STAAR Success - High School Biology - Practice #1
Read each question carefully. Choose the best answer to each question. For open-response questions, determine the best answer to the question.
Question 1a
Which structure indicates that a cell is prokaryotic?
Mitochondria
Free-floating DNA
Nucleus
Chloroplast
Question 1b
A population of mice shows increased survival of dark-colored fur after a volcanic eruption. What is the most likely reason?
Mutations in somatic cells for dark fur increased.
Natural selection favored dark fur due to better camouflage.
Mice with light fur selected darker environments.
Migration of dark-furred mice into the area increased.
Question 1c
Which organ and tissue in plants interact most directly to transport water?
Root and phloem
Flower and xylem
Root and xylem
Stem and chloroplast
Group 2
Source: ModestFish
Question 2a
Which part of the coral structure is responsible for its symbiotic relationship with algae, aiding in nutrient exchange and energy production?
Tentacles
Mesoglea
Zooxanthellae
Nematocyst
Question 2b
Explain the role of zooxanthellae in coral survival and how this relationship is affected during coral bleaching.
Group 3
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Question 3a
Part A: Which two species are most closely related based on the number of amino acid differences in their cytochrome C sequences?
Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Neurospora crassa and Candida albicans
Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Neurospora crassa
Candida albicans and cytochrome C
Question 3b
Part B: Which evidence best supports your answer to Part A?
The species share many anatomical similarities.
The species have high molecular homology.
The species are able to reproduce.
The species are both fungi.
Question 4a
A plant undergoes photosynthesis. Explain how glucose and oxygen are involved in storing energy for the plant. Include a chemical equation to support your response.
Question 4b
Which cellular component is the same in all living organisms?
Mitochondria
DNA sequences
Nucleotides
Ribosomes
Question 4c
A student investigates osmosis using a dialysis bag filled with 5% salt solution and places it in a beaker with 10% salt solution. Predict and explain the movement of the water.
Group 5
Source: Biology Dictionary
Question 5a
What type of mutation is depicted in the DNA sequence shown in the image?
Insertion
Substitution
Deletion
Frameshift
Question 5b
How might the substitution mutation shown in the DNA sequence affect the resulting protein?
The protein will remain unchanged.
The mutation may change a single amino acid in the protein.
The mutation will delete an entire amino acid from the protein.
The mutation will add an additional amino acid to the protein.
Group 6
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Question 6a
What is the immediate effect on plants when nitrogen-fixing bacteria are reduced in soil?
Increased availability of nitrogen in the soil
Decreased nitrogen absorption, leading to slower growth
Enhanced biodiversity of plants in the area
Increased soil pH, allowing more nutrient absorption
Question 6b
Which solution would most effectively restore the nitrogen cycle as described in Part A?
Adding nitrogen-fixing bacteria to the soil
Increasing the use of synthetic fertilizers
Replacing nitrogen-dependent crops with non-nitrogen-dependent crops
Planting crops with shallow root systems
Question 7a
Which of the following best explains how enzymes affect biochemical reactions?
They decrease the energy required to start the reaction by stabilizing reactants.
They bind irreversibly to substrates, increasing reaction rates.
They change the equilibrium of a reaction, favoring product formation.
They increase the energy required for the reaction to occur.
Question 7b
Which sequence of events correctly describes the flow of energy through ecosystems?
Solar energy → heterotrophs → autotrophs → decomposers
Autotrophs → decomposers → solar energy → heterotrophs
Solar energy → autotrophs → heterotrophs → decomposers
Decomposers → autotrophs → heterotrophs → solar energy
Question 8a
What is the most likely consequence of a nonsense mutation within a coding sequence of DNA?
The mutation changes the shape of the DNA helix, blocking transcription entirely.
The mutation introduces a premature stop codon, halting protein synthesis early.
The mutation causes an amino acid substitution, altering the protein structure.
The mutation changes the promoter region, reducing gene expression.
Question 8b
In an experiment, a plant is placed in a sealed container with high levels of oxygen and minimal carbon dioxide. Which cellular process will likely decrease as a result of this environment?
Glycolysis
Photosynthesis
Fermentation
Aerobic respiration
Teach with AI superpowers
Why teachers love Class Companion
Import assignments to get started in no time.
Create your own rubric to customize the AI feedback to your liking.
Overrule the AI feedback if a student disputes.