BIOLOGY LIFE SCIENCE Questions and Answers
Which of the following correctly identifies the locations where the lightdependent reactions of
photosynthesis and the Calvin cycle occur in plant cells?
Photosynthesis in plants involves two key phases: the light-dependent reactions in the thylakoid
membrane where light is converted to ATP and NADPH, and the Calvin cycle in the chloroplast stroma
where carbon dioxide is transformed into organic molecules using the energy carriers produced in the
first phase.
Which TWO of the following best illustrate mutualistic relationships?
Leaf-cutter ants bring leaves back to their nests and chew the leaves into a paste on which grows a
species of fungus that is the main source of food for the ants.
Some species of barnacles attach to whales or sea turtles and thus gain easy access to nutrient-rich
waters and a means of dispersing barnacle larvae.
Carnivorous plants consume insects that provide limiting environmental nutrients to the plants.
The shells of some spider crabs are covered by algae, providing camouflage for the crabs and a growth
surface for the algae.
Leaf-cutter ants and fungus: Leaf-cutter ants bring leaves back to their nests and chew the leaves into a
paste on which grows a species of fungus. The fungus is the main source of food for the ants, while the
ants provide the fungus with nutrients and a suitable environment for growth.
Barnacles and whales/sea turtles: Some species of barnacles attach to whales or sea turtles, gaining easy
access to nutrient-rich waters and a means of dispersing barnacle larvae. The barnacles benefit from the
movement of the host, while the host is not significantly harmed.
Which of the following provides the strongest evidence that regular exercise is beneficial to the
cardiovascular system?
Peer-reviewed studies demonstrating that exercise increases the concentration of HDL ("good"
cholesterol) and decreases the concentration of triglycerides in the body
Regular monitoring of the energy level and muscle tone of an individual who exercises
Publications provided by a local fitness center that describe the benefits of exercise, including
improvement in memory and the ability to learn
Periodic determination of the body mass index (BMI) of an individual who exercises
The strongest evidence that regular exercise is beneficial to the cardiovascular system is provided by
peer-reviewed studies
Which of the following is most likely density dependent factor that can affect the growth of live oak
trees in Texas Hill country?
Fungal disease
IF a population of lizards colonizes an isolated island, which of the following is most likely to occur within
the population over several generations
Genetic drift
, Which of the following is the most likely function of the cells illustrated above?
Absorption of nutrients and minerals
Some members of the family in the pedigree shown above exhibit a rare genetic trait. Which of the
following is the most likely form of inheritance of the trait?
Autosomal dominant
Members of which of the following taxonomic groups are heterotrophic, have cell walls composed of
chitin, and may have body extensions called hyphae?
Fungi
Which of the following is true about DNA replication in eukaryotic cells?
DNA polymerase binds each new nucleotide, and ligase joins the nucleotide to the growing DNA strand.
Which TWO of the following organelles play a role in the addition of carbohydrates to polypeptides?
Rough endoplasmic reticulum & Golgi apparatus
To date, scientists have described about thirteen species of salamanders of the genus Eurycea that live
in a small area of central Texas. The salamanders spend their entire life span in distinct aquatic
ecosystems and eat aquatic invertebrates. Which of the following describes the most probable
mechanism of speciation of the salamanders?
Geographic isolation
Which THREE of the following accurately compare open and closed circulatory systems of animals?
1. In an open circulatory system, circulatory fluid returns to the heart through pores, while in a closed
circulatory system, circulatory fluid returns to the heart through vessels.
2. In an open circulatory system, gases flow around the body cells, while in a closed circulatory system,
gas exchange occurs between the circulatory fluid and the body cells.
3. In an open circulatory system, the circulatory fluid is also the interstitial fluid, while in a closed
circulatory system, the circulatory fluid is distinct from the interstitial fluid.
A divided chamber filled with water and with a membrane that separates the two sides is shown above.
Salts ( NaCl,KOH, and MgSO4 ) that are completely soluble in water are added to each side of the
chamber. The initial concentrations of the ions of the salts on each side of the chamber are shown in the
figure. Which of the following describes the most likely movement of the ions if the membrane is
permeable to them?
A net diffusion of ions occurs unitl the concentration of each ion is equal on both sides of the
memebrane
A karyotype analysis is most commonly performed to determine which of the following?
Whether an individual has an abnormal chromosome number or a significant chromosomal
translocation.
