Biology Benchmark

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100

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

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

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

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

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

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

100

Two scientists studied patterns of evolution in the fossil record. Many species they analyzed showed periods of slow changes interrupted by a period of rapid change. This pattern of periods of slow change interrupted by periods of rapid change with few, if any transitional fossils, best describes the theory of —

A natural selection

B genetic drift

C punctuated equilibrium

D gene flow

C punctuated equilibrium

100

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.

A They are eukaryotic.

100

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

A gene flow as new alleles are introduced

100

Which statement best describes a similarity among trees, cats, and amoebas?

A They are prokaryotic organisms.

B They are classified as members of the same kingdom.

C They have genomes that consist of the same number of genes.

D They contain DNA composed of the same four types of nucleotides.

200

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 —

F increase the average body size for surviving individuals to avoid predation

G decrease competition between different octopus species to maintain resources in the population

H increase the chance that more individuals will survive to maintain the population

J decrease the likelihood of offspring being consumed by predators

H increase the chance that more individuals will survive to maintain the population

200

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

B beneficial traits passed from parents to offspring

200

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

F Passive transport

G Simple diffusion

H Active transport

J Osmosis

H Active transport

200

15 Leaf-cutter ants harvest leaves and carry them to fungi that convert plant material into a usable form for the ants to digest. The fungi depend on the leaves for nutrients. The ants also produce an antibiotic on their bodies that helps protect the fungi from harmful bacteria. Which of these explains the relationship between the leaf-cutter ants and the fungi?

A Predation, because the ants feed on the fungi

B Mutualism, because both the ants and the fungi benefit from each other

C Competition, because both organisms consume the same resource for energy

D Commensalism, because the ants receive energy from the fungi and the fungi are unaffected

B Mutualism, because both the ants and the fungi benefit from each other

200

What components make up the backbone of a DNA molecule?

F Purines and deoxyribose

G Pyrimidines and purines

H Deoxyribose and phosphate groups

J Phosphate groups and pyrimidines

H Deoxyribose and phosphate groups

300

In domesticated dogs, hair type is controlled by two different alleles. The allele for wire hair is (H) and the allele for smooth hair is (h). When two heterozygous dogs are crossed, what percentage of the offspring is expected to be homozygous for smooth hair?

F 0%

G 25%

H 50%

J 75%

G 25%

300

Positive thigmotropism is a response in plants in which they move and grow toward an object the plant comes into physical contact with, usually curling around the object. This response of the shoot system benefits the plant by allowing the plant to —

A produce more pollen for pollinators

B take in more carbon dioxide to convert into glucose

C absorb more water to transport to the leaves

D reach more sunlight for photosynthesis

300

Which statement best describes how a virus replicates?

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

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

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

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

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

300

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?

300

Which of these shows an example of an insertion mutation?

400

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.

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

400

White clovers, Trifolium repens, are plants that are native to Europe and Central Asia and are able to produce the poison cyanide within their cells. Skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus, is a plant that is native to eastern North America and can produce a chemical that makes it have a strong, foul odor and bitter taste. The chemicals produced by both the white clovers and skunk cabbages are adaptations that allow them to —

F attract more pollinators

G survive a long-term drought

H protect against herbivores

J grow better in colder habitats

H protect against herbivores

400

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?

A Solitary with a wingspan greater than 35 cm

B Solitary with a wingspan less than 35 cm

C Colonial with a wingspan greater than 35 cm

D Colonial with a wingspan less than 35 cm

400

Oil spills in the ocean affect marine food webs. Animals that are initially affected by oil spills include sea otters, seabirds, and other organisms that spend most of their time on the ocean surface. Based on the food web, how would a significant decrease in the sea otter population due to an oil spill most likely affect this ecosystem?F The sea urchin population would increase causing the kelp population to decrease.

G The fish population would increase in response to the changes in the mussel population.

H The mussel population would increase in response to the changes in the algae population.

J The killer whale population would increase causing the fish population to decrease.

F The sea urchin population would increase causing the kelp population to decrease.

400

A model of the genetic control of coat color in rabbits is shown. Which Punnett square represents a cross that would produce albino offspring?

500

Scientists determined the total mass of DNA from a sample of animal cells. The masses of equal numbers of cells were taken during three different stages of the cell cycle. Stage I contains cells massed during G1 of the cell cycle. Which statement best describes the cells during Stage II?

F The cells have replicated their DNA, but have not completed mitosis and cytokinesis.

G The cells have completed mitosis and cytokinesis without replicating their DNA.

H The cells have replicated their DNA and completed mitosis and cytokinesis.

J The cells have temporarily exited the cell cycle without replicating their DNA.

F The cells have replicated their DNA, but have not completed mitosis and cytokinesis.

500

Blue flying fish live in the upper layers of the ocean. Blue flying fish have enlarged pectoral fins that enable them to glide for 400 meters above the ocean surface and appear to fly. Which statement best describes how natural selection led to enlarged pectoral fins in blue flying fish?

A Fish were able to glide out of the ocean and into other bodies of water to mate with other species.

B Fish were able to live both on land and in the water as a result of their larger pectoral fins.

C Fish with enlarged pectoral fins were able to glide out of the ocean to escape predators, increasing their fitness.

D Fish changed their DNA to express enlarged pectoral fins, changing the allele frequency of the population.

C Fish with enlarged pectoral fins were able to glide out of the ocean to escape predators, increasing their fitness.

500

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.

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

500

In a Central Texas grassland, the producers incorporate 12,000 kJ of energy from the sun into their tissues. About how much energy would be incorporated into the tissues of herbivores?

F 12,000 kJ

G 1,200 kJ

H 10,800 kJ

J 1,080 kJ

G 1,200 kJ

500

When a stem cell divides, it produces two daughter cells. One daughter cell will remain a stem cell, while the other daughter cell will differentiate into a specialized cell. Which factor will most directly determine what type of specialized cell will be produced?

F The size of the cell

G The length of the cell cycle

H The number of chromosomes that are replicated

J The genes that are expressed