s t l i k e l y occur?

A A lava f l o w

B A n area w i t h a w e l l - b a l a n c e d , w e l l - e s t a b l i s h e d ecosystem

C A p r e v i o u s l y f o r e s t e d a r e a d e v a s t a t e d by f i r e

D A r o c k l e d g e e x p o s e d by t h e m e l t i n g o f t h e g l a c i e r t h a t c o v e r e d it

Copyrigint Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

221
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

48 R e m o r a f i s h e s h a v e a n a d h e s i v e disic o n t h e i r h e a d s t h a t t h e y use t o a t t a c h t h e m s e l v e s t o
w h a l e s . W h e n f o o d f l o a t s a w a y f r o m t h e w h a l e ' s m o u t h , u n u s e d , t h e r e m o r a u n h i t c h e s itself
f r o m t h e w h a l e a n d eats t h e f o o d t h e w h a l e l e t f l o a t a w a y . T h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e
r e m o r a a n d t h e w h a l e is a n e x a m p l e o f

A parasitism

B commensalism

C mutualism

D competition

49 T h e g r a p h b e l o w is a c o m p u t e r - g e n e r a t e d m o d e l t h a t s h o w s h o w , in g e n e r a l , t h e sizes o f a
p r e d a t o r p o p u l a t i o n a n d t h e p o p u l a t i o n o f its p r e y c h a n g e o v e r t i m e . W h a t is o n e l i m i t a t i o n
ofthis model?

Prcdctor-Prey Dynamics

A
ft I 1

I I
\# 1J \

A T h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n t h e sizes o f t h e t w o p o p u l a t i o n s is e x a g g e r a t e d .

B In r e a l i t y , t h e sizes o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n s o f a p r e d a t o r a n d its p r e y c h a n g e v e r y l i t t l e as t i m e
passes.

C The g r a p h does n o t s h o w actual p o p u l a t i o n data.

D T h e g r a p h is based o n i n a c c u r a t e d a t a .

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

222
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

50 In t h e f o o d c h a i n s h o w n h e r e , w h i c h o r g a n i s m o r o r g a n i s m s a r e a u t o t r o p h s ?

Algae Flagfish Largemouth bass Anhinga Alligator

A The algae

B The algae and the flagfish

C T h e f l a g f i s h a n d t h e l a r g e m o u t h bass

D The alligator

51 In t h e d i a g r a m b e l o w , t h e p e r c e n t a g e s r e f e r t o

Heat

Third-level
consumer 0.1% Heat

Second-level/ \%
Heat
consumer / '

First-level 10%
Heat
consumer

Primary
producer 100%

A t h e m a t t e r t h a t g e t s t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e n e x t h i g h e r t r o p h i c level

B t h e o r g a n i s m s t h a t g e t c o n s u m e d b y o r g a n i s m s in t h e t r o p h i c level a b o v e

C t h e e n e r g y t h a t gets t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e n e x t h i g h e r t r o p h i c level

D t h e o r g a n i s m s a t each level t h a t are a u t o t r o p h s

Copyriglit Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rigtits Reserved.

223
STAAR B i o l o g y Practice Test A

52 W h a t t w o a g e n t s c o n v e r t n i t r o g e n gas i n t o f o r m s t h a t o r g a n i s m s can use?

A N i t r o g e n - f i x i n g bacteria and l i g h t n i n g

B D e n i t r i f y i n g bacteria and n i t r o g e n - f i x i n g bacteria

C Fertilizer a n d d e n i t r i f y i n g bacteria

D Enzymes a n d a m m o n i a

53 Excess a l g a e a r e g r o w i n g in a w a t e r w a y n e a r s o m e f a r m l a n d . W h i c h is t h e m o s t l o g i c a l
explanation f o r this observation?

A Fertilizer r u n o f f p o l l u t e d t h e w a t e r w i t h n i t r o g e n and phosphorus.

B Pesticide r u n o f f p o l l u t e d t h e w a t e r w i t h c a r b o n a n d o x y g e n .

C A n i n v a s i v e species caused t h e a l g a l g r o w t h .

D Acid rain caused t h e algal g r o w t h .

54 W h i c h o f t h e f o l l o w i n g is m o s t l i k e l y t o cause a p e r m a n e n t c h a n g e in a c o a s t a l w e t l a n d
ecosystem?

A Levees t h a t c h a n g e t h e f l o w o f w a t e r

B A disease t h a t reduces t h e p e l i c a n p o p u l a t i o n by 10 p e r c e n t

C A long p e r i o d w i t h no rainfall

D A n e x p l o s i o n in t h e c r a w f i s h p o p u l a t i o n t h a t leads t o h e a v i e r f i s h i n g

Copyright Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

224