Which of the following correctly identifies the locations where the lightdependent reactions of
photosynthesis and the Calvin cycle occur in plant cells?
Photosynthesis in plants involves two key phases: the light-dependent reactions in the thylakoid
membrane where light is converted to ATP and NADPH, and the Calvin cycle in the chloroplast stroma
where carbon dioxide is transformed into organic molecules using the energy carriers produced in the
first phase.
Which TWO of the following best illustrate mutualistic relationships?
Leaf-cutter ants bring leaves back to their nests and chew the leaves into a paste on which grows a
species of fungus that is the main source of food for the ants.
Some species of barnacles attach to whales or sea turtles and thus gain easy access to nutrient-rich
waters and a means of dispersing barnacle larvae.
Carnivorous plants consume insects that provide limiting environmental nutrients to the plants.
The shells of some spider crabs are covered by algae, providing camouflage for the crabs and a growth
surface for the algae.
Leaf-cutter ants and fungus: Leaf-cutter ants bring leaves back to their nests and chew the leaves into a
paste on which grows a species of fungus. The fungus is the main source of food for the ants, while the
ants provide the fungus with nutrients and a suitable environment for growth.
Barnacles and whales/sea turtles: Some species of barnacles attach to whales or sea turtles, gaining easy
access to nutrient-rich waters and a means of dispersing barnacle larvae. The barnacles benefit from the
movement of the host, while the host is not significantly harmed.
Which of the following provides the strongest evidence that regular exercise is beneficial to the
cardiovascular system?
Peer-reviewed studies demonstrating that exercise increases the concentration of HDL ("good"
cholesterol) and decreases the concentration of triglycerides in the body
Regular monitoring of the energy level and muscle tone of an individual who exercises
Publications provided by a local fitness center that describe the benefits of exercise, including
improvement in memory and the ability to learn
Periodic determination of the body mass index (BMI) of an individual who exercises
The strongest evidence that regular exercise is beneficial to the cardiovascular system is provided by
peer-reviewed studies
Which of the following is most likely density dependent factor that can affect the growth of live oak
trees in Texas Hill country?
Fungal disease
IF a population of lizards colonizes an isolated island, which of the following is most likely to occur within
the population over several generations
Genetic drift
, Which of the following is the most likely function of the cells illustrated above?
Absorption of nutrients and minerals
Some members of the family in the pedigree shown above exhibit a rare genetic trait. Which of the
following is the most likely form of inheritance of the trait?
Autosomal dominant
Members of which of the following taxonomic groups are heterotrophic, have cell walls composed of
chitin, and may have body extensions called hyphae?
Fungi
Which of the following is true about DNA replication in eukaryotic cells?
DNA polymerase binds each new nucleotide, and ligase joins the nucleotide to the growing DNA strand.
Which TWO of the following organelles play a role in the addition of carbohydrates to polypeptides?
Rough endoplasmic reticulum & Golgi apparatus
To date, scientists have described about thirteen species of salamanders of the genus Eurycea that live
in a small area of central Texas. The salamanders spend their entire life span in distinct aquatic
ecosystems and eat aquatic invertebrates. Which of the following describes the most probable
mechanism of speciation of the salamanders?
Geographic isolation
Which THREE of the following accurately compare open and closed circulatory systems of animals?
1. In an open circulatory system, circulatory fluid returns to the heart through pores, while in a closed
circulatory system, circulatory fluid returns to the heart through vessels.
2. In an open circulatory system, gases flow around the body cells, while in a closed circulatory system,
gas exchange occurs between the circulatory fluid and the body cells.
3. In an open circulatory system, the circulatory fluid is also the interstitial fluid, while in a closed
circulatory system, the circulatory fluid is distinct from the interstitial fluid.
A divided chamber filled with water and with a membrane that separates the two sides is shown above.
Salts ( NaCl,KOH, and MgSO4 ) that are completely soluble in water are added to each side of the
chamber. The initial concentrations of the ions of the salts on each side of the chamber are shown in the
figure. Which of the following describes the most likely movement of the ions if the membrane is
permeable to them?
A net diffusion of ions occurs unitl the concentration of each ion is equal on both sides of the
memebrane
A karyotype analysis is most commonly performed to determine which of the following?
Whether an individual has an abnormal chromosome number or a significant chromosomal
translocation.
