Inheritance & Genetics
What molecule contains the hereditary information passed from parents to offspring?
DNA
What is the term for evidence showing organisms have changed over time?
Fossil record
What is the original source of energy for most ecosystems?
The sun
What cellular organelle is responsible for producing ATP through cellular respiration?
Mitochondria
What type of graph is typically best for showing changes over time?
Line graph
What is the term for different forms of the same gene?
Structures with similar anatomy but different functions provide evidence of what?
Common ancestry (homologous structures)
What process transfers carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into living organisms?
Photosynthesis
What process allows water to move across a selectively permeable membrane?
Osmosis
In an experiment, what is the purpose of a control group?
To provide a comparison for evaluating results
A heterozygous organism for a trait has which combination of alleles?
One dominant and one recessive allele
What is the ultimate source of new genetic variation in populations?
Mutation
If a keystone species is removed from an ecosystem, what is the most likely result?
Significant disruption of ecosystem stability and biodiversity
Why is negative feedback important in living organisms?
It helps maintain homeostasis
Scientists conclude that a population decline is caused by habitat loss because both variables changed together. Why should they be cautious?
Correlation does not necessarily indicate causation
During meiosis, homologous chromosomes separate during which stage?
Anaphase I
A population of insects becomes resistant to a pesticide after repeated exposure. What process occurred?
Natural selection
Why is less energy available at each successive trophic level?
Energy is lost as heat through metabolic processes
A student places cells in a hypertonic solution. What will happen to the cells?
Water leaves the cells and they shrink
A model predicts a population will increase, but observed data show a decline. What should scientists do next?
Revise or refine the model using the new evidence
A trait appears more frequently in a population after an environmental change because individuals possessing it leave more offspring. What evolutionary mechanism explains this?
Natural selection acting on inherited genetic variation
Scientists compare DNA sequences from two species and find they are 98% identical. What conclusion is most supported?
The species share a recent common ancestor
An increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide causes increased plant growth but also contributes to climate change. Which crosscutting concept best explains this relationship? (hint: look at the green posters above the chalk board)
Cause and Effect
During intense exercise, a person's breathing rate increases. How does this response help maintain homeostasis?
It increases oxygen intake and removes excess carbon dioxide
Students claim that a new fertilizer causes increased plant growth. What additional evidence would most strongly support this claim?
Controlled experimental data showing significantly greater growth in fertilized plants compared to a control group